Top Lawyers 2016

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PROMOTION

Josh Wright

Protecting the Rights of Alabama Residents 2015-2016 ALAJ President

our Constitution stating that the right of trial by jury shall be preserved.

It is one of the most essential promises in America. Our Association pledges to continue our fight for the judicial system, as well as ensuring access to every courthouse throughout this state and nation,” Wright said.

Having earned his stripes as a young lawyer, Wright has not forgotten his roots. His early days practicing law served as a major motivator that will have him traveling throughout the state trumpeting major law, ethics and educational initiatives as ALAJ President. In his travels, Wright will come face to face with the future of the legal system in the State of Alabama by way of giving speeches, presentations and lobbying.

The timing of Wright’s presidency coincides with a funding crisis in courtrooms throughout the state. Courthouses face considerable financial pressure across Alabama as funding for judges and staff members has been slashed. But the financial fallout has stirred Wright to address the issue head on during his term.

Having earned his stripes as a young lawyer, Wright has not “We have been tasked with developing a forgotten his roots. His early days practicing law served as plan to deal with the significant court funding a major motivator for an initiative that will have him traveling throughout the state trumpeting major law, ethics and problems for fiscal years 2015 and 2016. educational initiatives.

So called ‘level funding’ allows us to keep firm and take care of his family while at the same time fulfilling his ALAJ the courthouses open and ensures that we can provide the justice our responsibilities is simply remarkable.” clients so deserve”, Wright said.

The history of the ALAJ dates back to 1953, when the late W.E. A growing practice, an active family life and a new role leading one Brobston of Bessemer served as the first President for his brainchild. of Alabama’s most prestigious legal organizations all add up to a busy Brobston dreamed of an organization that would push for a better 2016 for Wright. It’s a full slate that has Wright counting his blessings. civil justice system for injured people and the attorneys represent“Hollis Wright is blessed to have had two partners serve as the Presiing them. Thus, the Alabama Plaintiff Lawyers Association was born. dent of this great Association. I am honored to be one of them. My firm And although the name has changed a few times over the years, the has always respected the philosophy that lawyers are at their best, when mission of seeking and maintaining courtroom justice and fairness has they serve others. ALAJ gives lawyers that great service opportunity,” stayed the same. “The founding fathers adopted the 7th Amendment to Wright said. n June of 2015, Birmingham Attorney Josh Wright began a year long term serving as President of the Alabama Association of Justice (ALAJ), an organization rich in history and influence. For sixty years the ALAJ, formerly the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA), has been ensuring that anyone who’s been injured due to the actions of others can find justice in a courtroom in the State of Alabama. “Our mission as an association is to promote good lawyers and good laws,” Wright said.

While the role of President is new to Wright, he is well versed in the demands and responsibilities of the position having served as both President-elect and Vice President previously while also juggling his role as Managing Partner at Birmingham’s Hollis Wright law firm. Add to that a busy home life for this father of three and it’s clear that Wright is a man with a full plate. According to Carter Clay, one of his law partners, “Josh is one of the most committed, efficient and hardest working attorneys I know. His ability to represent injured victims, manage the

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PROMOTION

TOPFLIGHTATTORNEYS

NOTABLE VERDICTS & SETTLEMENTS: $26,000,000 Industrial Accident Case $22,714,000 Settlement in Defective Drug Cases $22,200,000 Settlement in Defective Drug Cases $20,000,000 Settlement in Defective Drug Cases $17,308,000 Commercial Arbitration Award $11,000,000 Class Action Settlement $7,150,000 Defective Medical Implant Cases $7,000,000 Defective Medical Implant Cases

$4,500,000 Injury and Death Settlement $3,766,000 Pool Drowning Verdict $3,500,000 Wrongful Death Verdict $3,000,000 Motorcycle Wreck Verdict $1,700,000 Wrongful Death Settlement $1,600,000 Defective Saw Verdict $1,450,000 Car Wreck Verdict $1,575,000 Truck Accident Settlement

Bo Bell, Carter Clay, Josh Wright, Drew McNutt, Tyler Vail & John Spade

FIRM EXPERIENCE: The attorneys of Hollis, Wright, Clay & Vail, PC bring great litigation experience to serve their client base.

Focused on representing individuals and business clients all over the country, the attorneys of Hollis, Wright, Clay & Vail, PC are strongly committed to providing legal services in the following fields: Catastrophic Personal Injury Truck & Auto Accidents Auto Defects & Designs County & City Government Claims Financial Fraud

Wrongful Death Alcohol Related Injuries Defective Products Commercial Business Disputes Bad Faith Insurance

Construction & Work Accidents Environmental Dumping Drug & Pharmacy Claims Medical Negligence Mass Tort & Class Actions

In the last fourteen years, the firm has represented over 25,000 clients in individual cases and multi-party claims. The firm takes on single-party cases and also represents small businesses and claims involving thousands of clients at one time (called mass tort actions). We believe in representing each client with compassion and attention, which is consistent with the firm’s motto: “Work hard every day to ‘level the playing field’ for personal injury victims, consumers, and businesses with a level of quality and service more commonly associated with the corporate community.”

CURRENT LITIGATION PROJECTS: In addition to representing clients in the above practice areas, the attorneys are currently representing hundreds of clients that were injured as a result of various pharmaceutical and medical devices or implants including, metal on metal hip implants, transvaginal mesh products, Actos, Mirena IUD, Pradaxa, Risperdal, Xarelto, Granuflo and inferior vena cava (IVC) filters.

HOLLIS, WRIGHT, CLAY & VAIL P.C 2201 Morris Avenue, Birmingham, AL 35203 (205) 324-3600 or toll free (844) LAW-TALK Watch on Sunday Nights

www.hollis-wright.com

(@hollis_wright)

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Winning Never Gets Old Celebrating more than a century of legal experience.

“We make a difference everyday and we have the team, experience and resources to finish well.”

Leon Ashford, Managing Partner

We are Proud to Receive the Birmingham Top Attorneys Award BIRMINGHAM

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FA Y ETTEVILLE

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LEXIN GTO N

Lawyers Helping People We keep it simple—we hire good people, and we work hard all of the time. We go the extra mile, we call people back, and we listen. We get it done, day in and day out—we work together, and we like to win.

From downtown to the suburbs—to the state house and the court room, we always provide our best. At the end of the day, “helping people is what we are all about.”

Lawyers Helping People—Since 1890

HelpingAlabama.com

(Pictured front row left to right: Leon Ashford, Don McKenna, back row: Hughston Nichols, James Pratt, Shay Samples, Matt Minner, Jamie Moncus, Mike Ermert, Scott Powell) 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. Leon Ashford Managing Partner.

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A survey of local attorneys, along with a list of highly rated attorneys compiled by Avvo, reveals the names you should know.

