Lawrence Richard Ahern III

Larry was born in Kingsport, Tennessee, the son of Lawrence Richard Ahern Jr. and Rhue Bagwell Ahern. He was a rambunctious kid who loved mischief, and then grew up to become an Eagle Scout, a prominent lawyer, and a loving husband, father and friend.

Larry graduated from Castle Heights Military Academy in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 1965. He attended Vanderbilt University, where he was elected president of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1969. He attended Vanderbilt Law School, receiving his law degree in 1972.

He was in the Army ROTC, enlisted into the U.S. Army and served in the reserves at the end of the Vietnam War.

Larry practiced bankruptcy and commercial law in Chattanooga and Nashville, Tennessee, at firms including: Miller & Martin; Bass, Berry & Sims; and Burr & Forman. He retired from "big firm" practice in 2013 and limited his practice to consulting engagements by legal and financial professionals, including expert testimony on legal issues involving bankruptcy, commercial and real estate law. He took Retired Partner status with Brown & Ahern in 2023 (Brown & Ahern was designated as a “Tier 1 Law firm” by U.S. News since 2016).

Larry served as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Vanderbilt Law School, St. John's University Law School, Belmont University College of Law, and was a Visiting Professor at Cumberland School of Law.

Larry was a Fellow of both the American College of Bankruptcy and the American College of Mortgage Attorneys, as well as a Distinguished Fellow of the Association of Insolvency & Restructuring Advisors (AIRA). He was certified as a Business Bankruptcy Specialist by the American Board of Certification (ABC) in 1994.

Larry chaired the ABC and the Tennessee Commission on CLE & Specialization and was a Director Emeritus of the ABC. Additionally he served on the Advisory Board of the St. John’s Bankruptcy LL.M program. His other professional affiliations include the American Bankruptcy Institute, the AIRA (former Director), the Turnaround Management Association (former Director and Chapter President).

Larry was listed in The Best Lawyers in America starting in 1989, in the categories of business reorganization, creditors' rights and bankruptcy litigation, and was honored by various publications based on peer ratings such as "best of the bar," and similar honors. He was a frequent speaker and an author and co-author of numerous books and articles on bankruptcy, commercial and real estate law and related fields.

Larry enjoyed outdoor sports with his family and friends including hiking, rafting, whitewater kayaking, cycling and skiing. He taught kayaking in Nashville and volunteered with Scouting America.

Larry is survived by his wife, Karen Cole Ahern; children Bonner Claire Ahern, Cole Benjamin Ahern, Elizabeth Chatham (Steve) and Kirkland Hendrickson (Rob); grandchildren Catherine Chatham and John Chatham; sister Ann Ahern Allen; in-laws George and Cindy Cole, and Martin and Eve Cole, and several beloved nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements by Marshall-Donnelly-Combs Funeral Home.

Contributions can be made to The Ensworth School (211 Ensworth Avenue, Nashville, TN 37205) in Larry’s memory, or to a charity of your choice.