Meet the Team
Trent Linville Lead Attorney
Like many other attorneys, Trent’s desire to practice law came from reading about Atticus Finch in his 7th grade English class at Battle Ground Academy. He simply wanted to be able to help and counsel people to protect what matters most to them. Almost a decade of estate planning experience has enabled him to learn what is most important to his clients and then tailor the right solutions for each and every situation.
In addition to advocating for his clients, Trent serves on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen in Spring Hill. He is passionate about making Spring Hill a better place to live, work, and raise a family. You'll also find him cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers in any sport, enjoying a good bottle of bourbon, and spending time with his family.
Education
Belmont University College of Law
Juris Doctor, 2014
University of Tennessee
B.A., 2011
Activities & Affiliations
- Tennessee Bar Association
- Williamson County Bar Association
- WealthCounsel and ElderCounsel Member
- Board of Mayor and Aldermen - Spring Hill, TN
Get To Know Trent
- Where did you grow up? I was born and raised in Franklin. My family has deep roots in Middle Tennessee, especially Williamson County. My grandfather was a small business owner who owned and ran Corner Drug Store in Downtown Franklin in the White Building where Starbucks is currently located.
- Do you collect anything? Yes - I am a bourbon aficionado. I’ve been described by friends and family as having a “buying problem,” but somehow there’s always one more bottle that I “need” to add to the collection.
- What is your favorite recent memory? As a lifelong Tennessee Volunteers fan, football season has often felt like more of a curse than a blessing. The 2022 Tennessee-Alabama game was more exhilarating than I thought possible from watching a football game. It was a roller coaster of emotions that ended with jubilation and a well-earned victory cigar in the Linville household after Chase McGrath’s field goal cleared the crossbar and Tennessee took the 52-49 win.
Ryan Alspaugh Associate Attorney
Ryan’s passion for serving others developed in the senior living industry, where he saw first-hand how families are affected by a lack of, or ineffective, estate planning. Witnessing how families were left behind to pick up the pieces, his desire is to ensure his clients can live with peace of mind knowing their estate plan will work when they need it. This unique experience offers him the ability to foresee challenges in planning circumstances.
In addition to helping clients plan for the future, Ryan enjoys coaching his son’s baseball team and watching his daughter’s gymnastics performances. Ryan is an avid open-wheel racing fan, and has attended over forty consecutive Indianapolis 500s. Ryan and his wife, Jennifer, and their family, reside in Thompson’s Station.
Education
Nashville School of Law
Juris Doctor, 2009
Anderson University
B.A., 2004
Activities & Affiliations
- Tennessee Bar Association
Get To Know Ryan
- What was your first job? My first job was as a summer worker at a local trucking company in my hometown. I worked in the grease pit, mowed the grounds, and fueled semi-trucks. That job taught me so many life lessons: hard work, the value of relationships in a work setting, and most importantly, how to drive a manual transmission!
- Where is your happy place? Really anywhere outdoors. But, if I had to pick one, it would be down in southern Tennessee. Our family has a farm there and it has everything: wide open fields, water, chickens, dogs, and woods. It’s such a great place to get back to reality and step away from life in the suburban fast lane.
- What is your standard morning routine? I am an early riser and get my morning workout in before 6am. After my workout, I shower, get ready for work, and make COFFEE. I usually help prepare breakfast for the kids, and then out the door we go! Anyone with kids who go to school knows how crazy mornings are. Ours is no different!
Dan Widboom Associate Attorney
For over a decade, whether practicing business and commercial litigation or representing injury victims, Dan’s priority has always been serving clients and promoting their best interests. His early career also involved probate litigation, where he saw the unfortunate reality of bitter family disputes because of deficient or nonexistent estate plans. Those experiences taught him the value of a clear estate plan and the need for compassionate representation.
In addition to helping clients navigate the probate and planning process, Dan loves spending time hiking and exploring the Tennessee outdoors with his wife, Natalia, and their family. He also enjoys numerous sports, including volleyball and disc golf.
