(Main Office)

Starnes & Atchison LLP is a General Civil Practice law firm exclusively committed to the trial and resolution of civil litigation. The Firm practice involves diverse clients including physicians, attorneys, hospitals, long-term care facilities, medical personnel, banks, corporations, governments, municipalities, insurance companies, architects, engineers, construction companies, self-insured clients and a variety of professionals. The types of cases these clients bring to the Firm include torts, contract actions, corporate disputes, property disputes, securities litigation, workmen's compensation matters, motor vehicle accidents, professional liability actions (including legal, medical and other professional matters), products liability actions, a variety of employment matters and other civil litigation. Firm members are active in state and local bar activities and national associations and sponsor and participate extensively as faculty members in continuing legal education programs, seminars and civil affairs.

Statement of Practice

Defense Civil Litigation practice, spanning every type of complex litigation, including the following practice areas: general; business; banking and consumer finance; professional liability; products liability; class actions; construction; surety; fidelity and financial institution bond claims; medical and healthcare; labor and employment; consumer fraud; workers' compensation; environmental and toxic tort; biotechnology and pharmaceuticals; alternative dispute resolution (arbitration and mediation); appellate and written advocacy; complex insurance; intellectual property; government and public; securities; long term care and nursing homes; energy and natural resources; telecommunications; and aviation.

Representative Clients:

A.D.S. Construction, Inc.
ACE USA
Aegon Direct Marketing Services, Inc.
AIG/ L'Express
AJS Associates, Inc. d/b/a KFC.
Alabama A&M University
Alabama League of Municipalities
Alabama Municipal Insurance Corp.
Alabama National Bancorporation
Alimak Hek Group AB
Allied Home Mortgage Capital Corp.
Allstar Financial Group
Allstate Insurance Co.
American Health Insurance Co.
American Heritage Life Insurance Co.
American Honda
American Mining Co.
American National Insurance Co.
Arch Insurance Group
Ascension Health Care
Asset Acceptance, LLC
Associated Aviation Underwriters
AT&T Universal Card Services
Atlantic United Construction Co.
Atlas Copco
Attorneys Insurance Mutual
Attorneys Liability Assurance Society
Austin Industries, Inc.
Autry Greer & Sons, Inc.
Banc of America
Bancorp South, Inc.
Behavioral Health Systems
Bear, Stearns
BellSouth
BlueHippo Funding, LLC
Bohannon Houston, Inc.
Bonds Development Co.
British American Insurance Company
Broadspire Insurance
Brookwood Medical Center, Inc.
Brownell Travel, Inc.
Burgin Construction Company, Inc.
Burk-Kleinpeter, Inc.
Capital One Auto Finance
Capital One Bank, Capital One F.S.B.
Capital One Financial Corporation
Caremark Rx, Inc.
Chicago Pneumatic Tool
Chubb Group Insurance
Chubb Specialty Insurance
Ciba-Geigy Corp
Citibank (South Dakota), N.A.
Cities of Montevallo
Citigroup, Inc.
City of Atmore
City of Bessemer
City of Brewton
City of Calera
City of Fairfield
City of Helena
City of Homewood
City of Irondale
City of Mountain Brook
City of Pelham
City of Tarrant
City of Trussville
City of Vestavia Hills
Clarkitects, P.C.
CNA Insurance Co.
CNA Surety
Coca- Cola Enterprises, Inc
Cohen Carnaggio Reynolds
Comerica Bank
Conexant Systems, Inc.
Consolidated Construction Company
Cooper/T.Smith Stevedoring Co.
Correctional Medical Services, Inc.
Crawford & Company
Credit Suisse First Boston
Crimson Shipping Agency
CVS Pharmacy
Daisy Manufacturing Company
Danaher Corporation
Deutsche Bank
Dollar Tree Stores, Inc.
Drummond Co., Inc.
DuPont Corporation
Eton Park Capital Management
Farmers Insurance Co.
Fidelity and Deposit Co. of Maryland
Fidelity & Guaranty Insurance Company
First American Bank
Flowerwood Nurseries
Fluke Corporation
Food Giant Supermarkets
Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc.
Gates Corporation
GE Capital Corporation
General Electric Capital Corporation
General Electric Capital Aviation Services, Inc.
Georgia Pacific Corporation
Georgia Surety Company
Glaxo Wellcome, Inc.
Global Aerospace
Gold-Cup Coffee Services, Inc.
Goldman, Sachs
Gonzalez-Strength & Associates
Gorrie-Regan & Associates, Inc.
Great American Insurance Co.
Grimes + Architects, Inc.
GTE Mobilnet
GTE
Harbert Management Corporation
Hardy Corporation
Hartford
Health Partners of Alabama, Inc.
Hek Manufacturing BV
Hendon & Huckestein Architects, P.C.
Hennessy Industries, Inc.
Henson Engineering
Herrington Architects
Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc.
Home Depot
Homeowners Loan Corp.
Honda Mfg. of Alabama
International Fidelity Insurance Co.
International Paper
Intervect USA, Inc.
Jackson-Renfro & Associates
Johnson & Johnson
Kersey & Luttrell Architects, P.C.
Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co.
L.E. Stiffler Engineers, Inc.
Lehman Brothers
Liberty Mutual Insurance
Live Nation
Lloyd's of London
Lowe's
Monsanto Company
Mackinaw Engineering, Inc.
Markel Insurance Company
The Marshall Group
Marshall Investments Corp.
McFadyen O'Briant Consulting Engineers, Inc.
McGiffert & Associates, LLC
Meadowbrook ASI Insurance Group
Medical Assurance, Inc.
Mediacom Cable Company
Mercedes Benz USA, LLC
Merrill Lynch
Monumental Life Insurance Co.
Morgan Stanley
Murphy Oil USA, Inc.
National Linen Services
National Service Industries
Newton, Oldacre, McDonald, LLC
Nokia, Inc.
Noland Heath Services, Inc.
Ocwen Loan Servicing, LLC
Old Republic Surety Company
One Beacon Insurance
Paul K's United Van Lines
Pell City
Playtex Family Products Corp.
PMA Insurance Co.
Primerica Financial Services
ProAssurance Inc.
ProNational Inc.
Protective Life Insurance Co.
Reliance Insurance Co.
Rheem Manufacturing
Robinson-Adams
Russell Stover Candies, Inc.
Sain Associates
Salomon, Smith, Barney, Inc.
Shelby County
SKT Architects
South & Associates
Southern Engineering Company
Southern Energy Homes
SPX Corporation
St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co.
St. Paul/Travelers Insurance Co.
St. Vincent's Hospital
State Farm Insurance Co.
Stonebridge Life Insurance Co.
Stothard Engineering, Inc.
Tenet Health Systems
The Fidelity and Casualty Co. of New York
Timberline Homes, Inc.
University of Alabama at Birmingham
University of Alabama
University of Alabama Health Services Foundation
University of Alabama in Huntsville
T-Mobile
Town of Mulga
Town of Parrish
Town of Wilton
Town of Woodstock
Twin Pines Coal Company, Inc.
UAB Research Foundation
UBS
UBS Securities, LLC
Veolia Water Services
Verizon Communications
Verizon Wireless
W.R. Grace Co.
Washington Group International, Inc.
Waste Management, Inc.
Watts & Brown Engineers, Inc.
Western Heritage Insurance
Western Surety Co.
Weyerhaeuser Co.
Whitaker and Rawson Inc.
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc.
Woodcrest Service, Inc.
Woolpert, LLP
Xerox Corporation
Zurich Companies
Zurich Insurance Co.

