How much does it cost to hire Gordon for a child custody case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Gordon walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does Gordon offer a free consultation?

Gordon charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Gordon's office. Some child custody attorneys offer free consults — check Gordon's current terms during booking.

How long do child custody cases in Tennessee typically take?

Simple child custody matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Gordon gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can Gordon take my case if I'm outside Cookeville?

Gordon is licensed in Tennessee. Matters governed by Tennessee law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Gordon will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with Gordon?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Gordon will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is Gordon accepting new child custody clients right now?

Gordon's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

Gordon A Byars, Child Custody Attorney in Cookeville, Tennessee

Over 13 years of legal practice · focused on Child Custody, Child Support, and Criminal Defense · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Managing AttorneyatByars, Darby & Damas

Cookeville, TN

Practicing child custody in Cookeville since 2013.

13+: Years practicing
5.0 ★: 1 client review
2: Bar admissions

Practices in

Child Custody Child Support Criminal Defense Divorce DUI/DWI DV Defense +9 more →

Are you Gordon A Byars?

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Quick answer

Gordon A Byars is a managing attorney based in Cookeville, TN. The practice focuses on Child Custody, Child Support, and Criminal Defense. Gordon has over 13 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Byars, Darby & Damas. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Based in: Cookeville, TN
Experience: over 13 years
Known for: Child Custody · Child Support · Criminal Defense

Handles Child Custody, Child Support, and Criminal Defense matters from Cookeville, TN.
Over 13 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
Recognized with AV Preeminent.

Areas of practice

Practice areas handled by Gordon A Byars

Gordon concentrates on child custody, child support, criminal defense, divorce, and dui/dwi. Each area below outlines the kind of case Gordon handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Child Custody cases in Cookeville, Tennessee

Gordon takes child custody matters in Cookeville, Tennessee. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Gordon agrees to represent you.

Child Support cases in Cookeville, Tennessee

Gordon takes child support matters in Cookeville, Tennessee. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Gordon agrees to represent you.

Criminal Defense cases in Cookeville, Tennessee

Gordon takes criminal defense matters in Cookeville, Tennessee. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Gordon agrees to represent you.

Divorce cases in Cookeville, Tennessee

Gordon takes divorce matters in Cookeville, Tennessee. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Gordon agrees to represent you.

DUI/DWI cases in Cookeville, Tennessee

Gordon takes dui/dwi matters in Cookeville, Tennessee. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Gordon agrees to represent you.

Biography

About Gordon A Byars — Over 13 years of Tennessee child custody experience

Mr. Byars is not a native Tennessean but has chosen to settle in Cookeville, Tennessee to raise his family and represent the citizens of Tennessee. The phrase “southern by choice” fits perfectly. Mr. Byars was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. His mother was born in Germany while her father served in the Air Force during Vietnam and she eventually settled in Las Vegas and never left. Mr. Byars father, while born in Michigan, was raised in West Tennessee before his parents moved to Las Vegas seeking “dryer climate.” Mr. Byars was raised in Las Vegas until he was a teenager and moved to a small town in West Tennessee with his father. Mr. Byars has lived in Tennessee ever since and is proud this state has adopted him as one of its own. Of course, Mr. Byars still visits Las Vegas numerous times per year to visit his Mother and family living there, but is glad he does not live there.

Following mediocre personal performance on the high school football field (the team was actually quite good and went to two state championship games, winning one, during Mr. Byars time in high school) Mr. Byars graduated from high school and went on to receive a Bachelor of Arts, concentrating in Criminal Justice, from Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville, TN. This is when his love affair for the City of Cookeville began.

After graduating from Tennessee Tech, Mr. Byars went on to law school in Knoxville, TN at Lincoln Memorial University’s – Duncan School of Law. During law school Mr. Byars served as a law clerk for the Tennessee Attorney General and Reporter's Office in the Civil Litigation and State Services Division. Fortunately, during his time with the Attorney General's Office, he was able to participate in a rare civil jury trial defended by the State of Tennessee. Mr. Byars credits his time at the Attorney General’s Office as the point when he realized he wanted to litigate and be in the courtroom.

For the final two years of law school and for a subsequent year after Mr. Byars worked for a small, boutique-style, criminal defense, civil rights and business litigation law firm in East Tennessee.

Mr. Byars then moved back to Cookeville, Tennessee to start a family and a law practice. For the past six years, Mr. Byars has developed a successful litigation practice in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee focusing on criminal defense, business defense and general civil litigation practice. He has conducted many jury trials before both judges and juries. Particularly Mr. Byars spends most of his time in the courtroom defending citizens accused of a crime and that area of his practice has what has allowed him to spend so much time arguing to juries. He has argued before the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Handled cases before Administrative tribunals including the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and the Board of Nursing.

Mr. Byars is a graduate of the highly regarded Tennessee Criminal Defense College (2017). He is also actively involved in criminal defense issues on both a state and national level. Mr. Byars currently serves on the Board of Directors – Middle Tennessee, for the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (TACDL), and is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL).

