Gretchen R. Cothron

Attorney Gretchen Cothron is a native of Central Florida. She attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYC) after high school and worked as an actress and model for several years. Gretchen then returned home and studied forensic science and crime scene technology at St. Petersburg College (summa cum laude). She continued her studies at the University of Tampa’s Honors Program, where she focused on criminology and law and graduated valedictorian. Gretchen attended law school at the University of Miami School of Law, where she was on the National Security Law Review, was the Fellow in the Innocence Clinic, served on the SBA Supreme Court, worked as a Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant for several professors, and interned in both the Federal and State Public Defender Offices.

Gretchen is a very experienced trial attorney. She has litigated over a hundred bench and jury trials, both criminal and civil. She served for five years as an Assistant Public Defender in the 6th and 13th judicial circuits. Gretchen has been a Forensic Scientist for over a decade. Her areas of focus are bloodstain pattern analysis, drug identification, driving under the influence, and crime scene reconstruction. Gretchen’s unique background and scientific experience give her a distinctive advantage in the field of criminal defense and civil rights law.

Gretchen serves the community through her pro bono work and participation in community organization boards including: The Greater Tampa ACLU Legal Panel (Co-Chair), Hillsborough County Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Board Member). Gretchen is also a member of the Hillsborough County Bar Association, the Florida Association for Women Lawyers, and the International Association for Identification (Forensic Scientist organization). Gretchen previously participated as an attorney advisor on the Hillsborough Law Enforcement Chiefs and Sheriff’s Working Group and on the Tampa Mayor’s Policing Working Group.