Education
Vanderbilt University Law School
Juris Doctor, 2012
University of Florida
B.A., 2009
Activities & Affiliations
- Vice Chair/Board Member – Pregnancy Centers of Middle Tennessee
- Tennessee Bar Association
- Florida Bar Association
Get To Know Dan
- What is something that always makes you smile? Hearing my children and wife laugh. They are such a blessing to me, and I try to cherish every moment I have with them.
- What were your first jobs? In high school, I worked for a palm tree nursery in my hometown of Brooksville, Florida. And yes, it was as hot as it sounds. In college, I also worked for a door manufacturing and delivery company. Both jobs involved hard work and manual labor, and I am thankful for those experiences. To this day, I am not afraid of working outside or doing hard jobs.
- What is your best childhood memory? It’s hard to pick one, so I will say all the time spent at Christian summer camps. I was at multiple camps every summer, all the way through college – whether as a camper or staff member. I made so many wonderful friends and memories.
Katie Vaughn Paralegal
As a Paralegal on our team, Katie takes great pride in working with our attorneys to ensure that each client's Estate Plan is perfectly drafted to accomplish their goals! Her desire is to make every client's Estate Plan as easy to understand as possible, and a plan each person has confidence in. She believes that clarity is one of the best gifts we can give our family, especially in unforeseen circumstances, and considers it a great honor to partner with our clients to provide that.
Get To Know Katie
- What is the greatest accomplishment of your life? My family, by a long stretch. There is nothing that brings me more joy than getting to be a wife and mom!
- What is on your bucket list? I hope to visit Israel, a handful of countries in Europe, Bora Bora, and somewhere I can see the Northern Lights. I would love to live somewhere it snows regularly during winter months. And, lastly, though maybe it should be first, I would love to have two Golden Retrievers one day!
- What are you most thankful for? The hardships that I’ve experienced; they have shaped me into the person I am today. As cliché as it may sound, my trials are where my walk with Jesus, faith, drive, and discipline were born.
Bill Buckingham Client Services Director
Whether interacting with potential clients in consultations or coordinating day-to-day operations, Bill makes it his personal mission to provide a top-notch client experience for anyone interacting with our firm. He enjoys getting to know our clients and their unique estate planning goals, all while making their process as smooth and simple as possible.
Get To Know Bill
- Where did you grow up? I grew up in central Washington State on a cattle ranch and farm near the beautiful resort community of Lake Chelan. My wife Abbie and I met while I was in college at Washington State University (Go Cougs!), and we moved to Tennessee in early 2018.
- What movie/tv show can you quote by heart? The Office (US). I’ve watched the entire show more times than I care to admit, and quotes from The Office make it into my conversations with friends and family on a regular basis.
- What does your average weekend look like? Being from the Pacific Northwest, our family loves being in the great outdoors! Whether going to a park, out on a hike, taking a walk around the neighborhood, or even just playing in our backyard, we love spending quality time together outside.
Pam Pedrick Executive Assistant
Pam believes that her role as an executive assistant is to help others win, whether that be managing calendars and emails, preparing documents for client meetings, or just strategizing ways to make things work more efficiently. She’s always looking ahead to try to anticipate unexpected matters that may come up, and make decisions that best help the team and our clients be successful!
Get To Know Pam
- Where did you grow up? I grew up in New Hampshire…my husband, Rich, and I met in college (in NH), and moved here to Tennessee with our kids, Maddie & Ben, in 2017.
- What was your favorite subject in school? Music! I actually went to school for Music Education (saxophone was my major instrument) and taught Elementary Music for about 16 years.
- What makes you happiest? Being with my family. We could be doing nothing at all, but just being with them makes my heart so full!
Liz Craig Client Services Specialist
Liz’s service industry background and highly relational personality make her the perfect fit for interacting with clients firsthand. Bringing kindness and clarity into those first conversations, she will help get your estate planning process off to a great start!
Get To Know Liz
- Who is your hero? My dad, Robert Bruce, and my husband, Scott Craig, are my heroes. The two of them have a total of 35 years combined in the United States Navy. Their honor, courage, and commitment to serving our great country have been an inspiration to me since day one.
