Stephens & DiRado, llp

About

About Us

The lawyers at Stephens & DiRado, LLP we are skilled, committed, aggressive advocates with over 50 years of combined experience. Based in Knoxville, the lawyers in the Firm handle cases in counties throughout East Tennessee. Whether you are under investigation for criminal activity, have been formally charged with a crime, have been convicted and need to appeal, or want to pursue a post-conviction remedy, our lawyers have the skill set and experience to provide you with the best legal representation possible. The lawyers at Stephens & DiRado, LLP have dedicated their entire professional careers to becoming experts in the practice of criminal law.


If you find yourself in the criminal justice system, you need an experienced, committed and skilled advocate to carefully navigate you through a system that is confusing at best, and sometimes unjust. Don’t assume that your case isn’t serious enough to warrant hiring a lawyer. The direct and collateral consequences of a criminal charge or conviction can be devastating. Let’s have a conversation about your particular situation to make sure you understand your options.

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Our Mission


"The lawyers at Stephens & DiRado, LLP, are dedicated and committed advocates with over 50 years of combined experience. Our mission is simple: provide each one of our clients with the most zealous, effective, and strategic representation that results in the very best case outcome possible."

Meet the Attorneys

Our attorneys bring together decades of combined experience, deep community roots, and a passion for criminal defense. We offer the strength of a team that thrives in trial and never forgets the human side of the law.

Mark E. Stephens

Managing Partner

Mark E. Stephens is a nationally recognized criminal defense attorney with over four decades of experience and a proven record of success in complex felony cases. As managing partner at Stephens & DiRado, LLP, he brings unmatched trial skill and strategic insight gained from years as Knox County’s first Public Defender and a former prosecutor. Mark is known for his commanding courtroom presence, deep commitment to justice, and unwavering advocacy for his clients—delivering experienced, results-driven representation in every case he takes on.

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Melissa C. DiRado

Founding Partner

Melissa C. DiRado is a highly skilled criminal defense attorney known for her sharp legal acumen and unwavering dedication to her clients. She is widely respected for her work in complex and sensitive cases—including domestic violence, sexual offenses, and other high-stakes criminal matters that demand both discretion and strategic precision. Melissa combines compassionate counsel with powerful courtroom advocacy, giving every client the confidence, protection, and relentless representation they deserve from start to finish.

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Martha O. Dinwiddie

Associate Attorney

Martha O. Dinwiddie is a talented criminal defense attorney recognized for her sharp intellect and steadfast commitment to her clients. She has quickly distinguished herself through her success in complex appellate and post-conviction cases, securing significant victories for individuals facing life-altering sentences. Martha is known for her meticulous preparation, persuasive advocacy, and deep sense of empathy—bringing focus, strategy, and unwavering determination to every case she handles from start to finish.

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  Why Clients Choose Us

When you're facing criminal charges, you don’t just need legal help—you need the right team behind you. At Stephens & DiRado, LLP, clients trust us because we bring experience, clarity, and strength to every case:

01

Focused Exclusively on Criminal Defense

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Criminal defense is the only type of law the attorneys at Stephens & DiRado, LLP have ever practiced. It is all we have ever wanted to do. It is an honor to stand next to our clients and fight for their them.

→ Book your free consultation to see how our approach fits your case.

02

Extensive Trial Experience

The attorneys at Stephens & DiRado, LLP. have over 50 years of combined experience and have tried over a hundred jury trials. We know our way around a courtroom. Equally important, when the circumstances call for it, we have the skills to negotiate favorable results for our clients and have done so in hundreds of cases as well.

→ Talk with us about your trial options today.

03

Direct Attorney Access

We believe you should always have access to your lawyer. No gatekeepers. No guesswork. Just open communication from day one.

→ Contact us directly—no strings attached.

04

We’re well known in the East Tennessee Legal Community

We know how things work in Knox and the surrounding counties in East Tennessee – our experience gives us an advantage.

→ Facing charges locally? Let us guide you through the process.

05

Fierce Advocacy, Client Centered Representation

Every case is personal to us because we know it’s personal to you. Whether you’re facing a misdemeanor or a felony, we take the time to understand your story, defend and protect your rights, and fight for the best outcome possible for your circumstances.

→ Let us defend your future. Request your consultation today.

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Our Core Values

  • Trial Strength

    The attorneys at Stephens & DiRado, LLP, are experienced in the courtroom. They have dedicated their professional lives learning how to persuade juries to render favorable verdicts for their clients. They have taken to trial some of the most significant and serious cases Knoxville has ever seen. They have tried cases where the government was trying to kill their clients. They have learned how to perform at their best while under the intense pressure a lawyer can be under. They will fight for you.

  • Honest Communication

    To be effective, the client must trust his or her lawyer. The attorney-client relationship must be built from a foundation of trust. The client must know that his/her lawyer has the client’s best interests at heart. Communication is an essential part of building trust. Communication between lawyer and client must be open, honest, and frequent.

  • Unwavering Client Focus

    Our client’s goals and rights are at the core of our representation. The criminal justice system is often unjust and unfair. The role of a lawyer is to make sure clients are protected, heard, fought for, and provided a just process to make their case of innocence, or, where appropriate, to mitigate the client’s culpability.  It is our greatest honor to fill that role.

  • Integrity in Everything We Do

    Our loyalty is to our clients. We are committed to doing what is right and ethical and in our client’s best interest. 

  • Personalized, Strategic Defense

    No two cases are alike. We develop tailored strategies that address your unique situation—because effective defense is never one-size-fits-all.

driven by justice

Your Case. Your Future. Our Fight.

Trusted Criminal Defense Lawyers in Knoxville and East Tennessee

If you or someone you care about has been charged with a crime, now is the time to act. At Stephens & DiRado, LLP, our experienced criminal defense attorneys provide the strategic, results-driven representation you need to protect your rights and your future.


Request your free consultation today — and let our team of criminal defense lawyers stand by your side and defend your rights. 

Schedule Your Free Consultation