Current through June 2007
CURRICULUM VITAE
LEGAL EDUCATION & SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE COLLEGE OF LAW, Knoxville, Tennessee
Doctor of Jurisprudence, 1980
Certified as a Specialist in DUI Defense Law by the National College for DUI
Defense, Inc., 1999
Certified as a Specialist in DUI Defense Law by the Tennessee Commission on
Continuing Legal Education & Specialization, 2006
UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Auburn, Alabama
Bachelor of Arts 1977
BAR ADMISSIONS
U. S. Supreme Court (1985)
Tennessee Supreme Court (1980)
Tennessee Criminal Court of Appeals (1980)
Tennessee Court of Appeals (1980)
U. S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee (1980)
U. S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals (1981)
U. S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals (1983)
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Association of Trial Lawyers of America (1980 – Present)
Federal Defender Services of Eastern Tennessee, Incorporated; Board of Directors
(1993 – 2000); Vice President (1994 – 1998); President (1998 – 2000)
Knoxville Bar Association (1980 – 2006); Co-Chair Judicial Committee (1997 –
2001)
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (1982 – Present); Chair or Co-
Chair DUI Advocacy Committee (1995 – Present)
National College for DUI Defense, Inc.; Founding Member (1995 – Present);
Board of Regents (1999 – Present)
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (1980 – 2006); Board of
Directors (1983 – 1989)
LEGAL RELATED EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
1986 – Present Daniel & Oberman
An Association of Trial Attorneys
Knoxville, Tennessee
1996 – Present Adjunct Professor
University of Tennessee Law School
Knoxville, Tennessee
1993 – 1995 Adjunct Associate Professor
University of Tennessee Law School
Knoxville, Tennessee
1983 – 1985 Daniel, Claiborne, Oberman & Buuck
Attorneys at Law
Knoxville, Tennessee
1980 – 1982 Daniel, Claiborne & Lewallen
Attorneys at Law
Knoxville, Tennessee
BOOKS
Oberman, Steven, DUI: The Crime and Consequences in Tennessee. New
edition published annually since 2002 by West Group Publishing Company.
Oberman, Steven, DUI: The Crime and Consequences in Tennessee, copyrighted
1991 by The Harrison Publishing Company. Supplemented annually through
1996; Second Edition, 1997, supplemented annually through 2001.
Taylor, Lawrence and Oberman, Steven, Drunk Driving Defense, Sixth Edition,
2005, published by Aspen Publishers, Inc., supplemented annually.
Taylor, Lawrence and Oberman, Steven, Drunk Driving Defense, Fifth Edition,
2003-04 supplements, published by Aspen Publishers, Inc.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
Oberman, Steven and Compher-Rice, Sara, The Standardized Field Sobriety Test
Validation Myth, The Champion (published by the National Association of
Criminal Defense Lawyers), June 2006.
Hlastala, Michael P., Ph.D., Polissar, Nayak, Ph.D., and Oberman, Steven,
Statistical Evaluation of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, Journal of Forensic
Sciences, May 2005.
Kapsack, Bruce and Oberman, Steven, Crawford v. Washington: [The] DUI
Defense Practitioner’s Perspective, The Champion (published by the National
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers), September/October 2004.
Oberman, Steven, Cross-Examination of the State’s Blood Test Expert, The
Champion (published by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers),
December 2001.
Oberman, Steven, Drunk or Drowsy? How Fatigue Can Be Mistaken for
Intoxication, The Champion (published by the National Association of Criminal
Defense Lawyers), January/February 2001.
Oberman, Steven and Bell James A. H., Effective Use of Police Videos in DUI
Defense, The Champion (published by the National Association of Criminal
Defense Lawyers), November 1999.
Oberman, Steven and Cooper, Jonathan D., Attacking the Disclosure and Analysis
of Hospital Blood-Alcohol Test Results, The Champion (published by the
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers), April 1997.
Oberman, Steven and Kellogg, Kimberly, DUI as a Federal Crime, The Champion
(published by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers),
January/February 1996.
Oberman, Steven and Cooper, Jonathan D., Evading Roadblocks on the
Prosecution Highway (Part One), The Champion (published by the National
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers), December 1994.
Oberman, Steven and Bell, James A. H., D.W.I. Means Defend With Ingenuity,
1986.
