Lee Davis

35+ Years of Criminal Law

Lee Davis was the first attorney in the United States to introduce mitochondrial DNA as evidence in State v. Ware. Lee Davis has tried over two hundred jury trials to a verdict. He was lead counsel in six death penalty cases. Recently, Mr. Davis secured a full dismissal of all charges for Donnie Brantley, charged in the newsworthy Marsha Brantley disappearance case featured on CBS 48 Hours. Mr. Davis has argued cases before the Tennessee Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Davis is admitted to practice before 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. The case was a tragic accident, and our work helped defend an innocent man. 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 also represented hundreds of clients in court with charges that range from Tennessee DUI cases to first-degree murder. As an Assistant District Attorney (1994-1998), Lee Davis prosecuted serious felony cases including cold case homicide investigations and more than twenty first degree murder jury trials. Lee Davis has also served as Special Prosecutor and Special Judge in criminal proceedings in Tennessee.

In civil actions Lee Davis has successfully represented clients at trial, winning cases before juries and in mediation. Cases include age discrimination, retaliatory discharge, negligence, accidents, child injury, real estate, and civil rights cases.

• Hamilton County Herald article about Lee Davis.
• Davis Recalls His Nervous First Murder Defense

Professional and Teaching Experience

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 Board of Criminal lawyers, ABCL. 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 has lectured nationally as an instructor with the American Prosecutors Research Institute, Washington DC, APRI.

Personal

Lee is an avid cyclist in his free time and enjoys the scenery Chattanooga and surrounding areas offer for his lengthy rides.

Community Service

Education

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.

30+ Years of Criminal Law

Lee Davis was the first attorney in the United States to introduce mitochondrial DNA as evidence in State v. Ware. Lee Davis has tried over two hundred jury trials to a verdict. He was lead counsel in six death penalty cases. Recently, Mr. Davis secured a full dismissal of all charges for Donnie Brantley, charged in the newsworthy Marsha Brantley disappearance case featured on CBS 48 Hours. Mr. Davis has argued cases before the Tennessee Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Davis is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.

InState 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. The case was a tragic accident, and our work helped defend an innocent man. 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 assaultupon 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 also represented hundreds of clients in court with charges that range from Tennessee DUI cases to first-degree murder. As an Assistant District Attorney (1994-1998), Lee Davis prosecuted serious felony cases including cold case homicide investigations and more than twenty first degree murder jury trials. Lee Davis has also served as Special Prosecutor and Special Judge in criminal proceedings in Tennessee.

In civil actions Lee Davis has successfully represented clients at trial, winning cases before juries and in mediation. Cases include age discrimination, retaliatory discharge, negligence, accidents, child injury, real estate, and civil rights cases.

• Hamilton County Herald article about Lee Davis.
• Davis Recalls His Nervous First Murder Defense

Licensed to Practice Law

• United States Supreme Court
• United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
• United States District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee
• United States District Court, Middle District of Tennessee
• United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
• United States District Court, District of Massachusetts
• Tennessee Supreme Court

Legal Organizations

• American Board of Criminal Lawyers – Fellow
• Chattanooga Bar Association, President’s Award, Board of Governors
• Federal Bar Association, Board Member
• Tennessee Bar Association, Federal Practice Section, Executive Council
• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Life Member
• American Inns of Court, President 2018, Civility Award, Master
• Chattanooga Bar Foundation – Fellow
• American Bar Association, Criminal Justice Section

Professional and Teaching Experience

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 Board of Criminal Lawyers, ABCL. 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 has lectured nationally as an instructor with the American Prosecutors Research Institute, Washington DC, APRI.

Community Service

Education

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.