Eldridge & Cravens | A Knoxville-based criminal defense firm rooted in authenticity
Today, Eldridge’s practice has shifted more toward white-collar crime, where he focuses on protecting individuals and businesses.
In an era where legal advertising saturates highways and search engines, Eldridge & Cravens P.C. has built its reputation the old-fashioned way: through trust, referrals, and relentless dedication to client service.
The Knoxville-based firm has litigated more than 2500 state and federal cases over the years, ranging from lengthy complex white-collar crime cases involving tax fraud, environmental crime, money laundering, and health care fraud allegations to murder and assault cases to DUIs to DUIs and vehicular homicide matters.
We sat down with David Eldridge, the firm’s managing partner and co-founder, who said the key to their decades of success is simple: authenticity.
“The story of our firm is just like most good businesses,” Eldridge said. “It was built on trying to provide the highest quality service that we can in every case. Because of that, we’ve built a very positive reputation over the years.”
The reputation of providing zealous representation no matter the popularity of the client includes Eldridge’s role in some of Knoxville’s most high-profile criminal cases, most notably the harrowing 2007 Christian-Newsom case.
“I was appointed to represent the defendant in that murder case. The amount of effort that goes into representing someone who has been accused in a criminal prosecution of that nature cannot be overstated,” he said.
Eldridge’s practice currently focuses to a large extent on white-collar criminal cases, where he focuses on protecting individuals and businesses.
A bit of background
Eldridge began his Knoxville legal career in 1988 at Richie, Fels & Dillard P.C., where he joined as a partner in 1992 and spent 15 years there.
“The best lawyers have the best mentors,” Eldridge said. “I was blessed to have had extraordinary mentors, and as a result, I think that the quality of service, level of depth, and experience that we provide is hard to match here in the Knoxville market.”
In 2003, Eldridge and Tasha Blakney launched their own practice as Eldridge & Blakney. By 2007, Eldridge had purchased the firm’s current office space in the heart of downtown Knoxville in the Cherokee Building on West Church Avenue.
Blakney left nearly two years ago to become the executive director of the Knoxville Bar Association. Loretta Cravens, who had previously worked with the firm for over a decade, returned in 2023 as a partner.
Together, Eldridge & Cravens continue to uphold the firm’s reputation for high-quality criminal defense work.
“In criminal defense, it takes a lot of work to even get to a chance of success. You’re working 10, 11 hours a day, maybe longer, and certainly in a trial situation, a lot longer than that. It’s all-consuming,” he said.
When asked why he chose criminal defense over other types of litigation, Eldridge said the answer is both practical and personal.
“It is needed,” he said, sharing that even people who committed a crime knowingly or unknowingly deserve a fair trial. “Defending those accused of crime serves to protect all our rights”, he noted.
But he also finds the work deeply rewarding.
“Almost all who come through our office end up better off than they would have been if they had not come to us” he said.
Remaining authentic in a changing industry
Like every industry, the legal profession has been reshaped by the rise of AI, social media, and digital-first marketing. A few decades ago, people found lawyers through personal referrals or newspaper ads. Today, newcomers find legal help through billboards, Google searches, and social media campaigns.
“Being around for nearly 20 years now, most of our cases–and certainly our best cases–still come from other lawyers, business owners, and referrals,” Eldridge said. “You drive down the interstate and see the billboards. There’s a lot of advertising in the industry now, both on the roads and online. It didn’t used to be that way.”
His advice to young lawyers?
“Be yourself. Be comfortable with who you are. Every lawyer and businessperson has a different style. If you’re trying to be something you’re not, your clients will notice that in your representation of them. Be you.”
Eldridge & Cravens LLC continues to thrive by being exactly that: authentic, confident, and committed to client service.
Learn more about Eldridge & Cravens P.C.
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