Associate Attorney | Criminal Defense & Personal Injury

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Tristan Branstetter was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and primarily raised in Jacksonville, Arkansas. She graduated from Wilbur D. Mills University Studies High School in Little Rock in 2015 before attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. There, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies, and an Associate of Science in Law Enforcement.

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From an early age, Tristan knew she wanted to dedicate her life to fighting injustice. As a biracial woman growing up in the South, she witnessed firsthand how individuals can experience the legal system differently based on race, background, and circumstance. Those experiences sparked a lasting passion for criminal justice and advocacy that would ultimately shape her career path. By the time she reached high school, Tristan already knew her purpose was to help combat injustice and stand up for those whose voices are too often overlooked.

While attending the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, Tristan remained deeply involved in leadership and service. She served as an Executive Board Member for the Black Law Students Association, the Criminal Law Society, and the Pro Bono Clinics throughout all three years of law school. During her 3L year, from 2024 to 2025, she also served as President of the Criminal Law Society. In each of these roles, she made it her mission to support underserved communities and create opportunities for service and advocacy.

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Tristan also gained firsthand legal experience through the Criminal Law Legal Clinic at the University of Arkansas School of Law, where she worked under a supervising attorney representing indigent defendants. That experience gave her valuable insight into the realities many clients face and further strengthened her commitment to criminal defense work.

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Prior to attending law school, Tristan worked as a Legal Assistant at King & Forrest Law Group, under the leadership of Bobby Forrest Jr. During that time, she gained valuable experience working directly with clients and observing the impact that dedicated legal representation can have on a person’s life. Her time at the firm further solidified her desire to attend law school and pursue a career as an attorney. As a first-generation college graduate and first-generation attorney, Tristan credits much of her inspiration to the mentors who showed her that meaningful change is possible through service, advocacy, and hard work.

Tristan went on to attend the University of Arkansas School of Law, where she earned her Juris Doctor in 2025. Her journey to becoming an attorney was not without challenges, but those experiences strengthened her determination and deepened her appreciation for the responsibility that comes with serving clients during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

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Today, Tristan practices criminal defense and personal injury law at Chosen Law Group. She understands that when a client hires an attorney, they are often facing uncertainty, stress, and life-changing circumstances. Tristan does not take that responsibility lightly. She firmly believes every person deserves due process, a fair opportunity to be heard, and an advocate who is willing to fight for their rights. Whether representing someone accused of a crime or helping an injured client pursue justice, Tristan is committed to providing compassionate representation and zealous advocacy every step of the way.

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Having previously worked for Bobby before law school, Tristan has a unique understanding of the firm’s culture, mission, and commitment to serving the community. She is proud to return as an Associate Attorney and continue helping clients throughout Arkansas.

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Outside of the office, Tristan enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and watching movies and television. She is an avid movie enthusiast and can usually answer just about any movie trivia question, especially if it involves Harry Potter, where she proudly claims her place as in Slytherin House. Tristan is also the proud pet parent of a Labrador Retriever named Chloe and a cat named Spot.