No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. This web site is designed for general information only. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. Persons accessing this site are encouraged to seek independent counsel for advice regarding their individual legal issues.

Address

100 Brookwood Place, 7th Floor
Birmingham, AL 35209, (Jefferson & Shelby Cos.)

Phone

Phone: 205-868-6000
Telecopier: 205-868-6099
http://www.choosestarnes.com

Website

http://www.starneslaw.com

Firm/Affiliate Offices

PARTNERS

W. Michael Atchison (Partner) born Birmingham, Alabama, April 13, 1941; admitted to bar, 1968, Alabama. Education: Birmingham-Southern College (A.B., 1965); Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (J.D., 1968). Phi Alpha Delta. Recipient: Honorary LL.D., Birmingham-Southern College, 2000. Law Clerk to Judge Clarence W. Allgood, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama, 1970-1971. Co-Author: "Professional Liability of Attorneys in Alabama," Cumberland Law Review Vol. 30 No. 3, 1999-2000. Member: Birmingham and American (Member, Sections on: Insurance; Tort Practice; Litigation) Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel; Defense Research Institute; American Board of Trial Advocates. Fellow: American College of Trial Lawyers; Alabama Law Foundation. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Commercial Litigation; Medical Malpractice; Professional Liability; Labor and Employment; Products Liability.Email: W. Michael Atchison

William Anthony Davis, III (Partner) born Anniston, Alabama, August 15, 1949; admitted to bar, 1974, Alabama; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Education: University of Alabama (B.S., 1971; J.D., 1974). Omicron Delta Kappa; Phi Delta Phi. Assistant State Attorney General, 1974-1976. Member: Birmingham Bar Association; Alabama State Bar; American Bar Association (Member, Sections on: Insurance; Tort Practice; Litigation); Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; International Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Labor and Employment; Workers Compensation; Commercial Litigation; Environmental Litigation; Natural Resources; Professional Liability.Email: William Anthony Davis, III

Michael A. Florie (Partner) born Cincinnati, Ohio, April 27, 1950; admitted to bar, 1976, Alabama; 1977, Louisiana; U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th and 5th Circuits; U.S. District Court, Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama; U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana. Education: Tulane University (B.A., 1972; J.D., 1976). Omicron Delta Kappa. Member, Tulane Moot Court Board, 1974-1976. Member: Birmingham, Louisiana State and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute; American Board of Trial Advocates (State President, 2002). Fellow: American College of Trial Lawyers. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Medical Malpractice; Professional Liability; Aviation Law; Personal Injury; Products Liability.Email: Michael A. Florie

John P. Scott, Jr. (Partner) born Birmingham, Alabama, June 8, 1947; admitted to bar, 1973, Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th and 11th Circuits; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: Auburn University (B.S., 1970); Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (J.D., cum laude, 1973). Member, Order of Barristers. Member, Curia Honoris. Chief Justice, Cumberland Moot Court Board, 1972-1973. Editor, Cumberland Law Review, 1972-1973. Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar (Chairman, Litigation Section, 1989-1990; 1994-1995); Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Commercial Litigation; Products Liability.Email: John P. Scott, Jr.