- What is something that always makes you smile? Something that always makes me smile is going down the toy aisle at stores! My girls (Hadley, 10yrs, and Cadie, 7yrs) and I always make time to check out the fun new toys! Growing up during the Cabbage Patch Doll craze in the 80’s, my favorite toy has always been the baby doll.
- What was the first concert you ever attended? What was your favorite concert? My first concert was NSYNC, in 1999 at the Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, WA. I went with my best friend Rhianna; we were at the peak of our boy band phase and had the time of our lives! My favorite concert has to be seeing Billy Joel with my husband in Virginia Beach, VA. Being raised on classic 70’s rock, Billy Joel’s music feels like the soundtrack to my childhood.
Vanessa Dolberry Client Experience Coordinator
Vanessa is a seasoned professional who excels in building relationships and strong client connections. Her focus is on making every interaction count, while aiming for lasting value beyond the initial contact with our firm.
Get To Know Vanessa
- Tell me about your longest-running friendship with someone? I've known my husband since we were both in 5th grade. We've been friends since 8th grade. Even when we weren't dating, we were good friends. Turned out pretty well! 🙂
- What is your favorite holiday? CHRISTMAS! Celebrating Jesus - the best gift, the lights, the trees, the cookies, the presents. I just love it all!
- What is the most ridiculous nightmare you have ever had? A basketball coming straight at my face but I wake up before it hits me. I've had that recurring nightmare since I was a kid.
Haley Drost Legal Assistant
As a Legal Assistant, Haley thrives on attention to detail, clear communication, and nurturing relationships. With her diverse background, she excels at connecting with others, managing projects seamlessly, and focusing on the finer details. She enjoys showing clients how Estate Planning is relevant to people of various life stages and financial circumstances.
Get To Know Haley
- What is your favorite recent memory? Getting to take my Louisianian husband home with me! I finally got to show him a bit of the Green Mountain State in all her winter glory this past year. How sweet it was to show him the place and the people that have shaped me the most – especially the beauty of Dunkin’ Donuts, Vermont maple farms, and mud season!
- What are you most looking forward to? The arrival of our first baby! We’re so excited to be a family of three (plus our four-legged member) and praise God for a happy and healthy baby girl. December can’t come soon enough!
- What is your strangest irrational fear? Ladybugs. Ticks. Snakes. June bugs. Ants… All of them. If it crawls or slithers, I would rather not be in the same time zone.
Lindsay Gordon Marketing Director
As Marketing Director, Lindsay is passionate about demystifying estate planning through inspiring stories and approachable content. Her goal is to ensure families feel equipped and supported as they take the next step in their estate planning journey.
Get To Know Lindsay
- What is your dream project? For the longest time, I've wanted to open my own flower shop. I want to create a space that uses floriography (the language of flowers) to tell stories and make people feel like they've stepped into a European flower market.
- What is your favorite season? Christmas. I could celebrate this all year long! I'll use any excuse to listen to Christmas music. My official Christmas season begins after my birthday in September.
- What is your favorite quote? "Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is an illusion." Brennan Manning
Allie Shilling Legal Assistant
Get To Know Allie
- What is your favorite season?
Fall is definitely my favorite season! All the beautiful fall-colored leaves, the crisp, cool mornings on the porch, pulling out the cozy blankets, and baking all the yummy things bring me so much joy. - What do you enjoy spending money on?
Disney trips with my family! Fun Fact: My husband and I worked at Disneyland while in college, so we enjoyed free date nights there. Once we had kids, it made it even more magical! Some of our favorite family memories are at Disneyland. - Tell me your life story in exactly one sentence:
I was born in California, grew up in rainy Oregon, gave my life to Jesus, met my husband in a SoCal college band, got married, had two amazing boys, cheered the Cubs’ World Series win, spent (almost) all our family vacations at Disneyland, got a crazy Goldendoodle, and am now homeschooling in Tennessee—something my Enneagram 6 never saw coming!
