Atty. David Raybin
Named one of Nashville’s best criminal defense lawyers With more than 35 years of experience, David Raybin heads the criminal defense section of our firm, which includes criminal trials, criminal appeals, parole hearings, and civil rights litigation. David has been named the Best Criminal Lawyer in Nashville by Best Lawyers in America , and listed among the Best Criminal Lawyers in TN by Tennessee Business magazine.
Criminal Defense: General Practice & More Attorney · Serving Nashville, TN · 52+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About David Raybin at a Glance
David Raybin is a criminal defense and white collar attorney based in Nashville, Tennessee, practicing at Raybin & Weissman PC. They have 52+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1974. Admitted to practice in Tennessee (1974). Educated at The University of Tennessee (J.D., 1974). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026). Serves clients in Nashville, TN and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About David Raybin
- Named one of Nashville’s best criminal defense lawyers With more than 35 years of experience, David Raybin heads the criminal defense section of our firm, which includes criminal trials, criminal appeals, parole hearings, and civil rights litigation
- David has been named the Best Criminal Lawyer in Nashville by Best Lawyers in America, and listed among the Best Criminal Lawyers in TN by Tennessee Business magazine
- A regular commentator on local legal subjects, David often deals with prominent cases in the trial courts
- David has successfully handled a number of significant criminal appeals throughout Tennessee
- A prolific writer, David has authored numerous articles and publications
- He wrote the book Tennessee Criminal Law, which has been cited hundreds of times by Tennessee courts and relied on by judges and attorneys throughout the state
- He was twice awarded the Justice Joe Henry Award for outstanding legal writing by the Tennessee Bar Association David also engages in federal civil rights litigation including cases directed to improving the health of prisoners
- David serves as local counsel for Children’s Rights, a non-profit involved in foster care litigation in Tennessee
- For over twenty-five years David has represented Nashville police officers through the Fraternal Order of Police
- David has also served as General Counsel for Street Works, a non-profit devoted to the treatment of AIDS
- David Raybin served on the Tennessee Sentencing Commission for nine years
- David also chaired the Tennessee Supreme Court Criminal Rules Commission and has been a member of the current Tennessee Rules Commission for two terms
- David has lectured on various substantive and ethical criminal law topics to the Judicial Conference, Leadership Nashville, police departments, and legal organizations such as the TBA and the NBA as well as various local bar associations throughout Tennessee
- He served as a guest instructor in the Criminal Jury Trial Project in Moscow, Russia
- David also gives presentations to religious, school, and civic youth groups about the criminal justice system
- David Raybin is a 1973 Order of the Coif graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law where he was a member of the Law Review
- After graduation he served as an Assistant State Attorney General in the appellate division for three years
- Then he was hired by Tom Shriver to serve as an Assistant District Attorney for seven years
- He eventually became team leader in Division II
- After his service with the government, David joined what was then Hollins Wagster and Yarbrough
- Following the reorganization of the firm, David is now the senior partner of Hollins Raybin and Weissman
- David is rated as "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell
- He is also listed in Best Lawyers in America and has been recognized by Business Nashville magazine as one of "Nashville's Best Lawyers
- Business Tennessee magazine has consistently rated him as one of the "Top 150 Attorneys in Tennessee
- He is a Fellow of the Nashville Bar Foundation and a Master in the Harry Phillips Inn of Court
- David is a member of the Tennessee and Nashville Bar Associations and has served on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- He is admitted to practice in Tennessee and the U. S. District Court for Middle District of Tennessee, the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States
Practice Areas Explained
David Raybin's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David Raybin handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Nashville.
Criminal Defense in Nashville
A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.
David Raybin is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Tennessee →
White Collar Crimes in Nashville
David Raybin is one of 19,824 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in Tennessee →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Nashville
Practicing law in Tennessee. Legal matters in Tennessee are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Nashville are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Tennessee state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Tennessee brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Tennessee courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Nashville Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Nashville-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Tennessee attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Nashville or all attorneys in Tennessee.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Nashville Choose David Raybin
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish David Raybin's practice in the field of criminal defense and white collar.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
David Raybin brings 52+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering criminal defense and white collar, David Raybin can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Nashville
A Nashville-based practice means David Raybin attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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David Raybin's Practice Areas & Specializations
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