Atty. Jonathan D. Cooper

Atty. Jonathan D. Cooper

Jonathan Cooper offers decades of experience, unsurpassed personal attention, and zealous representation to his clients. He focuses his practice exclusively in the area of criminal defense, representing citizens accused of crimes in both state and federal courts.

Knoxville Knoxville 33 yrs experience 33 year
Call (865) 524-8106 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Jonathan D. Cooper at a glance

Jonathan D. Cooper is a dui/dwi, criminal defense, and white collar attorney based in Knoxville, Tennessee, practicing at Knox Defense. They have 33+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1993. Admitted to practice in Tennessee, Tennessee Supreme Court (1993). Educated at The University of Tennessee (J.D., 1993) and Emory & Henry College (BA, 1989). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — DUI / DWI Defense (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice (2026). Serands clients in Knoxville, TN and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Jonathan Cooper offers decades of experience, unsurpassed personal attention, and zealous representation to his clients
  • He focuses his practice exclusively in the area of criminal defense, representing citizens accused of crimes in both state and federal courts
  • His experience of successful representation encompasses the entire spectrum of the criminal justice system, from DUI to homicide, and from narcotics possession to white collar offenses
  • Jonathan is a career long member of the Knoxville Bar Association, where he has served on the Board of Governors, as Treasurer of the Board of Directors, and Co-Chair of the Criminal Justice Section
  • He is a member of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers where he served as President during the 2019-2020 fiscal year
  • An active member of the Hamilton-Burnett Inn of Court, Jonathan has served Knox County as Chair of the Ethics Committee, and on both the exploratory and advisory committees for the Knox County Mental Health Court
  • He is recognized as an BV Distinguished Peer Rated Lawyer by Martindale-Hubbell, by Tennessee Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America, where he has been named the DUI Lawyer of the Year for Knoxville in 2023 and 2025 and General Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year in 2021
  • He is a 1993 graduate of University of Tennessee School of Law, cum laude, where he participated in Law Review, the National Trial Team, the NACDL Criminal Trial Competition, Moot Court, the Order of Barristers, and was an H.C
  • Warner Centurion Scholar, and earned his undergraduate, magna cum laude, from Emory & Henry College in Political Science in 1989
  • Jonathan and his wife, Lisa, have two daughters, Anna and Lucy
  • They are members of Church Street United Methodist Church
  • They make their home in Knoxville

Practice Areas Explained

Jonathan D. Cooper's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jonathan D. Cooper handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

DUI / DWI Defense

Find experienced DUI and DWI defense attorneys near you. Compare verified profiles, read client reviews, and consult about your case for free.

Jonathan D. Cooper is one of 29,976 dui/dwi attorneys indexed nationally. Browse dui/dwi attorneys in Tennessee →

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

Jonathan D. Cooper is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Tennessee →

White Collar Crimes

Jonathan D. Cooper is one of 20,025 white collar attorneys indexed nationally. Browse white collar attorneys in Tennessee →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Tennessee

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 Knoxville 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 andnue, 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.

Looking for additional Tennessee attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Knoxville or all attorneys in Tennessee.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Jonathan D. Cooper

Where is Jonathan D. Cooper's law office located?
Jonathan D. Cooper's law practice is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The firm is Knox Defense. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Jonathan D. Cooper handle?
Jonathan D. Cooper focuses on dui/dwi, criminal defense, white collar. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Tennessee.
How long has Jonathan D. Cooper practiced law?
Jonathan D. Cooper has 33+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1993.
Where did Jonathan D. Cooper go to law school?
Jonathan D. Cooper earned their education at (J.D., 1993); (BA, 1989).
How can I contact Jonathan D. Cooper for a consultation?
You can contact Jonathan D. Cooper directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Jonathan D. Cooper received?
Jonathan D. Cooper's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — DUI / DWI Defense; Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice; Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:; Best Lawyers in America — Civil Rights Law.

Education

J.D.
The University of Tennessee
- 1993
BA
Emory & Henry College
- 1989

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — DUI / DWI Defense
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: White-Collar
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Civil Rights Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Hamilton-Burnett American Inn of Court, 1995-1998
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Martindale-Hubbell BV Distinguished Peer Rated Attorney
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Cityview Top Attorney for DUI Defense, 2015
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Criminal Defense: General Practice Section, since 2016
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , Criminal Defense: General Practice, Knoxville Metro Area, 2021
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — DWI/DUI Practice Section, since 2016
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — , DUI Defense, Knoxville Metro Area, 2023, 2025
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tennessee Super Lawyers since 2018
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Robert W. Ritchie Service Award 2023
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — DUI / DWI Defense (Knoxville)
- 2025
Lawyer of the Year — DUI / DWI Defense (Knoxville)
- 2023
Lawyer of the Year — Criminal Defense: General Practice (Knoxville)
- 2021

Bar Admissions

Tennessee, Tennessee Supreme Court
Admitted: 1993

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