$ 350-500 per hour
Ruchee Janardan Patel
also known as Ruchee J. Patel, Ruchee Patel
About Ruchee
Biography
Attorney Ruchee Janardan Patel (colloquially known as “Ruchee like Gucci" / "It's Gucci With Ruchee”) is a seasoned criminal defense attorney with nearly 20 years of legal experience in West Tennessee. Practicing law since 2007, Attorney Patel joined Donati Law, PLLC in January 2024, focusing her practice on complex federal and state criminal defense, sentencing mitigation, and traffic citation defense.
A first-generation attorney and daughter of hard-working immigrants, Patel was raised in Bolivar, Tennessee, after spending time in Chicago. After graduating from the University School of Jackson, she moved to Memphis on her own in 2007, passed the Tennessee bar on her first attempt, and navigated the 2008 financial crisis by building an independent, self-made solo legal practice from the ground up on pure merit. She operated her successful private practice for 17 years before joining Donati Law, PLLC. This background gives her deep insight into law practice management, from trust accounting and contract negotiations to client communications, and instills a rare combination of constitutional grit, private-sector efficiency, and empathy for her clients' time and resources.
Patel manages the complete lifecycle of criminal litigation, from initial bond hearings to full jury trials and appeals in all city, state, and federal courts in West Tennessee. She has successfully defended clients against a broad range of felony and misdemeanor charges, including drug trafficking, firearms violations, violent crimes, RICO, organized crime, mail fraud, white-collar crimes, and DUI/DWI.
Beyond trial advocacy, Patel offers a holistic approach to defense through sentencing mitigation and mental health representation. She presents the whole person behind the case file, addressing trauma, background, and underlying mental health conditions. She also serves as a compassionate, experienced advocate representing individuals and families navigating involuntary mental health commitments to safeguard their constitutional rights. Additionally, she defends regular and commercial drivers facing traffic citations to help maintain clean driving records and protect their livelihoods.
Patel and her late dog, PACER (whom she named after the federal court electronic records system), made Memphis their home, where she remains actively involved in civic and community leadership.
Federal Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel Attorney
Patel is a rigorously vetted member of the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel for the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, serving the Western Division since 2015 and the Eastern Division since 2017.
CJA Panel attorneys are highly qualified, private attorneys with demonstrated litigation skills, expertise with the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, federal sentencing procedures, the Bail Reform Act, the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the Federal Rules of Evidence. They play a critical role in safeguarding a defendant's Sixth Amendment right to counsel in serious federal criminal prosecutions.
Community Involvement & Media:
Television Media Expert: Volunteer Attorney for WREG-TV CBS Channel 3 "Legal Lines" live broadcasts.
Playhouse on the Square: Board Member (2019), Executive Committee Member, and Special Events Committee Chairperson.
Fogelman Downtown YMCA: Former Branch Advisory Board Member.
South Main Memphis Neighborhood Association: Active Member.
Pro Bono & Civic: Volunteer Attorney for Project Homeless Connect, volunteer advocate for involuntary mental health commitment proceedings, High School Mock Trial Volunteer Judge, Walk to End Alzheimer's Team Member, and Sigma Kappa Sorority (Greater Mid-South Alumnae Chapter Vice President & Collegiate Chapter Advisor).
Practice Areas
8
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Tennessee for 19 years
State: Tennessee
Acquired: 2007
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2011
Location
Donati Law, PLLC
1545 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN, 38104
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Ruchee Janardan Patel's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
30 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 30 reviews
Posted by Blake | April 07, 2023
Quick and correct legal advice, Thank you Ruchee!
I've known Ruchee for years, but never thought I would need to contact her to come save me, but sure enough I had the moment. Even though I'm usually so guarded, I was being taken by some phone scammers disguising as sheriff's department deputies when I decided there was just too much gray area about...
Posted by blakefinley94 | February 11, 2015
The most helpful attorney I've ever worked with.
Ruchee was immensely knowledgeable and helpful. She is willing to go above and beyond to help her clients. Within a very brief period of time it is clear to see that she values her clients as people and not just for a paycheck. Highly recommended.
Posted by Dh901 | January 22, 2015
A very honest, smart, professional lawyer...
I'm happy to say that I had a legal question answered by Ruchee J. Patel, with VERY SATISFYING RESULTS. I was very IMPRESSED with the way she handled my request to discuss my legal concern/situation. Ms Patel did a very PROFESSIONAL job explaining things to me in detail, and I would be MORE THAN HA...
Posted by anonymous | January 28, 2014
Making the difficult process of divorce more bearable...