A good lawyer is a guide through the tricky parts of life, from real estate to business disputes to criminal acts to family upheavals, helping us wade through the weightiest of matters.

The lawyers noted in the following pages have been chosen because of their ability to guide clients to successful outcomes. Just what you want in a good attorney.

B-Metro’s

Top Lawyers

2016

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103

When your opponent is big, LEILA WATSON

Seven-Time Honoree, “Best Lawyers in America” Recognized as a Super Lawyer, Eight Consecutive Years Named among the Top 50 Alabama Attorneys

by Super Lawyers Inducted to Membership American Board of Trial Advocates

CONGRATULATIONS ON HER NEWEST ACHIEVEMENT:

PRESIDENT-ELECT, BIRMINGHAM BAR ASSOCIATION

Sometimes life hands you some pretty big surprises.

So when you need someone who can slay the giant,

You need Cory Watson.

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

it’s time to get bold.

CoryWatson.com CLASS ACTIONS AND MASS TORTS | PHARMACEUTICAL DRUG LITIGATION | CATASTROPHIC PERSONAL INJURY DEFECTIVE MEDICAL DEVICE LITIGATION | AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENTS | PRODUCTS LIABILITY | ENVIRONMENTAL LITIGATION EMPLOYMENT DISPUTES | SEXUAL ABUSE | SHAREHOLDER DISPUTES | WRONGFUL DEATH

205.328.2200

Delivering Justice is...

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.

FARRIS, RILEY & PITT ATTORNEYS AT LAW

LLP

www.DeliveringJustice.com

...focusing on the future.

TOP LAWYERS 2016

Phillip Abbott Abbott Law Firm, LLC

Taylor Bartlett Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC

H. Hampton Boles Balch & Bingham, LLP

Scott Abney Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Reed Bates Starnes Davis Florie, LLP

John Bolus Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Janell Ahnert Bressler Amery & Ross, PC

Robert Battle Battle & Winn, LLP

Jason Bonar Jason J. Bonar, Attorney at Law, PC

Ramona Albin US Attorney’s Office Northern District of Alabama

Alan Baty Frohsin & Barger, LLC

Emily Bonds Jones Walker LLP

Michael Beard Marsh Rickard & Bryan, PC

Jess Boone Friedman Dazzio Zulanas & Bowling, PC

Lois Beasley-Carlisle Carlisle & Carlisle, PC

Lisa Borden Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

Mitchell Allen Allen & Shamblin, LLC Russell Allison Carr Allison Labella Alvis Christian & Small, LLP

Elizabeth Beaube Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Paige Boshell Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP

William Andrews Marsh Rickard & Bryan, PC

Jennifer Bedsole Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

Leon Ashford Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP

Keith Belt Belt Law Firm, PC

Bradford Botes Bond, Botes, Reese, & Shinn, PC

David Ashford Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP

Alicia Bennett Boardman Carr Hutcheson & Bennett, PC

Melanie Bradford Bradford & Holliman, LLC

Melanie Atha Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal, LLP

Lee Benton Benton & Centeno, LLP

Mike Atchison Burr & Forman, LLP

Christopher Berdy Butler Snow LLP

Lisa Atkins Ogletree Deakins, PC

Julia Bernstein Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Walker Badham Badham & Buck, LLC

William Biddle The Biddle Law Firm, PC

Stephen Bailey Bailey Law Firm

Gordon Blair Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart

Lee Bains Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Sela Blanton Bainbridge, Mims, Rogers & Smith, LLP

Tammy Baker Jackson Lewis, LLP

Francois Blaudeau Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC

Tammy Baker Jackson Lewis, LLP

Brett Bloomston Bloomston & Basgier

Drew Barnett Belt & Bruner, PC

Natalie Bolling Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

Brian Bostick Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart

William Bradford Bradford Ladner, LLP Jeffrey Bramer The Law Offices of Jeffrey D. Bramer Michael Brandt Wallace Jordan Ratliff & Brandt, LLC Bonnie Branum Protective Life Toni Braxton Braxton Legal Services, LLC Thomas Brinkley Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC Gregory Brockwell Leitman Siegal & Payne, PC Steven Brom Bachus Brom & Taylor, LLC William Bross Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC David Brown Marsh Rickard & Bryan, PC

PROMOTION

TOPFLIGHT ATTORNEYS

Pictured left to Right: Derek Drennan, Jessica Kirk Drennan, Jessie Keating Hardy, Sarah Phillips LaDu and Megan Elder

FAMILY LAW GROUP •Divorce •Custody •Pre · Post nuptial agreements •Paternity •Appeals

PROBATE GROUP

KIRK DRENNAN LAW (205) 803-3500

kirkdrennanlaw.com

•Wills •Estates •Trusts •Adoptions •Guardianships

CRIMINAL LAW GROUP •White Collar Crimes •Death Penalty Offenses •Felonies •Misdemeanors •Appeals No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

TOP LAWYERS 2016

Lanier Brown Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart, LLP Scott Brown Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC William Brown WhatleyKallas, LLP Katherine Brown White Arnold & Dowd PC Whitney Brown Lehr Middlebrooks & Vreeland, PC Katherine Brown White Arnold & Dowd PC Charles Browning Maynard, Cooper & Gale, PC Robert Bruner Belt Law Firm William Bryant Dominick Feld Hyde, PC Brannon Buck Badham & Buck, LLC Jennifer Burford Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart

Alva Caine Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP

Jerome Compton Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP

Angela Cameron Burr & Forman, LLP

Matthew Conn Friedman Dazzio Zulanas & Bowling, PC

Andy Campbell Campbell, Guin

Norman Cooper Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Thomas Campbell Campbell Law

Ernest Cory Cory Watson Attorneys

John Caraway Campbell and Campbell, LPC

Roy Crawford Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal, LLP

Craig Cargile Cargile & Hodnett, LLC Richard Carmody Adams & Reese, LLP John Carrigan Ogletree Deakins, PC Henry Cassady Cassady & Cassady, PC Elizabeth Chambers Cory Watson Attorneys Rhonda Chambers Taylor & Taylor

Carl Burkhalter Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Lee Clanton Porterfield, Harper, Mills, Motlow, & Ireland

Francis Burnett Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal, LLP

Thomas Clark Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Robin Burrell Najjar Denaburg, PC Richard Burton Burton & Associates, LLC

William Clark Redden, Mills, Shaw & Clark, LLP Kori Clement Hare & Clement, PC

James Bussian Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Patricia Clotfelter Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

Thomas Butler Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Glenda Cochran Glenda Cochran Associates Attorneys at Law

