In modern law practice, especially within large corporate firms, ethical safeguards are just as important as courtroom victories or deal closings. Behind every legal matter, there are professionals working quietly to ensure that lawyers can operate without running into conflicts that might compromise trust. At Bass, Berry & Sims, one of those professionals is Pierce Sandwith who serves as a Conflicts Attorney. His work may not always make headlines, but it plays a central role in protecting both the firm and its clients.
Who Is Pierce Sandwith?
Pierce Sandwith is an attorney based in Nashville, Tennessee, and part of the compliance backbone at Bass, Berry & Sims. His official title—Conflicts Attorney—highlights the type of work he specializes in: examining potential client and matter conflicts, advising attorneys on ethical obligations, and helping the firm manage risks that could arise from taking on new business.
Before stepping into his current role, Sandwith worked in several legal capacities. His past experience includes serving as a staff attorney, an assistant general counsel, and even teaching as an adjunct professor. These positions gave him exposure to both the practical and academic sides of the law. His time as a diligence attorney also sharpened his ability to review details carefully, a skill that directly benefits his current work.
The Firm: Bass, Berry & Sims
Bass, Berry & Sims is a prominent full-service law firm headquartered in Nashville, with a reputation for handling complex corporate, litigation, health care, and regulatory matters. The firm has been around for more than a century and has built its success on a mix of strong advocacy, business acumen, and ethical integrity.
Within such a large and multifaceted practice, conflicts management is not optional—it is essential. Large firms often represent thousands of clients across industries. Without careful review, it would be easy for one engagement to collide with another, creating an ethical or business conflict. This is where attorneys like Sandwith step in.
Why Conflicts Work Matters
When most people think of lawyers, they imagine courtroom trials or contract negotiations. Yet, behind the scenes, a conflicts team reviews nearly every new engagement. Their work answers questions like:
- Does representing a new client put the firm in opposition to an existing client?
- Could confidential information from one matter affect another?
- Does a lawyer’s personal or prior relationship create risks for the firm?
- Are there potential regulatory restrictions that prevent the firm from taking on the case?
If these questions are not asked—or answered incorrectly—the results can be damaging. A firm could face disqualification from a case, loss of client trust, or even disciplinary action. By carefully screening matters, conflicts attorneys protect the integrity of the firm and maintain the confidence of clients.
Pierce Sandwith’s Role
As a Conflicts Attorney, Sandwith spends much of his time analyzing client information, reviewing new business intake requests, and applying ethical rules to real-world situations. When a potential conflict arises, he helps guide the discussion on whether it can be managed through disclosure and consent or whether it is too risky for the firm to proceed.
This work requires not just legal knowledge but also judgment, diplomacy, and a deep understanding of professional responsibility rules. Sandwith acts as both a gatekeeper and a problem solver, ensuring that the firm’s lawyers can move forward with clarity and confidence.
Beyond Legal Compliance
While Sandwith’s primary role is within the firm’s risk management team, his professional presence extends beyond compliance work. He has been active in community initiatives and firm-sponsored outreach programs. His past experience as an adjunct professor also shows a commitment to education and mentoring, helping others understand the nuances of law and ethics.
The Bigger Picture: Ethics in Law Firms
The existence of conflicts attorneys underscores how seriously modern law firms take their ethical obligations. For many clients—especially large corporations in regulated industries—choosing a law firm is not just about skill but also about trust. They need to know that sensitive information will remain confidential and that their lawyers will not be compromised by conflicting obligations.
Attorneys like Sandwith embody that trust. Their work may not be glamorous, but it is indispensable. In an era where reputation can be lost overnight, conflicts management provides a quiet but powerful shield for both clients and firms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What does a Conflicts Attorney actually do?
A Conflicts Attorney reviews new and existing client matters to make sure they don’t overlap in ways that create ethical problems. They check for issues like competing interests, confidentiality risks, or regulatory restrictions.
Q2: Why is the role important at Bass, Berry & Sims?
Because the firm handles complex work for clients in many industries, conflicts can easily arise. Without conflicts review, the firm could face ethical violations or lose the trust of its clients.
Q3: Is Pierce Sandwith a practicing trial lawyer?
No. His work is primarily in compliance and risk management rather than litigation or transactional practice. He ensures that the firm’s lawyers can take on cases without conflict.
Q4: What background does he bring to the role?
Sandwith has worked as a staff attorney, assistant general counsel, diligence attorney, and adjunct professor. These roles gave him a wide perspective on legal practice, compliance, and education.
Q5: Does his work involve client interaction?
Yes, but not in the same way as a trial attorney. His interactions are often internal—working with firm lawyers and administrators—but he may also be involved in communications with clients when conflict disclosures or waivers are required.
Q6: How does a conflicts attorney benefit clients directly?
By ensuring their lawyers are free of conflicting obligations, clients gain confidence that their legal matters are being handled with full loyalty and discretion.
Q7: What qualities are most important in this type of role?
Attention to detail, strong judgment, knowledge of professional responsibility rules, and the ability to balance firm interests with ethical obligations.
Conclusion
Pierce Sandwith’s position at Bass, Berry & Sims illustrates a side of law that most people rarely see but every client depends on. His career reflects the importance of ethics, precision, and responsibility in modern legal practice. By working behind the scenes, he helps safeguard the firm’s reputation and ensures that clients can move forward knowing their lawyers are fully dedicated to their interests.