Oberman, Steven and Bell, James A. H., D.W.I.: Defend With Ingenuity, a
periodic series published by the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense
Lawyers 1985 – 1987.
Oberman, Steven, “Birmingham Drug Survey,” Social Studies: The Humanizing
Process, eds. M. Kleg and J. Litcher (Winterhaven, Florida Council for the Social
Studies, 1972) pp. 159-168.
HONORS, AWARDS & SPECIAL RECOGNITION (Listed in Reverse Chronological Order)
Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education & Specialization, Award
for Leadership in Attorney Certification, 2006
Named to the “Super Lawyer” List in Mid-South Super Lawyers Magazine every
year since its inception in 2006
Named to the Knoxville City View Magazine “Top Attorney” List every year
since its inception in 2006
First attorney in State of Tennessee to become certified as a DUI Defense
Specialist by the Tennessee Commission on Continuing Legal Education &
Specialization, 2006
Appointment to Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen’s Task Force on DUI Laws in
Tennessee, Selected as Vice-Chair 2006
Named to the Best Lawyers List every year since its inception in 2004 in the area
of DUI Defense by Business Tennessee Magazine
Participant in meeting sponsored by Center for Disease Control/National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Alcohol Impaired Drivers: Injured,
Uncharged and Untreated (2005)
The Bernstein-Ritchie Award for Extraordinary Service to the University of
Tennessee Law School Legal Clinic (2004)
University of Tennessee College of Law Outstanding Adjunct Professor (2002)
American Bar Association/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Panel
Member of the Judicial Issues Group Development Meeting regarding Driving
Under the Influence of Drugs Per Se Legislation (2001)
Member of the Board of Regents, National College for DUI Defense, Inc. (1999 –
Present)
Advisory Board Member to The Champion, The Official Publication for the
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (1999 – Present)
Appointee to the Administrative Office of the Tennessee Supreme Court
Committee to Educate the Tennessee Judiciary about DUI laws
Graduate of The National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada, DUI/Traffic Safety
Faculty Development Workshop developed by the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (1998)
DUI Committee Chair or Co-Chair of the National Association of Criminal
Defense Lawyers (1995 – Present)
Moot Court Board Special Service Award for Outstanding Contributions to the
University of Tennessee College of Law Advocacy Program (1995 – 1996)
Adjunct Professor, University of Tennessee College of Law (1993 – Present)
Forrest W. Lacey Award for Outstanding Faculty Contribution to the University
of Tennessee College of Law Moot Court Program (1993 – 1994)
Coach, University of Tennessee Law School National Trial Team (1991 – 1996)
Special Judge, General Sessions Court of Knox County, Tennessee, Criminal
Division (1987 – Present)
Colonel Aide de Camp, Tennessee Governor’s Staff (1983)
Previously included in Marquis Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American
Law, Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, Who’s Who in the World, and
Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders in America
FEATURED SPEAKER FOR LECTURES AND SEMINARS (in alphabetical order by organization)
American Bar Association (Napa, California 2007)
ABA Standing Committee on Specialization
2007 National Roundtable on Lawyer Specialty Certification
Topic: Micro-Specialties: Insights from the National College for DUI Defense, Inc.
