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Dail Robert Cantrell

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About Dail

The best way to judge an attorney is by his trial record. In two decades of practicing law in Tennessee, Dail Cantrell has obtained tens of millions of dollars on behalf of his clients and other notable results in the courtroom and in negotiations, including a not-guilty verdict on attempted murder charges.

Mr. Cantrell has taken more than 220 cases to trial, with a success rate of nearly 100 percent. He has been recognized at the national level for excellence in his field, and is a recipient of the McClung Medal and the Ray H. Jenkins Award for Trial Advocacy. He has recently been selected for membership in the exclusive Million Dollar Advocates Forum, limited to attorneys who have obtained multiple trial verdicts or settlements in excess of $1 million, and was even the subject of a documentary on Court TV.

Dail practices primarily in personal injury and wrongful death litigation, from auto and truck accidents to medical negligence and work-related injuries. He also handles lawsuits for child sexual abuse, insurance bad faith and other civil litigation. Dail has advocated for the injured since entering practice in 1991, and established his own law firm in 1994.

Mr. Cantrell has authored a textbook on trial strategy and formerly taught trial advocacy as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee College of Law. He has also served as an administrative law judge for the state of Tennessee. He is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts of Tennessee, as well as federal appellate courts all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Dail is an active member of the Second Baptist Church in Clinton, Tennessee. His most recent book, Equal to the Task, is dedicated to his son, Benjamin, and the struggles he faced in the neonatal intensive care unit.

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Practice areas

OtherMedical malpracticeAnimal and dog bitesDivorce and separationCar accident
  1. Car accident: 40%

    When you are injured by someone else's negligence or actions, that person or entity is responsible for your resulting losses and hardships. In most cases, the compensation comes from the negligent party's insurance. Call now for a free consult.

    30 years, 5,000 cases

  2. Divorce and separation: 10%

    Ending a marriage can be emotionally difficult, financially tangled and legally complex. The law firm of Cantrell, Goodge & Associates provides advice, perspective, and support for the many important decisions.

    30 years, 5,000 cases

  3. Animal and dog bites: 10%

    Attorney Cantrell has experience with animal bites, primarily dog bites. Call now.

    30 years, 5,000 cases

  4. Medical malpractice: 10%

    If you have been a victim of medical malpractice, call Attorney Cantrell immediately for a free consultation.

    30 years, 500 cases

  1. Bankruptcy and debt: 5%

    If you are considering a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, the attorneys at Cantrell, Goodge & Associates, can provide the answers you need to decide if bankruptcy is the answer to your financial problems.

    30 years

  2. Birth injury: 5%

    Attorney Cantrell can help you with birth injury cases. Call today for a free consultation.

    30 years, 100 cases

  3. Brain injury: 5%

    Attorney Cantrell can help you with brain injury cases. Call today for a free consultation and get the representation that you deserve.

    30 years, 100 cases

  4. Class action: 5%

    Dail Cantrell is a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which recognizes lawyers who have secured multiple verdicts and settlements of at least $1 million. He oversees a prompt and thorough investigation to preserve evidence. Call now.

    30 years, 100 cases

  5. Wills and living wills: 5%

    Estate planning is not reserved for the wealthy. It is not something you should put off until your "golden years." Every family should have plans in place for the orderly transfer of assets and for an untimely death or incapacitating event.

    30 years, 1,000 cases

  6. Probate: 5%

    We also represent any party in probate disputes relating to the validity of the will, the rights of excluded heirs, the distribution of assets or breach of fiduciary duty.

