At Houston & Alexander, you will find forty years of combined legal experience. Call: (423) 267-6715 Email: [email protected] Web: tnduiattorney.com
After attending Sewanee on an academic scholarship and completing his legal studies at The University of Texas, Bret returned to Chattanooga in 2001 to practice law at Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C., where he worked on litigation ranging from property disputes to Trade Secret Misappropriation claims.
Bret moved to the Hamilton County District Attorney's Office in early 2005 where he served the community as the federally funded Governor's Highway Safety Office DUI Prosecutor from January 2005 to October 2007. During his tenure as the County's DUI Prosecutor, Bret handled hundreds of DUI cases, numerous vehicular assault and vehicular homicide matters and tried more DUI cases to a Criminal Court jury than any other attorney.
Due to his courtroom experience, Bret was hired in November 2007 to serve the United States as a federal prosecutor handling crimes - drug importation and immigration cases - arising along the international border between Arizona and Mexico. Bret represented the United States in hundreds of immigration cases and numerous drug importation actions. Many of Bret's drug matters involved drug quantities in excess of 10 kilograms of cocaine or methamphetamine (or more than 800 pounds of Marijuana). Bret handled sentencing hearings for the Yuma office before eleven federal district judges at The Sandra Day O'Connor Federal Courthouse in Phoenix, Arizona.
Bret and his family returned home to Chattanooga in 2010 where Bret handled felony cases in Hamilton County Criminal Court before being promoted to a position as the County's Gang Prosecutor. As the Gang Prosecutor, Bret represented the State in several violent felony trials and further served as a liaison between the District Attorney's Office and other government agencies, including the Mayor's Office and federal authorities.
During a criminal jury trial, Bret was noticed by General Counsel for Life Care Centers of America, Inc., a national skilled nursing and assisted living company with facilities in twenty-eight states. He was hired as a supervisor in Life Care's legal department, overseeing federal regulatory issues, facility issues, contract matters as well as professional and general liability matters. Bret attended mediations and arbitrations on behalf of the company, and he analyzed case strategies presented to the company by the myriad of outside law firms hired to represent Life Care nationwide.
Bret recently returned to Chattanooga to work with long-time friend (and previous legal adversary) Johnny Houston. As with Bret, Johnny's practice focuses on Criminal Defense, DUI representation, and Personal Injury matters.
Bret and his family live in the Chattanooga area where Bret enjoys mountain biking with friends and kayaking with his family.
Practice areas
As the former Governor's Highway Safety Office DUI Prosecutor for Chattanooga, Hamilton County, TN, I have personally handled hundreds of DUI cases including approximately fifteen Criminal Court DUI Jury Trials. I have attended government training related to the physics of automobile wrecks and learned how traffic accidents are recreated from the perspective of traffic investigators. I have further attended law enforcement training related to administration of Standard Field Sobriety Tests.
10 years, 300 cases
Experience and Case Totals include over eight (8) years of practice as a State and Federal Prosecutor handling cases ranging from DUI to Drug Importation matters to Especially Aggravated Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault, and Attempted Murder actions.
13 years, 500 cases
In 2007, I was hired by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona to serve as a federal prosecutor handling matters arising along the Arizona border with Mexico. I represented the government in numerous drug cases involving importation of 10 kilograms or more of Cocaine or Methamphetamine (Ice) into the United States. I handled Marijuana importation matters in excess of 800 pounds. I further represented the United States in well over 100 felony immigration cases.
7 years, 100 cases
As a prior supervisor in the litigation department of a national Skilled Nursing and Assisted Living provider, I have had the opportunity to review, analyze and value nursing home claims arising from Hawaii to New England (and direct outside counsel with respect to case strategy and trial tactics). This experience provides insight into how regional and national nursing home companies (and their insurance carriers) react to lawsuits and assess their merit.
7 years, 250 cases
Languages spoken
English
Houston & Alexander
3417 Dayton Boulevard
CHATTANOOGA, TN, 37415
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
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GA | Active Member in Good Standing | 2016 | 12/21/2020 |
TN | Active | 2001 | 12/15/2020 |
Legal answers | 13 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
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Member | Lawyers of Distinction | 2018 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney At Law | Houston & Alexander | 2015 - Present |
Legal Counsel | Life Care Legal & Risk Services, LLC | 2013 - 2015 |
Assistant District Attorney | Hamilton County District Attorney | 2010 - 2013 |
Assistant U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona | 2007 - 2010 |
Assistant District Attorney | Hamilton County District Attorney | 2005 - 2007 |
Litigation Associate | Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, PC | 2001 - 2005 |
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Association name | Position name | Duration |
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Chattanooga Bar Association | Member | 2016 - Present |
National College of DUI Defense | Member | 2016 - Present |
Tennessee Bar Association | Member | 2016 - Present |
Defense Research Institute | Member | 2014 - 2015 |
Tennessee Bar Association, Ethics and Professionalism Committee | Member | 2005 - 2007 |
Chattanooga Inns of Court | Member | 2005 - 2006 |
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School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Texas School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2001 |
University of the South | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1998 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
State of Tennessee v. William Valentine | Successful representation of the State's interests |
State of Tennessee v. Gustus and Burress | Successful representation of the State's interests |
State of Tennessee v. Fredrick Anderson | Successful representation of the State's interests |
U.S. v. Jesus Murrieta-Perez | Successful representation of the Government's interests |
U.S. v. Nelson Garcia | Successful representation of the Government's interests |
U.S. v. Matthew T. Ashby | Successful representation of the Government's interests |
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Donald Fann, Nursing home abuse and neglect Attorney on May 3, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Great legal mind and a unique ability to simplify complex issues in a way that truly benefits his clients. This is someone that you want in your corner when things get tough.
Michael Stewart, Criminal defense Attorney on Dec 12, 2016
Relationship: Co-worker
Bret is a knowledgeable and hard-working attorney.
Daniel Ripper, Criminal defense Attorney on Nov 17, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Bret is a smart lawyer who does a great job for his clients by quickly determing what the most important issues are and getting them resolved. I enjoy working with and against him because there is no BS. He figures out what issues matter, address them and gets the case resolved.
Clancy Covert, Criminal defense Attorney on Mar 24, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Bret has a vast knowledge of criminal defense matters. His professionalism is second to none and he works vigorously on behalf of his clients for a successful outcome. It is always a pleasure to work with him and I would recommend him without hesitation.
R. Best, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 18, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Mr. Alexander is a respected member of the Chattanooga legal community. We have worked on several matters over the past few years and he is a highly proficient advocate for his clients. I endorse him without hesitation!
Stevie Phillips, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 6, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Bret Alexander. Bret's reputation as a skilled and zealous advocate precedes him. He and Johnny Houston make a strong team - you cannot go wrong hiring Bret.
Lee Davis, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 6, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Bret for many years and I value his vast legal knowledge and ability. More important than that is his integrity. Bret is honest and direct. He is lawyer who will do his very best to help you with your legal issues. Smart, capable, and honest.
Johnny Houston, Criminal defense Attorney on Jan 6, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Bret for 15 years as an adversary, a friend, and now my partner. Bret is a very bright, hard-working attorney and I am thrilled to be working together with him now. His experience as both a former DUI prosecutor and an assistant US attorney gives him a unique, "insider" perspective on criminal matters and his background in the nursing home industry provides an insight into those cases as well. I highly endorse Bret and look forward to working with him.
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