R. Christopher Gilreath

A second-generation trial lawyer

Chris learned early that courtrooms are the great equalizer when powerful companies harm people with their actions. As he watched trial attorneys give voice to the voiceless, he knew that was his way of contributing to the lives of others - help those who were wronged and didn't know how to make sense of what happened.  Each case gave him the opportunity to tell people's stories - what they valued, how they contributed to their community, how their work supported their family, and what happens when bad decisions result in harming others.  Throughout his career, Chris' focus has been representing individuals suffering disaster at the hands of others, helping them make sense of what happened and pursue justice through legal action.  Whether he represented a waitress struck in a crosswalk, a mother who's hip replacement corroded causing debilitating injuries, or representing a family who's loved ones were killed in a tractor-trailer crash, standing up for individuals became Chris' calling.  For seven years he represented clients in Knoxville, then moved to Memphis and managed the Memphis practice for Gilreath & Associates.  Then in 2024 he joined Stranch, Jennings & Garvey in Nashville, where he co-led the development of the firm's personal injury practice group, until leaving to found Gilreath Law, to provide personal representation of clients with serious injury cases across Tennessee.

Over his career he has served as lead counsel and co-counsel in catastrophic injury and death cases involving car wrecks, trucking wrecks, cases involving defective industrial and medical products, medical malpractice, industrial workplace injury cases, festival disasters, and other serious injury cases, both in cities and rural areas across Tennessee.

Representative cases

• Long v. Shelby Co. Healthcare Corp.Co-counsel in a birth trauma medical malpractice case for a child who suffered cerebral palsy during delivery, helping to secure an 8 figure verdict after multiple trials.
• Pantuso v. Wright Medical TechnologyCo-counsel representing a Utah victim of a defective titanium hip implant.  The case set a precedent in Tennessee for choice of venue for hip implant failures for victims nationally, leading to multi-victim coordinated litigation resulting in significant compensation for multiple victims.
• Knowles et al. v. State of TennesseeRepresented the surviving family of a victim killed in a collision with a commercial mowing tractor, obtaining a wrongful death verdict.
• Myles v. Franklin LimestoneRepresented an employee suffering catastrophic spinal injury resulting from a mine cave-in, including paraplegia, securing significant compensation including work-injury disability benefits, medical care, home conversion, and vehicle accommodations.
• Townsend et al. v. Flowmaster et al.Represented multiple families in catastrophic injury and death cases against event organizers after a drag race car sped into a crowd during an outdoor festival.
• Espinoza v. Lyft, Inc.Co-counsel in a catastrophic injury case involving a young flight attendant injured during a Lyft ride, with the settlement accounting for increased risk of miscarriage during anticipated future pregnancies. Learn about Tennessee rideshare claims.
• FedEx Ground Package SystemRepresented employee delivery drivers across Tennessee who were misclassified as independent contractors, securing statewide reclassification and compensation.

Many of these cases were handled together with other attorneys. Verdict amounts reflect the jury award and may differ from the amount ultimately collected. Past results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future case. All advertised results are based on past cases and their individual facts and circumstances. The outcome of your case will depend on your unique facts and circumstances.

Education and early career

A 1994 graduate of Rhodes College, earning a B.A. in Political Science, he received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for outstanding contribution to the college. Chris then worked on the U.S. Senate Budget Committee in Washington, D.C., before earning his J.D. in 1997 from Cumberland School of Law. At Cumberland he focused on jury litigation and multi-jurisdictional procedure, received the American Jurisprudence Award for Complex Litigation, and served on the Cumberland Honor Court.

Professional memberships

• Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Governors and Executive Committee
• Western Trial Lawyers Association
• Southern Trial Lawyers Association
• American Association for Justice — Leadership experience includes service as a Board Member, Executive Committee member, Committee Chair, and NLD Chair

Presentations and publications

• “UM Legal Considerations with Parties from Different States” — American Association for Justice 2026 Annual Convention
• “Ethics of Withdrawing Consent from Settlement Agreements” — 2025 New Jersey Association for Justice Boardwalk CLE
• “Handling Medical Device Cases,” Southern Trial Lawyers Association (October 2021)
• “Medical Device Cases – Screen Them Differently,” Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association (Winter 2019 magazine)
• “Party Crasher – Applying One State’s Law in Another Venue,” Southern Trial Lawyers Association (February 2017)
• “Strategic Use of Collaborative Partnerships,” Southern Trial Lawyers Association (February 10, 2015)

Beyond the law

Mr. Gilreath lives in Memphis and enjoys live music, staying active, cooking, and traveling. He helps his two sons with school, careers, and sports, and mentors adults facing difficult life circumstances.

Practice areas

^*AV Preeminent is a certification mark of Internet Brands, Inc., used under license. Martindale-Hubbell ratings reflect peer review and are not a guarantee of results. No representation is made that the quality of legal services is greater than that of other lawyers.