Richard Underwood

Richard Underwood

recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2025
Awarded Practice Areas
Commercial Litigation Employment Law - Management Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Awarded Practice Areas
Commercial Litigation Employment Law - Management Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Richard Underwood
Richard Underwood
Memphis, TN
Works at
Harris Shelton PLLC

32 Best Lawyers awards

Harris Shelton PLLC logo

Biography

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).

Works at
Harris Shelton PLLC

32 Best Lawyers awards

Harris Shelton PLLC logo

Locations

Education

  • University of Southern Mississippi, B.S., graduated 1985
  • The University of Tennessee, J.D., graduated 1989

Bar Admissions

  • Arkansas, Arkansas Bar Association
  • Georgia, State Bar of Georgia
  • Missouri, The Missouri Bar
  • Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar
  • Tennessee, Tennessee Bar Association

Court 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

Affiliations

  • Memphis Bar Association - Member
  • Tennessee Bar Association - Member

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Awards:
  • Bar of Register Preeminent Lawyers, Premises Liability Defense

  • Board Certified by National Board Trial Advocacy

  • Martindale-Hubbell Rating AV® Preeminent™

  • Super Lawyers, 2002-Present

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