About J. Caleb
J. Caleb Cassell began his academic path at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he earned a B.A. in political science and philosophy in 2007. He moved on to Belmont University College of Law, enrolling in 2014 and completing his J.D. in 2017 with coursework in criminal law. His education combined classroom study and practical exposure to courtroom procedure.
After law school, Cassell accepted a position as a judicial law clerk for the Rutherford County Circuit Court in 2017. The clerkship placed him close to trial dockets and the daily work of judges. He handled legal research, reviewed records, and assisted in drafting bench memoranda, gaining an early view of how cases are tried and resolved in the state system.
In 2018 he entered private practice and became a partner at The Cassell Firm. That same year he also took a role in local politics as a committeeman on the Davidson County Democratic Party Executive Committee. The two roles reflect a mix of courtroom work and community engagement in Nashville-area civic life.
Cassell maintains active memberships in several professional organizations. He belongs to the Nashville Bar Association and the Tennessee Bar Association. He is a member of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and participates in the Belmont University College of Law American Inn of Court. Since 2020 he has served on the Associate Board of Junior Achievement Nashville, working alongside nonprofit and business leaders on youth programs.
He is authorized to practice in Tennessee and holds permission to appear in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee. Over the course of his career he has litigated matters in state courts and in federal court in the Middle District. His practice includes criminal defense and related litigation, where he represents individuals in hearings, trials, and plea negotiations.
Colleagues describe Cassell as someone who moves easily between the paperwork of case preparation and the pressure of courtroom work. He has combined a year in a judicial clerkship with private practice experience to develop a practical approach to litigation. At The Cassell Firm he manages caseloads, prepares motions, and appears on behalf of clients across criminal matters.
He currently practices criminal defense and related litigation at The Cassell Firm.