I had spoken to another attorney at length about filing for divorce. I just felt unsure about the whole process. After one meeting with Ruchee, I had gotten far more information and felt like I knew exactly what I would be facing. She is extremely knowledgeable and has been helpful and kept me inf...
Posted by anonymous | January 27, 2014
Great Service
Ms. Patel handled several tickets for me, resolving all them quickly and independently. She saved me from wasting my time dealing with them. I would absolutely recommend her for taking care of any criminal or traffic citations.
Ruchee Janardan Patel's Lawyer Endorsements
"I am an attorney in East Tennessee and needed some assistance for a client in Memphis. I contacted Ms Patel and she instantly began assisting my client and I. She was direct, knowledgeable, and professional. She saved my client unnecessary fees and provided honest advice. I was beyond impressed!"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Ruchee really cares about her clients and getting them the best outcomes. She is very knowledgeable and I fully endorse her."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. If you want a dedicated attorney that will work hard for the best results in your case Ms. Patel is a good choice"
"I endorse Ms. Patel. She is a skilled criminal attorney who fights for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer as a well liked, professional and well respected attorney. Ms. Patel is diligent in her cases while zealously representing her clients."
"Ruchee is well prepared on the law"
"It is clear from Attorney Patel's approach to her profession and her willingness to share her depth and breadth of knowledge on Avvo that she is a dedicated and zealous advocate for the rights of others. Potential clients in Tennessee would be well served in consulting with Ms. Patel and considering hiring her to represent them. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Patel is an outstanding attorney and a strong zealous advocate for her clients. She is honest, ethical and affective. Attorney Patel is a credit to the legal community and an incredible attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I highly endorse this Attorney. Ms. Patel puts forth 100% plus in her representation of her Clients and has quickly build an excellent reputation in the Criminal Courts of Shelby County. Ms. Patel is an excellent Attorney that always appears well prepared, courteous and professional."
"I endorse this lawyer's work as she is well known and well-respected within the Memphis criminal defense community, especially down at 201 Poplar. I send many of my criminal defense calls and client matters her way as she is competent and affordable."
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Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2011.
Probation issued in TN, 2011
updated on 01/21/2014Probation means an attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The State monitors the lawyer's activities for a period of time in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.
Ruchee’s comment:
“Probation successfully completed.”
Honors
2025
Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers
2022
Rising Star, Mid-South Super Lawyers
2013
Leadership Forum Graduate, Memphis Bar Association
2013
Volunteer of the Year, Fogelman YMCA
2011
Trial College Graduate, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
N/A
Avvo Rating – 10.0 Superb, Avvo
Work Experience
2008 - Present
Attorney, Ruchee J. Patel Attorney at Law
2007 - 2008
Attorney, Ferrell Law Firm
Associations
2019 - Present
Playhouse On The SquareBoard Member
2008 - Present
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2007 - Present
Memphis Bar AssociationBoard of Directors
2007 - Present
Tennessee Asian Pacific American Bar AssociationBoard of Directors
2000 - Present
Sigma Kappa Sorority, Memphis Alumnae ChapterMember
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member
Federal Bar Association
Member
National Asian Pacific American Bar Association
Member
American Inns of Court – Howell Edmunds Jackson Chapter
Member
2012 - 2016
Fogelman YMCAAdvisory Board
2008 - 2010
Memphis Lawyers for the ArtsBoard of Directors
Sample of Legal Cases
United States of America v. Bates
All Counts Dismissed Without Trial
State v. Wayne Sanders
Aggravated Robbery reduced to jury verdict Aggravated Assault
State v. Ladell Walker
Felony Class C Aggravated Assault reduced at trial to Misdemeanor Assault
State of Tennessee V. Corey Fields
Nolle Prosequi
State v. Deangelo Thompson
Reckless Aggravated Assault
State of Tennessee v. Mary Vaught
Nolle Prosequi
State of Tennessee v. Mario Jones
Nolle Prosequi
State of Tennessee v. Claude Burkett
Defendant plead guilty
Clyde Chalmers v. State of Tennessee
Guilty Plea Set Aside
State v. Anthony Robinson
State v. Lorenzo Howard
State v. Deundra Matthews
All Charges Dismissed
State v. Michael Rimmer
State of Tennessee v. Robert Vargas
State of Tennessee v. Lamarrick Butler
Mack Jones v. State of Tennessee
Education
2007
University of Mississippi School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2004
University of Tennessee, Knoxville (main)
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
Publications
2011
2011
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
I thought my first marriage ended in divorce. I remarried. Now found out was never legally divored. What do i do?
17 Jan 2024
Q&A
Can i sue my apartment manager for fraud?
13 Nov 2018
Q&A
Can I legally removed someone else belongings from my home?
16 Aug 2018