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Bryan Paul Stephenson
About Bryan
Biography
20+ years practicing law. Attorney Bryan Stephenson represents clients in Nashville and all counties in Middle Tennessee. He has conducted hundreds of court proceedings, including hearings, trials (both jury and bench), and various motions. He is very familiar with "the system", and is knowledgeable of Tennessee law. His legal skills and knowledge are also put to use in his position as adjunct professor for Lipscomb University's Law, Justice, and Society program. He keeps abreast of legal developments and changes in the law, and is a member of the Nashville Bar Association, Williamson Co Bar Assocation, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (life member), and the DUI Defense Lawyers Association.
Prior to opening his own law practice, Attorney Stephenson worked "on the other side" as an Assistant District Attorney for Davidson County for over three years. While a prosecutor, he was in court nearly every day, and dealt with most every type of crime that exists under Tennessee law--everything from Felony Murder, Aggravated Robbery, all levels of felony Drug Offenses, Theft, DUI, Forgery, Burglary, Assault, Sexual Assault, down to Simple Possession of Drugs, Driving on a Suspended License, Public Intoxication, Disorderly Conduct, and many other types of cases. He was a supervisor for the Wiretap Room during investigations by the Drug Task Force. His knowledge and experience from working as a prosecutor helped him lay a strong foundation for starting his own defense firm.
Prior to becoming a prosecutor, Attorney Stephenson worked as a law clerk in the Antitrust, Financial, and Special Litigation divisions of the Nashville office of the Tennessee Attorney General. He also spent a summer working as a law clerk for The Lovelace Law Firm, an Elder Law practice in Dripping Springs, Texas.
Attorney Stephenson graduated with his law degree, Order of the Barristers, from Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, California. While in law school he was selected to serve on the Pepperdine Law Review and was the school's delegate to numerous national moot court competitions across the country. His article was selected for publication in the Law Review ("I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, But Could I Sue: Whether 'Interacting With Others' Is a Major Life Activity under the ADA", 31 Pepp. L. Rev. 773 (2004)). He was the recipient of several awards and scholarships, including the Gunnar Nicholson Endowed Scholarship, Odell McConnell Scholarship, Howard A. White Scholarship, Associated Women for Pepperdine Scholarship, and was the only Pepperdine student selected one semester to receive an award from the Southern California Defense Counsel. He worked as a Teaching Assistant, instructing new law students on Legal Research and Writing. He deeply values his time spent at Pepperdine and frequently misses the weather of southern California, but knew that he would return to his native and lovely Tennessee to practice law and build his career.
Attorney Stephenson graduated with a degree in Mathematics from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. He gained the honor of being named an AP Exam Scholar, earning an entire year of college credit upon entry to Lipscomb. He grew up in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and resides in Middle Tennessee with his wife and children.
Law office based in Nashville, TN and serving all counties in middle Tennessee.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Tennessee for 21 years
State: Tennessee
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office of Bryan Stephenson
2021 Richard Jones Road, Suite 150E, Nashville, TN, 37215
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Bryan Paul Stephenson's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 131 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | November 20, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Outstanding criminal defense attorney
Bryan was highly recommended to me when I was looking for a criminal defense attorney. I am really glad I made the choice to take on the recommendation. Working with Bryan made me realize that he possesses analytical skills, extensive knowledge, strategic thinking, and is a strong negotiator with the...
Posted by Edward | September 25, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Excellent Communication Skills and Caring for The Client
Bryan was very professional and very knowledgeable. Excellent communication through out entire process. Bryan knows many in The Court System in this area and this is also helpful through the process. He cares about Your case and He cares about You. I was very unnerved by this process, but Brya...
Posted by Maxim | July 6, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Highly Recommend
I highly recommend Bryan for anyone facing a DUI charge. From the beginning, he was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely committed to helping me get the best possible outcome. Thanks to his hard work and strategic approach, my DUI charge was successfully reduced to an implied consent violation,...
Posted by anonymous | May 15, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Beyond grateful to Bryan
Bryan was a fantastic lawyer in every aspect of my case. The facts of my case were not good and he was able to get my charges reduced and on all of the terms I had hoped for. It was the absolute best case scenario for my case. It was a DUI and reduced to reckless endangerment, which I can have expung...
Posted by anonymous | August 20, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
DUI
Mr. Stephenson was wonderful. For my first time ever being in trouble he made this whole process as least stressful as it could be. He overly communicated with me, answered anytime I called, and most importantly I knew he cared about my case and results. I have already told plenty of people about him...
Bryan Paul Stephenson's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Bryan is as intelligent as he is compassionate. He is an aggressive and effective advocate for his clients all over middle Tennessee. Highly recommended."
"I used to work with Bryan and have known him over 12 years. He was always a professional attorney to work with. He goes above and beyond for his clients and treats each case with great care. He is intelligent and well-respected."
"Bryan is an intelligent and dedicated attorney. He is thorough and leaves no stone unturned. I highly recommend him."
"Bryan Paul Stephenson is a top-notch trial attorney. He is intelligent, professional, articulate, passionate, dedicated to protecting your constitutional rights, and even more important, highly successful. He is well-respected within the trial lawyer community, the bench, and among his clients. It is a high honor to endorse my colleague."
