When you are facing the most difficult day of your life—whether it is a criminal charge that threatens your freedom or a family crisis that requires a meticulous investigation—the person standing next to you in the courtroom matters. You don’t just need a lawyer; you need someone who understands how the system works from the inside out.
My name is David Gratz. Today, I lead Gratz Law Firm in Morristown, Tennessee. But before I opened my private practice over a year ago, my office was the field, and my mission was seeking justice for the state’s most high-profile victims as a Special Agent with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
The Front Lines of Justice: The Evelyn Boswell Case
Many in East Tennessee recognize my name from one of the most prolific and heartbreaking cases in our state’s history: the disappearance and murder of Evelyn Boswell. As the lead TBI agent on that case, I worked tirelessly for weeks, coordinating resources and following every lead until the remains of "Baby Evelyn" were discovered.
The investigation led to the conviction of Megan Boswell for the murder of her daughter.
This case required more than just standard police work; it required a deep understanding of forensic evidence, witness interrogation, and the ability to maintain focus under the intense pressure of a national spotlight. My work on this case led to appearances on Court TV and interviews with Law and Crime, where I discussed the complexities of seeking justice for those who cannot speak for themselves.
- Court TV | Day 5 Recap: Jurors Shown Items from Where Baby Evelyn Was Found
- YouTube | WJHL: David Gratz Reviews Evidence in Boswell Trial
- Law & Crime Network | Missing Toddler’s Body Found Inside Shed Next to Her Playhouse
Searching for the Missing: Summer Wells and Amber Alerts
My time at the TBI was often defined by the clock. When a child goes missing, every second counts. I was a key investigator in the case of Summer Wells, a young girl from
Hawkins County who, tragically, remains missing to this day.
In addition to major cases like Summer’s, I worked numerous Amber Alerts across the state. While the public sees the notification on their phones, I saw the mechanics behind the scenes—the rapid deployment of technology, the interviewing of suspects, and the strategic planning required to bring children home safely. This experience taught me how law enforcement thinks, how they build their “theories of the crime”; and, most importantly, where they might make mistakes.
Beyond Violent Crime: White-Collar Investigations
While many associate the TBI only with violent crime, much of my career was spent untangling complex white-collar crimes and official misconduct.
One of my most significant investigations involved a construction company (Wood Construction) that swindled millions of dollars from hardworking families across Tennessee and North Carolina. I was responsible for the investigation that led to their prosecution, proving that the pen can be just as dangerous as the sword. I also served as the lead agent in the removal and charging of a local utility manager for official misconduct, ensuring that those in positions of public trust are held accountable to the law.
- WJHL | Wood Construction Owners Pleads guilty to Wire Fraud
- WVLT | Former Utility Manager Pleads Guilty After State’s Investigation into ‘Questionable’ Overtime
From Prosecutor to Private Practice: Your Advantage
After my career with the TBI, I served as a prosecutor. This transition allowed me to see the legal system from the courtroom side of the aisle. I learned how the state
evaluates evidence, when they are likely to offer a plea, and what it takes to win a trial in front of a Tennessee jury.
Now, having been in private practice for over a year, I use this unique “triple-threat” background—Agent, Prosecutor, and Defense Attorney—to benefit my clients at Gratz
Law Firm.
Why My Past is Your Future Strength
When I represent you in a Criminal Defense case, I’m not just reading the police report; I’m analyzing it with the eyes of a man who used to write them. I know how to
spot an illegal search, a coerced statement, or a flawed forensic analysis.
When I represent you in Family Law or Civil Litigation, I bring the same investigative “doggedness” that I used to find missing children or uncover multi-million dollar frauds. I don’t just take the other side’s word for it—I find the facts.
At Gratz Law Firm, we provide straightforward, honest guidance backed by a career spent on the front lines of the Tennessee justice system. If you need an attorney who
truly knows the “inside” I am ready to stand by your side.