Bradley Byrne Beckum Kittle, LLP Tanita Cain The Cain Law Firm

Bryan Coleman Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC John Collins Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Kathryn Crawford Crew Gentle Law, PC Judith Crittenden Crittenden Partners, PC Michelle Crunk Dodson Gregory, LLP Russell Cunningham Red Mountain Law Group Gregory Curran Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC David Cybak Over the Mountain Law Center, LLC Christopher Daniel Sheffield & Lentine, PC Charles Daniels Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal, LLP Patrick Darby Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP Brent Davis Brent W. Davis & Associates, LLC Kathy Davis Carr Allison Thomas Davis Jackson Lewis, LLP Eric Davis Parkman & White, LLC Thomas Davis Peeples & Davis, Family Law

PROMOTION

TOPFLIGHT ATTORNEYS Nolan Byers, PC was founded in 2013 by Frances Ross Nolan and Leigh Reynolds Byers, to provide clients with access to all the options available today for resolving family law disputes. Recognizing that most clients are unfamiliar with the legal system and that every legal dispute creates enormous stress, our focus is on understanding each client’s concerns, educating them about their rights and choices and working with them to achieve their goals. We provide clients throughout Central Alabama with

exceptional legal services in all aspects of family law, including: jurisdictional divorce issues, marital property characterization, asset valuation and division, spousal and child support, child custody, paternity matters, and prenuptial, postnuptial, and marital settlement agreements. As sophisticated problem-solvers, we are also qualified to offer clients a cutting-edge alternative to the conventional legal dispute resolution process known as Collaborative Divorce.

205.314.0638

nolanbyers.com

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.

PROMOTION

Roger Fuston, Renee Holsomback, Tanya Dillon, Sam Ford, Jennifer Willis, Trish Schollian, Mike Petway, Courtney French. Image taken on rooftop of Redmont Hotel.

REPRESENTING CLIENTS ACROSS ALABAMA AND THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHEAST Wrongful Death · Motor Vehicle Accidents · Trucking Collisions · Products Liability Business Litigation · Workers’ Compensation · Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect

PROMOTION

TOPFLIGHTATTORNEYS

SERVING CLIENTS WITH SKILL AND COMPASSION Fuston, Petway & French was founded on the principles of experience, integrity, and commitment. Our legal team works tirelessly to ensure our clients receive the compensation they deserve while being treated with respect and care. We are dedicated to serving the individual needs of our clients.

EXPERIENCE Fuston, Petway & French attorneys have been recognized among The Top Trial Lawyers in America, Alabama Super Lawyers, The Top Attorneys in Alabama and Top 40 Lawyers Under 40. The attorneys are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, an exclusive group of attorneys across the county who have received numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of their clients.

INTEGRITY Fuston Petway & French attorneys treat clients the way they would want their families to be treated under the same circumstances. They give their clients the respect, hard work, and attention they deserve, while personally assisting them every step of the way during their time of need.

COMMITMENT Fuston, Petway & French attorneys are committed advocates for their clients. Their passion in practicing law comes from serving as devoted advocates for individuals from all walks of life during their time of crisis. They are committed to our community and actively participate in numerous civic and non-profit organizations.

The Luckie Building • 600 Luckie Drive, Suite 300 Birmingham, AL 35223 (205) 977-9798

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

TOP LAWYERS Stacey Davis The Law Firm of Stacey A. Davis Thad Davis The Law Offices of Davis & Davis, LLC Kathy Davis Carr Allison Tracy Davis Hand Arendall, LLC Diandra Debrosse Zarzaur, Mujumdar and Debrosse Trial Lawyers

2016

Christie Dowling Lyman Dowling Law Helen Downs Butler Snow G. Drake Drake Law Firm Jessica Drennan Kirk.Drennan, PC Mark Drew Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Christopher Deering Ogletree Deakins, PC

Carter Dukes Scott, Dukes & Geisler, PC

Douglas Dellaccio Cory Watson Attorneys

John Dulin Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Lauren Demoss Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

David Dunkle Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal, LLP

Gregory Denny Powell & Denny Joel DiLorenzo The DiLorenzo Law Firm, LLC H. Dodd The Dodd Law Firm Judith Dolan Waldrep Stewart & Kendrick, LLC William Donovan Donovanfingar, LLC Richard Dorman Badham & Buck, LLC Luther Dorr Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC Susan Doughton Dominick Feld Hyde, PC Gayle Douglas Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC Michael Douglas Leak & Douglas, PC Gayle Douglas Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC Augusta Dowd White Arnold & Dowd, PC 114

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Adrian Dunning A. B. Dunning, LLC Audrey Dupont Bressler, Amery & Ross, PC Anne Durward Massey Stotser & Nichols, PC Thomas Dutton Pittman Dutton & Hellums, PC Victoria Dye Fischer & Associates, LLC Nancy Eady Morris Haynes Hornsby Wheeles & Knowles, LLP John Earnhardt Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC Robert Eckinger Adams and Reese, LLP Mark Ekonen Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC Megan Elder Elder Law Firm, LLC Kathryn Eldridge Maynard Cooper & Gale PC

Robert Elliott Vulcan Legal Group, LLC Michael Ermert Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP Glenn Estess Wallace Jordan Ratliff & Brandt, LLC Rebecca Eubanks Bainbridge, Mims, Rogers & Smith, LLP G. Daniel Danny Evans The Evans Law Firm, PC Dawn Evans Guin, Stokes & Evans, LLC Steven Eversole Eversole Law, LLC Heather Fann Boyd Fernambucq & Dunn, PC Kirby Farris Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP Joseph Fawal Fawal & Spina Louis Feld Dominick Feld Hyde, PC Joshua Firth Couch & Firth, LLC Linda Flippo White Arnold & Dowd, PC Kira Fonteneau The Jefferson County Public Defender’s Office Sara Ford Lightfoot Franklin & White, LLC Charlene Ford Whatley Kallas, LLP Leigh Forstman Pittman Dutton & Hellums Robert Fowlkes Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC Sam Franklin Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLP Sydney Frazier Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas &

TOP LAWYERS 2016

O’Neal LLP Brandi Frederick The Frederick Firm G. Courtney French Fuston, Petway & French, LLP Karl Friedman Sirote & Permutt

Jeffrey Friedman Friedman Dazzio Zulanas & Bowling, PC Peter Fruin Maynard, Cooper & Gale, PC Frank Galloway Galloway Scott Moss & Hancock, LLC Robert Gardner Red Mountain Law Group Nedra Garrett McClinton Garrett & Associates, LLC William Garrison Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC Honora Gathings Gathings Law Lloyd W. Gathings Gathings Law

Richard Greer The Greer Law Firm, PC W Walter Gresham Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC James Griffin James B. Griffin, LLC David Guin Guin Stokes & Evans, LLC William Hancock Galloway Scott Moss & Hancock, LLC Jennifer Hanson Bainbridge Mims Rogers & Smith, LLP Francis Hare Belt & Bruner, PC Larry Harper Porterfield, Harper, Mills, Motlow, & Ireland

