About Darlene
Darlene practices with the firm’s Environmental Law Group, as well as Commercial, Real Estate and Finance. She is admitted to practice in Tennessee (1988) and Alabama (2008). Darlene is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association (Real Estate and Environmental Law Committees), the Nashville Bar Association (Environmental Law Committee), the American Bar Association (Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources, and Committee on Environmental Transactions and Brownfields), and sits on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the American College of Mortgage Attorneys.
She chairs the Tennessee Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Board and is a Fellow for the Nashville Bar Foundation.
Darlene has lectured on the following topics: “Ancillary Acquisition Agreements”, Fundamentals of Acquisitions in Tennessee (September 2005, Nashville, TN); “Sarbanes-Oxley and its Effects on Environmental Compliance”, 8th Annual Kentucky Environmental Permitting and Reporting Conference (August 2005, Lexington, KY); “Fundamentals of Water Law in Tennessee: Protecting Water Rights, Use and Quality. Development and Modification of Waters, Wetlands and Federal 404 Program, State ARAPs, TVA, Flood Plains and Floodways. Ethics and Enforcement (November, 2005, Nashville; TN); Nashville Chapter of Turnaround Management’s “All Appropriate Inquiry: Phase I Environmental Site Assessments Get a Facelift (September, 2007, Nashville, TN).
Darlene was recognized in the Nashville Business Journal’s “Best of the Bar” in 2004, 2005 and 2006 for her work in Environmental Law as well as in 2007 for her Commercial Real Estate work. She is also a member of the Business Committee for the Nashville Symphony Advisory Council.
Darlene earned J.D., 1988, from Vanderbilt University and her B.S., with highest honors, 1983, from Tennessee State University.
What is your favorite thing about the law?
Developing client relationships to gain mutual understandings of products and/or services. I believe this approach facilitates a high degree of trust and results in excellent service.
What community projects are you involved in?
Nashville Symphony Advisory Council, Business Committee
Developmental Learning Center Advisory Board
What was your first job?
Waitress
What are your hobbies?
Cycling, playing Bridge and reading fiction
What advice would you give to a young student in law school?
Study hard, but also maintain connections with friends and family. A well-rounded life will serve you well.
What is your favorite lawyer joke?
What’s the difference between an attorney and a pit bull? Jewelry and lipstick.
How do you define a “good day?”
Knowing that I enjoyed the opportunity to work with the excellent Burr & Forman team to help our clients achieve their goals.
How do you spend your weekend?
If the weather is nice, out of doors as much as possible.