    30 years, 500 cases

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

1699122 1454006531

Contact

The Cantrell Law Firm

362 S. Charles G. Seviers Blvd
Clinton, TN, 37717

    The Cantrell Law Firm

    531 Callahan Dr
    Ste 101A
    Knoxville, TN, 37912

    Resume

    License
    StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
    TNActive199110/16/2021
    We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
    Avvo Contributions
    Legal answers0
    Legal guides0
    Awards
    Award nameGrantorDate granted
    DistinguishedMartindale-Hubbell2016
    Attorney for JusticeTennessee Supreme Court2015
    Million Dollar AdvocateMillion Dollar Advocates Forum2006
    Million Dollar Advocates ForumMillion Dollar Advocates Forum2002
    National Trial CompetitionAmerican College of Trial Lawyers1997
    Advocacy AwardNational Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers1992
    McClung Medal of Trial AdvocacyThe University of Tennessee College of Law1991
    Ray H. Jenkins Award for Trial AdvocacyThe University of Tennessee College of Law1991
    Work Experience
    TitleCompany nameDuration
    Senior/Managing PartnerCantrell, Goodge & Associates2015 - Present
    Senior/Managing PartnerCantrell, Cantrell & Associates2010 - 2015
    Senior/Managing PartnerCantrell, Cantrell & Fisher2007 - 2010
    Senior/Managing PartnerCantrell, Cantrell & Associates2003 - 2007
    Senior/Managing PartnerDail R. Cantrell & Associates2002 - 2003
    Assistant ProfessorThe University Of Tennessee College Of Law1995 - 2005
    Senior PartnerCantrell, Pratt & Varsalona1994 - 2002
    Associate AttorneyRidenour & Ridenour1991 - 1994
    Law ClerkHodges, Doughty & Carson1990 - 1991
    Associations
    Association namePosition nameDuration
    Tennessee School BoardAttorney Member2002 - Present
    Tennessee Bar AssociationMember1991 - Present
    Knoxville Bar FoundationMember1991 - Present
    Anderson County Bar AssociationMember1991 - Present
    Anderson County Bar AssociationSecretary1998 - 1999
    Citizens for Clean AirBoard Member1998 - 2014
    American College of Trial LawyersMember1996 - 2004
    American Inns of CourtMember1992 - 1996
    American Bar AssociationMember1991 - 2001
    Publications
    Publication nameTitleDate
    DictaContemporary Ethics2015
    Book: Insync PressEqual to the Task2001
    Tennesee Bar JournalTeaching Evidence Contemporaneous in Trial Advocacy2001
    National Institute for Trial AdvocacyTrial Advocacy/ Evidence2001
    Maverick PrintBuilding & Expanding Your Personal Injury Practice1996
    National College of Trial LawyersLaw of Opening Statements1996
    Education
    School nameDegreeGraduated
    Lincoln Memorial UniversityMA - Masters1999
    Warren Wilson CollegeMA - Masters1993
    University of Tennessee College of LawDoctor of Law (J.D.)1991
    University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleBachelor of Arts (B.A.),1988
    Speaking Engagements
    Conference nameTitleDate
    Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association Summer MeetingsLiability Issues Related to AEDs2015
    Tennessee School Boards Association Summer MeetingsSchool Bullying2015
    Tennessee Education Association Continuing EducationSchool Nurse Malpractice Issues2014
    Tennessee Education Association Continuing EducationSchool Bullying2012
    CLEZoning Issues for Municipalities2012
    Knoxville Patriots/East TN Research Institute Monthly MeetingsConstitutional Law/Income Tax Issues2010
    American Society of Pediatric Nurses Southern ConferenceNursing Malpratice2008
    Presentation to the Carson Newman Department of EducationChanges in Special Education Law Affecting the Class Room2006
    Tennessee Bar AssociationTrial Advocacy1999
    Tennessee Bar AssociationTrail Evidence1998
    Legal cases
    Case nameOutcome
    Long v. MillerVictory for Plaintiff
    Renfro v. DoeVictory for Injured Party
    Thornburgh v. ThornburghVictory for Represented Spouse

    Reviews

    (9)
    5 Star
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    4 Star
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    3 Star
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    1 Star
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    Review Dail Cantrell

    The Cantrell Law Firm is great!

