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Teresa Rider Bult

Partner

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit."

--Aristotle

Teresa Bult primarily focuses her practice on employment litigation defense, and has successfully tried both jury and non-jury cases in the employment context. She has become known for effectively handling sexual harassment cases with complicated factual scenarios. She also has extensive experience successfully litigating all types of discrimination and wage claims, including class claims, at both the trial and appellate level. Teresa prefers, however, to work closely with clients to resolve difficult human resources issues before they transform into litigation. To that end, she often provides audit services to firm clients to analyze human resource compliance issues. Teresa frequently speaks and provides training on relevant legal topics based on her experience, such as harassment and termination procedures. Teresa serves as an Administrative Partner for the firm, and is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee.

Publications/Presentations

• Sterling Education Services Presenter, "Employment Law Update Seminar," July 13, 2011 (Registration available online via link above)
• Stafford CLE Webinar Panelist, "Employment Litigation: Pursuing and Defeating Pre-Trial Motions to Dismiss," November 23, 2010
• "What GINA Means for Employers & Employees,"  ABA Litigation News Cover Story (Print Edition), Spring 2010
• "Supreme Court Decision Clarifies Diversity Statute's Terminology," ABA Litigation News (online edition), May 2010
• ABA Litigation Section Teleconference Moderator:  "Woodshedding Witnesses:  Limits to What Could be one of the Law's Dirty Little Secrets," February 9, 2010.
• "Is Summary Judgment In Employment Cases A Myth?," Employment Law360, November 2009 
• "Ibarra Reveals Limits to Woodshedding of Witness," ABA Litigation News (online edition), November 2009
• "Arbitration Agreements:  Are They Worth the Cost?" presentation, National Retail Federation HR Executive Summit, 2009
• "Starbucks Reversal Stirs Employment Law Community," ABA Litigation, Summer 2009 
• "Definition of 'Disabled' is Expanded by Amendments to ADA," ABA Litigation, Spring 2009
• "In House Ethics Guidance Cuts Both Ways," January 2009, ABA Litigation News (online edition)
• "Definition of 'Disabled' is Expanded by Amendments to ADA," Winter 2009, ABA Litigation News (print edition)
• "Employment Arbitration and Mediation: Pros and Cons and Everything in Between" presentation, 2009
• "A Partner is a Partner" presentation, ABA Annual Meeting, 2008
• "Off the Wall Questions with not so Off the Wall Answers" presentation, National Retail Federation HR Executive Summit, 2008
• "Sex, Race and Other Harassment in the Workplace" presentation, Sterling Education Services, 2008
• "Debunking The Work-Life Balance Myth: Is It Fact or Fiction," ACC Docket, July/August 2007
• "Practical Use and Risky Consequences of Rule 68 Offers of Judgment."  Litigation Magazine, Volume 33, Number 3, Spring 2007.  American Bar Association
• "In House Journey to Success for Women Lawyers."  Corporate Counsel Magazine. Spring 2007. American Bar Association
• "Paperless Workplace" presentation, Sterling Education Services, 2007
• "Coping with Leave Laws" presentation, Sterling Education Services, 2007
• Panelist, ABA Litigation Section meeting, 2006, "Evaluating Practice Options: An Insider's View of Practice Worlds."
• "Sex, Race, and Other Harassment in the Workplace" presentation, Sterling Education Services, 2006
• "Protecting At Will Employment" presentation, Sterling Education Services, 2006

Awards & Recognition

• AV® Peer Review Rated By Martindale-Hubbell
• 2008-2010 Super Lawyer
• Mid-South Super Lawyer

Professional Activities/Associations

• American Bar Association Litigation News editor
• American Bar Association Woman Advocate Committee; subcommittee co-chair
• Nashville Bar Association
• Harry B. Phillips American Inns of Court, alumni
• CABLE Civic Connections for Women
• Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce
• Nashville Legal Association for Women (LAW)
• Former General Counsel/ Secretary for Outlook Nashville

Civic/Charitable Activities/Associations

• Crosspoint Community Church

Other Personal Background Information and Interests

• Teresa enjoys spending time with her husband and their two boys, as well their little girl, whom they recently adopted from Ethiopia. When Teresa is not chasing after her kids, she enjoys hanging out at the lake (or any body of water), writing articles on legal and other topics, travel, home projects, promoting adoption, and volunteering at her church and in the Nashville community. She loves the outdoors, and wishes she had more time to fit in camping, water and snow skiing, and hiking!