Top Criminal Defense Lawyers Near Me in Lebanon Area

We know what it’s like to need someone in your corner. That’s why we provide tough-minded advocacy and real support to individuals and families in Lebanon and the rest of Tennessee. Fighting on your side and getting results—it’s just what we do, day in and day out.

Mr. Cherry handles criminal cases throughout the counties of middle Tennessee.  He regularly handles driving under the influence cases and enjoys great success in representing clients with driving offenses.  He successfully defends those charged with sexual offenses and is currently abreast of the rules and regulations of the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry.. Mr. Cherry regularly represents those that have been convicted of criminal offenses before the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals.  In 2012, he was successful in reversing a criminal conviction and a twenty-four year sentence at the Court of Criminal Appeals.  Permission to Appeal was not requested by the State.. Mr. Cherry also handles complex personal injury matters involving all manner of injury.  In 2009, he negotiated a $1,000, settlement in a personal injury wrongful death case in Wilson County, Tennessee.  In that same year, he also negotiated a $600, settlement of a middle Tennessee personal injury matter.  In 2011, he negotiated the lump sum settlement of over $150,000 in a workers’ compensation case in Wilson County and in 2012 he negotiated a lump sum settlement of over $200,000 in a workers’ compensation case.  He regularly works to ensure that his personal injury clients receive the maximum benefit under the law.

John graduated with honors from the University of Memphis School of Law. While in law school, he was a justice on the Moot Court Board and received the highest-grade award in jurisprudence, fair employment practices, and administrative law. After receiving his law license, John practiced law in Memphis before returning home to Middle Tennessee. In 2002, John began practicing in Wilson County, Tennessee. He served as Special Assistant Public Defender for approximately two years handling numerous criminal matters. Additionally, he has presided as special judge for Wilson County General Sessions and Juvenile Courts as well as presided over the Wilson County Teen Court. To further his expertise as a trial attorney, John attended the American Trial Lawyers Direct Examination College and successfully completed the prestigious two-week intensive jury trial skills program at the National Institute of Trial Advocacy in Colorado.

In December of 2018, I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree from Tennessee Technological University. The following August, I started law school while working full-time. In 2020, I began working for Lannom & Williams as the Investigator and Law Clerk to Frank Lannom.. In 2023, I graduated from the Nashville School of Law in May and was admitted to the Tennessee Bar in October. My role in the firm transitioned to an Associate Attorney for our criminal defense team. I am a member of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defenses Lawyers and the Tennessee Bar Association.. I believe that hard work is required to provide clients with the best representation for their case. No matter the case or the legal issue, the objective is to always be an advocate for the client’s needs and do what is best for the client.

I was born and raised in rural Tennessee. After attending college at Middle Tennessee State University and law school at Belmont University, I am glad to be back home working out of Lebanon, Tennessee. I enjoy golfing, banking, classical music, and the Nashville Predators.

I started practicing law in 2009 after 12 years in Law Enforcement and working within the Juvenile Courts.

I joined with Victor Rotolo to form Kearns Rotolo Law as of January 2022. In my role as managing partner, I will continue to focus on matters pertaining to criminal defense, family law, personaly injury, and municipal matters.. Former Two-term Hunterdon County Prosecutor. As a criminal defense attorney with statewide recognition, I have earned the distinction of having worked both sides of the criminal justice system. A former Hunterdon County Prosecutor, I was the only one to have been appointed to this position for two terms, making me Hunterdon’s longest serving prosecutor. As the county’s Chief Law Enforcement Officer, I managed and led of team of assistant prosecutors and detectives with the goal of detecting, prosecuting and preventing criminal activities. This experience gives me unique insight into how the state prepares and prosecutes criminal cases, which I will use to mount skilled and powerful defenses of the charges against my clients.. While Prosecutor, I was invested in improving the quality of life for all residents of Hunterdon County and worked in partnership with other local leaders to implement several community programs designed to achieve that.In 2024, Anthony P. Kearns achieved and has since maintained the highest rating of "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell, the oldest nationally recognized legal reference company in the country.. In 2025 I was selected to the list of New Jersey Super Lawyers. The Super Lawyers list is generated by the Thomson Reuters organization according to the methodology and set of standards set forth here: https://www.superlawyers.com/about/selection-process/.. Additionally, I was chosen for membership to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers in 2025, an invitation-only professional organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state or region who meet precise qualifications as civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense trial lawyers.. [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]

I joined Kearns Rotolo Law in 2022. I practice primarily in criminal defense at the Superior Court level, DUI/DWI cases, as well as domestic violence, juvenile matters, municipal court, and motor vehicle violations.. Before joining Kearns Rotolo, I was an Assistant Prosecutor for the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office since 2015. I began my prosecutorial career in the Narcotics Unit before being appointed to lead the Juvenile Unit. I later served as the Bureau Chief of the Major Crimes Unit, Acting Bureau Chief of the Special Victims’ Unit, and Legal Advisor to the Professional Standards & Internal Affairs Bureau.. As an Assistant Prosecutor, I prosecuted indictable offenses and handled all court appearances from initial charging through jury trial and sentencing. I maintained a high-volume, victim-sensitive caseload.. In 2025, I was selected to the list of New Jersey Rising Stars. The Rising Stars list is generated by the Thomson Reuters organization according to the methodology and set of standards set forth in "Super Lawyers Selection Methodology." [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]. In 2025, I was chosen for membership into the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40. Membership is by invitation only and is extended exclusively to those trial lawyers practicing civil plaintiff and/or criminal defense law. [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]. I was honored with the Hunterdon County Bar Association’s “Rising Star” Award in 2021. The award is presented to attorneys who have made significant contributions to the legal community, including volunteerism, and in recognition of their achievements as practitioners. [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]. In addition to my legal practice, I am an Adjunct Professor at Rider University teaching a Criminal Investigation course and an Adjunct Professor at Raritan Valley Community College where I teach a Sports Law and Risk Management course. I also serve as the Voorhees High School Mock Trial Attorney-Coach.

I began working as a law clerk for Lowery, Lowery & Cherry, PLLC in July of 2013.  This firm, primarily dedicated to representing individuals charged with criminal offenses, afforded me the opportunity to hone my skills as a litigator and learn from three of the best in the criminal defense community.  Under Messrs. Jack Lowery, Sr., Jack Lowery Jr., and Jeff Cherry, I have had the opportunity to participate in jury and bench trials, argue motions to suppress, draft appellate briefs to the Courts of Appeals and Criminal Appeals, petition the Tennessee Supreme Court and argue in front of the Court of Appeals.. In 2024, I transitioned to the Law Office of Thomas Maynard.  Here, my areas of practice have largely remained unchanged.  I still enjoy representing individuals in family law, criminal law and general civil litigation.. I was born and raised in a small community North of Lansing, Michigan.  In 2004, I moved to Tennessee to complete my undergraduate at Austin Peay State University.  During this time and for several years after, I worked exclusively in health care.  I began law school in 2010, looking to be better and improve the quality of life for my family and myself.  I finished my legal education at the Nashville School of Law in 2015, graduating second in my class and awarded the Moot Court Award for the best participant in moot court.. My wife of more than 15 years has been with me the entire journey.  Together we have four children (three boys and one girl) and live in between two of Tennessee's finest cities, Mount Juliet and Lebanon.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lebanon and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lebanon and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lebanon and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lebanon and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lebanon and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lebanon and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lebanon and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lebanon and surrounding areas.

Experienced Criminal Defense attorney serving clients in Lebanon and surrounding areas.