L. Graves Stiff, III (Partner) born Bluefield, West Virginia, April 11, 1951; admitted to bar, 1978, Alabama; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th and 11th Circuits; U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Education: University of Virginia (B.A., 1973); Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (J.D., 1978). Phi Delta Phi. Executive Editor, American Journal of Trial Advocacy No. 3, 1977-1978. Director, Southern Surety & Fidelity Claims Association, Inc.; Member, Surety Claims Institute. Member: Birmingham and American (Member, Fidelity and Surety Law Committees) Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; International Association of Defense Counsel. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Construction Litigation; Fidelity and Surety; Insurance Defense.Email: L. Graves Stiff, III

J. Bentley Owens, III (Partner) born Birmingham, Alabama, July 23, 1954; admitted to bar, 1979, Alabama; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th and 11th Circuits; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: University of Alabama (B.S., 1976; J.D., 1979). Phi Delta Phi (Treasurer, 1977-1978; Vice President, 1978-1979). Member, Bench and Bar. Law Clerk, U.S. District Judge, Clarence W. Allgood, 1979-1980. Member: Birmingham (Member, Young Lawyers Section, Executive Committee) and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Defense Research Institute; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; International Municipal Lawyers Association; Alabama Association of Municipal Attorneys. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Products Liability; Labor and Employment; Municipal Liability.Email: J. Bentley Owens, III

Walter William Bates (Managing Partner) born Mobile, Alabama, October 22, 1956; admitted to bar, 1981, Alabama; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: University of Alabama (B.S., 1978); Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., 1981). Phi Delta Phi. Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute; International Association of Defense Counsel; American Board of Trial Advocates(President of Alabama Chapter, 2007-2008). Fellow: American College of Trial Lawyers. Practice Areas: Litigation(100%); Civil Practice; Medical Malpractice; Personal Injury; Products Liability; Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation; Commercial Litigation; NCAA Regulation.Email: Walter William Bates

Michael K. Wright (Partner) born Columbus, Georgia, January 29, 1953; admitted to bar, 1980, Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Supreme Court. Education: University of Alabama at Birmingham (B.A., 1976); Birmingham School of Law (J.D., 1980). Captain, Moot Court Team. Recipient, LCP Book Award, Civil Procedure. Law Clerk, Judge Josh S. Mullins, 10th Judicial Circuit, (Alabama). Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; International Association of Defense Counsel; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Medical Malpractice; Products Liability; Premises Liability.Email: Michael K. Wright

Robert P. MacKenzie, III (Partner) born Washington, North Carolina, April 8, 1955; admitted to bar, 1984, Alabama, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama andU.S. Supreme Court;. Education: University of North Carolina (B.A., 1978); Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., 1984). Co-Author: "Professional Liability of Attorneys in Alabama," Cumberland Law Review, Vol. 30, No. 3 (1999-2000); Author, "Nine Ways to Avoid a Suit for Legal Malpractice," The Alabama Lawyer, Vol. 65, No. 4 (July 2004). Member: Birmingham, Mobile and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; American Board of Trial Advocates; International Society of Barristers. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Medical Malpractice; Legal Malpractice; Products Liability.Email: Robert P. MacKenzie, III

Thomas Lawson Selden (Partner) born Fairfax, Virginia, July 9, 1961; admitted to bar, 1987, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Education: The University of the South (B.A., 1983); University of Alabama (J.D., 1986). Omicron Delta Kappa; Phi Delta Phi. Member, Bench and Bar. Member, Moot Court Board, 1984-1986. Member, Order of Barristers. Member: Birmingham and American (Member, Fidelity and Surety Law Committees) Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Trial Practice; Trial Practice; Construction Litigation; Fidelity and Surety; Insurance Defense.Email: Thomas Lawson Selden

M. Christopher Eagan (Partner) born Birmingham, Alabama, September 9, 1960; admitted to bar, 1987, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama. Education: University of Alabama (B.A., 1983); Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., 1987). Associate Editor, Cumberland Law Review. Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Medical Malpractice; Premises Liability; Professional Licensing Regulation; Appellate Practice; Health Care.Email: M. Christopher Eagan

Sybil Vogtle Newton (Partner) born Birmingham, Alabama, June 17, 1964; admitted to bar, 1989, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court. Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.A., 1986); University of Alabama (J.D., 1989). Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute; Council of Appellate Lawyers. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice Defense; Defense Litigation; Litigation; Trial Practice; Federal Civil Litigation; Appellate Practice; Civil Appeals; Health Care; Hospital Law; Hospital Peer Review.Email: Sybil Vogtle Newton

Richard Eldon Davis (Partner) born Montgomery, Alabama; admitted to bar, 1989, Alabama and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama; 1990, U.S. District Court, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; 1991, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit; 1999, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Education: Auburn University (B.A., 1983); The University of Alabama at Birmingham (M.A., 1986); Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., cum laude, 1989). Member, Curia Honoris. Member, 1987-1988, and Editor-in-Chief, 1988-1989, Cumberland Law Review. Member, Advisory Board for the Cumberland School of Law of Samford University. Member: Alabama State Bar (Chair-Elect, Environmental Law Section); Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Litigation Counsel of America Trial Lawyer Honorary (Fellow); Environmental Law Institute (Associate); Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Environmental Law; Toxic Torts.Email: Richard Eldon Davis