    Posted by

    The Cantrell Law Firm is great! When we thought all of our options were exhausted, Dail Cantrell helped us with a large electronics company. After about 18 months of them saying no to doing the correct thing, he made sure to get their attention by requiring them to. Thank you!
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    A Leader in His Field

    Posted by

    I have had the pleasure of working with Dail Cantrell on several occasions. I have served as an expert witness for him, and have consulted with him on other issues. He is always a winner. Dail's expertise and knowledge are exemplary. He is always prepared for meetings, and always prepared for his court cases. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in Special Education Law.
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney

    Great Law Firm

    Posted by

    Custody battles are always a scary thing. My husband and I were very nervous about going to court for my son. However, once we started discussing our case, Dail Cantrell made us feel extremely comfortable and at ease. Dail demonstrated knowledge, passion for the law, and a true level of care for his clients. Dail gave us realistic expectations so that we weren’t going into it thinking we were getting too much or too little. Thankfully, we ended up getting even more than what Dail had projected. We highly recommend Dail Cantrell with any legal matter that may come your way. We truly and greatly appreciate all that Dail Cantrell and his law firm did for our family.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Simply The Best

    Posted by

    I have worked in the field of forensics for 20 years and therefore know many of the regional attorneys. When it came time to hire an attorney of my own for a personal case, Dail Cantrell was the person I wanted to represent me for my highly complex case. Dail’s years of experience, his exceptional intelligence, and his ability to think several steps ahead in case strategy, have been significant assets, just as I anticipated. I’m always amazed that he can remember even the smallest minutiae about my situation and at times I’ve joked that he knows my case better than I do! I have no doubt that I have saved time and money by hiring an attorney who is this invested in me, because he focuses on the unique needs of my case with precision, intensity, and accuracy. Most of all, Dail is kind, humble, and caring. He is a well-respected community member and he is incredibly easy to get along with. My interactions with other attorneys have I highly recommend Dail Cantrell and his entire team.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    INCREDIBLY IMPRESSED

    Posted by

    I called Mr Cantrell's office to get information regarding a probate case...since I am out of state and not familiar with Tennessee laws and what I was experiencing. Dail called me back and talked to me for quite a long time (more than 30 minutes) and explained everything to me. He stated that I could do certain things myself since we are at the end of an "estate case". I am so impressed with his kindness and knowledge, and I would highly recommend Dail Cantrell to anyone seeking legal assistance.
    This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
    Consulted attorney

    Custody Case

    Posted by

    Dail and (another attorney at his firm) Krysta fought unbelievably hard for us in our custody case. They displayed absolute passion, intelligence, and professionalism throughout the process. Every time we would have an appointment, I would always leave feeling at ease, knowing our case was in the right hands. They had our backs and kept us informed throughout the entire process. There was a recent TN Supreme Court decision that played a major role in our case, and Dail helped us navigate the nuances and provided invaluable insight into why and how the system works the way it does.
    This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
    Hired attorney

    Dail Cantrell is a lawyer's lawyer

    Posted by

    Dail Cantrell has represented me for many years. He is a hard working, smart, and ethical attorney. He is known in our community as the attorney you go to when you need results. He has had one of the top small law firms in East Tennessee for over twenty years. His firm is well respected, honest and will do you a good job.

    Best Trial Lawyer in Tennessee

    Posted by

    We were looking for a law firm to handle a case against a tractor trailor who hit us. We knew the case would have to go to a jury because the insurance company was trying to say the wreck was my husbands fault. We interviewed 8-10 lawyers. We asked them who they would hire if we didn't hire them. Half of them said Dail Cantrell. He was honest, returned our calls, and won big. We learned that he had tried over 200 jury trials and had several verdicts of over a million dollars. If you want a lawyer that is not afraid of the insurance companies, and who will fight for you, Dail Cantrell is the lawyer for you.

    Best Attorney in East Tennessee

    Posted by

    When our family needed an attorney, we were directed by three different attorneys to the Cantrell Law firm. The result was a recovery that exceeded our expectations.

    Attorney endorsements

    (2)
    Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

    Lauren Biloski, Insurance Attorney on Feb 12, 2016
    Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

    Dail is an exceptional attorney and fantastic litigator. He always is prepared and is willing to answer questions. I fully endorse Dail.

    George Buxton, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 28, 2016
    Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

    I endorse this lawyer. Known since he passed the bar exam. Excellent civil trial lawyer. I've no reservations.

    Cost

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