Tenant Relocates to Tennessee, leaving $$$ in damages. Need good collections attorney

[Kristen Williams]

We had an excellent tenant at one time, who was a local VP of an established company. He was good for 2 years, until he was on his last month of tenancy. He had given proper 30 day notice, and all seemed well, until literally the day he moved out. His moving truck damaged the garage frame and door, and as we went into inspect, the only 5-year old property was left in such terrible shape, it amassed up to almost $10,000 worth of damages and labor to put it into rentable condition! I immediately contacted him, where he admitted that he had brought in an unauthorized dog, and that he had often left his children home alone, and let people stay with him, etc.... he admitted to the damages, and agreed to release his deposit and to make payment for the damages as we began assessing the costs. So, we did just that, and he made one payment and we retained his deposit. We were led to believe he was transferring from this city to another with his same company. My client, the owner, even agreed to ask for half, to get it settled. Our attorney just notified us that the tenant is at a new job in another state, and he has no jurisdiction there to garnish wages or begin any type of lawsuit.  My question is, even though the damages are done here, is this correct that we must sue in the place where HE lives? I have sent registered mail, unreturned, to him, called, texted and emailed, and of course, no response. I have found him on LinkedIn in his new job. He had previously signed an agreement with his application, for future skiptracing efforts should they come up. 

Do you have experience collecting from someone who has moved out of state? If so, what would you suggest, and also, do you recommend a good collections attorney in Tennessee? Thank you in advance!