Joseph S. Miller (Partner) born Houston, Texas, June 14, 1964; admitted to bar, 1992, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: University of Alabama (B.A., 1986; J.D., 1992). Phi Delta Phi. Member, Board of Directors, SEABOTA. Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute; American Board of Trial Advocates (Treasurer, Alabama Chapter). Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Medical Malpractice; Consumer Fraud; Premises Liability; Commercial Litigation; False Claims Act Litigation.Email: Joseph S. Miller

Scott M. Salter (Partner) born Birmingham, Alabama, March 14, 1967; admitted to bar, 1992, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama and U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Education: University of Alabama (B.A., 1989; J.D., 1992). Phi Beta Kappa; Phi Kappa Phi; Mortar Board; Omicron Delta Kappa; John A. Campbell Moot Court Board; Phi Delta Phi. Member: Birmingham and American (Member, Sections on: Insurance and Tort Practice; Litigation) Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute (Member, Medical Liability Committee); American Board of Trial Advocates. Practice Areas: Litigation; Medical Malpractice; Insurance Coverage; Excess and Reinsurance; Extra Contractual Insurance Claims; Insurance Bad Faith; Insurance Fraud; Insurance Litigation; Commercial Liability; Complex Commercial Litigation; Identity Theft.Email: Scott M. Salter

Jeanne Bugg Walston (Partner) born Pasadena, California, June 21, 1967; admitted to bar, 1992, Alabama; U.S. Supreme Court; U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: University of Alabama (B.A., 1989; J.D., 1992). Phi Delta Phi. Member, John A. Campbell Moot Court Board. Member: Birmingham (Member, Sections on: Labor and Employment; Workers Compensation) and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar (Member, Labor and Employment Section); Alabama Defense Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Litigation; Labor and Employment; Workers Compensation; Coal Mining; Mining Law.Email: Jeanne Bugg Walston

Anthony Cameron Harlow (Partner) born Toronto, Ontario, Canada, November 3, 1966; admitted to bar, 1992, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: Mississippi State University (B.P.A., summa cum laude, 1988); University of Alabama (J.D., 1992). Phi Kappa Phi. Member, Farrah Law Society. Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Products Liability; Civil Practice; Commercial Liability.Email: Anthony Cameron Harlow

M. Warren Butler (Partner) born Mobile, Alabama, December 17, 1966; admitted to bar, 1992, Alabama and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama; 2000, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama; 2001, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama and U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: Washington & Lee University (B.A., cum laude, 1989); University of Alabama (J.D., 1992). Member, Federal Panel of Neutrals, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama. Member: Mobile (Secretary, 1999) and American (Member, Tort and Insurance Practice Section) Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Alabama Nursing Home Defense Lawyers Association (Secretary, 1999; Vice President, 2001); Mobile County Pro Bono Association; American Inns of Court; Defense Research Institute; International Association of Defense Counsel (Program Vice-Chair, Medical Defense and Health Care Committee; Vice-Chair, Journal Articles, Environmental Energy and Maritime Committee). (Also at Mobile Office). Practice Areas: Civil Trial Practice; Healthcare Law; Personal Injury Defense; Premises Liability; Professional Liability; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Arbitration; Mediation; Products Liability.Email: M. Warren Butler

Rik S. Tozzi (Partner) born Washington, D.C., May 15, 1967; admitted to bar, 1993, Alabama and U.S. District Court, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama. Education: Oxford University, Oxford England (B.A./M.A., with honors, 1990); Tulane University (J.D., cum laude, with Certificate in Environmental Law, 1993). Editor, Tulane Environmental Law Journal. Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar. Practice Areas: Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Consumer Fraud; Class Actions.Email: Rik S. Tozzi

Arnold W. Umbach III (Partner) born Auburn, Alabama, August 4, 1966; admitted to bar, 1992, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth and Eleventh Circuits and U.S. Supreme Court. Education: University of Virginia (B.A., 1988); University of Alabama (J.D., 1992). Order of the Coif. Member, Alabama Law Review. Law Clerk to Judge Patrick E. Higginbotham, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1992-1993. Author, "Using Rule 23 to Define FSLA Class Actions: A Solution to the 'Similarly Situated' Debate," 2002 Employment Law Update. Member: Birmingham and American (Member, Technology Committee, Labor and Employment Law Section) Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar. Reported Cases: Rigby v. Springs Industries, Inc., 156 Fed. Appx. 130, 2005 WL 3076542 (11th Cir. 2005); Scott Bridge Co. v. Wright, 833 So. 2nd 1221 (Ala. 2003); Cropp v. Raytheon Engineers' Construction, Inc., 2000 WL7315123 (N.D. Ala. Feb. 10, 2000); Lunde v. Big B, Inc. d/b/a CVS Pharmacy, 117 F.Supp. 2d. 1275 (M.D. Ala. 2000); Holiness v. Moore-Handley, Inc., 114 F.Supp. 2d 1176 (N.D. Ala. 1999); Maddox v. Cash Loans of Huntsville II, 29 F.Supp. 2d 1336 (N.D. Ala., 1998); Pouncy v. Vulcan Materials Co., 920 F.Supp. 1566 (N.D. Ala., 1996). Practice Areas: Labor and Employment; Litigation.Email: Arnold W. Umbach III

