Best Lawyers in Tennessee, United States for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
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Cities
Zachary H. Greene is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Zachary H., who practices law in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Zachary H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jeffrey Whitt is a highly respected criminal defense attorney based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Known for his formidable presence in state and federal courtrooms across Tennessee, he has built a reputation as a skilled trial lawyer and relentless advocate for his clients. Jeff earned his law degree from Samford University in 1991 and holds a bachelor’s degree from Maryville College, where he was an Academic All-American and All-Conference honoree in both football and tennis. An active lead...
Lauren M. Fuchs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Lauren M., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lauren M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
W. David Bridgers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Environmental Law and Health Care Law. W. David, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which W. David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ed Stanton's practice primarily includes conducting internal investigations, defending white collar cases, and advising corporate clients on a variety of C-suite issues. Prior to joining Butler Snow, Ed served as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee and was in-house counsel for a Fortune 500 Company.
Wells Trompeter is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Health Care Law and Litigation - Health Care. Wells, who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Wells is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Wade Davies has tried complex cases for over thirty years. In August 2025, he was sworn in as President of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has served on the Board of Professional Responsibility of the Supreme Court of Tennessee and now represents attorneys in matters before the Board. Mr. Davies has concentrated on state and federal investigations and criminal trials throughout his career. Mr. Davies graduated first in his class from the University of Tennessee Colle...
James G. Thomas is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. James G., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
William T. Ramsey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Entertainment Law - Music. William T., who practices law in Nashville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jonathan Cooper offers decades of experience, unsurpassed personal attention, and zealous representation to his clients. He focuses his practice exclusively in the area of criminal defense, representing citizens accused of crimes in both state and federal courts. His experience of successful representation encompasses the entire spectrum of the criminal justice system, from DUI to homicide, and from narcotics possession to white collar offenses. Jonathan is a career long member of the Knoxvil...
Charles S. Mitchell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Charles S., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Named one of Nashville’s best criminal defense lawyers With more than 35 years of experience, David Raybin heads the criminal defense section of our firm, which includes criminal trials, criminal appeals, parole hearings, and civil rights litigation. David has been named the Best Criminal Lawyer in Nashville by Best Lawyers in America , and listed among the Best Criminal Lawyers in TN by Tennessee Business magazine. A regular commentator on local legal subjects, David often deals with p...
Joseph A. McClusky is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and DUI / DWI Defense. Joseph A., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lawrence J. Laurenzi is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Lawrence J., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lawrence J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mr. Harwell focuses his practice on commercial litigation, white-collar criminal defense and crisis management. Through the years he has been involved in many cases receiving national attention. He has been counsel for numerous public officials including judges, governors, congressmen, state senators, mayors and state attorneys general. For the last several years, he has represented Pilot Flying J, the sixth largest private company in the country, regarding numerous issues arising out of the ...
James Stovall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. James, who practices law in Knoxville, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.