Sara Compher-Rice

Sara Compher-Rice is a criminal defense attorney in Knoxville, TN, where she is a named partner of the Oberman & Rice law firm. Originally from Southern Ohio, Sara relocated to Tennessee to attend the University of Tennessee College of Law in the fall of 1999.  While at UT Law, Sara developed a passion for trial advocacy and criminal defense.  In fact, one of her favorite law school classes, taught by her law partner, Steve Oberman, eventually developed into her career at Oberman & Rice. After helping Sara develop her trial advocacy skills, Steve hired Sara as an associate attorney in 2002.  Being able to work with her mentor has been one of the greatest professional blessings of Sara’s legal career.  After several years of practicing with Steve, Sara was honored to become a named partner as “The Law Offices of Steve Oberman” was changed to “The Oberman & Rice Law Firm.” Sara has always held a commitment to excellence, in both the study and practice of law.  At the University of Tennessee Law School, Sara graduated Magna Cum Laude (high honors) and was elected to the Order of the Coif—an honor society for law school graduates who earn a Juris Doctorate and graduate in the top ten percent of the class. Since law school, Sara has focused her legal practice on defending those accused of crimes in Tennessee at both the state and federal levels.  Throughout her career, Sara has also been involved in a number of legal organizations that are committed to improving the criminal justice system, including the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and the National College for DUI Defense (NCDD). Sara also served as a Hearing Committee Member for the Board of Professional Responsibility from 2011 to 2017. One of Sara’s greatest professional accomplishments was being selected by her peers to serve on the Executive Committee of the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (TACDL), an organization that includes and represents over 1000 criminal defense attorneys across the state.  She was ultimately elected to serve as the TACDL President in 2016-2017 and remains active as a TACDL Past President. Sara has lectured to both local and national audiences on the topics of DUI defense, ethics, and courtroom technology and has authored multiple articles relating to DUI Defense. Sara has been named a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star from 2010 to 2017 and has also been recognized in the 2012-present editions of The Best Lawyers in America® in the practice area of DUI Defense.  In 2016, Sara was selected by the Greater Knoxville Business Journal as a 40 Under 40 honoree. Sara lives in Knoxville with her husband, Andy, and their two boys, Jake and Henry. Sara enjoys hiking, camping, and whitewater rafting with her family.  She also loves volunteering in her spare time at both boys’ schools.

Homepage: http://www.duiknoxville.com


Posts by Sara Compher-Rice

When the State’s Expert Witness Has a Financial Interest in DUI Convictions

Monday, March 19th, 2018

Tennessee Motor Vehicle Driving Record (MVR) Now Available Online

Tuesday, November 19th, 2013

Tennessee Highway Patrol Using Tractor Trailer to Catch Distracted Drivers

Wednesday, November 6th, 2013

Ignition Interlock Device Requirements Under the New Tennessee DUI Laws

Monday, September 30th, 2013

Knoxville Area DUI Checkpoints Begin Thursday Night

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2013

Fourth of July “No Refusal” Weekend in Tennessee

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013

Tennessee Driver License Reinstatement and Driving History

Thursday, February 7th, 2013

Knoxville Area Sobriety Checkpoints Begin Tonight

Friday, December 28th, 2012

Tennessee No Refusal DUI Enforcement

Friday, December 28th, 2012

Wishing You a Safe & Happy New Year

Thursday, December 27th, 2012

Increased Roadway Patrols for Holiday Season

Friday, December 21st, 2012

DUI News From Across The Country

Friday, July 13th, 2012

The New Implied Consent Violation Restricted Driver’s License

Friday, July 13th, 2012

Your blood can now be taken by someone not certified to do so.

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

Consequences of a TN DUI Conviction – Part 2

Monday, March 26th, 2012

Restricted License Form for Tennessee DUI

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

West Knoxville Driver Service Center Changing

Friday, December 30th, 2011

Consequences of a TN DUI Conviction – Part 1

Monday, November 21st, 2011

Tennessee Boating Under the Influence (BUI) Laws

Monday, June 27th, 2011

The Walk and Turn Field Sobriety Test

Sunday, May 8th, 2011

As of July 1, 2010, a DUI Conviction Costs You More

Monday, November 8th, 2010