Philip G. Piggott (Partner) born Bracknell, England, June 23, 1962; admitted to bar, 1993, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Education: Rhodes College (B.A., 1985); Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., 1993). Order of Barristers. Associate Justice, Moot Court Board. Trial Advocacy Board. Board Member, Honor Counsel. Associate Editor, American Journal of Trial Advocacy. Author: "Punitive Damages Since Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Co. v. Haslip," Am. J. Trial Advocacy, Vol. 16:3, Spring 1993. Co-Author: "The Admissibility of 'other acts' Dealing with Collateral Misconduct Evidence at Trial," The Alabama Lawyer, July, 1994; "Extended Warranties: Changed Law May Put Your Company at Risk," Business to Business, Inc., Vol. II, Issue 6, Birmingham, December, 1994. Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC); Defense Research Institute (DRI).Email: Philip G. Piggott

Reed R. Bates (Partner) born Birmingham, Alabama, October 16, 1967; admitted to bar, 1994, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Middle, Southern and Northern Districts of Alabama. Education: University of Alabama (B.S., 1990); Cumberland School of Law (J.D., 1994). Member, ATLA National Trial Team. Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute; Alabama Nursing Home Defense Lawyers Association (President, 2006-2008); International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC); Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum. Practice Areas: Litigation(100%); Civil Practice; Medical Malpractice; Long Term Care; Professional Liability; Products Liability; Personal Injury; Insurance.Email: Reed R. Bates

Bryan O. Balogh (Partner) born Texas City, Texas, January 5, 1970; admitted to bar, 1995, Alabama, U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama and U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: Auburn University (B.S., 1992); Cumberland School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1995). Member, Cumberland Law Review, 1995. Curia Honoris. Member: Birmingham (Member, Grievance Committee) and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Products Liability; Medical Malpractice; Telecommunications Law; Legal Malpractice.Email: Bryan O. Balogh

Blake D. Andrews (Partner) born Huntsville, Alabama, August 4, 1970; admitted to bar, 1996, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama. Education: Auburn University (B.A., cum laude, 1992); University of Alabama (J.D., 1996). Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Products Liability; Commercial Litigation; Workers Compensation; Municipal Law.Email: Blake D. Andrews

J. Scott Dickens (Partner) born Tuscaloosa, Alabama, June 21, 1968; admitted to bar, 1996, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit; U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Education: Auburn University (B.S., 1992); Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., 1996). Member, Cumberland Law Review, 1995. Member: Birmingham and American (Member: Fidelity and Surety Law Committee; Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Committee) Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Construction Litigation; Fidelity and Surety.Email: J. Scott Dickens

W. Christian Hines, III (Partner) born March Air Force Base, Riverside, California, May 23, 1972; admitted to bar, 1997, Alabama and U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: Wake Forest University (B.A., cum laude, 1994); University of Alabama School of Law (J.D., 1997). Member: Mobile and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Defense Research Institute; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association. (Also at Mobile Office). Reported Cases: Tobiassen v. Sawyer, 904 So.2d 258 (Ala. 2004); Frontier Ins. Co. v. International, Inc., 124 F. Supp 2nd 1211 (N.D. Ala. 2000); Ex Parte Burch, 730 So. 2d 143 (Ala. 1999) (drafted brief for amicus curiae Mobile Infirmary Medical Center); Ex Parte Pfizer, Inc., 746 So. 2d 960 (Ala. 1999). Ziade v. Koch, 2006 WL 1793752 (Ala. 2006). Practice Areas: Civil Trial Practice; Medical Malpractice; Personal Injury; Construction Litigation.Email: W. Christian Hines, III

Joseph L. Reese, Jr. (Partner) born Mobile, Alabama, May 31, 1972; admitted to bar, 1997, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern and Middle Districts of Alabama; 2003, U.S. Supreme Court; 2008, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: University of Alabama (B.S., summa cum laude, 1994; J.D. magna cum laude, 1997). Omicron Delta Kappa. Mortar Board, Anderson Society, Jasons. Order of the Barristers; Bench & Bar Legal Honor Society. Member: National Moot Court Competition Team; John A. Campbell Moot Court Board. Editor, Alabama Law Review, 1996-1997. Member: Alabama State Bar; American Bar Association; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Insurance Defense; Personal Injury; Civil Trial Practice; Long Term Care; Nursing Home; Arbitration.Email: Joseph L. Reese, Jr.

Alfred H. Perkins, Jr. (Partner) born Starkville, Mississippi; admitted to bar, 1998, Alabama, U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama and U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: Mississippi State University (B.S., 1993); University of Alabama (J.D., 1998). Associate Justice, Honor Court; Frederick Douglas Moot Court Team; Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society; Black Law Students Association. Member: Birmingham, American and National Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Magic City Bar Association; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Federal Civil Practice; Labor and Employment; Products Liability; Consumer Banking; Business Litigation; Civil Rights Section 1983; Discrimination; Class Action Defense; Commercial Litigation; Defense Litigation; Municipal Liability; Municipal Torts.Email: Alfred H. Perkins, Jr.

J. Will Axon, Jr. (Partner) born Savannah, Georgia, November 7, 1971; admitted to bar, 1999, Alabama and U.S. District Court, Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Education: Birmingham-Southern College (B.S., 1994); University of Alabama (J.D., 1999). Fellow, Thomas J. Watson, 1995. Member: Alabama State Bar; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Medical Malpractice; Personal Injury.Email: J. Will Axon, Jr.

