Print BioCornell Kennedy is an experienced healthcare and corporate attorney who provides counsel tailored to the unique needs of specialty practitioners, such as dentists, veterinarians, and chiropractors, as well as to other general corporate clients he represents. Cornell appreciates that healthcare is not a monolithic industry and understands that effective representation requires understanding the nuanced business and legal challenges that vary across the broad healthcare landscape.
In his healthcare practice, Cornell leverages his deep transactional and business knowledge to help his clients – including dentists, veterinarians, optometrists, chiropractors, and physicians – establish and grow their practices, seize opportunities, and minimize risks. He assists practice start-ups with formation, operating and partnership agreements, and lease negotiations. His counsel also includes advising on complex practice acquisitions, sales, buy-ins, financing structures, real estate transactions, and employment matters.
Cornell’s broad experience with forming and structuring management service organizations (MSOs) and dental service organizations (DSOs) helps dentists, endodontists, periodontists, and dental practices navigate the complexities of such affiliations. His work with the dental industry has made him a frequent speaker throughout Tennessee on topics such as practice start-ups and transitions, lease negotiation strategies, associate contracts and buy-ins, and other employment law matters.
In the areas of general corporate law, Cornell represents companies and individuals in business formation and dissolution, acquisitions, and various other operational matters, including employment and covenants not-to-compete.
Education
- University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D.
- Middle Tennessee State University, B.S., Criminal Justice
Admissions
- Tennessee
Recognition
- Best Lawyers in America®, Health Care Law (2024 – 2025)
- Fellow, Nashville Bar Foundation
- Finalist, Nashville Emerging Leader Awards (2020)
- National Black Lawyers “Top 40 Under 40” (2020)
- Super Lawyers “Rising Star,” Health Care, Business/Corporate, Real Estate: Business, Securities & Corporate Finance (2018 – 2023)
- Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law Class of 2020
Publications
- Cornell Kennedy, To Self-Disclose, or Not, that is the Question, Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison Blog (October 22, 2014)
- Cornell Kennedy, Breach Under HIPAA May Have Occurred: Am I Required to Notify?, Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison Blog (September 25, 2014)
- Cornell Kennedy, A Reminder About Additional Disclosure Requirements For Physicians Practices Providing Certain Imaging Services, Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison Blog (September 2, 2014)
Professional Activities
- Member, Nashville Bar Association (Secretary, 2013)
- Member, Leadership Forum, Nashville Bar Foundation (Class of 2015-2016)
- Member, Tennessee Bar Association
- Member, Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity, Tennessee Bar Association
- Past Co-Chair, Diversity Committee, Nashville Bar Association
- Past Member, American Health Lawyers Association
- Past Member, Harry Phillips American Inn of Court
- Past Member, Napier-Looby Bar Association
Civic Activities
- Board Member, Interfaith Dental
- Co-Chair, Legal Food Fight Fundraising Executive Committee, Second Harvest Food Bank
- Past Board Member, Nashville Metropolitan CATV Special Commission
- Volunteer, Antioch High School Mock Trial Team, Nashville Bar Association (2011 – 2012)
- Young Leader’s Board Member, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation