DeGaetano Law Firm

08/22/2026

Next month, DOJ will begin a process for restoring the rights of certain felons to own and possess fi****ms.

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07/19/2026

Keep this in mind when a car runs you into a ditch (or worse): your uninsured motorist coverage will compensate you for injuries caused by a hit-and-run driver.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1cagtmWdJp/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Cyclist deaths hit a record. Overall road deaths fell. Something's wrong. 👇

07/18/2026

A car wreck is a gigantic pain. Dealing with insurance adjusters shouldn’t be your next battle. 🚗💥

If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, you might be hearing from insurance companies pressing for a quick settlement. Don't sign anything until you know your rights.

Many people don't realize that at-fault insurance is responsible for far more than just your immediate medical bills and car repairs—you may also be entitled to compensation for lost income, pain and suffering, and long-term care. And if the other guy doesn’t have insurance or enough insurance, your uninsured motorist coverage can fill the gap.

Whether your accident happened here in Tennessee or across the line in Georgia, navigating conflicting state laws and uninsured motorist claims can get complicated fast. You don't have to face it alone.

07/07/2026

👀 Supreme Court rules in favor of digital privacy. ⚖️📲🌎

In an overlooked opinion at the end of a term full of high-profile cases, the Supreme Court confirmed that police cannot obtain huge batches of people’s cellphone location data from companies like Google without a narrowly tailored search warrant supported by probable cause.

In Chatrie v. United States, the Court insisted upon significant restrictions on the government’s ability to require a company like Google to turn over the location data of anyone who happened to be near a crime scene around the time a crime was committed.

This is a win against government tracking of people’s movements, making it harder for them to sweep up innocent people in a digital dragnet.https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/25-112_0am4.pdf

07/07/2026

After a rewarding chapter serving as an Assistant United States Attorney with the Department of Justice and advocating with the Southern Environmental Law Center, I’m happy to announce that I am returning to private practice and officially re-opening the doors to DeGaetano Law Firm, located in my same building at the foot of the Walnut Street Bridge on Frazier Avenue.

My time in public service and institutional advocacy sharpened my trial skills, deepened my understanding of complex federal systems, and reinforced a core truth: when the stakes are highest, individuals and organizations need formidable, strategic counsel in their corner.

Bringing that litigation and trial experience back to the private sector, DeGaetano Law Firm will focus on two core pillars:

• High-Stakes Federal Criminal Defense & Government Investigations.

• Serious Personal Injury Litigation.

Whether navigating complex federal scrutiny or fighting for accountability after a life-altering event, my mission remains to level the playing field, protect my clients' futures, and deliver trial-tested advocacy inside and outside the courtroom.

To my colleagues, friends, and professional network, thank you for your continued support. I look forward to connecting, collaborating, and continuing to serve our community in this next chapter.

⚖️ Learn more about my firm or get in touch at https://www.jdfirm.com/.

Chattanooga personal injury and federal criminal defense lawyer

07/02/2026

Beware of "investment" opportunities presented by people you meet via random text message. Here's one I worked on as a prosecutor. If you've been scammed, a lawyer might be able to help.
https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/united-states-seizes-more-6-million-alleged-proceeds-crypto-confidence-scheme.

The United States seized over $6 million worth of cryptocurrency from perpetrators overseas, announced U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Matthew M. Graves, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Tennessee Francis M. Hamilton III, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Arge...