Jay M. Ezelle (Partner) born Mobile, Alabama, October 10, 1974; admitted to bar, 1999, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: Rhodes College (B.S., 1995); University of Alabama at Birmingham (J.D., summa cum laude, 1999). Order of the Coif; Order of Barristers; Moot Court Board. Hugo Black Scholar. Member, Bench and Bar; Legal Honor Society; Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Team. Recipient, Dean M. Leigh Harrison Award. Winner, John A. Campbell Moot Court Competition. Senior Editor, Alabama Law Review. Member: Alabama State Bar; American Bar Association; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Intellectual Property Litigation; NCAA Regulation.Email: Jay M. Ezelle

John Peter Crook McCall (Partner) born Selma, Alabama, March 13, 1971; admitted to bar, 1999, Alabama and U.S. District Court, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Education: Millsaps College (B.A., History and Spanish, magna cum laude, 1994); University of Alabama School of Law (J.D., 1999). Phi Eta Sigma. Fulbright Scholar (Mexico), 1995. Farrah Law Society. Member: Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. (Also at Mobile Office). Languages: Spanish. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice Defense; Legal Malpractice Defense; Professional Liability Defense; Construction Litigation; Fidelity and Surety; Personal Injury; Medical Malpractice; Civil Trial Practice.Email: John Peter Crook McCall

Alicia Medders Harrison (Partner) born Anniston, Alabama, June 8, 1974; admitted to bar, 1999, Alabama and U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: Auburn University (B.A., 1996); University of Alabama School of Law (J.D., 1999). J. Campbell Moot Court Board; Alabama Law Review. Member: Birmingham Bar Association; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; National Association of Women Lawyers. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Litigation.Email: Alicia Medders Harrison

P. Andrew Laird, Jr. (Partner) born Jasper, Alabama, June 1, 1972; admitted to bar, 2000, Alabama; 2001, Mississippi; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth and Eleventh Circuits. Education: Birmingham-Southern College (B.A., 1994); University of Denver (J.D., 2000). Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; The Mississippi Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Reported Cases: Brooks v. J.C. Penney Life Insurance Company, 231 F. Supp. 2d 1136 (N.D. Ala. 2002); Ex Parte State of Alabama, 937 So.2d 56 (Ala. 2006). Practice Areas: Municipal Law; Litigation; Civil Practice; Premises Liability; Workers Compensation; Eminent Domain; Coal Mining; Blasting Liability; Subsidence Liability.Email: P. Andrew Laird, Jr.

Robert Todd Huntley (Partner) born Rome, Georgia, August 4, 1974; admitted to bar, 2000, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama; 2005, U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Education: Auburn University (B.A., 1996); Cumberland School of Law, Samford University (J.D., magna cum laude, 2000). Executive Editor, Cumberland Law Review, 1999. Curia Honoris. Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation(100%); Civil Practice; Medical Malpractice; Long Term Care.Email: Robert Todd Huntley

Aldos L. Vance (Partner) born Brooklyn, New York; admitted to bar, 2000, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama and U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: Auburn University (B.S., 1994); University of Alabama (J.D., 2000). Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society; Black Law Student Association. President, Student Bar Association, 1999-2000. Member: Birmingham Bar Association; Magic City Bar Association; National Bar Association; American Bar Association; Alabama State Bar (Member: Committee on Quality of Life of Lawyers, 2003-2006; Leadership Forum Class of 2006; Diversity in the Profession, 2006-2007); Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute.

George E. Newton, II (Partner) born Montgomery, Alabama, February 28, 1975; admitted to bar, 2001, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama. Education: Georgetown University Walsh School of Foreign Service (B.S.F.S., 1997); University of Alabama, (J.D., 2001). Senior Editor, Alabama Law Review. Author: "Maintaining the Balance: Reconciling the Social and Judicial Costs of Medical Peer Review," Alabama Law Review, Winter, 2001. Member: Birmingham Bar Association; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice; Long Term Care; Premises Liability; Insurance Defense; Civil Practice; Construction Law.Email: George E. Newton, II

Joshua H. Threadcraft (Partner) born Dallas, Texas, March 1, 1976; admitted to bar, 2001, Alabama; 2002, Mississippi; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. District Court, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th and 11th Circuits. Education: Auburn University (B.A., Corporate Journalism, 1998); University of Alabama (J.D., cum laude, 2001). Omicron Delta Kappa. Member: Moot Court Board; Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society; University of Alabama Trial Advocacy Team. Member, Journal of Legal Professions. Member: Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute.Email: Joshua H. Threadcraft

Jackie H. Trimm (Partner) born Gary, Indiana, October 7, 1971; admitted to bar, 1999, Alabama and U.S. District Court, Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama. Education: University of Alabama (B.A., summa cum laude, 1996; J.D., 1999). Phi Beta Kappa. Bench and Bar. John A. Campbell Moot Court Board. Alabama Trial Advocacy Regional Championship Team. Law & Psychology Review. Member: Birmingham Bar Association; Alabama State Bar. Practice Areas: Civil Practice; Medical Malpractice; Insurance Defense.Email: Jackie H. Trimm

Benjamin D. McAninch (Partner) born Rhinebeck, New York, November 8, 1975; admitted to bar, 2002, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama. Education: Bemidji State University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1999); University of Alabama (J.D., magna cum laude, 2002). Order of the Barristers. Hugo Black Scholar. Member: John A. Campbell Moot Court Board; National Moot Court Competition Team. Member, University of Alabama Law Review. Member: Birmingham Bar Association; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Civil Practice; Trial Practice; Medical Malpractice; Personal Injury.Email: Benjamin D. McAninch

Robin H. Jones (Partner) born Brewton, Alabama, September 23, 1976; admitted to bar, 2002, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern and Middle Districts of Alabama and U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: University of the South (B.A., 1998); Tulane University (J.D., 2002). Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Insurance Defense; Civil Trial Practice; Aviation Litigation; Consumer Litigation; Securities Litigation.Email: Robin H. Jones

SENIOR PARTNER

Randal H. Sellers (Senior Partner) born Memphis, Tennessee, November 16, 1955; admitted to bar, 1981, Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: Vanderbilt University (B.A., cum laude, 1978; J.D., 1981). Member, Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law, 1980-1981. Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; International Association of Defense Counsel; American Board of Trial Advocates; Defense Research Institute. Fellow: American College of Trial Lawyers; American Board of Trial Advocates. Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Medical Malpractice; Commercial Litigation; Long Term Care.Email: Randal H. Sellers

ASSOCIATES

Ashley E. Watkins (Associate) born Birmingham, Alabama, February 26, 1967; admitted to bar, 1992, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, 6th and 11th Circuits. Education: University of Virginia (B.A., 1988); University of Alabama (J. D., 1992). Senior Editor, Alabama Law Review, 1991-1992. Member, National Moot Court Team. Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice Defense.Email: Ashley E. Watkins

Marsha L. Semon (Staff Attorney) born Bogalusa, Louisiana, 1957; admitted to bar, 1991, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: Southeastern Louisiana University (B.S., magna cum laude, 1980); Louisiana State University (M.N., 1987); Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., summa cum laude, 1991). Phi Kappa Phi; Curia Honoris. Cordell Hull Legal Research and Writing Fellow. Recipient, American Jurisprudence Awards in: Torts I; Property I; Criminal Law; Constitutional Law; UCCI. Associate Editor, Cumberland Law Review. Registered Nurse: Louisiana, 1980-1987; Alabama 1988. Author, "Preserving Objections to Jurisdictional Flaws in Removal Cases: The Circuits Diverge," 21 Cumb. L. Rev. 663 (1991). Attorney, Office of the Solicitor, U.S. Department of Labor, 1991-2002. Member: Birmingham Bar Association; Alabama State Bar; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Long Term Care; Medical Malpractice Defense; Litigation; Health Care.Email: Marsha L. Semon

Kelley M. Tynes (Associate) born Birmingham, Alabama, October 18, 1973; admitted to bar, 2000, Alabama; U.S. District Court of Alabama, Northern and Middle Districts; 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. Education: University of the South (B.A., cum laude, 1996); University of Alabama Law School (J.D., magna cum laude, 2000). Editor Alabama Law Review. Member: Alabama State Bar. Practice Areas: Appellate Practice; Civil Appeals; Civil Practice; Federal Civil Practice; Constitutional Law; Health Care; Government Immunity; Local Government Defense; Insurance Defense; General Liability Defense; Civil Litigation; Defense Litigation; Complex Litigation; Premises Liability Defense.Email: Kelley M. Tynes

L. Ben Morris (Associate) born Alexander City, Alabama, January 22, 1974; admitted to bar, 2003, Alabama and U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (B.S., 1996; J.D., 2003). Phi Delta Phi; Farrah Law Society. Municipal Judge, City of Mountain Brook. Member, Alabama Trial Advocacy Team. Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice(80%, 50); Civil Trial Practice(20%); Insurance Defense; Personal Injury.Email: L. Ben Morris

W. Drake Blackmon (Associate) born Birmingham, Alabama, July 1, 1975; admitted to bar, 2001, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit. Education: University of Alabama (B.S., 1997; J.D., 2001). Phi Alpha Delta. Member: Alabama State Bar; American Bar Association; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Civil Practice; Construction Litigation; Insurance Defense; Banking Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Business Litigation.Email: W. Drake Blackmon

Bryan Hale (Associate) born Wharton, Texas, August 30, 1976; admitted to bar, 2005, Alabama; 2006, Mississippi; 2007, Texas. Education: University of Alabama (B.S., 1998); Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., cum laude, 2005). Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; The Mississippi Bar; State Bar of Texas. Practice Areas: Litigation; Alternative Dispute Resolution; Mediation; Arbitration; Class Action Defense; Banking Litigation; Consumer Finance; Fair Credit Reporting Act; Complex and Multi-District Litigation; Insurance Defense.Email: Bryan Hale

G. Matthew Keenan (Associate) born Fort Worth, Texas, April 7, 1971; admitted to bar, 2005, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Education: Texas Christian University (B.F.A., 1993); University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (J.D., 2005). Member, University of Alabama Law Review. Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Reported Cases: Phillips v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., 438 F. Supp. 2d 1328 (S.D. Ala. 2006); Matthews v. Brookstone Stores, Inc., 431 F. Supp. 2d 1219 (S.D. Ala. 2006). Practice Areas: Litigation; Civil Practice; Products Liability; Medical Malpractice Defense; Professional Malpractice.Email: G. Matthew Keenan

Tabor Novak, III (Associate) born Montgomery, Alabama, July 21, 1977; admitted to bar, 2005, Alabama. Education: Washington & Lee University (B.A., 2000); University of Alabama (J.D., 2005). Member: Birmingham Bar Association; Alabama State Bar; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Defense Research Institute. Practice Areas: Litigation; Commercial Liability.Email: Tabor Novak, III

Stephen Still, Jr. (Associate) born Birmingham, Alabama, July 7, 1978; admitted to bar, 2005, Alabama. Education: University of the South (B.A., 2001); University of Alabama (J.D., 2005). Member: Alabama State Bar. Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice Defense; Insurance Defense; Nursing Home Litigation.Email: Stephen Still, Jr.

