Tim graduated from RIT with a B.S. in Biology in 2007, where he found a passion for innovation and a supportive community. After working as an Environmental Chemist, he earned his law degree from Duke University and now serves as the Nashville Office Managing Partner at Husch Blackwell, specializing in brand protection, entertainment, and advertising law.

As one of the few openly LGBTQ+ leaders in the legal field, Tim is committed to fostering inclusivity and advancing diversity. His efforts have earned him the Nashville Bar Association Young Lawyers Division President’s Award and his firm’s Diversity Leadership Award.

Beyond law, he co-founded Sippin on Somethin, a social card game making wine education fun, featured nationally on On Air with Ryan Seacrest and in stores across the U.S. and Canada.

Tim credits RIT for shaping his success and continues to champion LGBTQ+ representation in leadership. He enjoys time at his Tennessee lake house, playing games, exploring Nashville, and giving back to the community.

What significance does Pride Month hold for you?
Pride Month is a time to honor the progress made by the LGBTQ+ community, celebrate those who had a hand achieving that progress, and recognize the ongoing challenges we face. It’s a celebration of authenticity and love, and a reminder of the importance of visibility and advocacy. I also take the month to make an intentional effort to appreciate those who have helped me on my path—both LGBTQ+ mentors and allies.

Who/what inspired you to live your authentic self?
I was inspired by self-reflection. I came to realize that I wanted my own joy and love in the world and that I needed to permit myself enough space to fully embrace that. This understanding motivated me to live authentically and prioritize what truly fulfills me.

What advice to those who are not ready to come out?
For those who may not feel ready to come out, I want to emphasize that everyone’s journey is unique. People move at their own pace, shaped by different life circumstances, personalities, and support systems. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to this deeply personal decision. If you're feeling uncertain, I encourage you to focus on building a support network of people you trust—friends, family, or allies—who you believe will understand and accept you. Having people who can provide encouragement and compassion can be incredibly grounding.

Additionally, exploring your self-identity in a safe space, such as with a therapist or counselor, can be invaluable. Therapy offers an opportunity to safely practice conversations about coming out, work through fears, and create strategies to manage concerns. Whatever your timeline may be, know that your well-being and comfort should guide your decisions.

Share your favorite college memory
I have so many favorite college memories—it’s hard to choose just one! One standout is meeting my now-husband, a fellow RIT grad, at SPoT Coffee. Another favorite memory also came with a life lesson. In Organic Chemistry Lab, I was paired with a lab partner who had this super-macho appearance—shaved head, broad build—and I immediately thought, 'This isn’t going to go well', but I couldn’t have been more wrong. He turned out to be one of the kindest people I’ve ever met, and we became good friends, staying in touch even after graduation. That experience taught me a valuable lesson about not judging others too quickly. I often think of it—and the unexpected joy of that friendship—when meeting new people today.

What advice do you have for current students who want to make the most out of their RIT experience?
Say “yes” and be involved and interactive. As a highly goal-oriented person, I am always ready to move to the next step – my own advice to my younger, RIT-self would be to slow down and take more advantage of the great experiences that RIT and its ecosystem have to offer.

What are some fun facts about you that you’d like to share.
I love how diverse the backgrounds of my colleagues are—attorneys and professionals who were once bankers, genetic engineers, runway models, accountants, audio technologists, and more. There's often a perception that in high-performing professions, people have been laser-focused on their careers since high school, but in my experience, those people are the exception, not the rule. I’ve had my own winding path: I waited tables at Jay's Diner one summer, worked as a lab tech, thought I wanted to be an orthodontist, and spent time as an environmental chemist before pursuing a career in law. No (well, maybe a few) regrets!

How can RIT support/build an atmosphere of inclusion, regardless of a person’s identity?
RIT can continue fostering inclusion by amplifying diverse voices, providing safe spaces for all identities, and offering educational programs that promote understanding and allyship. Encouraging open dialogue and celebrating differences are key. It’s easier said than done but try to treat people how they want to be treated, as often it’s not the same as treating others how you want to be treated.

What kinds of things might a person who is lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender go through when coming out?
Coming out, I certainly had thoughts that being gay made me “lesser,” and that would equate to potentially losing friends, falling out with family members, and that I’d never find love or a companion. You can’t change how others perceive your sexuality when you come out, but you can change your view and love of yourself to help make the process easier and result more fulfilling.

What was the most challenging part of coming out?
The most challenging part of coming out for me was the fear of losing relationships. It was difficult to share something so deeply personal, knowing that it might not be received well and could potentially lead to distance or rejection from people I cared about.