Deborah Hembree Balch & Bingham, LLP Erik Heninger Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC Stephen Heninger Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC Karen Hennecy White Arnold & Dowd, PC Mark Hogewood Wallace Jordan Ratliff & Brandt, LLC Daisy Holder Daisy M. Holder Attorney at Law Brett Hollett Peagler & Hollett, LLC Caroline Hollingsworth Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC

Kathryn Harrington Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC

Christopher Hood Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC

Josh Harrison The Kullman Firm

Harry Hopkins Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart

Anna Hart Beckum Kittle, LLP

Ernest Hornsby Morris Haynes Hornsby Wheeles & Knowles, LLP

Jonathan Geisen Baker Donelson

Carrie Hartfield Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

Kathryn Gentle Crew Gentle Law, PC

Michael Harwell The Harwell Law Firm, LLC

Ann Huckstep Adams and Reese, LLP

Laura Gibson White Arnold & Dowd, PC

Alicia Haynes Haynes & Haynes

Stephanie Hunter Hunter Law Firm, PC

William Goodwin Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC

Kenneth Haynes Haynes & Haynes

Elizabeth Hutchins Sirote & Permutt PC

Lisha Graham White Arnold & Dowd, PC

Randy Haynes Morris, Haynes, Wheeles, Knowles & Nelson

Brett Ialacci Badham & Buck, LLC

Jonathan Green Green Law, LLC Bradley Green King & Green, LLC Paula Greenway Greenway Bankruptcy Law, LLC

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Greg Hawley Jones & Hawley, PC Amy Hazelton Southern Company Services, Inc. Deborah Hembree Constangy Brooks Smith & Prophete, LLP

Brad Howell Meadows & Howell, LLC

Jeffrey Ingram Law Offices of Galese & Ingram, PC Joel Isenberg Ely Isenberg Llc Michael Jackson Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, LLC

TOPFLIGHTATTORNEYS PEEPLES & DAVIS MATRIMONIAL & FAMILY LAW Candi Peeples & Tommy Davis formed PEEPLES & DAVIS as a boutique-styled practice, limited to Matrimonial and Family Law, because helping families with these difficult issues is what they love. “We could be practicing other types of law, but we do this because we love it.

With us, it’s not a slogan, it’s just the truth.” It is a core belief within the firm that every case has the potential to settle out of court: “We make it a priority to exhaust all reasonable options for settlement of a client’s case, but stand ready for trial when that is what is best for our clients.”

Candi and Tommy consistently receive high praise from their clients for their commitment to Matrimonial and Family Law and are proud to be of service to their community. Candi is a graduate of The University of Georgia and the Cumberland School of Law. She is a certified do-

mestic and appellate mediator, has been named on the Birmingham Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” list, is a fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and a Certified Family Law Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Candi is married to Lloyd Peeples and lives in Vestavia with their two children, Lily and Chandler. Tommy is a graduate of Auburn University and the Cumberland School of Law. He has been certified as a Collaborative Law Professional and has received advanced certification in Domestic Relations trial practice by the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. He has also received numerous peer-reviewed awards for excellence in client relations and family law practice, as well as being selected as a “Top Attorney” in the area of Family and Matrimonial Law. He lives in Birmingham with J.R. and Sue Ellen, his two cocker spaniels.

PEEPLES & DAVIS MATRIMONIAL & FAMILY LAW The Historic A.B. Loveman Home • 2956 Rhodes Circle South Birmingham, Alabama 35205 • 205.403.5577

www.peeplesdavis.com No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Continuing to build upon a rich history dating back to 1943, we would like to congratulate all of the attorneys from our firm that have been recognized in this issue.

We at Dominick Feld Hyde attribute our successes to our “client first” philosophy.

Our focus on providing the utmost quality legal service to our clients has been the driving force of our practice. We are proud to offer 5 major practice areas for our clients: estates, healthcare, business, family law and tax. Within these areas, our 23 attorneys have a depth and breadth of experience that allows them to provide the solutions our clients need, and with 12 of our lawyers having advance degrees in tax, we can offer our knowledge in the most complex of matters for our clients.

So, the next time you are in need of legal service, give us a call. Our attorneys have the expertise, desire, and experience to provide you the legal guidance you need.

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

www.dfhlaw.com • 205.536.8888 • 1130 22nd Street South, Suite 4000 • Birmingham, Alabama 35205 B-METRO.COM

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TOP LAWYERS Richard Jaffe Jaffe, Hanle, Whisonant & Knight, PC

Brice Johnston Johnston Law Firm, PC

2016

Keith Johnston Southern Environmental Law Abbott Jones U.S. District Northern Alabama Doug jones Jones & Hawley, PC Albert Jordan Wallace Jordan Ratliff & Brandt, LLC Elizabeth Kanter Carr Allison Thomas Kendrick Norman, Wood, Kendrick & Turner Denise Killebrew Baker, Donelson Annette Kinderman Cabaniss Johnston Gardner Dumas & O’Neal Lawrence King King Simmons, PC Rachel King Vella & King Donald Kirkpatrick Carr Allison Leslie Klasing Waldrep Stewart & Kendrick, LLC Kaitlin Kober The Rose Law Firm, LLC

Heather Leonard Heather Leonard, PC

Hobart McWhorter Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP

Jon Lewis Lewis, Feldman, Lehane & Snable, LLC

AshLeigh Meyer Magic City Law

Larry Logsdon Wallace, Jordan, Ratliff & Brandt, LLC

Jessica Meyer Meyer, Anderson, & DeLuca, LLC

Catherine Long Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

Tracy Miller Hand Arendall, LLC

Jeremy Love The Love Law Firm, LLC Jonathan Macklem Christian & Small

William Mills Porterfield, Harper, Mills, Motlow, & Ireland

Trey Malbrough The Malbrough Firm, LLC

Matthew Minner Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP

Barry Marks Marks & Associates, PC

Anne Mitchell Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

David Marsh Marsh Rickard & Bryan, PC Diane Maughan Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal, LLP

Chelsey Mitchell Edgerly Vernis & Bowling of Birmingham, LLC James Moncus Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP

Joseph B. Mays Jr. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP

John Morrow Burr & Forman, LLP

John McBrayer John A. McBrayer Attorney at Law Inc.