H. Thomas Wells, III (Associate) born Birmingham, Alabama, March 18, 1979; admitted to bar, 2005, Alabama. Education: Wake Forest University (B.A., 2001); University of Alabama (J.D., 2005). Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Defense Research Institute; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association. Reported Cases: Chandler v. City of Vestavia Hills Planning and Zoning Commission, 2006 WL 2987934 (Ala. Civ. App. 2006). Practice Areas: Insurance; Municipal Law; Workers Compensation; Litigation.Email: H. Thomas Wells, III

Lindsey Tomlinson Druhan (Associate) born Birmingham, Alabama, January 11, 1981; admitted to bar, 2006, Alabama and U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama; 2007, Mississippi; 2008, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit and U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi. Education: Auburn University (B.S., summa cum laude, 2003); Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., 2005). Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations. Alabama State Bar; The Mississippi Bar; Defense Research Institute; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; National Association of Women Lawyers. Practice Areas: Professional Liability; Civil Practice; Appellate Practice; Civil Appeals; Civil Litigation; Banking Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Consumer Finance.Email: Lindsey Tomlinson Druhan

Hansel Eli Lightner, II (Associate) born Augusta, Georgia, September 5, 1979; admitted to bar, 2006, Alabama and U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: University of the South (B.A., 2001); University of Alabama School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2006). Member: Birmingham Bar Association; Alabama State Bar; Defense Research Institute; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Workers Compensation; Premises Liability; Municipal Defense.Email: Hansel Eli Lightner, II

J. Bennett White (Associate) born Birmingham, Alabama, May 14, 1979; admitted to bar, 2006, Alabama and U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: Hampden-Sydney College (B.A., with honors, magna cum laude, 2001); University of Alabama School of Law (J.D., 2006). Phi Beta Kappa. Senior Editor, Alabama Law Review. Member: Birmingham Bar Association; Alabama State Bar; Defense Research Institute; Volunteer Lawyers Program. Practice Areas: Litigation; Medical Malpractice Defense; Commercial Litigation; Civil Practice.Email: J. Bennett White

Scott D. Stevens (Associate) born Mobile, Alabama; admitted to bar, 2006, Alabama; 2007, Mississippi; 2008, Florida; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi. Education: University of South Alabama (B.A., Criminal Justice, magna cum laude, 2003); University of Alabama (J.D., cum laude, 2006). Member: John A. Campbell Moot Court Board; National Tax Moot Court Team. Member, Journal of the Legal Profession. Author, "A Comparative Look at Alabama's Stance of Ethical Issues Faced by Insurance Defense Lawyers," 30 J. Leg. Prof. 159, 2005-2006. Member: Mobile Bar Association; Alabama State Bar; The Mississippi Bar; The Florida Bar; Mobile County Young Lawyers Executive Committee. (Also at Mobile Office). Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Insurance Defense; Municipal Law; Maritime Law.Email: Scott D. Stevens

Todd H. Cox (Associate) born Atlanta, Georgia, 1977; admitted to bar, 2006, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: Georgia Institute of Technology (B.S., Management, 1999); Cumberland School of Law (J.D., 2006). Caruthers Fellow and Senior Justice, Cumberland Honor Court. Member: Alabama State Bar; American Bar Association. Reported Cases: Ex parte Smith Wrecker Service, Inc., 2007 WL 4464463 (Ala. 2007) (No. 1061696). Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Banking Litigation; Commercial Litigation.Email: Todd H. Cox

Michael T. Scivley (Associate) born Birmingham, Alabama, March 20, 1980; admitted to bar, 2006, Alabama. Education: Brown University (B.A., 2002); Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., 2006). Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar; Defense Research Institute; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Banking Litigation; Consumer Finance.Email: Michael T. Scivley

C. Clayton Bromberg, Jr. (Associate) born Jacksonville, Florida, March 7, 1982; admitted to bar, 2007, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (B.S., Business Administration and History, with distinction, 2004); University of Alabama (J.D., 2007). Member: Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar. Practice Areas: Business Litigation; Professional Liability.Email: C. Clayton Bromberg, Jr.

Allison J. Garton (Associate) born Austin, Texas, November 26, 1980; admitted to bar, 2007, Alabama; U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama. Education: Auburn University (B.A., Criminology and Psychology, 2002); The University of Denver (M.A., Forensic Psychology, 2004); Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., summa cum laude, 2007). Member: Birmingham Bar Association; Alabama State Bar. Practice Areas: Civil Practice; Labor and Employment; Medical Malpractice.Email: Allison J. Garton

Amber M. Whillock (Associate) admitted to bar, 2008, Alabama. Education: Troy State University (B.S., 2005); Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., summa cum laude, 2008). Member: Alabama State Bar. Practice Areas: Civil Litigation; Environmental Litigation.Email: Amber M. Whillock

Lucile A. Ray (Associate) admitted to bar, 2005, Alabama and Tennessee. Education: Vanderbilt University (B.S., cum laude, 2001); University of Alabama School of Law (J.D., 2005). Member: Alabama State Bar; American Bar Association. Practice Areas: Appellate Practice; Civil Appeals; Civil Litigation.Email: Lucile A. Ray