James Neil Umsted

Neil Umsted is a Memphis native whose 16 years in the legal profession have taken him through criminal defense, prosecution, and now personal injury litigation, a career path that has made him an incredibly versatile and prepared trial attorney at TopDog Law. He completed both his undergraduate degree and his J.D. at the University of Memphis School of Law and is licensed in Tennessee and Arkansas. Neil is admitted to all federal courts in Arkansas and the U.S. District Courts for the Western and Middle Districts of Tennessee, and is an active member of both the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association and the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association.

Neil started his career in criminal law, first as a defense attorney representing people facing serious charges, then as a prosecutor — two roles that gave him a full picture of how cases are won and lost on both sides. In 2021, he turned that experience toward personal injury litigation, specifically cases involving motor vehicle accidents, trucking and commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injuries, premises liability, wrongful death, motorcycle accidents, and more. The transition was a natural one. The same relentless preparation and refusal to back down that served him in criminal courts translates directly into holding negligent parties and insurance companies accountable in civil litigation.

Neil's connection to Memphis runs deep, and so does his commitment to the people he serves. He understands the real stakes his clients face because he has spent his entire career in the communities they come from.