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Jimmy Leo Richardson III
also known as J. Leo Richardson, III, Jimmy Richardson
About Jimmy
Biography
J. Jimmy Leo Richardson III serves as Of Counsel with Hammond Zettersten & Associates, bringing over a decade of courtroom experience and a deep-rooted commitment to child advocacy and public service.
Jimmy is a seasoned juvenile and family law attorney known for his courtroom presence, work against the Department of Children’s Services, and passionate representation of Tennessee’s most vulnerable children often serving as Guardian ad Litem. In addition to practicing across Middle Tennessee, Jimmy has served as an attorney in the community in a variety of areas: Criminal Jury Trials, Guardian ad Litem Representation for abused or neglected children, court-appointed juvenile delinquent cases, dependency and neglect matters, termination of parental rights, and conservatorship proceedings and Adoptions.
Before joining the firm, Jimmy operated his own private practice, where he developed a reputation for tenacity, moral clarity, and heartfelt advocacy. He has briefed and argued matters before the Tennessee Court of Appeals and is frequently appointed in high-conflict or emergency matters.
Jimmy’s commitment to justice extends beyond the courtroom. He served a full term on the Murfreesboro City School Board before becoming the Vice Chairman of the Board in his second Term and has held multiple public service appointments, including the Rutherford County Beer Board, the Town of Smyrna Historic Zoning Commission, and the Smyrna Charity Assistance Board.
He and his wife, Shaina Blair Richardson, a licensed clinical social worker, live in Murfreesboro with their two daughters. The family attends Saint Rose of Lima Catholic Church.
Practice Areas
6
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
Zettersten Hammond & Associates
8 Public Square Nort, 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 5 reviews | Trustworthiness
Posted by anonymous | September 02, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Read me
I lost custody of my child and jimmy said he got me and i paid him 7,500 he promised me and once he received the money on my moma he a fraud and scammer be careful out there he a sweet talker and all he care about is money nothing else. God will get a instant karma, you lie to me and because of you i...
Posted by anonymous | January 21, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Worst service ever
I paid my money the 1st day meeting him everything he said was so amazing , then he stop communication with me after waiting months to get ahold of him they offered me a refund no apologies, no explanation unfortunately I gave him another chance after several months of the same thing, they lost my...
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 Amy | March 26, 2015 | Wills & Living Wills
He actually cares about his clients.
He drafted my living will and now I can sleep at night knowing all my future plans are taking care of in the case of my death. He is honest and trustworthy. He walked me through all the steps ahead of time and was there is answer questions along the way. He is easily accessible to his clients and ove...
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
2013
Nashville School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2009
Middle Tennessee State University
BS - Bachelor of Science
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