The Roots of My Practice
My legal journey is shaped by a foundation built on integrity, hard work, and a deep sense of justice—values instilled in me from a young age. My roots are on a small farm in Lowland, Tennessee, where I learned the importance of resilience and commitment. I was an active member of both 4-H, where I showed cows, and FFA in high school. Today, my wife and I are raising our own family—a son who is almost three and a two-month-old daughter—and have returned to farming, cultivating tobacco, sunflowers, corn, and cut flowers on our land.
When I’m not in the courtroom, you can find me on my farm, surrounded by the John Deere two-cylinder tractors I inherited from my father, or out for a drive in my classic 1968 Chevy C10. These hobbies remind me that hard work, patience, and attention to detail are the keys to a successful outcome, whether it’s in the field or for my clients.
“Hard work, patience, and attention to detail are the keys to a successful outcome—whether in the field or for my clients.”
A Legacy of Law & Service
My professional calling is rooted deep in the history of East Tennessee, a tradition that began with my ancestor, Louis Alexander Gratz. Born in Prussia in 1842, he came to America with nothing and, through tireless dedication, built a life of service. He enlisted in the Union Army in 1861, rose to the rank of Major, and settled in Knoxville after the war. After the Civil War, he became an influential attorney and community leader and prominent business lawyer for the Louisville and Nashville (L&N) Railroad, proving that the law is a powerful tool for building a better future.
From the Inside Out: A Unique Legal Perspective
That same principle drives my practice today. My career began right here in East Tennessee, where I served as an Assistant District Attorney and later as a Special Agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). For five years, I worked on the front lines of criminal justice, leading complex investigations into violent and white-collar crime.
This experience gave me a complete, inside-out understanding of the legal system—a perspective few attorneys possess. I know precisely how investigations are conducted, what information is required to build a case, and, just as critically, what is often missed. I immediately recognize when crucial information has been overlooked or when investigative steps have not been completed as they should be.
This is a powerful advantage for my clients. It allows me to meticulously scrutinize the details of a case and challenge a narrative built on an incomplete or flawed investigation.