Anne Moses Moses & Moses, PC

Angie McEwen Butler Snow

Larry Morris Morris, Haynes, Wheeles, Knowles & Nelson

Crawford McGivaren Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal, LLP

Peyton Lacy Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart

Candis McGowan Wiggins Childs Quinn & Pantazis, LLC

Amber Ladner Bradford Ladner, LLP

Jodi McKelvin Shelby Roden, LLC

John Lentine Sheffield & Lentine, PC

Donald McKenna Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP

Jeffrey Leonard Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC

Douglas McWhorter Dominick Feld Hyde, PC

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Derrick Mills Marsh Rickard & Bryan, PC

Yvonne Maddalena Jackson Lewis, LLP

Sammye Kok Dominick Feld Hyde, PC

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Shannon Miller Jackson Lewis, LLP

William Motlow Porterfield, Harper, Mills, Motlow, & Ireland Katharine Musso Jones Walker, LLP John Neese Dominick Feld Hyde, PC Kevin Newsome Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP

PROMOTION

TOPFLIGHT ATTORNEYS

Gathings Law is proud of the confidence placed in us by our clients. We will continue to honor this confidence by providing the best legal services available at reasonable rates for our clients.

GATHINGS LAW Gathings Law has a long history of serving all types of clients across the state of Alabama. Our services range from assisting businesses dealing with complex litigation, to assisting communities harmed by pollution, to helping parents keep custody of their children. We fight for our clients using experience, hard work, resources, and compassion.

2204 Lakeshore Dr #406, Birmingham, AL 35209 (205) 322-1201

www.GathingsLaw.com

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

TOP LAWYERS 2016

Alexander Newton Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP

Giles Perkins Adams and Reese, LLP

Harlan I. Prater IV Lightfoot, Franklin & White, LLP

Steven Nichols Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP

Richard Perry The Perry Law Firm, LLC

James Pratt Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP

Craig Niedenthal Alexander Shunnarah Personal Injury Attorneys

WilliamPfeifer William L. Pfeifer, Jr.

Honza Prchal Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC

Frances Nolan Nolan Byers, PC

Matthew Phillips Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart, PC

Rebecca Pritchett Pritchett Environmental & Property Law, LLC

Bernard Nomberg The Nomberg Law Firm

Wesley Phillips Phillips Law Group, LLC

Frances Quarles Quarles Law Firm, LLC

David Nomberg The Nomberg Law Firm

Sean Pierce Gilpin Givhan, PC

Barry Ragsdale Sirote & Permutt

David Norris Norris Injury Lawyers, PC

Charles Pitt Farris Riley & Pitt, LLP

Lynne O’Neal Leitman Siegal & Payne, PC

Walter Pittman Pittman Dutton & Hellums, PC

James Ransom Law Offices of Candice Shockley, Attorneys at Law, LLC

Thomas Oliver Carr Allison

Adam Plant Battle & Winn, LLP

Shane Oncale The Oncale Firm

Whitney Polson Polson & Polson PC

Patricia Palmer Gilpin Givhan, PC

Marcus Polson Polson & Polson, PC

James Parkman Parkman White, LLP

Denise Pomeroy Dominick Feld Hyde, PC

Suzanne Paulson Leitman Siegal & Payne, PC

Joseph Ponder Montgomery Ponder, LLC

Linda Peacock Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

Jack Porterfield Porterfield, Harper, Mills, Motlow, & Ireland

Zachary Peagler Peagler & Hollett, LLC

Scott Powell Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP

Julie Pearce Gaines Gault Hendrix, PC

Charles Powell Littler Mendelson, PC

Candace Peeples Candace B Peeples Family Law

Thomas Powell Marsh Rickard & Bryan, PC

Ashley Peinhardt Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP

William Powell Powell & Denny

James Pennington Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart

Jessica Powers King Simmons, PC

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Wendy Reese Law Offices of Wendy A. Reese, LLC Katherine Reeves Ogletree Deakins, PC Sally Reilly Wallace Jordan Ratliff & Brandt, LLC Sandra Reiss The Reiss Firm, LLC Victor Revill The Revill Law Firm Lynn Reynolds Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC Lea Richmond Carr Allison Jeffrey Rickard Marsh Rickard & Bryan, PC Kenneth Riley Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP Elizabeth Ritter Ritter Law Firm John Robbins John C. Robbins, Attorney at Law Scott Roberts Burgess Roberts, LLC

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TOPFLIGHTATTORNEYS CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 16

TOP ATTORNEYS Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC is one of the nation ’ s leading pure trial firms. We have stood before the bench countless times and enjoy the quiet confidence that comes from that experience. But, our reason for being is not simply to provide the most excellent possible representation. That is the price of entry. We are here to serve our clients, using our talents and experience to restore balance to their lives. And while that distinction may seem subtle – it makes all the difference in who we are.

Pictured (L to R): Taylor Bartlett, Jeanie Sleadd, Lee Gresham, Gayle Douglas, Callen Sparrow, Brandy Robertson and Honza Prchal

2224 1st Avenue North • Birmingham, Alabama 35203 • 205 - 326 - 3336

www.hgdlawfirm.com No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

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PROMOTION

The Life of a Lawyer By: Benjamin Hayes, freelance journalist

Recently I had the pleasure of spending some time with “top flight attorney” and certified family law specialist Jennifer Rose of The Rose Law Firm. What follows are excerpts of our conversation about what makes a top lawyer tick and how lawyers really are vs. how the media portrays them.

Q: What got you into law?

Jennifer: It’s funny but law wasn’t actually my initial choice for a profession. Even though I grew up with a lawyer for a father I always had it in my mind that I was going to be an archeologist or a teacher. As fate would have it though I did a lot of work with my dad before I ever went to college and the law bug got me. I found out really quickly that standing up and fighting for others was something I love and really what I was born to do; as a bonus I still get to dig, though usually it’s through discovery documents these days. Ha. Q: So what do you like most about the job?

Jennifer: I like being able to stand up for someone else and fight for them when they can’t do that for themselves, which is especially applicable in my field, family law. I like to know that when there is someone that needs protecting that I can be that protector, a calm in his or her storm. I’ve been that way since I was a child; I think it started because I have three younger sisters I was always looking out for. I did more than my share of beating up their bullies. Ha Ha Now I’m protecting my clients from being bullied, it’s actually fun for me.

Q: What is the best legal advice YOU have personally ever been given?

Jennifer: My father once told me that all great attorneys have a few butterflies when they first walk into court, no matter how long they have practiced. He explained that if you ever quit having those butterflies your body is telling you that you’ve become too jaded to care about what happens to your client and it’s time to hang it up. That advice really helped me when I was the new kid on the block because as lawyers we are taught to be tough and it really felt like a weakness at first. What I realized was that those tiny butterflies spurred me to do my best work,

to fight, to advocate, to always be the most prepared person in the room.

Q:Tell me something you don’t like about your job.

Jennifer: Although it doesn’t happen often, I hate when I have to give bad news to a client, especially if I feel the judgment wasn’t fair. Sometimes even when you know you’ve done a great job, the judge just doesn’t want to see it your client’s way and that is frustrating to no end. But like I said, I’m pretty much always the most prepared person in the room and I usually feel if a case CAN be won I will. Thankfully that means I don’t have to deliver that kind of news too often.

