Criminal Defense Attorneys

Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Nashville, TN (2025)

Published Read 9 min read

Contents: 12 sections

If you have been charged in Nashville, or expect to be, the first lawyer you call should name your kind of case: a federal charge, a DUI, an appeal after a conviction, or an arrest while you were visiting the city. Ten Nashville criminal defense practices differ most on exactly that point. If you face a federal charge and cannot afford a lawyer, the Federal Public Defender’s Nashville office represents people in that position. If you do not know where to start, the Nashville Bar Association runs a lawyer referral service.

Addresses and practice descriptions reflect what each lawyer’s website said in September 2026. Thomas T. Overton’s office lists a Nashville mailing address.

State Charge or Federal Charge?

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee lists its Nashville Division office at the Fred D. Thompson U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building, 719 Church Street, Suite 1300.

For people charged in federal court who cannot pay a lawyer, the Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Middle District of Tennessee was created in 1978 “to provide legal representation to those persons accused of a crime against the United States who are financially unable to afford private counsel.” Its office is at 164 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37203, and its phone number is (615) 736-5047.

These private practices name federal work on their websites:

  • Horst Law lists “State & Federal Drug Crimes.”
  • Law Office of Lucas B. Willoughby lists “Federal Drug Crimes.”
  • Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC lists “Federal Crimes.”
  • McNally Law says Patrick McNally has “decades of experience providing criminal defense counsel, including in high-stakes federal cases.”
  • Tune, Entrekin & White says it represents “clients in criminal matters in federal and state court.”

If your charge is federal, ask any lawyer you call how many federal cases they have handled.

If You Do Not Have a Lawyer Yet

The Nashville Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral and Information Service lists “Criminal Felony” and “Criminal Misdemeanor” among the areas where it has attorneys available. The association says every lawyer on its panel goes “through an annual screening process,” is “in good standing with the Board of Professional Responsibility,” and is a member of the Nashville Bar Association.

How the service works, in the association’s words:

  • You are referred to “a pre-screened attorney who will provide an initial consultation by phone for just $40.”
  • Requests go through its online form at NashvilleBar.org/LRISReferralForm, and “referrals are not instant.”
  • “After the first consultation, you are subject to the attorney’s hourly rates so be certain to discuss attorneys’ fees.”

The association’s main number is 615-242-9272, and its office is at 150 4th Ave N, Suite 1350, Nashville, TN 37219.

How the Ten Practices Differ

Charges and contact options appear as each practice lists them on its own website.

Practice Charges it lists First contact it offers
Ridings Law Group DUI, domestic assaults, drug crimes, vehicular assault and homicide, felonies, misdemeanors Free consultation, <a href="tel:6158511888">(615) 851-1888</a>
May McKinney, PLLC DUI and drug offenses, domestic violence, sex crimes, violent crimes, weapons charges, theft, expungement petitions, juvenile matters Free consultations, <a href="tel:6152567337">(615) 256-7337</a>
Law Office of Lucas B. Willoughby DUI, drug offenses, theft, assault, domestic violence, probation violations, federal drug crimes Available 24/7, free initial consultation, <a href="tel:6157453434">(615) 745-3434</a>
Horst Law State and federal drug crimes, sex offenses, domestic violence, DUI/DWI Office line, <a href="tel:6154032971">615-403-2971</a>
Calhoun Law, PLC Drug crimes and DUI, alongside a personal injury practice <a href="tel:6153754773">615-375-4773</a> or <a href="tel:6152508000">615-250-8000</a>
Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC Assault, domestic violence, drug crimes, DUI, entertainment district and airport crimes, federal crimes, orders of protection, probation violations Complimentary consultation, <a href="tel:6158469889">615-846-9889</a>
McNally Law Criminal defense, criminal appeals, white collar crimes <a href="tel:6154808921">615-480-8921</a>
Law Offices of Thomas T. Overton Drunk driving defense and felony crimes Free consultation and fee negotiation, <a href="tel:6159538796">615-953-8796</a>
Bartlett Law DUI defense, criminal law, domestic violence, plus personal injury Call or text, <a href="tel:6154790550">(615) 479-0550</a>
Tune, Entrekin & White, P.C. Criminal matters in federal and state court, investigations and grand jury proceedings, felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile matters Office line, <a href="tel:6152442770">615-244-2770</a>

Backgrounds the Lawyers Describe

Ridings Law Group, Horst Law, and Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC describe prosecution experience. Ridings Law Group says David Ridings “has more than 33 years of legal experience, as well as over a decade of prior experience working in law enforcement and years spent as a prosecutor with the District Attorney’s Office.” Brent Horst writes, “As a former prosecutor, I know exactly how the case against you is likely to develop.” Andrew Beasley’s firm says he “brings a unique advantage to your defense: the perspective of a former prosecutor,” and its website lists J E (Jay) Hamilton as a former police officer.

Others describe length of practice. Patrick McNally says he has been “defending the rights of those accused of crimes for more than 35 years.” Thomas Overton writes, “I have over 30 years of experience in criminal defense.” Horst Law says Brent Horst “has been practicing law for more than 25 years” and lists “More than 200 criminal jury trials.” May McKinney describes “80+ years of combined legal experience” across its lawyers. Calhoun Law says Colin Calhoun was “admitted to practice in 2008.”

