Tommy Santel
Tommy Santel is a co-founding partner of Santel | Garner, PLLC. Mr. Santel’s practice includes civil litigation with a focus on insurance defense, personal injury, mediation, SIU (Special Investigative Unit) claims for insurance carriers and criminal defense. He has been practicing law for over 20 years. He is listed as a Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31 Mediator and is the former Executive Committee Chairman of the Dispute Resolution Section for the Tennessee Bar Association.
A former government prosecutor, Mr. Santel has extensive experience on both sides of criminal litigation. He has represented individuals and governmental entities in tort, civil rights, contracts, employment, and property disputes.
Mr. Santel has tried numerous bench and jury trials in both civil and criminal courts. He has successfully argued appeals before the Tennessee Court of Appeals and the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. He served as co-lead counsel representing multiple individuals and businesses in “Operation Candy Crush,” where a local government shut down numerous businesses for the alleged illegal sale of CBD. He is admitted to practice in all state courts throughout Tennessee, as well as in federal court in the Middle and Eastern Districts of Tennessee.
Mr. Santel has been recognized by SuperLawyers as both a “Rising Star” and a “SuperLawyer.” He frequently lectures on topics related to mediation and civil litigation and has authored articles for the Tennessee Bar Association and the Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association. He has served on several Tennessee Bar Association committees and boards, including the Dispute Resolution Section, the Criminal Law Section, the Mock Trial Committee, and the Young Lawyers Division. He is a past chairman of the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Continuing Legal Education Committee and a past president of the Rutherford and Cannon County Bar Association.
Mr. Santel regularly conducts mediations via Zoom, at offsite locations, or in his firm’s office, offering flexible options tailored to the needs of attorneys and their clients. He is known for his practical approach to litigation and mediation, emphasizing professionalism, preparation, and civility in all aspects of his practice.
Whether representing clients in high-stakes litigation or guiding parties through resolution in mediation, Mr. Santel is committed to achieving meaningful results through strategic advocacy and trusted counsel.
Mr. Santel is a 2000 graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and a 2004 graduate of the Nashville School of Law.
Credentials
Education
- Nashville School of Law, J.D., 2004
- Middle Tennessee State University, B.S., 2000
Bar Admissions
- Tennessee
- U.S. District Court of Middle Tennessee
- U.S. District Court of East Tennessee
Professional Associations
- Rutherford and Cannon County Bar Association
- Tennessee Bar Association
- Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
Representative Matters
- Successfully defended a governmental entity and department head in matters involving complex property disputes.
- Successfully defended multiple businesses accused of selling illegal substances and being shut down by the government.
- Successfully defended a matter at the Court of Criminal Appeals where the Appellate Court overturned the jury verdict and sentence and remanded for a new trial.
- Assisted client in personal injury matter in reaching $850,000.00 settlement.
- Assisted client in personal injury matter in reaching $240,000.00 settlement.
Community Involvement
- Candle Wishes
- Murfreesboro Baseball Association Coach