Q. What is the difference between a lawyer in the movies and a real life lawyer? ?

Jennifer: Showbiz always makes the legal system seem like a glamorous circus. Movie lawyers are always out on the town partying, hooking up, and driving Ferraris while real life lawyers are up all night prepping for cases and sending emails back and forth to opposing counsel, it’s actual hard work, not a party lifestyle. Even worse than the depiction of lawyers is the movie courtroom, it’s an anything goes kind of place. Want to set up a pitcher’s mound to prove your point? They’ll allow it. Show up drunk and admit yourself as evidence? Allowed. Bring an actual elephant into the room? No problem! I think most TV lawyers would get disbarred in a second in real life, so they usually make me laugh at the absurdity of the situations. That doesn’t mean we real lawyers can’t put some serious pressure to the opposing side in court, but if clients are expecting them to burst out with “OK, I cheated on her! But she deserved it!” during testimony they are probably going to be disappointed.

PROMOTION

Q: So do you have a favorite movie lawyer?

Jennifer: Yes, actually. Atticus Finch from “To Kill a Mockingbird”, not this new book he’s in though.

I feel like that actually was a much more accurate portrayal of a lawyer’s life and to some degree how the courtroom operates than most movies. I really liked that he was standing up for the right thing even though it wasn’t the popular thing. He even stood guard over his client’s prison so he wouldn’t get lynched the night before court, now that’s an advocate!

For those interested in contacting Jennifer or The Rose Law Firm, her firm may be reached 24-7 at 205-323-1124. Her practice is located in Birmingham’s Southside in The historic Rose Building.

Q: Last question, what advice would you give someone reading this article going through a tough legal issue?

Jennifer: Keep your head up and realize that it’s always the darkest before the dawn; this isn’t your final chapter, just a few pages in your book. I’ve had clients who told me they felt like their lives were over; they were broken. Now many of those same clients have moved on to bigger and better things, happier lives. All they needed was somebody to help them pick up the pieces and put them back together; I’m really honored when that somebody is me.

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

TOP LAWYERS Brandy Robertson Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC

2016

Brandon Robinson Balch & Bingham, LLP Jeremiah Rogers Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart Bruce F. Rogers Bainbridge, Mims, Rogers & Smith, LLP Jennifer Rose The Rose Law Firm, LLC Brett Ross Carr Allison Stephen Rowe Adams & Reese, LLP Freddy Rubio Rubio Law Firm, PC Andrew Salser Lloyd & Hogan, PC Mary Salser Johnston Barton Proctor & Rose, LLP Stephen Samples Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP Joseph Schreiber Burke Harvey, LLC Shane Sears The Sears Firm, PC Michael Shabani Shabani & Associates, PC Jason Shamblin Allen & Shamblin, LLC Dawn Sharff Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP Jackson Sharman Lightfoot, Franklin & White, LLC

Alexander Shunnarah Alexander Shunnarah Personal Injury Attorneys Don Siegel Leitman Siegel & Payne, PC Susan Silvernail Marsh Rickard & Bryan, PC Lindsey Simmons King Simmons, PC Derek Simms Simms & Associates Kenneth Simon Judicial Arbiter Group, Inc.

Jay St. Clair Littler Mendelson, PC William Stewart Wallace Jordan Ratliff & Brandt, LLC Matthew Stiles Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC Dale Stone Dominick Feld Hyde, PC Christie Strange Porterfield, Harper, Mills, Motlow, & Ireland

Andrew Sinor Hand Arendall, LLC

Stephen Strickland The Law Office of Stephen Strickland

Jeanie Sleadd Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC

Sharon Stuart Christian & Small, LLP

Ralph Smith Jones Walker, LLP

J. Stuckenschneider Law Offices of Ted Stuckenschneider, PC

Thomas Smith Lloyd & Hogan, PC Carol Smith Smith & Pace, PC Deborah Smith Christian & Small, LLP Carol Smith Smith & Pace, PC Tammy Smith Taylor & Taylor Jennifer Smith Wiggins Childs Pantazis Fisher & Goldfarb, LLC Richard Smyly Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal, LLP

Stephen Shaw Redden, Mills, Shaw & Clark, LLP

Marc Solomon Burr & Forman, LLP

John Sheffield Natter & Fulmer, PC

James Sparrow Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC

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Tommy Spina Criminal Defense Attorney

Lisa Singer Smith & Pace, PC

Charles Sharp Friedman Dazzio Zulanas & Bowling, PC

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Joseph Spransy Jaffe & Drennan, PC

Kristin Sullivan Massey, Stotser & Nichols Jennifer Swain Littler Mendelson, PC John Swiney Swiney & Bellenger, LLC John Tally Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell Frank Tapley Cory Watson Attorneys Everette Taylor Tedford Taylor, Attorney at Law, LLC Leah Taylor Taylor & Taylor Richard Theibert Najjar Denanburg Michael Thompson Lehr Middlebrooks & Vreeland, PC

CHARLES C. HAND

CHARLES B. ARENDALL, JR.

CHARLES C. HAND & CHARLES B. ARENDALL, JR.

Years OF CLIENT SERVICE

Each year we strive to provide exceptional service in all areas of civil practice. We value the communities where we practice. And through our work with clients and friends, we have been able to help build better economies, better communities, and better lives.

With offices in Athens, Birmingham, Fairhope, and Mobile, our firm is uniquely situated to provide legal direction to clients in Alabama and throughout the Southeast.

That’s an opportunity we’re thankful for every day.

Learn more: HANDARENDALL.COM We congratulate our colleagues Drew Sinor, Tracy Davis, and Tracy Miller on being included as Birmingham’s Best Lawyers.

ATHENS | BIRMINGHAM | FAIRHOPE | MOBILE © 2016 Hand Arendall. No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. Contact: Roger L. Bates, Esq., 2001 Park Place North, Suite 1200, Birmingham, AL 35203.