American Bar Association/National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (1997)
“Defending DUI Cases: Insights from the Masters,” Las Vegas, Nevada
Topics: Investigating the DUI Case; Demonstrating Field Sobriety Tests
Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice (Tucson, Arizona 2006)
Topics: Effective Use of PowerPoint at Trial
& Beating the Field Sobriety Tests with Statistics
Cambridge, England Court Clerk Meeting (1984)
Topic: Defending Drinking Drivers in the United States
Defense of Drinking Drivers Institute (Atlanta, Georgia 2003)
Topic: Everything You Wanted to Know About Field Sobriety Tests But Were
Afraid to Ask
Federal Bureau of Investigation New Agent Training (Quantico, Virginia 2002)
Topic: Courtroom Testimony
Federal Defenders Services for East Tennessee, Continuing Legal Education
Program (Townsend, Tennessee 2003)
Topic: Everything You Wanted to Know About Field Sobriety Tests But Were
Afraid to Ask
Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Orlando, Florida 1995)
Topic: Investigating the DUI Case
Florida Bar Association Masters of DUI Seminar (Miami, Florida 2004)
Topic: Everything You Wanted to Know About Field Sobriety Tests But Were
Afraid to Ask
Georgia Institute of Continuing Legal Education
Topic: Everything You Wanted to Know About Field Sobriety Tests But Were
Afraid to Ask (2003)
Topic: Opening Statements: Your First Opportunity to “Win Over” the Jury
(2002)
Topic: Everything You Wanted to Know About Field Sobriety Tests But Were
Afraid to Ask (2001)
Idaho Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Sun Valley, Idaho 2000)
Topic: The Standardized Field Sobriety Tests: Throw the Book at Them
Knoxville Bar Association (1996, 1991, 1988)
Topic: Defending the Drinking Driver
Knoxville Barristers Seminar (1996, 1985)
Topic: General Sessions Court Criminal Practice
Knoxville Sertoma Club (2002)
Topic: Everything You Wanted to Know About Field Sobriety Tests But Were
Afraid to Ask
Lorman Educational Services: Standardized Field Sobriety Tests in California (San
Diego, California 2005)
Topics: “The ‘Science’ Behind Standardized Field Sobriety Tests,” “Using a
Holistic Approach to Standardized Field Sobriety Tests,” “Cross of the Cops on
Standardized Field Sobriety Tests,” and “Questions and Answers, Roundtable”
Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (New Orleans, Louisiana 2001)
“Law and All That Jazz”
Topic: The Standardized Field Sobriety Tests: Throw the Book at Them
Mastering Scientific Evidence (Atlanta, Georgia 2004)
Defense Counsel for DUI Case Mock Bench Trial
Mastering Scientific Evidence (Dallas, Texas 2007)
Topic: Examining the EC/IR
Memphis Bar Association (1997)
Topic: A Complete Arsenal for DUI Defense
Missouri Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (St. Louis, Missouri 2002)
Topic: Everything You Wanted to Know About Field Sobriety Tests But Were
Afraid to Ask
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
“DWI Means Defend With Ingenuity®: Under the Microscope: Beating DUIs with
Science,” Las Vegas, Nevada (2005)
Seminar Moderator and Workshop Instructor
Topic: Effective Use of PowerPoint® in the Courtroom
“DWI Means Defend With Ingenuity®: Presenting a Gold Medal Defense,” Las Vegas,
Nevada (2004)
Seminar Moderator
“DWI Means Defend With Ingenuity®: Superheroes of DUI Defense, “Las Vegas,
Nevada (2003)
Seminar Moderator and Workshop Instructor
Topic: Bring Your File – Individual Consultation with Other Lawyers
“DWI Means Defend With Ingenuity®: From Curbside to Courtroom,” Las Vegas,
Nevada (2002)
Seminar Moderator and Workshop Instructor
Topic: Crossing the Officer
“DWI Means Defend With Ingenuity®: Skills that Win Cases,” Las Vegas, Nevada
(2001)
Seminar Moderator
“Difficult DUIs and Tragic Consequences,” Las Vegas, Nevada (2000)
Topic: Drunk or Drowsy? How Fatigue Can Be Mistaken for Intoxication
“DWI Means Defend With Ingenuity®: Las Vegas, Nevada (1999)
Topic: Field Sobriety Tests: A View From a Different Perspective
“The Ultimate in DUI Defense: Mastering Science, Maximizing Success,” Las Vegas,
Nevada (1998)
Topics: Ethical Issues for the DUI Practitioner, Panel Discussion Regarding
Chemical Testing
“Defending DUI Cases: Insights From the Masters,” Las Vegas, Nevada (1997)
Topic: Investigating the DUI Case: People to See, Places to Go, Things to Do
National College for DUI Defense, Inc.
