PRO
also known as Chris Gilreath, R. Christopher Gilreath
Virtual Consultation Available
R. Christopher Gilreath is a trial attorney focused on representing people who have suffered serious personal injuries and whose lives have been profoundly changed by the actions of others. He approaches every case with the conviction that an injured person deserves more than a claim number or a settlement offer—they deserve to be heard, their story to be told, and their case to be pursued to the full extent of the law. He represents clients from all 50 states in cases across Tennessee, including Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville metro areas.
As a serious personal injury trial lawyer, Chris works to understand not only how an injury occurred, but how it has affected every part of his client's life. He makes the case personal by getting to know the person behind the injury, understanding what was lost, and presenting the human story alongside the facts, evidence, and law.
His approach combines careful preparation, aggressive litigation, persuasive advocacy, and a commitment to holding responsible parties accountable. Whether negotiating a resolution or trying a case before a jury, Chris seeks to ensure that his client's story is understood and that the full measure of justice available under the law is pursued.
For Chris, personal injury litigation is about people, and the impact negligence and placing profits over people has on individuals and families: standing with people when their life has been disrupted; making their voice heard; telling their story with honesty and purpose, and demonstrating the impact their stories have to courts and juries. Whether due to a serious tractor-trailer or motor vehicle collision, defective hip implant or other medical device failure, corporate decisions placing people in harms way, or serious workplance and industrial injuries, Chris focuses the case on the personal impact his clients suffer and holds wrongdoers accountable for the damage they cause.
Through his experience and professional network, Chris handles cases on behalf of clients across the country, and he often enters into co-counsel arrangements with referring attorneys. Chris is licensed in Tennessee, Arkansas, and the District of Columbia. He as admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Tennessee, as well as the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Chris has also appeared before various other state and federal trial courts in multiple states.
Chris is active in the following professional associations:
Chris is licensed to practice in the following jurisdictions:
In addition to practicing in state court, Chris is admitted in the following additional courts to practice law:
5
Practice Areas
29 years
29 years
29 years
33%-40%
State: Arkansas
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
State: Tennessee
Acquired: 1997
No misconduct found
Other places you can find Christopher online.
5 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Responsiveness
Posted by Matt | March 02, 2017
Kind and compassionate man
I am a severely disabled veteran. I had a surgical implant that was supposed to block pain, but after seven months it made my pain much worse. I live in Knoxville, TN. I contacted his father, Sidney, and he told me to call Chris in Memphis. Chris called me personally later in the day, even after his ...
Posted by Wendi | September 18, 2011
One GREAT Lawyer!!
I had a case that took some time. We had to deal with many road blocks from the work comp insurance company and Chris and his staff were wonderful. He stood strong for me and my case and had several obsticals put infront of him. He was easy to talk to, up front and answered any questions I had. I am ...
Posted by Adrian | October 09, 2018
Not trustworthy , ethical, and will switch sides
Christopher Gilreath is not dedicated to his clients. Chris informed me 3 years into my automobile accident that he could no longer represent me because "the opposing side is forcing me to withdraw as your attorney ". I really thought I heard him wrong, but he acknowledged that I heard him correctly...
This comment skews facts and circumstances, and demonstrates that not all clients will listen constructively. Despite repeated attempts to discuss and explain the circumstances of this case, the author insists on misconstruing the situation despite attempts to explain otherwise. It is not appropriate to discuss client circumstances in this forum. The situation presented shows that anyone can have an opinion and connect circumstances in any way they choose. In any legal situation, the unique facts and circumstances of each case make a large difference. I regret that the author was displeased. When a lawyer and client disagree on the merits of a case, there is room for disagreement. Ending representation after providing ample opportunity to correct the situation was necessary under the specific circumstances of this matter.
"Chris is an extremely knowledgeable and professional attorney. He has been a great source of information on class action law. He is a great attorney and I would not hesitate to refer a client to him."
"I endorse Christopher. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse Mr. Gilreath. He is one of the most respected attorney's in Tennessee; specifically, within his field of practice."
"I have known Chris for 20 plus years. A truly hard working attorney for his clients. It you got a problem, he will fix it. Great lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Chris for several years through his work in ATLA and AAJ. He is a committed and throrough advocate."
"Chris has been fighting for the civil justice since the day he was born. We are lucky to have trial lawyers like Chris out their supporting our Constitution."
"Chris is an excellent lawyer that I know through the Tennessee Association of Justice. He cares about his clients and the legal system by unselfishly contributing much time, money and effort. He is the kind of lawyer that I would want to represent me!"
"Chris is an excellent lawyer competent to handle a variety of legal matters ranging from a standard auto accident case to complex personal injury litigation. Chris' father is an outstanding trial lawyer and his abilities and know how have been passed along to Chris. I whole heartedly endorse Chris as an excellent choice for a personal injury attorney in the Memphis / West Tennessee area."
"I endorse Christopher Gilreath and his work on behalf of injured workers in Tennessee. Attorney Gilreath is a frequent contributor to the discussion boards on this site and volunteers his time to provide timely, accurate and responsive answers to questions from injured workers seeking guidance and legal assistance. I have encouraged those seeking assistance through the discussion boards on this site to contact him further for assistance and will continue to do so because of his willingness to provide accurate and accessible guidance to injured workers seeking assistance with the complex Tennessee workers' compensation system."
Personal injury lawyer
Employee benefits lawyer
Nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
1996
AmJur Award, Complex Litigation, Samford University, Cumberland School of Law
1994
Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, Rhodes College
N/A
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2026 - Present
Trial Lawyer, Gilreath Law, PLLC
2023 - 2026
Trial Lawyer, Stranch, Jennings & Garvey, PLLC
1997 - 2023
Trial Lawyer, Gilreath & Associates
2010 - Present
Tennessee Association for Justice, Ethics CommitteeMember
2009 - Present
Louisiana Association for JusticeMember
2005 - Present
Memphis Bar AssociationMember
2005 - Present
United States District Court for the Western District of TennesseeMember
2005 - Present
United States Supreme CourtMember
1998 - Present
District of Columbia BarMember
1998 - Present
United States District Court for the Middle District of TennesseeMember
1998 - Present
United States District Court for the Eastern District of TennesseeMember
1998 - Present
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth CircuitMember
1997 - Present
American Association for JusticeMember
1997 - Present
Tennessee Association for JusticeMember
2009 - 2010
American Association for Justice, Key Person CommitteeChair
2006 - 2007
American Association for JusticeExecutive Committee
2006 - 2007
American Association for Justice, Budget CommitteeMember
2006 - 2008
American Association for JusticeBoard of Governors
2005 - 2006
American Association for Justice, New Lawyers DivisionChair
Jury Verdict for $5,000,000
State maximum verdict of $300,000 per person upheld
1997
law
1994
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2026
UM Chaos: What Slacks and What Stacks When Parties Collide
2025
Ethics of Withdrawing Consent After Reaching Settlement
2025
Ethics of Recording Conversations in Litigation
2025
Ethics of Withdrawing Consent After Reaching Settlement
2021
Handling Medical Device Cases
2017
Party Crasher: Applying One State's Law in Another Venue
2015
Strategic Use of Collaborative Partnerships
2019
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Christopher earned significant contribution points in 2013.
What can I expect from drunk driver pulled out in front of me causing injury to me and passenger
28 Jan 2023
Why does the lawyer get 33% of my settlement?
12 Oct 2018
Can I file a lawsuit against Smart Start for product liability even though I don't have injuries from the product?
23 May 2016