TOP LAWYERS Mary Thompson Waldrep Stewart & Kendrick, LLC Emily Tidmore Spotswood Sansom & Sansbury, LLC Jay Tidwell Tidwell Law Group, LLC Temple Trueblood Wiggins Childs Quinn & Pantazis, LLC Tommy Tucker Hall & Tucker Joseph Tucker Jackson and Tucker, PC Sara Turner Baker Donelson

2016

Leila Watson Cory Watson Attorneys John Watts Alabama Consumer Dennis Weaver Weaver Tidmore, LLC Stephanie Weems Massey Stotser & Nichols, PC Martin Weinberg Martin Weinberg Attorney at Law Leonard Wertheimer Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal, LLP

Harlan Winn Battle & Winn, LLP James Wright Environmental Litigation Group Josh Wright Hollis, Wright, Clay, & Vail, PC Gregory Yaghmai Rutledge & Yaghmai Attorneys at Law George Yearout Law Office of G. Thomas Yearout Jason Yearout Yearout & Traylor, PC Patrick Yeatts The Yeatts Law Firm, LLC

Kile Turner Norman Wood Kendrick & Turner

Herbert West Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal, LLP

Michael Vercher Christian & Small

Kimberly West Wallace Jordan Ratliff & Brandt, LLC

Gregory Zarzaur Zarzaur Mujumdar & Debrosse

Brian Vines Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, LLP

James Wettermark Wettermark & Keith LLC

Christopher Zulanas Friedman Dazzio Zulanas & Bowling, PC

Susan Wagner Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

Amber Whillock Starnes Davis Florie, LLP

Elizabeth Zwiebel The Zwiebel Law Firm, LLC

J. Mark White White Arnold & Dowd

Melisa Zwilling Carr Allison

Charlie Waldrep Waldrep Stewart & Kendrick, LLC Marion Walker Fisher & Phillips, LLP Summer Walker Summer G Walker, PC Stephen Walsh Adams and Reese, LLP Jeannie Walston Starnes Davis Florie, LLP David Ware Ware Immigration David Warren Ogletree Deakins, PC Laura Washburn Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP Michael Waters Jones Walker LLP 126

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William White Parkman White, LLP Brian Williams Dominick Feld Hyde, PC Christopher Williams Maynard Cooper & Gale, PC James S. Williams Sirote & Permutt, PC Mark Williams Norman Wood Kendrick & Turner Amanda Williamson Heninger Garrison Davis, LLC Thomas Willingham Law Offices of Thomas P. Willingham, PC Edward Willis Cloud & Willis, LLC

Anne Yuengert Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP

AVVO Rating The Avvo Rating is an effort to evaluate a lawyer’s background based on the information available in an attorney’s Avvo profile. The rating is created using a model that considers information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to information collected from public sources like state bar associations and lawyer websites. Any information that affects the Avvo Rating is visible in an attorney’s profile.

•There is no bias. The rating is calculated using a mathematical model, and all lawyers are evaluated on the same set of standards.

•The Avvo Rating cannot be bought. At Avvo, all lawyers are treated equally.

•It was developed by legal professionals and people looking for legal services. The model used to calculate the rating was developed with input from hundreds of attorneys, thousands of consumers, and many other legal professionals who deeply understand the work attorneys do.

The Avvo Rating reflects the type of information people have identified as important when looking to hire an attorney.

PROMOTION

TOPFLIGHT ATTORNEYS

SERVING CLIENTS WITH SKILL AND COMPASSION NOTABLE VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS $240,000,000 Gun Defect Case $58,200,000 Product Defect Case $15,400,000 Business Fraud Case $11,500,000 Tire Tread Separation Case $10,000,000 Personal Injury Case $8,000,000 Wrongful Death Case MHH represents clients in cases involving trucking accidents, car wrecks, wrongful death, product defect, medical malpractice and insurance fraud. We also represent individuals with Legionnaire’s Disease and victims of wrongful gun discharge. Please visit our Legionnaires website at www.legionnaireattorney.com and our firm website at www.mhhlaw.net for more information.

Morris, Haynes, Wheeles, Knowles & Nelson Attorneys at Law 3500 Colonnade Parkway, Suite 100 • Birmingham, Alabama 35243 • 205 - 324-4008 131 Main Street • Alexander City, Alabama 35010 • 256 - 329 - 2000

www.mhhlaw.net www.legionnaireattorney.com No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

LawyerConnect

LawyerConnect is a public service operated by the Birmingham Bar Association to connect those in need of legal services with attorneys who may be able to help. Please note that LawyerConnect is not a free, or pro bono service. Participating attorneys charge fees for their services. LawyerConnect maintains a list of up to 150 prescreened and experienced lawyers, and connects potential clients to attorneys with experience in all areas of the law, including: Domestic Relations: divorce, custody, support & other family law matters; Personal Injury: auto accidents, products liability, wrongful death, negligence & malpractice; Estate and Probate matters: will drafting, trusts, adoptions, etc.; Real Estate: buying or selling real estate, foreclosure defense & landlord-tenant issues; Employment Law: wrongful termination, harassment & discrimination; 128

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How much does it cost?

It is free to contact LawyerConnect and request to be connected with a lawyer, but the lawyer to whom you are referred will discuss initial consultation fees. During or after the initial consultation, the lawyer will talk with you about the legal fees required to handle your particular matter. The lawyer’s fee is typically determined by the amount of time and work required, the difficulties involved in your particular case, the amount of money involved and other factors.

There is no obligation on the part of any person referred through LawyerConnect to work with a particular lawyer.

How do I contact LawyerConnect?

E-mail jsmith@birminghambar.org or call 205-251-8006 and choose “Option 1.” If you need a lawyer outside the Birmingham metropolitan area, you may call the Alabama State Bar Referral Line at 800-392-5660, or the State Bar Association for the State that has jurisdiction in your particular case.

PROMOTION

TOPFLIGHT ATTORNEYS

Sheffield & Lentine, PC is a full-service criminal defense firm handling everything from trial work to postconviction appeals. Our experienced lawyers share a zeal for and dedication to professional representation of those accused of serious felony and misdemeanor offenses in all municipal, state, and federal courts of Alabama. Since 1955, the firm has represented people charged with serious offenses in courts as diverse as the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals, the Alabama Supreme Court, the 11th Circuit Court of appeals, and every federal district court in Alabama. Our lawyers also have substantial experience helping clients with Direct Appeals and Rule 32 Petitions for Post-Conviction Relief. We fervently believe that our professional duty includes educating our clients and community on the law. This philosophy has lead our at-

torneys to spend time teaching at law schools throughout Alabama, and to lecture on criminal defense to fellow lawyers across the United States. Our focus on knowledge and service is also the inspiration behind our pioneering successful and easy-to-understand process for guiding our clients through Alabama’s new expungement law and potentially clearing prior records.

In addition to our proven reputation in criminal defense, we also assist clients with personal injury, domestic relations, and family law. We understand our clients put their futures in our hands for every case, and we honor that by giving each case the attention, care, and personal expertise necessary to ensure successful results. When you contact our professional legal team, you will always receive the guidance you deserve.

Sheffield & Lentine PC SINCE 1955

205 20th Street North • Suite 915 Birmingham, Alabama 35203

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

Legal Aid

Legal Aid’s staff attorneys are lawyers committed to serving low income persons and children in Jefferson County. They are familiar with the legal issues faced by impoverished citizens in the various courts where Legal Aid serves. Some are seasoned practitioners who have come from success in private practice, some are new lawyers seeking to serve the public interest through their work, and some have served the poor through Legal Aid for their entire careers. All have chosen to work in an area of the law where remuneration and financial success are a lesser goal than that of serving their profession and the public through quality representation of the indigent, including children.

