Karla C. Miller, Founder

Karla C. Miller has devoted her entire career to the practice of family law in Tennessee. Originally from Dothan, Alabama, Karla moved to Tennessee in 1986 and enrolled in the Nashville School of Law a few years later. While in her final year, she clerked for the Honorable Steve Daniel, a professor at the school. Upon graduation in 1996, she opened her own firm and has been assisting families throughout Tennessee ever since. She became a Rule 31 Listed Family mediator in 2009.

In an effort to help military families in the area, Karla became a volunteer ombudsman with Department of Defense, serving as a link between those who serve and their employers. In 2008, Karla was awarded National Ombudsman of the Year by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee of the U.S. Department of Defense. In 2009, she was named National Ombudsman of the Year by the Military Officers Association of America. From 2006-2014, Karla was a Commissioner on the Board of Commissioners of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission. She was appointed by Governor Phil Bredesen to this position.

Karla was appointed by then Governor Phil Bredesen as a member of the Board of Commissioners of the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, and she served in that capacity from 2008-2015.

Karla maintains a perfect 10/10 Superb rating on Avvo.com.

Karla at home

When she’s not in the office working for her clients, Karla loves spending time at the beach or taking in the blues and traditional jazz scene in Nashville or New Orleans. She and her husband, Nashville personal injury attorney Phillip Miller, share an office, a home and a beautiful Labradoodle named Stella. The three of them spend hours walking in the local parks – when Stella isn’t too busy making home movies about herself, that is. Karla also loves to sing, and she has sung in various church choirs and secular choruses as well. She has been known to sing Karaoke every now and then (don’t tell anyone).

Areas of Practice

Family Law Divorce Child Custody Child Support

Visitation Rights Domestic Violence Alimony Appeals

Bar Admissions

• Tennessee, 1996
• U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee, 1996

Education

• J.D., Nashville School of Law, Nashville, Tennessee, 1996
• B.S., International Business, Auburn University, 1985

Professional Associations and Memberships

• Nashville Bar Association,1996-present
• American Bar Association
• Tennessee Association for Justice, 2002 – present
  • Board of governors, former member
  • Domestic Relations Committee, Co-Chair
  • Consumer and Community Affairs Committee, former Chair
• Harry Phillips American Inn of Court, former member
• Lawyers Involved for Tennessee, 2003 – present
  • Board of Trustees, member, 2011 – present
• Circle of Advocates, 2009 – present
• Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee of US DOD, Ombudsman, 2004 – present
• Tennessee Citizen Action, Board of Directors, 2004 – present
  • President, 2008 – 2012
• Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Board of Commissioners, 2008 – 2014

Awards and Honors

• Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2019 ­– Present
• “Top Ten in Tennessee,” National Academy of Family Law Attorneys, 2014–Present
• Nations Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2016 — Present
• “10 Best in Client Satisfaction,” American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, 2014–Present.
• National Ombudsman of the Year, Military Officers Association of America, 2009
• Best of the Bar, Nashville Business Journal, 2009
• Rule 31 Listed Family Mediator, TN Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission, 2009
• National Ombudsman of the Year, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee, US Dept. of Defense, 2008
• Seven Seals Award, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Committee of the US DOD, 2005

Publications and Speaking Engagements

•  “Ethical Concerns and Attorney-Client Privilege,” Tennessee Association for Justice, Seminar, 2015
• “Don’t Box Yourself In,” Tennessee Association for Justice, Seminar, 2014
• “Criminal Contempt,” Tennessee Association for Justice, Seminar, 2013
• “Criminal Contempt,” Tennessee Association for Justice, Annual Convention Seminar, 2012
• Opinion Editorial, The Tennessean, 2011
• “Domestic Case Law Update,” Tennessee Association for Justice, Annual Review, 2010
• “USERRA Law Update,” Tennessee Association for Justice, Annual Convention, 2009
• “Women in the Legal Profession,” Belmont University Student Activity, 2006
• “Law Office Management,” Continuing Legal Education series, Nashville School of Law, 2004

Nashville, Tennessee
Phone: 615-391-4200
Fax: 615-885-8849
Rule 31 Listed Family Mediator