Mr. Byars also believes in giving back to the community. Mr. Byars has been named an Attorney for Justice by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2016, 2017, and 2018 for rendering meaningful pro bono work to those in need. Additionally, Mr. Byars was instrumental in the organizing of the 1st Packs for Pints where nearly 100 backpacks with school supplies were donated to children in foster care in the Upper Cumberland. Mr. Byars also lectures annually at Tennessee Tech University on the topic of Knowing Your Rights and how to interact with law enforcement. Mr. Byars has also served as a guest lecturer at Tennessee Tech in the business law class and at the Cookeville Higher Education Campus in both the corrections class and the criminal justice class.

In his spare time, Mr. Byars enjoys family activities with his wife Hilary, their two daughters, and their American Bulldogs, Doc and Dolly. When he is not with his family, Mr. Byars enjoys sports and spending time outside and is an avid hunter and shooting sports enthusiast.

Associations & Memberships

• National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers - Member

• Tennessee Bar Association - Member

• Upper Cumberland Young Lawyers Association - Former President, 2017

• Putnam County Bar Association - Former President, 2017

• Upper Cumberland Trial Lawyer Association - Vice President/President-Elect, 2019 - Present

• Attorney For Justice – Pro Bono Service Award: Tennessee Supreme Court 2015

• Top 40 Under 40 2015: The National Trial Lawyers Association 2015

• General Oliver O. Howard – Pro Bono Award: Lincoln Memorial 2013

• Dean’s List: Lincoln Memorial 2012

• Upper Cumberland Young Lawyers Association: Vice President/President-Elect 2016-Present

• Upper Cumberland Young Lawyers Association: Secretary 2015-2016

• Putnam County Bar Association: Member 2014-Present

• Tennessee Bar Association: Member 2013-Present

• Tennessee Association Of Criminal Defense Lawyers: Member 2013-Present

• Perspectives On Capital: Preventing The Automatic Death Penalty: Using the Felony Murder -2013

• Punishment In America: edited by Charles E. MacLean – Rule as a Basis for a First-Degree Murder Conviction or an Aggravating Factor; but not Both

• The Lincoln Memorial Law School – JD Juris Doctor: 2013

• Tennessee Technological University- Sociology/Criminal Justice: Bachelor’s Degree of Science: 2010

• Tennessee’s Boy’s State: Supreme Court Advancing Legal Education For Students (Scales): 2015

• Law for All – Youth Higher Education: 2011

• Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer - Member of the Middle TN Board of Directors, 2019-present

Gordon's approach to child custody cases

The kind of cases Gordon takes

Gordon reviews new inquiries case-by-case for child custody, child support, and criminal defense matters in Cookeville and the surrounding Tennessee area.

Credentials

Gordon A Byars's legal education and bar admissions

Lincoln Memorial University
J.D. · 2013
Tennessee Technological University
B.S. Tennessee · 2010

Jurisdictions

Gordon's state bar admissions

United States Distri
2016 · ACTIVE
Tennessee
2013 · ACTIVE

Gordon studied at J.D. in Lincoln Memorial University and B.S. Tennessee in Tennessee Technological University.

Law school and academic background

Gordon completed J.D. in Lincoln Memorial University and B.S. Tennessee in Tennessee Technological University. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Gordon runs in Tennessee is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Awards, publications, and recognition of Gordon A Byars

Gordon has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

AV Preeminent

Legal awards and honors

AV Preeminent.

Affiliations

Gordon's professional memberships and bar associations

Tennessee Bar Association Putnam County Bar Association National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Upper Cumberland Young Lawyers Association Upper Cumberland Trial Lawyer Association Tennessee Association Of Criminal Defense Lawyers
membership

Locations

Gordon A Byars's office in Cookeville

Gordon's primary office is at 105 S. Dixie Ave., Cookeville, TN, 38501. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Byars, Darby & Damas

105 S. Dixie Ave.

Cookeville, TN 38501

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Gordon A Byars — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Every review below is from a verified client of Gordon. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing child custody attorneys in Cookeville.

5.0

1 client review

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Gordon A Byars claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire Gordon A Byars — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new child custody attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Gordon usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Gordon charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Gordon's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Gordon will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a child custody attorney in Cookeville, Tennessee

A short list to run through before you commit: How many child custody matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Gordon

Gordon discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in child custody practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every child custody matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Gordon confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Gordon's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many child custody practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Gordon A Byars

How much does it cost to hire Gordon for a child custody case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Gordon walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Gordon offer a free consultation?
Gordon charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Gordon's office. Some child custody attorneys offer free consults — check Gordon's current terms during booking.
How long do child custody cases in Tennessee typically take?
Simple child custody matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Gordon gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Gordon take my case if I'm outside Cookeville?
Gordon is licensed in Tennessee. Matters governed by Tennessee law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Gordon will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Gordon?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Gordon will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Gordon accepting new child custody clients right now?
Gordon's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Child Custody attorneys serving Cookeville, Nashville and Memphis in Tennessee

Gordon handles child custody matters throughout Tennessee. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified child custody attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Gordon's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these child custody attorneys in Cookeville handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.