Get to Know Us

Born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, attorney Zach Smith moved to Middle Tennessee in 2010, where he attended Middle Tennessee State University. At MTSU, Zach served as the Vice President (2012) and President (2013) of the Economics Club. He graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics with a minor in Business Administration in 2014 and went on to attend Belmont University College of Law. While at Belmont, Zach focused on business law, family law, and estate planning and was recognized for his achievements in Federal Income Tax Law receiving the Best Performance Award in 2017.

Zach’s experience in the legal field has allowed him to view and participate in legal matters from the public, private, and judicial perspectives.

Zach’s commitment to his work is equally balanced by his contribution to his community through his work with various charitable organizations including CureFinders in Sevierville, Tennessee and volunteering at various fundraisers benefitting a myriad of Middle Tennessee charities.

A Middle Tennessee native, Karrissa was born in McMinnville and raised in Morrison. After graduating from Warren County High School, she attended Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, where she obtained her bachelors degree in political science with a minor in history. Karrissa boasts extensive law experience, having worked in the legal field for over twenty years. She also has a background in real estate and regularly participates in auctions. She resides in Lincoln County on a beautiful farm, where she cares for chickens and bunnies and chases her two bulldogs, Tim and Tabs. Karrissa chose to pursue a career in the legal support field because she genuinely enjoys interacting with different types of people in a role that allows her to pursue resolutions to their unique problems.

Jane Basham is the firm’s receptionist and the first face (and voice) many people encounter when they contact our offices. Born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Jane was raised on a dairy farm in Cannon County, so she is no stranger to hard work. She grew up helping her father and mother raise crops and cows on the farm, and initially pursued a career in child development for years before deciding to shift gears to learn the legal field. Jane joined the Stanford Law Firm, PLLC in early 2019 and her desire to excel at her job soared immediately. When she isn’t in the office, she is a fitness buff who enjoys the great outdoors and is an avid hiker.

Born and raised in Rock Island, Tina has spent the last thirty-five years getting to know the people of Warren County through public relations in the retail field. She has a passion for helping others, which is evident in the work she does within the homeless community. In 2019, Tina co-founded a nonprofit organization called HOME – Homeless of McMinnville Effort, where she served as co-director. As a part of the Stanford Law Firm, PLLC, Tina utilizes her compassion for others by getting to know the clients, and offering support and understanding in the midst of their difficult situations. In her personal time, Tina and her husband of thirty-four years enjoy building furniture and doing remodeling projects.

Whether you walk in or call the office, you will immediately understand why Ashlyn's friends say she never meets a stranger. A Warren County native, Ashlyn loves the folks of her hometown and also enjoys meeting new people. Her outgoing, genuine nature allows her to connect with each client, building a relationship as she works to help them with their case. She is proud of her strong family roots and will grab any chance to talk about her nieces, nephew, and sweet pup, Gertie. During her downtime, Ashlyn can be found enjoying a good book, shopping at our local Lemon boutique, or heading out on a girls' trip with her friends.