Alicia Cottrell received her undergraduate degree in healthcare administration and planning from a joint program at Tennessee State University and Meharry College in 2005. Three and a half years later, she graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Master's in Business Administration from the College of Business and a Juris Doctorate from the College of Law.

While in law school, Alicia was a member of the National Trial Team, the Hamilton Burnett Chapter of the American Inns of Court, and she was named to the Order of the Barristers. She served on the Moot Court Board and was a recipient of the 2008 Judge M. Haynes Award, the 2008 McClung Medal and the 2009 Advocacy Clinic Outstanding Student Attorney Award. Alicia also participated in the intramural Ray H. Jenkins Trial Competition in 2007, where she and her teammate took first place, and she was awarded the Outstanding Oralist Award.

As a business student, Alicia represented UT's MBA program in the 2008 National Black MBA Case Competition, and her team placed 2nd among the nation's top graduate business program.

Currently, she serves on the board for Random Acts of Flowers. Alicia is a member of Knoxville Bar Association, William H. Hastie Bar Association, American Health Lawyers Association, and Knoxville Area Urban League Young Professionals.

Following a clerkship with Hodges, Doughty & Carson during law school, she joined the firm as an associate in 2009. Her practice is devoted primarily to medical malpractice defense, healthcare regulatory affairs and general civil litigation. Alicia enjoys UT football, University of Memphis basketball and teaching fitness classes.