Cambridge, Massachusetts (2007)
Workshop Instructor
Topics: Breath Testing; Problem Witnesses; Field Sobriety Test Impeachment;
Opening Statements; Closing Arguments
Cambridge, Massachusetts (2006)
Workshop Instructor
Topic: Cross-Examining the Arresting Officer
Cambridge, Massachusetts (2005)
Topic: Crossing the Officer on Field Sobriety Tests: Throw the Book at Them
Cambridge, Massachusetts (2004)
Workshop Instructor
Topic: Field Sobriety Tests and Cross-Examination of the Arresting Officer
Cambridge, Massachusetts (2003)
Topic: Everything You Wanted to Know About Field Sobriety Tests But Were
Afraid to Ask
San Antonio, Texas (2003)
Topic: The Art of the Opening Statement
Biloxi, Mississippi (2002)
Topic: Cross-Examination of the State’s Blood and Urine Test Expert
Cambridge, Massachusetts (2001)
Topic: Cross-Examination of the State’s Blood Test Expert
Cambridge, Massachusetts (2000)
Workshop Instructor
Topic: Cross-Examination of the State’s Breath Test Expert
Cambridge, Massachusetts (1996)
Topic: The Art of the Opening Statement for DUI Defense
Kauai, Hawaii (2001)
“DUI Defense for the Real World”
Topic: Field Sobriety Tests – Panel Member
Kansas City, Missouri (1999)
Topic: Closing Arguments
Charleston, South Carolina (1998)
Topic: Pre-Trial Investigation and Discovery
National Institute for Trial Advocacy (2001, 2002)
Faculty Member, Tennessee Regional Advocacy and Technology Training
Program
University of Tennessee College of Law, Knoxville, Tennessee
New York Bar Association
DUI on Trial – Big Apple VII Seminar (2007)
Topic: Enhancing Your Trial with PowerPoint®
DUI on Trial – Big Apple IV Seminar (2004)
Topic: Everything You Wanted to Know About Field Sobriety Tests But Were
Afraid to Ask
DUI on Trial – Big Apple II Seminar (2002)
Topic: The Art of Opening and Closing Statements
Oklahoma Criminal Defense Lawyers Association & Oklahoma City University
School of Law (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 2003)
Topic: The Art of the Opening Statement
Sevier County, TN Bar Association
Topic: Field Sobriety Tests (2001)
Topic: Recent Developments in Tennessee DUI Law (2000)
Smoky Mountains National Park Rangers (Gatlinburg, Tennessee 1997, 2007)
Topic: Field Sobriety Tests
Southeastern Educational Institute (Knoxville, Tennessee 1984)
Topic: Recent Tennessee Legislative and Case Law Developments in the Defense
of DUI
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Knoxville, Tennessee)
Topic: DUI Defense (2005, 1997, 1995, 1991, 1987, 1985)
Topic: Ethical Considerations of Retainer Fees in a Criminal Case (1996)
Tennessee Bar Association (Knoxville, Tennessee 1996)
Topic: Criminal Representation
Tennessee Defense Lawyers Association (Destin, Florida 2006)
Topic: Everything the Insurance Defense Lawyer Needs to Know About Field
Sobriety Tests but is Afraid to Ask
Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference (Chattanooga, Tennessee 2000)
Topic: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About DUI, But Were Afraid to
Ask
Tennessee General Sessions Court Midwinter Judicial Conference (Nashville,
Tennessee 1999)
Topic: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About DUI, But Were Afraid to
Ask
Tennessee Judicial Conference (Fall Creek Falls State Park, Pikeville, Tennessee
2000)
Topic: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About DUI, But Were Afraid to
Ask
Tennessee Public Defenders Annual Training Conference (Gatlinburg, Tennessee)
Topic: Everything You Wanted to Know About Field Sobriety Tests But Were
Afraid to Ask (2003)
Topic: Preparing to Defend DUI Cases in Tennessee (1998)
Tennessee Supreme Court, Administrative Office of the Courts
Judicial Impaired Driving Training Seminar (Knoxville, TN 2005)
Topic: Tennessee Law Relating to Probable Cause in a DUI Case
Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association (Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis – 1986)
Topic: DUI Defense
Tennessee CLE, Inc. (Knoxville, Tennessee 1987)
Topic: DUI Defense
University of Mississippi Center for Continuing Legal Education (Jackson,
Mississippi 2003)
Topic: Everything You Wanted to Know About Field Sobriety Tests But Were
Afraid to Ask
University of Tennessee “People’s Law School” Guest Instructor (Knoxville,
Tennessee 1988 – 1990)
Topic: Criminal Law – Rights of the Accused
University of Tennessee Graduate School, Criminal Justice Program
Guest Instructor (1983, 1984)
Topic: Criminal Procedure
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Knoxville Racquet Club; Board of Directors (1991 – 1993), President (1992 – 1993)
Arnstein Jewish Community Center; Board of Directors (1987 – 1991), President (1990)
Knoxville Legal Aid Society; Board of Directors (1986 – 1988)
Project First Offender (A probation program involving the rehabilitation of first offenders
of certain criminal laws); Board of Directors (1981 – 1986), President (1983 – 1986) | 
