Theodore W. Goodman

Theodore W. (Ted) Goodman, has over a decade of experience as an attorney. Ted joined Murfree, Goodman & Rosado, PLLC (then called Murfree & Murfree, PLLC), in April 2012. Ted earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, with distinction in history in 2006. Ted is a graduate of The Webb School, in Bell Buckle, Tennessee.

Ted has published two articles. His first, The Need for Prescription Drug Buy-Back Programs, was published in the Tennessee Journal of Law and Policy. His second, To the End of the Earth: A Study of the Boundary Between Earth and Space, was published in the prestigious Journal of Space Law.

Prior to joining the Firm, Ted practiced as a sole practitioner in Murfreesboro. Ted represents both businesses, and individuals in a variety of estate planning, probate, business, and real estate law issues.

He has experience in contract drafting, contract disputes, construction defects – representing both contractors and property owners – business representation, landlord tenant issues, real estate boundary disputes, road issues, contempt, writs of possession, recovery of unique and sentimental property, the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, contract law, estate law, conservatorships, the Tennessee Public Records Act (Tennessee's version of the Federal Freedom of Information Act), wills, powers of attorney, prenuptial agreements, family law issues, and family property disputes.

Ted's clients include governmental entities, publicly traded companies, other attorneys, Singer Sewing Machine Company, banks, international corporations, small businesses, and individuals.

Ted grew up on his family's cattle farm in the hamlet of Milton outside of Murfreesboro. He is the son of Delia and Dr. Charles Goodman, a Murfreesboro dermatologist, and is the grandson of the late Harriett and Dr. Theodore C. Bigger, former chairman of the agriculture department at Middle Tennessee State University.

Ted attended Homer Pittard Campus School and graduated from The Webb School in Bell Buckle, Tennessee. Prior to commencing his University studies at The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, Ted trained in welding at the Tennessee Technology Center while working nights as a janitor.

At Sewanee, Ted was active in student government: he served all four years on the University's Honor Council and was a representative on the student assembly all four years. During his senior year, Ted served as the Honor Council's Vice-Chairman. Ted was also a staff writer for the student newspaper, the Sewanee Purple, where he most enjoyed assignments as a restaurant reviewer. Ted was recognized as the University's "Volunteer of the Year" his senior year. His freshman and junior years, Ted received the Leadership and Service Award which is presented to "one individual in each class in recognition of outstanding service and dedication to the Sewanee community." While a student at Sewanee, Ted served as a summer intern for United States Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, where he earned a coveted United States Capitol Building office assignment.

After Sewanee, Ted graduated from The University of Tennessee, College of Law, in 2009, with a concentration in advocacy and dispute resolution. In law school, Ted took classes ranging from Land Use Law to Administrative Law to Advanced Criminal Law to Space Law. At U.T., he was a staff editor for the Tennessee Journal of Law and Policy and received the awards for Excellence in Legal Writing and Excellence in American Legal History. While a student at U.T., Ted served as an Acting Assistant District Attorney in Knox County, Tennessee, prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases in general sessions court ranging from timber theft to aggravated assault.

Ted is a past president of the Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary Club and a former member of the Board of Directors of Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) of Rutherford County, Inc. He is also an auxiliary member of the Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department and sits on the Fire Department's Board of Directors. and sits on the Board of Directors for the Oaklands Historic House Museum. Ted is also a member of the Tennessee Bar Association House of Delegates. He is also a member of the Webb School Alumni Board. Ted is a 2011 graduate of Leadership Rutherford, and a member of the 2018 Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Law Class. Ted has been recognized a Tennessee Attorney for Justice for three (3) years, an award presented by the Tennessee Supreme Court to attorneys who perform at least fifty (50) hours of pro bono legal services during the prior year.

Ted and his wife, Kelly live in Murfreesboro with their son, Will.

Areas of Practice

• Business Law
• Estate Planning
• Probate
• Conservatorships
• Real Estate Law
• Zoning Law
• Easements (drafting and litigation)
• Construction Defect

Education

• University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee
  • J.D. - 2009
  • Honors: Excellence in Legal Writing and Excellence in American Legal History
  • Major: Advocacy and Dispute Resolution
• The University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee. B.A. Magana Cum Laude (2006)
  • Honors: With Distinction
  • Major: History

Published Works

• The Need for Prescription Drug Buy-Back Programs, Tennessee Journal of Law and Policy
• To the End of the Earth: A Study of the Boundary Between Earth and Space, Journal of Space Law

Honors and Awards

• University of the South Volunteer of the Year
• Leadership and Service Award
• Tennessee Supreme Court Pro Bono Recognition
• Voted 2012 Favorite Lawyer by Murfreesboro Post Readers
• Super Lawyers Rising Star
• 2023 Attorney for Justice Pro Bono Service Award

Pro Bono Activities

• Member of the Board of Directors of Neurofibromatosis Tennessee, Inc.
• Tennessee Attorney for Justice (2014, 2018, 2019, 2022)
• Former Member and Past President of Murfreesboro Breakfast Rotary Club, Member
• Lascassas Volunteer Fire Department, Board of Directors
• Board of Directors of Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA) of Rutherford County, Inc.
• Board of Directors for the Oaklands Historic House Museum