Daniel J. Taylor, Attorney

Daniel J. Taylor, a resident of Jackson, Tennessee, concentrates his practice primarily in the areas of state and federal criminal defense law in West Tennessee. However, Mr. Taylor also represents clients in some civil cases related to criminal matters.

Mr. Taylor is certified as a Criminal Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education and Specialization. He has been certified since 2000. He was recertified in 2005. He is also qualified pursuant to the Rules of the Tennessee Supreme Court to serve as lead counsel in capital (death penalty) cases and appeals. He has participated as either lead or co-counsel in over sixty-five (65) criminal jury trials. He has experience in both the defense and prosecution of criminal cases. He was formerly employed by the office of the Tennessee Attorney General (Criminal Division); served as an assistant to the Attorney General of the Thirteenth Judicial District as a senior law student pursuant to Rule 10.03 of the Tennessee Supreme Court; and was employed for five (5) years as the Chief Assistant Public Defender for the Twenty-sixth (26th) Judicial District, Jackson, TN. He is a 2001 graduate of the National Criminal Defense College located at the Mercer School of Law, Macon Georgia. He is also a 2002 graduate of the Clarence Darrow Death Penalty Defense College located at the University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor Michigan.

Mr. Taylor is currently serving a second term on the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has served as a Board of Director, Vice President, and President of the Jackson-Madison County Bar Association. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association (Criminal Justice Section), Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (TACDL) and the Madison County Bar Association. He is a Criminal Justice Act (CJA) panel attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. He served as a Hearing Committee member of the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, Disciplinary District VII from 2003-2009.

Mr. Taylor is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and the Nashville School of Law. He was admitted to the practice of law in 1992. He is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Tennessee and all lower appellate and trial courts. He is also admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States, the U.S Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee and U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

Mr. Taylor served twenty years as an officer in the Tennessee Army National Guard. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004-2005) and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his service during his active duty deployment. He retired from the Tennessee Army National Guard at the rank of Major.

He is an Eagle Scout and served as the Chairman of the Central District Committee of the Boy Scouts of America, Jackson, TN. from 2007-2009. He is currently serving as President of the Board of Directors of Habitat for Humanity, Jackson, TN. He also served as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Jackson State Community College and is currently serving as Chairman of the Church Council at Grace United Methodist Church, Jackson, TN.