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Biographical Information

Nicole Bracey is an associate attorney focusing on probate and estate matters, estate administration, guardianships, and conservatorships.

Nicole, a native of Greensboro, North Carolina, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Alabama with degrees in Finance and Political Science. While at Alabama, Nicole served as an Ambassador for the Culverhouse College of Business, was the Director of Alumni and Campus Relations for UA Dance Marathon, and a member of Alpha Chi Omega. In May 2022, Nicole graduated Cum Laude with a Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law. During law school, she served as Vice President of the Student Bar Association, Executive Editor for Vol. 11 of the Mississippi Sports Law Review, and was a student-attorney in the Transactional Law Clinic. When Nicole is not at work, she enjoys watching SEC Football, spending time with her dog, reading fictional books, and exploring downtown Birmingham.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar

Education

  • J.D., University of Mississippi School of Law, 2022
  • B.S., University of Alabama, 2019

Additional Information

 Awards

  • Outstanding Student in Criminal Law, Spring 2020

Biographical Information

Sarah Konwinski is an associate at the Panama City office. Her practice is primarily focused on litigation, specifically, Construction Litigation but her other practice areas are Insurance Defense, Community Associations, and Construction.

Ms. Konwinski is licensed to practice law in Florida.  A native of Savannah Georgia, she relocated to Panama City in 2007 after visiting Panama City during breaks while in law school.

She is a graduate of The Florida Coastal School of Law in Jacksonville, Florida.  From 2009-2022 she served as the Region 1 Circuit Director-Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel in Panama City, Florida and this included supervising attorney and staff personnel in the 14th Circuit of Florida. In addition to those supervising responsibilities, she served as a Litigation Attorney representing clients in all aspects of misdemeanor, felony, delinquency, dependency and guardianship proceedings.  Prior, Konwinski served as a Florida Department of Revenue (FDR) Child Support Attorney and represented the FDR in child support proceedings.  She has also served as a criminal defense attorney for the Office of the Public Defender and early in her career as a law clerk and attorney with a firm in Jacksonville that practiced community association law and family law.

Sarah enjoys camping with her fiancée and dog, discovering new restaurants and enjoying local cuisine, supporting local animal rescues, painting and art.

Addmissions

  • Florida State Bar

Education

  • J.D., Coastal School of Law, 2006
  • B.A., Psychology, Armstrong Atlantic State University, 2003

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Bay County Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, past member
  • Andrews Bay Inn of Court, past member
  • Leadership Bay Class, 2022-2023

Awards

  • Best Appellate Brief Award, Florida Coastal School of Law
  • Public Service Award, Criminal and Civil Regional Counsel

Biographical Information

Laurel Thorpe serves as of counsel in the Firm’s litigation section. She maintains a diverse practice with an emphasis on employment law, worker’s compensation, and health care regulatory compliance. Laurel brings her comprehensive human resources experience to provide practical solutions for employers in their compensation, leave, wellness, and benefits programs. She works thoughtfully and strategically to assist clients in the development and administration of workplace safety, privacy, discrimination, discipline, and termination policies.

With a background in health care administration, public health services, and medical ethics, Laurel has assisted health care organizations, providers, and employers in complex regulatory compliance issues. This includes the identification and remediation of issues related to federal and state fraud and abuse, research ethics, health care privacy, and the negotiation of compensation and operational agreements.

Laurel received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center. While at UHLC, she served as the Managing Editor of the inaugural board of the Houston Journal of Health Law and Policy, and she served on the editorial board of the Houston Journal of International Law. Laurel refined her research and writing skills as an assistant to employment and health care law professors in the Health Law and Policy Institute. There she worked extensively on issues related to ethical decision making, health care and employment regulations, and disability related claims. 

After law school, Laurel began her practice in the Houston office of a national firm. She returned home to the Gulf Coast where, in addition to her law practice, she devotes her time to family, community, and church. She enjoys teaching and speaking at women’s ministry events and professional development programs.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 2008
  • Texas State Bar, 2002

Education

  • J.D., University of Houston Law Center, cum laude
  • B.A., University of Alabama at Birmingham

 

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Mobile County Bar Association
  • Baldwin County Bar Association
  • Heart for Athletes, Board of Directors

 

Biographical Information

Lauren Applegate is an associate at the Panama City office. Her practice is primarily focused on transactional and institutional law, including estate planning, business and commercial transactions, and education law. Mrs. Applegate also assists the civil litigation team. Mrs. Applegate is licensed to practice law in both Florida and Illinois.

Mrs. Applegate is a graduate of the Chicago-Kent College of Law in Chicago, IL. During this time, she was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and the Society for Women in Law. She was on the Dean’s Honors List and also received a CALI award for the highest grade in International Law. During her last semester, Mrs. Applegate was a legal extern for the Honorable Richard D. Cudahy of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.

Prior to law school, Mrs. Applegate attended the University of Florida, where she graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Political Science. There, she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa.

