Stites & Harbison, PLLC

Bryan Echols focuses on commercial real estate, including zoning and land use, acquisitions and due diligence, financing, development, planning and leasing. He has assisted with shopping centers, business centers, commercial office space and flex-space leases.

He also represents lenders and commercial borrowers in loan transactions, including national lenders providing conduit credit facilities secured by real estate interests. Another facet of his practice is the use of conservation easements, fund-raising for preservation purposes and related issues.

Recent Assignments

• Successfully secured zoning approval for a controversial mixed-use development from Franklin, Tennessee, officials
• Completed acquisition, loan and condominium establishment for a distinctive redevelopment effort in downtown Nashville
• Obtained city of Brentwood, Tenn., approval for first "Innovative Project" residential development, including town homes, boulevard homes and hilltop estates
• Completed protracted negotiations for 60,000 square foot commercial lease in prominent office park

Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications

• Led seminars for real estate professionals and attorneys regarding due diligence investigations, lending principles and foreclosures.
• Provided seminars on conservation easement drafting and tax aspects.

Before Stites & Harbison

Mr. Echols is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, with 22 years of military service. He earned his law degree on active duty and served as a Judge Advocate. Bryan oversaw the Air Force's Base Closure and Realignment process in 1995 and was legal advisor to the Office of Military Cooperation in the American Embassy in Kuwait.

More than Stites & Harbison

Bryan is listed in The Best Lawyers in America^® (2007-2010). He was also named by the Nashville Business Journal as a Commercial Real Estate MVP (2010) in the Professional Services category.  He is on the board of the Heritage Foundation for Franklin and Williamson County and for Franklin Tomorrow, and a volunteer attorney for the Land Trust for Tennessee.  In 2009, Mr. Echols was presented with the Patron's Award by the Heritage Foundation for his contributions to the work of the foundation.

Besides Stites & Harbison

Bryan is proud of his family. He is married to Laura and they have three children: Tyler, Brad and Ellyn. He is happy to be part of the Franklin, Tenn. community and enjoys Air Force Falcon sports, the Tennessee Titans and professional golf events.