Emily Lamb
When the mayor of Nashville asks one of your own to lead a critical city department, it’s worth recognizing. Winstead Shareholder Emily Lamb has built one of Nashville’s most respected land use and development practices, advising on zoning, permitting, and approvals in one of the country’s fastest-growing markets. That experience led the mayor to ask Emily to serve as Director of Codes for the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, where she previously served as Deputy Director.
Being asked to serve at this level reflects the reputation Emily has built and the trust the city places in her judgment. We spoke with Emily about this next chapter, what she hopes to accomplish, and how the experience will shape her perspective moving forward.
You’ve built a thriving practice at Winstead. When the mayor personally asked you to lead the Codes Department, how did that moment feel, and what made you say yes?
It was genuinely humbling. Winstead is an extraordinary home, and I wasn’t seeking a change. But when the mayor personally approached me about stepping in as Director of Codes, it was the kind of call that makes you pause. You realize the city is trusting you with something that matters to its future.
Earlier in my career, I served as Deputy Director in the department, and becoming Director was always something of a career goal. Nashville is a city I care deeply about, and I’ve invested much of my professional life in helping it grow responsibly. Being asked to return at this level felt like an opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way.
How does this move align with your long-term professional goals?
Having experience on both sides of this work is something very few practitioners achieve. Serving inside Metro again will provide a perspective on how policy becomes process, how agencies coordinate, and how decisions at the city level affect development projects.
From inside the Codes Department, what insights do you expect to gain about how projects are reviewed and approved, and how will that translate into more effective client guidance when you return to private practice?
Codes sits at the center of the review process, coordinating across planning, transportation, fire, water, and other agencies. Being inside that process provides a current, practical understanding of how decisions are made and how projects move forward.
It also provides the opportunity to strengthen relationships across departments involved in development review. That perspective allows for more relevant, experience-based guidance when advising clients navigating those same systems.
How do you see the relationship between public policy, land use regulation, and private investment evolving in Nashville over the next several years?
Nashville continues to experience significant growth, bringing important policy questions to the forefront. One key issue is whether the zoning code, which has not been comprehensively rewritten in decades, will undergo a broader overhaul or continue evolving incrementally. How Metro approaches that question will influence development patterns and investment in the years ahead.
What lessons do you expect to learn about balancing growth, infrastructure demands, and community interests?
This experience provides a dual perspective on the priorities and pressures on both the private sector and government. Understanding how those interests intersect is essential to supporting responsible growth while addressing the needs of the broader community.
What has made Winstead the right home for you to build your practice?
The culture at Winstead is highly collaborative. There is a shared focus on delivering for clients rather than internal competition, which creates a strong team-oriented environment.
How has Winstead supported your growth in Nashville’s real estate market?
Winstead has invested in the Nashville office and has been incredibly supportive of attorneys building their practices here. Winstead combines deeply experienced real estate practitioners with a range of specialized practices that align well with the growth and development challenges Nashville is experiencing and will experience. At the same time, the firm maintains the responsiveness and practical approach of a regional platform, backed by national depth and resources. I have also benefited from the mentorship of Bill Herbert, a shareholder in our entitlement group and a former head of Metro Codes.
What message would you share with clients and colleagues about this transition?
Winstead has been my professional home, and this next chapter is a service commitment that the firm supports. I look forward to applying the insights gained from this experience in the future. Finally, I’ve worked closely with colleagues to ensure continuity for our clients. The entitlement team remains in strong hands with Bill Herbert and the rest of the team.
What advice would you give to a young lawyer entering the land use and development field?
This is a relationship-driven practice. You can be effective without being adversarial. Approaching the work as a collaborator and problem solver often leads to better outcomes.
Any final thoughts for your colleagues in the Nashville office?
Winstead is a unique place, and the Nashville team reflects that. I’m grateful for the support and for the firm’s commitment to public service.
The post Q&A with Emily Lamb: From Private Practice to Public Leadership in Nashville appeared first on Winstead Real Estate Forward.