Biography

Stacey Garrett Koju has 30+ years of broad legal mastery in higher education, complex business transactions, corporate and nonprofit governance, regulatory compliance, and legal risk mitigation. She also provides trusted and prudent counsel on high-stakes executive-level employment matters, I-9 guidance and audits, and comprehensive immigration strategy. In an ever-evolving regulatory landscape, Stacey is a reliable resource for organizations that demand precision, integrity, and a partner who understands the weight of their legacy.

Stacey advises both for-profit and nonprofit organizations on a wide range of corporate and employment matters, with a focus on corporate governance, including best practices for ethical and accountability standards, board oversight and authority, and the resolution of internal disputes. She provides guidance on business formation and structuring, including shareholder and operating agreements, as well as member withdrawals and disputes, mergers and acquisitions, and complex contracts and related disputes. Her practice also includes regulatory compliance and external investigations, general counsel services, and the design of executive compensation plans and agreements. Stacey regularly handles workplace investigations, employment practices and procedures, severance agreements, and non-competition and non-disclosure agreements, and advises on the development of internal procedures and operations manuals. In the education sector, she addresses student disciplinary matters, faculty employment issues, and Title IX matters, and she also counsels clients on charitable giving, including gift deviation, deaccessioning, and cy pres.

Presentations & Publications
  • I-9 Audits & Compliance
  • “Immigration Update: Preparing for ICE Enforcement in Higher Education,” CUPA-HR Tennessee Chapter Spring Conference, May 2025
  • “An Outside (Counsel) Perspective: Building Your Crisis Management Playbook,” Association of Corporate Counsel Tennessee, 2022
  • “Women’s Executive Roundtable,” Interdenominational Services Organization of America, 2010 through 2017
  • “Diversity,” Emerge Tennessee, 2017
  • “Diversity,” The Marion Griffin Women’s Symposium, 2017
  • “LLC, Sole Proprietorship, S-Corp, etc.: What’s the Best for Me? And For Sale: Your Internet Browsing History,” National Association of Catering Executives, Nashville Chapter, 2017
  • Tennessee Bar Association, Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity Job Fair, Panelist, 2012
  • “National Origin Discrimination,” Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Employment Law Seminar, 2010
Awards and Recognitions
  • Best Lawyers in America, 2024-2026
  • Martindale-Hubbell, Distinguished Rating
  • YWCA, Legal Challenge Award of Excellence, 2014
  • Leadership Tennessee Inaugural Class, 2013
  • Nashville Post, Most Powerful Women, 2013
  • Nashville Post, In Charge, 2013, 2017, 2022-2023
  • Nashville Medical News, InCharge, 2017
  • Napier-Looby Trailblazer Award, 2013
  • Leadership Nashville, Class of 2012
  • YWCA, Academy for Women of Achievement Honoree, 2012
  • Women’s Center at Tennessee State University, Woman of Legion and Merit, 2012
  • ATHENA nominee, 2011, 2013
  • Nashville Business Journal, Women of Influence, Entrepreneur, 2007
  • Nashville Business Journal, Best of the Bar – Immigration Law
  • Nashville Leadership Program, Partnership Institute, 2003-2004
  • Tennessean, Top 40 Under 40, 2003
Community Involvement
  • Leadership Tennessee, Board Member
  • National Museum of African American Music, Board Chair
  • Music City Baseball, Board Member, Executive Committee Member
  • Nashville Entrepreneur Center, Board Member, Chair, Governance Committee
  • Abe’s Garden, Board Member
  • Catholic Charities, Former Board Member
  • Women’s Fund – Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, Former Advisory Board Member
  • YWCA, Former Board Member
  • Tennessee Human Rights Commission, Former Chair of the Board
  • Special Olympics of Tennessee, Former Board Member
  • Make-A-Wish of Middle Tennessee, Former Board Member and Wish Committee Member
  • Leadership Tennessee, Inaugural Class, 2013
  • Leadership Nashville, Class of 2012
  • Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau, Former ex officio Board Member and Lead Counsel
  • Metropolitan Nashville Board of Zoning Appeals, Former Board Member
  • Tennessee Judicial Redistricting Study Committee, Former Member
  • Tennessee Committee to Study the Administration of the Death Penalty, Former Member

Stacey Garrett Koju

Partner

Credentials

Admissions

  • Tennessee

Education

Tulane Law School, JD, 1993

Duke University, AB (Political Science), 1990

Prior Law Firm Experience

Spencer Fane