David Eldridge named Lawyer of the Year by The Best Lawyers in America®

David Eldridge, Managing Partner at Eldridge & Cravens, P.C., has again been named Lawyer of the Year by The Best Lawyers in America® for Knoxville in two practice areas: Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Criminal Defense: General Practice, for 2027. In addition to these practice areas, he earned recognition in the practice area of high-stakes corporate “Bet-the-Company Litigation.”

Eldridge was also recognized in 2025 as The Best Lawyers in America® Lawyer of the Year for Knoxville in both White-Collar Criminal Defense and General Practice Criminal Defense. He has previously received this distinction in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

The Best Lawyers distinction is earned through the organization’s Purely Peer Review® methodology, which for more than 40 years has set the standard for identifying legal talent in the United States. Evaluations are based entirely on feedback from fellow attorneys practicing in the same practice area and geographic region, a rigorous process that has made Best Lawyers® one of the most trusted marks of excellence in the legal profession.

Known for his tenacious approach and wide-ranging experience, Eldridge has practiced law in East Tennessee for nearly 40 years. He provides strategic counsel to help clients pursue the best possible outcome in civil and criminal matters in state and federal court. His trial experience spans cases ranging from misdemeanors to capital murder.

Eldridge is board certified as a Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and has served in several leadership roles within the legal community, including as President of the Knoxville Bar Association and as the 38th Chair of the Tennessee Bar Foundation.

Eldridge and his partner, Loretta Cravens, were also named among CityView’s Best of the Best criminal defense attorneys this year.

Read more about David Eldridge.