A background is something to ask about in the first meeting. It tells you where a lawyer has worked. How that experience applies to your charge is a question for the lawyer.

Questions to Settle in the First Consultation

  1. Does the practice handle your charge? Match your charge against each practice’s list first. The lists differ: May McKinney names juvenile matters and expungement petitions, Beasley names orders of protection, and Willoughby names probation violations.
  2. Who will handle the case day to day? May McKinney describes a team of attorneys, and Beasley’s firm lists several lawyers by name. Ask which lawyer will appear in court for you.
  3. What will it cost after the first meeting? The Nashville Bar Association advises, “Be sure to ask for a fee agreement in writing if you wish to continue legal services.” Overton’s office offers “fee negotiation.”
  4. How will you reach the lawyer? Willoughby says, “We are available 24/7.” Bartlett Law invites you to “Call or Text” to reach Kurt Bartlett.
  5. Is the lawyer in good standing? The Nashville Bar Association requires its panel lawyers to be “in good standing with the Board of Professional Responsibility.” You can ask any lawyer the same question.

Under Investigation, or Called Before a Grand Jury

Not every case starts with an arrest. Tune, Entrekin & White says it represents “clients in criminal matters in federal and state court” and that it also advises “clients who are under investigation or are witnesses in grand jury proceedings.” If you have received a subpoena or a call from an investigator, ask any lawyer you contact whether the practice handles that stage.

Arrested While Visiting Nashville

McNally Law and Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC speak directly to visitors. McNally Law’s website has a section titled “Frequently Asked Questions from Tourists After an Arrest,” and the firm describes itself as serving Tennessee and Kentucky. Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC lists “Entertainment District & Airport Crimes” among its practice areas. If you have already gone home, ask either firm how court dates are handled for someone who lives out of state.

After a Conviction: Appeals

McNally Law presents Patrick McNally as a “Nashville Criminal Defense Attorney & Appellate Lawyer” and says that “[i]n recent years he has focused more and more on criminal appeals.” If you are looking at an appeal rather than a new charge, ask any practice you call whether it handles appeals itself.

Downtown Nashville Offices

Ridings Law Group, P.C.

Ridings Law Group lists DUI defense, domestic assaults, drug crimes, vehicular assaults and homicide, and all felonies and misdemeanors among its practice areas. The firm says, “We are licensed to serve clients throughout Tennessee,” and offers a free consultation.

May McKinney, PLLC

May McKinney says it “represents clients in DUI and drug offenses, domestic violence, sex crimes, violent crimes, weapons charges, theft offenses, expungement petitions, juvenile matters, and more.” The firm offers free consultations.

Law Office of Lucas B. Willoughby

The firm says it routinely defends clients against “a wide range of charges, including DUI, drug offenses, theft, assault, domestic violence, probation violations, and other misdemeanors and felonies that are commonly prosecuted in Middle Tennessee.” It adds, “We are available 24/7,” and offers a free initial consultation.

Calhoun Law, PLC

Calhoun Law’s website leads with personal injury work and says the firm also “defends our clients against a number of criminal allegations, including drug crimes and DUI.” It lists a second office in Murfreesboro, at 503 N Maple St. The firm says Colin Calhoun has helped people “navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives” since being admitted to practice in 2008.

Offices Elsewhere in Nashville

Tune, Entrekin & White, P.C.

A multi-practice firm whose criminal lawyers handle “cases ranging from felonies to misdemeanors to juvenile matters” in federal and state court, and advise clients under investigation or called as grand jury witnesses.

Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC

Beasley’s firm lists assault, domestic violence, drug crimes, DUI, entertainment district and airport crimes, federal crimes, orders of protection, and probation violations. Its attorney list includes David Kittrell, with “14+ Years Experience,” and J E (Jay) Hamilton, a former police officer. The firm invites callers to “arrange a complimentary consultation.”

McNally Law

Patrick McNally describes his practice as criminal defense and criminal appeals “Serving Tennessee and Kentucky,” with white collar cases and federal work among his areas.

Horst Law

Horst Law lists state and federal drug crimes, sex offenses, domestic violence, and DUI/DWI charges. Brent Horst describes himself as a former prosecutor who has practiced law for more than 25 years.

Bartlett Law

Bartlett Law lists DUI defense, criminal law, domestic violence, and personal injury. The firm describes its Nashville office as having “ample parking and elevator access.”

Law Offices of Thomas T. Overton

Thomas Overton lists drunk driving defense and felony crimes and writes, “I offer a free consultation and fee negotiation.”

Quick Answers

Does Horst Law handle federal cases?

Yes. Horst Law lists “State & Federal Drug Crimes.” The Law Office of Lucas B. Willoughby, Andrew C. Beasley, PLLC, McNally Law, and Tune, Entrekin & White also name federal work on their websites.

Does McNally Law handle criminal appeals?

Yes. McNally Law describes Patrick McNally as a criminal defense and appellate lawyer.

What does the Nashville Bar Association’s referral cost?

The association says a referred attorney “will provide an initial consultation by phone for just $40,” and that the attorney’s hourly rates apply after that first consultation.

Making the First Two Calls

Start with your charge. Pick two practices that list it, call both, and ask each the same three questions: who will handle the case, what it will cost after the first meeting, and how you will reach that lawyer between court dates. Compare the answers side by side before you decide.

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