East Memphis
6060 Primacy Parkway, Suite 100
Memphis, TN 38119

  • Bio
  • Education
  • Admissions
  • Accolades

Richard Underwood’s litigation practice concentrates in the areas of general civil litigation, commercial, employment, and personal injury litigation. He has represented clients throughout the South. Mr. Underwood has tried more than 150 jury trials to verdict and has tried cases in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Georgia, in both state and federal courts. He has tried all types of cases, including employment (age, race, and sex discrimination), wrongful termination (state law), personal injury (premises, inadequate security, falling objects), transportation (trucking, auto, buses), products liability (for retailers and manufacturers), commercial disputes (landlord/tenant, interference with contract, breach of contract, trademark), medical negligence (primarily for health care providers), and “bet the company” litigation for companies where their existence was at stake (Hobart Corporation v. Intedge Industries, NDMS). He has also tried felony criminal cases to verdict including a capital case (defense verdict).

Mr. Underwood has been AV Peer Review rated, the highest possible Peer Review Rating, from Martindale-Hubbell, since 1997. He has also been listed and rated as a Mid-South “Super Lawyer” for the past 18 years. He is board certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and is also certified as a Rule 31 Mediator by the Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute.

  • University of Tennessee of Law, J.D. Honors Graduate, 1989
  • University of Southern Mississippi, B.S. with Highest Honors, 1985

Admitted to Practice 

  • Tennessee
  • Mississippi
  • Arkansas
  • Georgia
  • Missouri

Bar Admissions 

All federal courts within the states of admission in addition to the Courts of Appeals for the 5th, 6th, 8th and 11th Federal Circuits

Awards and Recognition

  • Martindale-Hubbell Rating AV® Preeminent™
  • Super Lawyers, 2002-Present

Professional Organizations and Awards

  • Memphis Bar Association
  • Tennessee Bar Association
  • Board Certified by National Board Trial Advocacy
  • Bar of Register Preeminent Lawyers, Premises Liability Defense