Adams & Reese Expands Memphis Litigation Practice with High-Stakes Litigation Attorney

Adams & Reese announces the addition of Michael Higginbotham as Counsel and a member of the Litigation Practice Group in the firm’s Memphis office.

Higginbotham brings over three decades of experience in high-stakes commercial litigation, transportation law, and professional liability matters, including consumer and employment class actions, government investigations, and disputes involving government adversaries. He has extensive knowledge of surface and air transportation operations, supply chain logistics, brokerage operations, and independent contractor networks, enabling him to navigate complex regulatory frameworks and craft effective litigation strategies for clients in the transportation and logistics industry.

He is admitted to practice in Tennessee and represents clients in state and federal courts nationwide, including the United States Supreme Court, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and various federal district courts.

"Michael Higginbotham’s extensive experience in high-stakes commercial litigation and transportation law, combined with his distinguished career as in-house counsel at one of the world's largest logistics companies, makes him an exceptional asset for our Memphis Litigation Team,” said Clarence Wilbon, Litigation Partner and Chair of the Executive Committee at Adams & Reese. “His addition reflects our firm's continued commitment to recruiting top-tier talent to help strengthen our ability to deliver the highest level of service to the clients and industries we serve.”

Before joining Adams & Reese, Higginbotham spent 15 years as in-house counsel at FedEx, including serving as Managing Director of Government and Commercial Litigation. In that role, he led a team defending commercial disputes and government investigations and twice received the FedEx Five Star Award, the company's highest honor. He also advised clients on transportation matters, including warehousing, surety, and export issues, as well as internal investigations involving the FCPA, federal corruption, and CBP enforcement actions.

Before his tenure at FedEx, Higginbotham practiced at several Memphis law firms, where he built a robust insurance defense practice. He began his career as an Assistant District Attorney General for the 18th Judicial District of Tennessee, where he prosecuted a full range of state criminal charges and completed 12 jury trials and over 100 bench trials in two years.

“Throughout my career, whether as in-house counsel, in private practice, or as a prosecutor, I have been committed to delivering practical, results-driven solutions for the clients and organizations I serve,” said Michael Higginbotham. “Adams & Reese offers an outstanding platform to continue that work, and I look forward to partnering with the talented attorneys here to provide clients with the strategic counsel and advocacy they need to navigate today's increasingly complex legal landscape."

Higginbotham earned his J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law and his B.A. from Washington and Lee University. He is a member of the Tennessee Bar Association, the Memphis Bar Association, and the Transportation Lawyers Association, and formerly served as the Second Vice President for Outreach Teen & Family Services.