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Jimmy Leo Richardson III
also known as J. Leo Richardson, III, Jimmy Richardson
About Jimmy
Biography
“The child is the client. The courtroom is sacred. The calling is not negotiable.”
I’m Jimmy Leo Richardson, III—child advocate, courtroom attorney, father, and servant of the law. For over a decade, I’ve served Tennessee families in some of the most high-stakes, emotionally charged legal battles: juvenile court, custody disputes, DCS interventions, adoption, termination of parental rights, and family law matters that determine the future of children and the rights of parents.
I don’t just practice law—I stand in the gap when systems fail, when families are on the edge, and when children need someone who won’t back down. I currently serve Of Counsel to a respected Tennessee law firm and continue my private child advocacy work through The Advocate Father, a platform dedicated to courtroom integrity, parental rights, and the moral defense of children.
Whether you’re facing:
A DCS investigation,
A custody battle where your voice isn’t being heard,
A need to adopt, intervene, or protect your legal rights as a parent or relative—
I bring not only legal strategy but a heart anchored in truth, service, and courage.
My background includes:
Over 11 years of legal experience in juvenile court, family law, adoption, and dependency & neglect cases
Former Adjunct Professor of Law & Ethics at Motlow State Community College
Elected School Board Member for Murfreesboro City Schools, shaping policy for thousands of children
Known for courtroom tenacity, moral clarity, and a refusal to accept bureaucratic injustice
Clients come to me during some of the darkest moments of their lives. My role is to bring light, law, and a path forward. I will never promise an outcome I can't deliver—but I will promise you a voice, a plan, and a fight rooted in truth.
Practice Areas:
Juvenile Law
DCS & Dependency Proceedings
Parental Rights Defense
Adoption & Step-Parent Adoption
Emergency Custody & Protective Orders
Family Law & Divorce
Guardianships & Conservatorships
Bar Admissions:
State of Tennessee
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Family
20%
14 years | 250 cases
Juvenile Law
20%
14 years | 250 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 300-350 per hour
Contingency
25%-33%
Retainer
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Tennessee for 13 years
State: Tennessee
Acquired: 2013
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2023
Location
J. Leo Richardson, III Of Counsel for Hammond, Zettersten & Associates
8 Public Square N., Murfreesboro, TN, 37130
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Jimmy Leo Richardson III's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
29 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Compassion
Posted by Jeremy | July 15, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Family
Best lawyer ever
I first got in touch with Mr. Richardson about help with my case. He then provided such great service and compassion that I hired him. Since then, everything has been better. I have more time with my daughter and so does my family. My ex and I are getting along better now that we have a ruling and I ...
Posted by anonymous | August 09, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Would have been better off representing myself!!
Took forever for Jimmy to call me back.. I ended up worse off then I was before I hired him.. i feel like he didnt fight for me and that he didnt care.
Posted by Jenn | March 31, 2015 | Child Abuse
This lawyer literally helped me keep my baby
I was referred to Mr. Richardson by a friend who said he was one of the few lawyers who really and truly cared. While I was at the hospital giving birth to my second child, one of the blood tests that the hospitals gave had a false positive suggesting my child was born with drugs in her system. DCS g...
Posted by Blair | March 30, 2015 | Juvenile
A true guardian for at-risk youth
I've worked with Mr. Richardson in Rutherford County with some frequency. I have seen him fight with true sincerity and passion for his clients--especially at-risk children. Seeing him in action, I always know that his clients are in good hands. He is always willing to go above and beyond to ensure t...
Posted by Nicole | January 16, 2015 | Wills & Living Wills
Thorough, caring, and conscientious.
We engaged Mr. Richardson to write my mother's will and his quality of service went above and beyond. Very sympathetic and personable. We could not be more pleased with the efficiency and delicacy with which he handled this matter.
Jimmy Leo Richardson III's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Jimmy is an excellent attorney. He is a talented member of the bar."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Jimmy is a truly talented speaker, and his professionalism radiates throughout the courtroom."
"Jimmy's a hard-working attorney. His professionalism and diligence have made him a valued member of our local bar. I'd recommend him to anyone looking for aggressive legal representation."
