David Bridgers

Practice Areas

Corporate litigation

Healthcare

Environmental

White-collar crime

Commercial litigation

Career

David Bridgers has cultivated a diverse litigation practice over the past 30-plus years covering healthcare regulatory enforcement, environmental litigation, white-collar criminal defense, and complex commercial disputes. He has been described by clients and adversaries as “thorough,” “relentless,” and, at times, “unconventional” in his approach to resolving high-level disputes. For the past 25 years, Bridgers has represented HCA (Hospital Corporation of America) and its affiliated companies on matters including internal investigations, federal civil and crimination investigations, among other complex legal matters.

Bridgers also serves as the common counsel for a Superfund PRO group, one of the most complex Superfund sites in the United States, whose members include ExxonMobile, Chevron, BP, National Grid and Phelps Dodge Refining Company. He has also represented ExxonMobil and Chevron separately on various legal matters. He is well known for his environmental work and advises clients in environmental litigation, including enforcement actions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

In addition to his environmental work, Bridgers is well known for his representation of numerous organizations and individuals in the healthcare sector on several state and federal investigations as well as civil and criminal enforcement actions. He has represented hospitals, health systems, and physicians—in fraud and abuse investigations, whistleblower lawsuits under the False Claims Act (FCA), and regulatory compliance matters involving the Stark Law and Anti-Kickback Statute (AKS). Clients in a variety of industries have expressed appreciation for his keen awareness to the business implications of litigation and have complimented his “steady hand and thoughtful approach to complex and emotional issues.”

Experience

In 1994, Bridgers began his legal career as an assistant Attorney General for the State of Tennessee. In 1997, he joined the Neal & Harwell firm in Nashville, Tennessee as an associate. He became a partner there in 2002, and he joined the former Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis firm as a partner, which merged with Holland & Knight in 2023. In 2025., he became a partner at Waddey Acheson.

Clients

HCA and affiliate companies

Superfund PRO group that includes ExxonMobil, Chevron, PB, National Grid and Phelps Dodge Refining Company

ExxonMobil (separate representation)

Chevron (separate representation)

Education