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Chambliss Strengthens Team with Two New Associate Attorneys
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. welcomes attorneys McKinley Pitts and Aleksei Smith, who will support the firm’s labor and employment, litigation, and real estate practice areas.
“We are excited to welcome McKinley and Aleksei to Chambliss during a period of meaningful growth at our firm,” said President and Managing Shareholder Steve Barham. “We look forward to seeing McKinley and Aleksei grow in their individual practices and are excited for the future as we continue to bring new talent to the firm. With their strong drive and shared commitment to our client-focused approach, they will make a significant impact at Chambliss.”
McKinley advises employers on compliance with Title VII, FMLA, ADA, ADEA, and FLSA, and provides guidance on hiring and termination practices, employee accommodations, leave management, and wage-and-hour matters. She also assists in developing employment policies, handbooks, and training programs to promote positive work environments and minimize risk. Her experience spans diverse industries, including automotive, education, food and beverage, health care, manufacturing, municipal and government, startups, and transportation and logistics.
After earning her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from the University of Kentucky, McKinley earned her J.D. from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law. While in law school, she served as notes editor for the Kentucky Journal of Equine, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Law. Before joining Chambliss, McKinley worked at a law firm in Lexington, Kentucky. She is a member of the American Bar, Tennessee Bar, and Chattanooga Bar Associations, and the Chattanooga Bar Association’s Young Lawyers’ Division. McKinley is licensed to practice in Tennessee.
Aleksei advises clients on a variety of commercial real estate matters, including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, and financing transactions. Her experience includes title review, due diligence, and coordinating complex real estate projects. Aleksei’s strong transactional background allows her to support clients through each stage of a matter with clarity and precision.
After earning her bachelor’s degree, cum laude, from the University of Tennessee, Aleksei received her J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law. During law school, she served as a student attorney in the Transactional Clinic and received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Real Estate Finance Law. Aleksei is a member of the Tennessee Bar and Chattanooga Bar Associations and is licensed to practice in Tennessee and Georgia.
Read the Chattanoogan article, “Chambliss Announces 2 New Associate Attorneys.”
