Baker Donelson has elected 16 new shareholders across the firm, including Chattanooga attorneys Ashley Baxter Gibson and Erin Gomez.
Gibson, a member of the firm’s Complex Litigation and Class Action Practice Group, has more than a decade of experience as a nationwide litigator and trial lawyer. She recently secured a complete defense verdict in a case with $100 million in potential exposure.
Her practice includes healthcare litigation, with experience in CMS Medicare Part D regulations, and she serves as a lead litigator on the firm’s pharmacy benefit manager team, managing arbitration matters for independent pharmacies. Gibson has also handled business litigation across the telecommunications, manufacturing, insurance and energy sectors.
She earned her law degree from Emory University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Georgia Southern University. Gibson serves as a BakerWomen office leader in Chattanooga and was named the firm’s Chattanooga Associate of the Year in 2024. She’s been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Commercial Litigation since 2022.
Gomez, a member of the firm’s Construction Group, represents owners, contractors, suppliers and design professionals nationwide. Her work spans construction projects from contract drafting and negotiation to dispute resolution, including matters involving payment issues, delays, change orders and alleged defects in courts and arbitration.
She also handles a range of business litigation matters, including telecommunications, utility, railroad, professional liability, intellectual property and contract disputes.
Gomez earned her law degree, with honors, from Emory University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from Maryville College. She’s proficient in Spanish and has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for Litigation – Labor and Employment and Professional Malpractice Law since 2021, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants since 2022. She previously served on the board of the Southeast Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women.
Siskin names assistant chief nursing officer
Siskin Hospital for Physical Rehabilitation has appointed Shea Popo as its assistant chief nursing officer.
Popo brings nearly two decades of clinical and nursing management experience, including several years in rehabilitation nursing.
Most recently, Popo served as director of nursing at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Chicago, where she oversaw multiple medical floors, the dialysis unit, nursing operations and the critical care department.
She holds a doctorate in nursing practice and nursing executive leadership from Chamberlain University, a master of science in nursing from Benedictine University and a bachelor of science in nursing from Saint Xavier University.
She also holds certifications as a Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse and an advanced board certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
New to Chattanooga, Popo said she looks forward to becoming part of both the hospital and the broader Southeast community.
Signal Centers’ Slocumb retires after 9 years
Signal Centers has announced the retirement of Senior Development Officer Mike Slocumb, whose nine years with the nonprofit helped expand its philanthropic reach and strengthen its financial foundation.
During his tenure, Slocumb played a key role in growing the organization’s endowment from $200,000 to more than $2 million. He also built and strengthened relationships with donors and community partners.
Slocumb was instrumental in advancing major initiatives, including the expansion of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Hamilton County. After Signal Centers adopted the program at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, he helped secure funding to provide free books to children across the community.
Reflecting on his time with the organization, Slocumb says, “I came here to do a job, but I leave having been part of something far greater – a mission that will continue to change lives long after me.”
Before joining Signal Centers, Slocumb served as vice president of development at United Way for seven years. Earlier in his career, he worked in the textile industry, including as president of the yarn group at The Dixie Group.
He holds a degree in accounting from University of Mississippi and an Executive MBA from University of Virginia Darden School of Business. A former U.S. Army captain, Slocumb has maintained a lifelong commitment to service throughout his career.
Chambliss adds attorney, paralegal to the firm
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel has welcomed attorney Samaria “Sammy” Codougan and paralegal Rhiannon Seiger, who will support the firm’s construction, intellectual property, litigation and real estate practice areas.
Codougan focuses her practice on intellectual property law, advising clients on protecting, managing and strategically leveraging their innovations. Her work includes patent, trademark and copyright matters such as evaluating patentability and trademark eligibility, preparing and prosecuting applications and guiding clients through registration and enforcement.
She also advises on infringement risks and represents clients in defending and enforcing intellectual property rights.
Her clients include entrepreneurs, startups, established companies, universities and governmental entities across industries such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, agriculture, environmental sciences and technology.
Codougan earned her law degree from Emory University School of Law and a bachelor of science from Georgia State University. She’s admitted to practice in Tennessee.
Seiger brings more than five years of legal experience, along with a background in banking and real estate investment that informs her work on financial operations, client service, property transactions and market dynamics.
She earned a legal secretary certificate from the University of Tennessee.
BrightBridge selects Galliano for controller
BrightBridge Capital has named Riley Galliano as controller.
Galliano brings a decade of finance and accounting experience to the organization. Most recently, she served as an accountant for a consulting and financial services provider, where she specialized in billing and procurement, supervised account managers and managed a portfolio of skilled nursing care facilities.
In her new role, Galliano will focus on strengthening internal controls and improving operational efficiency.
A Chattanooga resident, Galliano earned her degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, supporting her children at sporting events and baking cakes for special occasions.