Ed Silva is a founding member of Hartzog & Silva, with more than forty-five years of experience in trial advocacy. He represents clients in family law matters and personal injury cases throughout Tennessee, before Circuit and Chancery Courts, the Tennessee Court of Appeals, the Tennessee Supreme Court, and United States District Courts. He has been recognized by his peers as one of the state’s most respected family law attorneys, as well as for his work in civil mediation. Ed has been repeatedly listed among the Best Lawyers of America and as a Mid-South Super Lawyer, and has been named Best Lawyer’s Nashville Area “Lawyer of the Year” in the field of Family Law for 2010, 2007, and 2020.
Ed is actively involved in a number of legal and local civic organizations. As a result of dedication to his community, he has been recognized as Franklin’s Citizen of the Year and received the Heritage Foundation Legacy Award.
Following his graduation from Boston College, Ed served as an officer in the U.S. Navy, including tours of duty aboard the USS Constellation in the Western Pacific and in Vietnam. He achieved the rank of full lieutenant before returning to civilian life. He is married to Suzanne, a published writer and homemaker. They have two children, Alexandra and Anthony, and two grandchildren.
HONORS AND RECOGNITIONS
Best Lawyers in America – Family Law
Mid-South Super Lawyers – Family Law
Greater Nashville Lawyer of the Year – Family Law (2010, 2017, 2020)
Legacy Award 2019 – Heritage Foundation
Patron of the Year 1998 – Heritage Foundation.
Franklin's Citizen of the Year 1986 – Franklin Lion's Club
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
American Bar Association
Tennessee Bar Association
Williamson County Bar Association, Past President
Tennessee Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission, Past Chairman
Tennessee Bar Foundation Fellow
American Inns of Court John Marshal Chapter, Master
National Board of Trial Advocacy Certified Civil Trial Specialist
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, Past President
Carnton Plantation Board of Directors, Past President
Franklin Gateway Corridors and Connector Streets Economic Development Project Committee, Past Chairman
Franklin National Bank, Founding Director
Fifth Third Bank of Tennessee, former Board Member`
Tennessee Bar Foundation.
(Certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy) (Certified Civil Trial Specialist, Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization)
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
