Stephens & DiRado, LLP

Melissa C. DiRado

Founding Partner

Melissa C. DiRado

Melissa C. DiRado is a founding partner in the Firm of Stephens & DiRado, LLP. She is a highly skilled, battle-tested, criminal defense attorney. She has won multiple not-guilty verdicts for her clients and has established herself as one of Knoxville’s best criminal defense attorneys. 

Originally from Northville, Michigan, Ms. DiRado earned her B.A. in political science and philosophy from Albion College with a concentration in law, justice, and society. At Albion, she was not only an academic standout, she also served as the captain of the swim and lacrosse teams and an active member of Phi Alpha Delta and Alpha Xi Delta. In 2023, she was recognized as Young Alumni Award recipient, acknowledging her work and dedication to criminal defense.

She earned her J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law where she concentrated on criminal defense. Following law school, Ms. DiRado was recruited to work at the nationally recognized Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office where she quickly established herself as one of that office’s very best trial lawyers. During her tenure at the CLO, she served in a supervisory role and, following Mark Stephens’ departure from the office, he recruited her to form the firm of Stephens & DiRado, LLP.

Ms. DiRado is an active member of the Tennessee and National Associations of Criminal Defense Lawyers. In addition, she is a proud graduate of Gideon’s Promise, a national award-winning criminal defense organization. 

Known for her exceptional strategic capacity, significant trial skills and compassionate client advocacy, Ms. DiRado has built a reputation across East Tennessee as an accomplished, aggressive trial lawyer and advocate both in and out of the courtroom.

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