09/29/2026
Our legal and local communities lost a legend yesterday. He meant so much to many. We know the stories of the Godfather will live on. Here at Britt Law we never practiced with Ed Silva, as our practice areas were very different. However, he was a beloved colleague, fellow attorney, voice of wisdom, mentor to many, and a source of endless courtroom battle stories. We spent a considerable amount of time with Ed in legal community social settings. Ed and Brittany were both members of the Williamson County Bar Association and the John Marshall American Inn of Court. Every encounter with Ed was met with a hug, and a "Whaddya know good? Me, I'm up to no good" in that thick Boston accent we all knew and loved. Our prayers are with all who knew and loved him. What a great loss, but what a legacy he has left behind. We'll miss ya Ed!
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our founding father, Edward P. Silva. Ed passed away Monday morning, September 28, 2026, after a brief illness.
Ed was born and raised in Marlborough, Massachusetts, but moved permanently to Tennessee after two tours in the US Navy. Ed ultimately settled in Franklin where he began his career as a lawyer working for his father-in-law, Dave Alexander, and alongside his life-long friends, Mark Hartzog and Don Harris. In the late 1970s Ed, Mark, and Don established their own firm, Hartzog, Harris & Silva (now Hartzog & Silva), which has been in continuous operation since.
Although a native New Englander, Ed adopted Franklin as his home. He was actively involved in his law practice and his community throughout his life. He was well respected across Tennessee as a family lawyer and mediator, and as a community activist in and for Franklin and Williamson County. His counsel and advice were constantly sought in both arenas.
Among other accomplishments, Ed was past president of the Williamson County Bar Association, a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, named Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers as a family lawyer on multiple occasions, past chairman of the Tennessee Supreme Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission, past president of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, founding director of the Downtown Franklin Association, and recipient of the Heritage Foundation Legacy Award, and Franklin Tomorrow’s Anne T. Rutherford Exemplary Community Volunteer Award.
Ed is survived by his wife, Suzanne, children, Tony Silva and Alexandra Silva, and two grandchildren, Jack & Jane Fannon.
From all of us at Hartzog & Silva and Heritage Title & Escrow, Godspeed, Ed. You will be sorely missed.
