Rich is a seasoned litigator with 29 years of extensive jury trial and courtroom experience and has achieved the highest possible rating from Martindale-Hubble, an AV rating. He represents insurance companies and their insureds, as well as self-insured companies, in serious litigation involving, premises liability, retail and hospitality defense, construction injuries, insurance law, product liability, automobile and company trucking issues, and other complex litigation involving generally high-exposure claims. He has handled nearly every type of injury and death case imaginable. Rich likewise handles serious cases arising out of dependent care such as at schools, daycares, assisted living facilities, and nursing care-related claims.

He has developed a particular focus on the hospitality and retail industry, and the companies that he represents include many of the largest and most recognizable companies and brands in the United States and around the world. He fully understands the philosophy of protecting the brand of his clients and is oftentimes called upon to conduct emergency investigations of serious accidents just after they occur. Rich has a particular focus on shifting litigation exposure from his clients to other entities through indemnification agreements, contracts, and other tools that are not so obvious, and has been called upon to give presentations to attorneys and other groups across the United States on this subject. Rich handles business and commercial disputes between companies, often times arising out of vendor-seller relationships, as well as other company-related disputes. He has handled extensive litigation involving defamation such as in political campaigns and business-related defamation cases.

In addition to handling a full caseload of defense litigation, Rich supervises and mentors attorneys and provides strategic input on cases being handled by others in the firm. He is also the Chair of the firm’s Retail and Hospitality practice. Rich is frequently called upon to make presentations to groups covering legal-related topics relevant to his practice areas, including to attorneys, clients, and other professionals around the country.

Rich is a native Tennessean, having lived here his entire life. He grew up hunting, fishing, boating, and participating in outdoor activities of all kinds, which still continue to this day. He enjoys wakeboarding, wake surfing, snow skiing, and riding ATVs. In fact, Rich’s extensive experience in boating of all kinds has translated into particular familiarity in handling boat-and water-related accident litigation. He has handled numerous cases involving serious injuries and death occurring on the water.