"Bryan is extremely knowledgeable in his field and a top notch advocate for his clients. I proudly endorse him."
"Bryan Stephenson is a fantastic criminal defense lawyer. I never hesitate to refer people to him knowing they will be in excellent hands."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse Bryan. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"Top-notch lawyer. Highly respected in the legal community."
"Bryan is an excellent DUI attorney. I recommend him highly."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I met Bryan 8 years ago when I first started practicing law. I have always known him to be professional, in and out of the courtroom. He has the passion and vision to achieve true results for his clients, as well as, the integrity, leadership skills and drive to help his clients with matters affecting their liberty. He truly cares about his clients, works hard to obtain optimal results and has an excellent reputation in the legal community. I strongly endorse this attorney."
"Bryan is an exceptional attorney and dedicated advocate for his clients. His experience, attention to detail, and devotion helps him achieve great results for his clients. I recommend Bryan to anyone needing criminal defense representation."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Stephenson is smart and well versed in all of his practice areas. He is a worthy adversary who tenaciously represents his clients. He puts his clients first and it shows in his representation."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Bryan on several matters that involved complex criminal allegations. His comprehensive knowledge of the law, and well deserved respect from his peers in the courtroom, always put our clients in the best possible position. I highly recommend his services."
"Bryan Stephenson is an excellent criminal defense attorney who works hard to get great results for his clients. He is a former prosecutor with experience handling a wide variety of cases at both the trial and appellate level."
"Bryan has the unique ability to think on his feet and provide intelligent legal arguments to defend his case. He is a true asset to the legal profession. It was a pleasure to work with and against Bryan and it is refreshing to know an attorney who truly puts the client first."
"Bryan Stephenson is a smart, hardworking and experienced criminal defense attorney. He can be relied upon to do the best job possible for his clients. I can recommend this lawyer without reservations."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer's work. Mr. Stephenson is a superbly talented criminal defense attorney who knows how to handle criminal defense cases from start to finish. He understands each case and each client are different even if charged with the same offense; therefore, he thoroughly prepares each case with a unique strategy to achieve the best result for each individual client. I recently had the good fortune to work with Bryan on a sex-related case where we were able to achieve a fantastic result for a very happy client."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Bryan is a highly professional, motivated and skilled trial attorney. He is qualified to handle any criminal case."
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Experience
Honors
2022
Getting it Done Award, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
2017
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2004
Order of the Barristers, Pepperdine University School of Law
2004
Finalist, Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition
2003
Best Respondent Brief, Wagner Labor & Employment Law Moot Court Competition
2003
Scholarship Winner, Southern California Defense Counsel
2002
Member, Pepperdine Law Review
Work Experience
2008 - Present
Adjunct Professor, Lipscomb University
2008 - Present
Attorney & Owner, Law Office of Bryan Stephenson
2004 - 2008
Assistant District Attorney, Office of the District Attorney General, Nashville, TN
2003 - 2003
Law Clerk, Tennessee Attorney General
2003 - 2004
Teaching Assistant - Legal Research & Writing, Pepperdine University School Of Law
Associations
2024 - Present
Williamson County Bar AssociationMember
2020 - Present
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense LawyersEthics Committee Co-Chair
2017 - Present
DUI Defense Lawyers AssociationMember
2008 - Present
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2008 - Present
Nashville Bar AssociationCriminal Justice Committee Member
2004 - Present
Nashville Bar AssociationMember
2020 - 2023
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense LawyersBoard Member
Sample of Legal Cases
St. v. J.H.
Dismissed
St. v. R.K
Not Guilty!
State v. J.H.
Dismissed
State v. S.R.
Possible DUI-2nd, resulted in a DUI-1st
State v. R.F.
Not Guily on Attempted Murder
State v. S.R.
Dismissed
State v. C.H.
Dismissed
State v. L.M.
Dismissed
State v. C.B.
Retired
State v. D.H.
DUI Reduced to Reckless Driving - No jail time!
Education
2004
Pepperdine University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2000
Lipscomb University
B.S.
Speaking Engagements
2025
Annual Seminar
Training Prosecutors how to Ethically Treat your Clients
2022
TACDL Ethics Seminar
Disqualification of Prosecutors
2022
TACDL Annual Seminar
Working with Prosecutors in DUI Cases
2021
TACDL Annual DUI Seminar
When Police Officers Lie
2020
TACDL Ethics Seminar 2020
Legal Ethics
2019
TACDL DUI Seminar
The Trial Tax and Bully Prosecutors
2018
TN Update on Criminal Law
Ethical Client Management
2018
DUI Seminar
Trying a DUI Blood Test Case
2018
Best Business Practices for Solo and Small Firms
Growing your Business
2017
Guest Lecturer
Ethics & the Laws of Compliance
2015
Criminal Law & Procedure Course
Criminal Law
2011
Law, Justice & Society Summer Law Camp
Mock Trial Judge & Speaker
2011
Guest Speaker - Kaplan Career Institute
Criminal Law and Procedure
Publications
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Should I use a public defender for a public intoxication charge.
24 Jan 2014
Q&A
Can a convicted felon in Tennessee have right to bear arms reinstated upon completion of sentence
07 Jan 2014
Q&A
Should i hire an attorney with a $1500 retainer due to being accused of theft at the work place? I have no prior record.
03 Jan 2014