Kristi Bennett is Special Counsel in the Knoxville office of Lewis Thomason where she focuses her practice on construction contracts and litigation as well as corporate law and strategy. Kristi applies her experience as both a litigator and in-house counsel in the chemical, construction, and power industries to optimize outcomes for clients. After serving as an Associate with Lewis Thomason from 2002 to 2007, Kristi was named Legal Counsel and, later, Director, Legal & Contract Management, for Alstom Power Inc. During her tenure with Alstom, Kristi negotiated EPC contracts with most major U.S. utilities, general contractors, and engineering firms. She also managed claims strategy as well as inquiries from governmental agencies.
In 2015, Kristi joined Eastman Chemical Company, a publicly traded Fortune 500 company. She served on multiple leadership teams, including the Plastics Division, the Fibers Division, Worldwide Engineering & Construction, and Global Sourcing & Procurement. She negotiated complex, multi-party contracts for sales, procurement, construction, and professional services. The commercial lawyer for all circular economy projects from design concepts to product sales, Kristi developed the company’s first contracts for sale of chemically recycled products and was responsible for the negotiation of all EPC megaprojects.
Kristi re-joined the firm in 2025, bringing her experience as a trusted advisor of executives, a successful advocate in high stakes conflicts, and a negotiator of complex commercial agreements to Lewis Thomason clients.
With a deep belief in the importance of community service, Kristi serves on the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army of Greater Kingsport, the Board of Directors and the Administration Committee of the United Way of Greater Kingsport, and formerly served as the Secretary of Eastman Foundation.
PROFESSIONAL HONORS AND ACTIVITIES
• Association of Corporate Counsel, Tennessee Chapter, Board of Directors, 2021-2025
• Recipient, Eastman Chemical Company’s Technology Innovation Summit Award
• Founding Member, Tennessee Association of Construction Counsel'
