DPBC Welcomes Two New Attorneys

The firm is pleased to announce the addition of two attorneys to its roster. Jacob A. Vanzin has joined the trial and appellate litigation practice group, and Julie Downs “J.D.” Payne was added to the business services team.

Jacob A. Vanzin joined Dodson Parker Behm & Capparella in August 2022. Before joining the firm, Jacob was in private practice for almost a decade in Franklin, Tennessee. Jacob has litigated cases both large and small, where the amounts in dispute ranged from a few thousand dollars to over forty million dollars. He has served as lead appellate counsel in a number of cases and has represented criminal defendants facing charges ranging from  public intoxication to first-degree murder. Jacob graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pittsburgh with his bachelor’s degree in history and political science, then went on to obtain his law degree, cum laude, from Washington University in St. Louis. While at Washington University, Jacob was a National Quarterfinalist and 10th Place National Best Advocate in the American Bar Association’s National Appellate Advocacy Competition. As a litigation and appellate attorney, Jacob will represent clients in commercial litigation, real estate disputes, and appeals.

Julie Downs “J.D.” Payne has joined Dodson Parker Behm & Capparella’s business services practice group. Julie was the first graduate of the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College of Florida Atlantic University, with a bachelor’s degree in political science and pre-law. Julie began attending Nashville School of Law two weeks after her youngest child was born. While attending law school at night, she clerked for Chancellor Anne C. Martin, before joining Dodson Parker as a full-time law clerk under her mentor Harlan Dodson, one of the founding partners of the firm. Julie was awarded the Founder’s Award and inducted into the Honorable Society of Cooper’s Inn for holding the highest overall grade point average in her graduating class. Julie will represent clients in all aspects of estate planning and business law.