Pinnacle Financial Partners has hired Barbara Muhlbeier as legal counsel.

The move brings Muhlbeier, who spent 13 years at First American and AmSouth, back to in-house bank work for the first time in seven years. Most recently, she was general counsel and development manager at M&M Development in Knoxville. Before that, she was of counsel in Bass Berry & Sims’ Knoxville office.

At Pinnacle, Muhlbeier will manage negotiations in the bank’s properties area as well as special asset resolutions and ‘regular’ litigation.

“Barbara brings high-level legal expertise to Pinnacle that is critical as we continue to grow,” said Hugh Queener, Pinnacle’s chief administrative officer. “Her experience in financial and real estate law is a perfect fit for our team.”

Muhlbeier earned her law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law, where she also has served as an adjunct professor.