"I highly endorse J. Leo Richarson, III. Jimmy and I have had the opportunity to work together on several cases, and have had several in which we are adversarial. In either capacity, Jimmy has shown himself to be a zealous advocate for his client, with the demeanor of the best characteristics of a legal professional. Again, I highly endorse J. Leo Richardson, III."
"Jimmy and I have had multiple cases together where we represented co-defendants. He was very professional and great to work with. It was clear that he represented his client to the fullest extent. I endorse his services."
"I endorse this lawyer without reservation. Mr. Richardson masterfully presents his clients in the most favorable light and zealously advocates for them. I can say, first-hand, Mr. Richardson is sharp, articulate, and commands a strong presence in the court room."
"I endorse this lawyer. Specifically, I am impressed by Jimmy's actual compassion for his clients, his willingness to go to the mat for them, and his ability to express positions eloquently, even when the odds are stacked against him. He maintains good relationships with every lawyer I know, and uses that to help his clients. He gets good results. He also has nice style. That never hurts."
"Jimmy is an extremely knowledgeable and professional attorney. He is well versed in criminal, family, juvenile and an assortment of other areas of law. He is quite the bulldog in the Courtroom and can be very litigious; as he zealously seeks the best outcome for his clients. Jimmy is a great attorney and you will be pleased with his work."
"I endorse Jimmy Richardson. He is extremely knowledgable and a juggernaut in the courtroom."
"Mr. Richardson is an exceptional attorney. He is a fighter, an intellectual, and he exhibits a courtroom presence that captivates the crowd. I'm proud to call him my friend and colleague, and you would be happy to have him as your lawyer."
"Jimmy Leo Richardson III, is a new lawyer to the community. Non-the-less he has made a big impact and demonstrated an aggressive, yet careful approach to representing his clients. I'm sure he will do very well for any client who's case he undertakes."
"Jimmy is becoming a regular face in the courtrooms of our legal community. I have observed him zealously fighting for his clients, even when the odds were stacked against him. He is well prepared, thorough, and professional. He does an exceptional job for his clients and I gladly endorse him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Jimmy is an exciting and passionate lawyer with a flair for the theatrics. I was so impressed with his character, knowledge of the law, and genuineness for the profession. I wouldn't hesitate recommending Jimmy to anyone charged with a crime in the Murfreesboro area."
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Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2023.
Censured issued in TN, 2023
updated on 11/13/2023When an attorney is censured it means he or she did something wrong but may still practice law. Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.
Publicly Censured issued in TN, 2023
updated on 11/15/2023This means the attorney did something wrong, but the Bar did not suspend the lawyer. Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.
Censured issued in TN, 2022
updated on 10/28/2022When an attorney is censured it means he or she did something wrong but may still practice law. Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.
Honors
2015
Top 40 Under 40, National Trial Lawyers
Work Experience
2016 - Present
Professor, Motlow State Community College
2013 - Present
Founding Partner, The Law Firm of Franks & Richardson, PLLC
Associations
2015 - Present
Middle Tennessee State University Veterans Legal CommitteeCommittee Member
2013 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2013 - Present
Tennessee Bar AssociationMember
2013 - Present
Tennessee Association for JusticeMember
2013 - Present
Rutherford Cannon County Bar Associationmember
2013 - Present
Barrister's Lions ClubMembership Director
2013 - Present
Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2013 - Present
Saint Rose of Lima Roman Catholic ChurchExtraordinary Minister
2012 - Present
Nashville Bar AssociationMember
2012 - Present
Blue Raider Athletic AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
State of TN v. Steve Smith
Pending
Education
2009
Middle Tennessee State University
BA - Bachelor of Arts
N/A
Nashville School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
Speaking Engagements
2013
Criminal Justice Adjunct Professor
Motlow State Community College
2011
MTSU English Second Language School
First Amendment Freedoms
Publications
2025
LinkedIn: The Advocate Father
When the State Breaks Families: A Juvenile Lawyer’s Vow
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
What will happen if I got charged with a juvenile case at 17, but not get arraigned until I was 20 years old?
04 May 2018
Q&A
Can a 16 year old girl kiss and hug a 22 year old guy.
23 Mar 2015