Benefiting the Indigent Children removed from abusive homes, caught in the middle of a custody battle, or accused of crimes, and adults facing potential jail sentences, frequently have no means to secure legal representation.

By providing these individuals with attorneys to guide and advise them through the legal system, the legal rights of these persons are protected.

Benefiting the Courts By providing an attorney who is physically present in the courtroom and who has expertise in the legal issues that regularly arise in 130

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that particular court, judges may utilize Legal Aid as an alternative to identifying, training, and appointing private counsel for those persons legally entitled to free representation.

Benefiting the Legal Community Although many lawyers in private practice regularly accept appointment to some indigent cases as their professional obligation, in some courts there are not a sufficient number of these attorneys to provide legal representation for the large numbers of indigent persons requiring appointed counsel. The availability of Legal Aid lawyers to handle these cases insures that all citizens who are eligible for free representation have access to a lawyer.

Benefiting the Taxpayer Legal Aid can provide legal services at a rate substantially below the hourly rates of members of the privatbar for several key reasons: the accessibility of its lawyers, who are always present during the dayto-day operations of the court, the familiarity of those lawyers with the issues, procedure, and personnel of those courts, the capability of its lawyers to handle individual cases without regard to hourly billing and business profits, and the commitment of these lawyers to quality legal representation for the poor.

enrique martínez celaya:

small paintings 1974 - 2015

JANUARY 22 - MARCH 19, 2016 opening reception, Friday, January 22, 6 - 8 pm

GALLERY HOURS

ADMISSION

MONDAY-FRIDAY: 10-6 SATURDAY: 12-6 Closed on Sunday and Major Holidays

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

FOR MORE INFO

AEIVA

http://www.uab.edu/cas/aeiva/ or call 205.975.6436

1221 10th Ave. South Birmingham, AL 35205

CURATED BY Lisa Tamiris Becker, Director, Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts, UAB

above: Enrique Martínez Celaya The Fourth Angel, 2010 (detail) Oil and wax on canvas 30 x 24 inches Private Collection, Ocean Ridge, FL

A Man For The People B-Metro Magazine

No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.

NUMBER ONE

Serving the community for over 15 years, Alexander Shunnarah Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. has made their clients their #1 PRIORITY inside the courtroom and throughout the community.

4

STATES SERVED: ALABAMA, MISSISSIPPI, GEORGIA, & FLORIDA

15

EMERGING LEADERS IN THE ALABAMA ASSOCIATION FOR JUSTICE

17

TOTAL OFFICES LOCATED IN THE SOUTHEAST

24

AREAS OF PRACTICE

50

COMMUNITY EVENTS THE FIRM HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH OR SPONSORED

62

ATTORNEYS IN THE SOUTHEAST

15,000

CLIENTS SUCCESSFULLY REPRESENTED OVER THE PAST 15 YEARS

Over $50,000,000

RECOVERED FOR CLIENTS IN 2015 ALONE

NOTABLE COMBINED SETTLEMENTS

$13,475,000 – 18-Wheeler Accident Settlements

$3,000,000 – Bus Accident Settlement

$8,600,000 – Railroad Accident Settlements

$1,850,000 – Premise Liability Settlements

$5,500,000 – Commercial Vehicle Settlements

$1,500,000 – Road Construction Case Settlement

$50,000,000 – Motor Vehicle Accident Settlements

These recoveries and testimonials are not an indication of future results. Every case is different, and regardless of what friends, family, or other individuals may say about what a case is worth, each case must be evaluated on its own facts and circumstances as they apply to the law. The valuation of a case depends on the facts, the injuries, the jurisdiction, the venues, the witnesses, the parties, and the testimony, among other factors. Furthermore, 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.

Mediation Can Work

Mediation is an informal process during which an impartial third party, the mediator, assists disputing parties in reaching a mutually acceptable agreement regarding their dispute. The mediation session is intended to identify pertinent issues, clarify any misunderstandings, explore solutions, and negotiate an agreement.

What us the mediator’s role?

The mediator is not a judge and does not render a decision or impose a solution on any party. Rather, the mediator helps those involved in the dispute talk to each other, thereby allowing them to resolve the dispute themselves. The mediator manages the mediation session and remains impartial.

How does mediation work?

At the mediation session all parties present a summary of their points of view. Attorneys for the parties may be present. Typically, the mediator will then meet privately (caucus) with each party to explore more fully the facts and issues of each side. The caucus offers participants the opportunity to vent anger or frustrations outside the presence of the opposing side. The mediator usually will continue to caucus alternatively with each party, carrying settlement proposals back and forth until an agreement is reached. The agreement is then reduced to writing, and signed by the parties.

How long does mediation take?

While the time required for mediation varies, the mediation session commonly involves less than half a day.

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Who pays for mediation?

Expenses of the mediation are shared equally by the parties unless they agree otherwise. Parties should know in advance what the mediator charges.

What are the benefits of mediation?

Parties keep control over the outcome of their own problem.

Disputes can be settled promptly. A mediation session can be scheduled as soon as both parties agree to use mediation to resolve the dispute.

Mediation promotes better relationships through cooperative problem-solving and improved communication.

Both facts and feelings are considered with the help of an impartial mediator.

Mediation is private and confidential. The mediator and parties must maintain, to the full extent required by law, the confidentiality of the information disclosed during mediation.

Mediation is voluntary, and may be terminated at any time by a party or the mediator. Although in court-referred mediation the parties may be ordered to attend a mediation session, any agreement is entirely voluntary. In the absence of agreement, the parties retain their right to take the dispute before a judge or jury.

Mediation costs may be significantly less than taking a case to court, especially if mediation is chosen prior to filing a lawsuit.

Local Find the right lawyer, locally.

New Beginnings?

Troubled Times?

Unexpected Endings?

No Matter The Problem. No Matter The Need.

Find the right lawyer, locally at BirminghamLawyers.com.

Find the right lawyer, locally.

IATION

BI

BAR A S AM

C SO

Birmingham

RMINGH

The Comprehensive Directory of Birmingham Metro Lawyers.

BIRMIN GHAM BAR ASSOCIATION

Local Member Benefit Partner of Alabama State Bar and Birmingham Bar Association

What types of disputes can be mediated?

Landlord and Tenant Neighbor and Community Business and Customer Employer and Employee Divorce and Family Juvenile Negligence Products Liability Construction Contracts Personal and Real Property Small Claims Other Civil Matters

How do I locate a mediator, or find out more about mediation?

Ask your attorney, or contact the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution. The Center maintains a statewide roster of mediators, and provides information on dispute resolution alternatives.

Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution P.O. Box 671 Montgomery, AL 36101 (334) 269-0409 (Source: Birmingham Bar Association) 136

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PROTECTING THE SOUTH’S ENVIRONMENT through the POWER of the LAW