Jonathan D. Cooper
Criminal Defense: General Practice
Criminal Defense: General Practice
Create an account to contact this attorney
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. 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. 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.
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016
Gregory Harris
Facing a DUI charge was one of the most stressful experiences of my life. From our first meeting, Jonathan Cooper's 36 years of experience were immediately apparent. He didn't just see a case file; he took the time to understand my situation and the potential consequences for my career. His deep knowledge of Tennessee law, honed over decades of exclusive criminal defense work, was evident in every strategic discussion. He meticulously reviewed the traffic stop details and challenged the field sobriety test procedures, identifying weaknesses I never would have seen. His calm, steady guidance was invaluable. The outcome was far better than I dared hope—charges significantly reduced. It's no surprise he's been recognized as Lawyer of the Year multiple times. Jonathan and his team at Knox Defense provide the perfect blend of fierce advocacy and genuine personal attention. I cannot recommend him highly enough.
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law