Lee Davis

Lee Davis is a nationally recognized trial lawyer with more than three decades of experience handling high-stakes cases in Tennessee and across the Southeast. He has tried over two hundred jury trials to verdict, representing clients in complex criminal and civil matters in 18 different states. He was the first attorney in the United States to introduce mitochondrial DNA evidence at trial and has served as lead counsel in multiple death penalty cases, drawing on his experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney.

His appellate work has included cases before the Tennessee Supreme Court, the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

A former Assistant District Attorney, Mr. Davis prosecuted serious felony cases, including numerous homicide trials, before dedicating his career to defending the accused. Today, he brings the perspective of both prosecutor and defense counsel to the courtrooman advantage that helps him build strong, strategic defenses for his clients. He has served as lead counsel in multiple death penalty cases and is widely respected for his ability to navigate challenging and high-profile matters with skill, discretion, and persistence.

Beyond criminal defense, Mr. Davis has successfully represented clients in civil disputes involving employment, negligence, real estate, and civil rights claims, achieving favorable outcomes at trial and through mediation. His broad trial background and reputation for thorough preparation have made him a trusted advocate across Tennessee and throughout the region.

Mr. Davis is admitted to practice before all Tennessee state courts and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

In State v. Blair, Lee Davis successfully defended a woman wrongfully accused and facing the death penalty for triple murder. After a jury trial, she was found not guilty.

In another case, Lee Davis represented a man who was wrongly accused in the disappearance of his wife. Many in the community, law enforcement, and the media sought to portray our client as a murderer. With patience and an independent investigation, our client was exonerated.

As a third relevant example, Lee Davis and our team of lawyers and investigators helped defend a man charged with a false allegation of sexual assault upon a child. Media outlets and police assured the public of a conviction. Thanks to the hard work from our team, the case was dismissed after the grand jury refused to indict.

Lee Davis has taught Criminal and Constitutional Law at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and previously taught trial practice as an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee College of Law in Knoxville.

Lee Davis is recognized as a Fellow by the American College of Trial Lawyers and as a Fellow by the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. Mr. Davis is a Life Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, NACDL. He has published articles on DNA technology and the death penalty.

Lee Davis received his J.D. from Boston University School of Law, and has attended the National Criminal Defense College, Macon, GA.

Lee Davis teaches continuing legal education courses for attorneys and paralegals, from ethics and white-collar federal criminal defense to emerging issues in Tennessee law.