Roger Nell

Native of Arizona, raised in Florida, educated in Iowa, and settled in Tennessee. Privileged to serve as District Public Defender for Robertson and Montgomery Counties for more than twenty years and to lead an outstanding team of excellent trial attorneys and superb staff. Previously practiced law with Goble & Nell, PLLC; as a sole practitioner; as an Assistant Attorney General, State of Tennessee including appointments as special assistant district attorney in several judicial districts and special assistant US attorney in the Middle District of Tennessee; and as a judge advocate in the U.S. Army. ‍ Retired with the rank of Colonel after serving 26 years in numerous active duty and reserve assignments including prosecution and defense at courts-martial; peacekeeping mission to Sinai, Egypt; combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan; military judge; and culminating as Deputy Legal Counsel (Reserve), Office of Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Significant military decorations include Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, and Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. Other honors include appointment as a Kentucky Colonel, two-time recipient of the Massey McGee Trial Advocacy Award from the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (2016 & 2019), named Gideon’s Hero by the National Legal Aid & Defender Association (April 2003), and Eagle Scout.