About Ashley L. Upkins

Attorney Ashley L. Upkins is a WOMAN who does the WORK! Ashley has dedicated her time, talent and treasure to the National Bar Association since she was in law school. A dedicated life member of both the National Bar Association and National Bar Institute, Ashley currently holds the position of Vice-President of Finance for the esteemed organization.

By day, Ashley leads litigation, investigations, and alternative dispute resolution at Silicon Ranch, the United States’ largest independent solar power producer. In addition to managing litigation, Ashley advises key stakeholders on commercial dispute risks affecting the Company, advises on regulatory compliance issues and manages external litigation counsel. Prior to her current role, Ashley was the Managing Partner for the Cochran Firm – Nashville where she led a team of experienced and compassionate attorneys fighting for justice and compensation for their clients.

A Nashville native, Ashley obtained her Bachelor of Science degree from Vanderbilt University. Ashley has a background in business, having worked for a Fortune 50 company in the IT sector, where she assisted in the acquisition of mid-level IT companies. Later, Ashley became a member of the Inaugural Class of Belmont University College of Law earning her Juris Doctor degree, with a Health Law certification.

Ashley strives to exemplify the words “You should be the change you wish to see in the world.” While in law school, Ashley noticed that there were no school resources to address issues unique to black students. As a result, Ashley became the founding president of Belmont Law’s Black Law Students Association. Always determined to join an organization aimed at promoting justice in the law, she committed her time and talents to her local affiliate, Napier-Looby Bar Association and the National Bar Association as a law student. From Corporate Law Section Fellow, Commercial Law Section Fellow and Annual Convention volunteer, Ashley is proof positive of the National Bar Association (“NBA”) pipeline works.

Ashley is open about her personal journey as a working mom achieving her dreams and overcoming obstacles. Ashley shares her journey in hopes of inspiring other young women to push forward in the face of adversity.

Ashley continues to trailblaze on her mission to bring justice and a greater purpose to her community. Ashley is one of the founding members of 260 Change Fund which is a giving circle composed of young people of color seeking to invest time, talent, treasure, and testimony to uplift their communities. Her charitable efforts do not stop at home. Ashley has traveled across the world acting as a legal advocate to those who are unable to afford help. As a result of her hard work,Ashley received numerous awards including the first Jean-Marie Sylla, Jr. Legacy Award to be; one the NBA’s own respected and remarkable legends. She successfully spearheaded programs focused on women’s pay equality, young attorney development and affordable housing issues, just to name a few. Ashley served as NBA Assistant Secretary and prior to that role, she served on the Board of Governors as Region VI Director. Under her leadership, Region VI was named Region of the Year. In 2019, Ashley was elected as the National Bar Association Secretary and earned the Nation’s Best Advocates 40 under 40 Award. In 2022, Ashley was elected as Vice-President of the National Bar Association following two terms as the organization’s Secretary. Ashley is honored to be seeking the nomination for the position of President-Elect of the National Bar Association this July in Las Vegas!