After obtaining her juris doctor, Mrs. Applegate worked as a judicial staff attorney for both the 14th Judicial Circuit in Bay County and the 4th Judicial Circuit in Duval County for a combined 12 years. During her time as a staff attorney, Mrs. Applegate assisted the judges with a variety of cases, from criminal death penalty cases to complex civil litigation. Mrs. Applegate was also a member of the Florida Trial Court Staff Attorneys Association.

Mrs. Applegate was born and raised in Panama City, FL, where she now resides with her husband and children. In her spare time, she enjoys volunteering at her children’s school, spending time with her family, and playing piano.

Admissions

  • Florida State Bar
  • Illinois State Bar

Education

  • J.D., Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology, 2009
  • B.S., University of Florida, cum laude, 2004

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Bay County Bar Association

Biographical Information

Chase Pritchard is an associate in the Firm’s business section.  He assists clients in a wide variety of transactional matters, including real estate, mergers & acquisitions, contract negotiation, and entity formation.

Before joining the Firm, Chase served as vice president and in-house counsel for an international construction company that specialized in industrial and port construction.

Chase and his wife, Sara, live in Mobile with their two young children, Mary Helen and Cuen.  Chase is also active in his community, including serving as vice president of St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus and on the board of directors for Rapahope.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 2016

Education

  • J.D., University of Mississippi School of Law, 2016
  • B.A. University of South Alabama, 2013  

Biographical Information

Sean Dudley serves as counsel in the Firm’s business section, with a broad transactional practice covering mergers & acquisitions, commercial lending, real estate, entity formation, private equity, local opinion practice, and bank regulatory compliance.

Out of law school, Sean worked in the Chicago office of a national firm. He moved to his wife’s hometown of Mobile in 2012, and after making partner at his new firm, Sean left the private practice of law to start a company with his father. While serving as in-house counsel, he continued to manage a solo legal practice for some of his best M&A and real estate clients.

A father of five and proud Notre Dame alum, Sean is committed to youth ministry, men’s ministry, and ministry to married couples. He is also a musician, singer and songwriter who can regularly be found on stage, whether in a local theater production, church choir, or playing with his band.

Admissions

Alabama State Bar

Education

  • J.D., Notre Dame Law School, magna cum laude, 2008
  • B.A., University of Notre Dame, magna cum laude, 2005

 

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Chickasaw Civic Theatre (board member)
  • St. Mary’s Knights of Columbus (president)
  • Men of St. Joseph “Outback” retreat (emcee)
  • Fraternus youth group (officer & emcee)
  • Leadership Mobile (class of 2017)
  • Exploreum Science Center (past member of Junior Advisory Board)
  • Jesuit Volunteer Corps (past local support team)
  • St. Mary’s Parish (past president of parish council)
  • Notre Dame Club of Mobile (past local admissions coordinator)

Biographical Information

Heather Houston is Of Counsel in the firm’s Fairhope office where her practice focuses on professional liability, construction and complex liability. She is experienced in representing design professionals and contractors in matters ranging from the design and construction of single-family residences to high rise condominiums to industrial facilities. Heather also defends professionals such as attorneys and pharmacists against allegations of breach of standard of care.  Heather represents her clients’ interests in pre-suit negotiations, litigation, and alternative dispute forums.

Heather serves the legal community through her involvement in numerous local, state, and national professional organizations.  She is admitted to practice in all state courts in Alabama and Mississippi as well as numerous Federal District Courts throughout Alabama and Mississippi.

Heather balances active involvement in the legal community with leadership positions in various philanthropic endeavors. She proudly serves on the Board of Directors for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile and previously served as its President.  She was also a long-time member of the Junior League of Mobile and held several leadership positions throughout her tenure. Heather is a graduate of Leadership Mobile and was previously selected as one of Mobile Bay Monthly’s 40 Under 40.

Heather earned her B.A. from Spring Hill College and her J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law. 

Heather and her family live in Fairhope where they spend their free time enjoying all of the activities Mobile Bay has to offer. 

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar (2004)
  • Mississippi State Bar (2006)

Education

  • B.A., Spring Hill College, 2001
  • J.D., University of Mississippi School of Law, 2004, cum laude

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Mobile Bar Association
  • Baldwin County Bar Association
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mobile Board of Directors
  • Spring Hill College Mobile Alumni Chapter
  • Ole Miss Alumni Association
  • Leadership Mobile Graduate

Awards

  • Alabama Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2019
  • Mobile Bay Monthly’s 40 Under 40, 2013

Biographical Information

Jennifer Roselius rejoined Hand Arendall Harrison Sale as Of Counsel following her tenure as in house counsel for a national homebuilder. She practices in the firm’s Business Section. She has extensive experience in corporate transactions, real estate, and commercial finance. Her clients span a broad range of industries, including real estate developers, health care providers, banks, and builders. Thanks to her years spent as in house counsel, Jennifer has a unique understanding of the needs of her corporate clients.

Jennifer received her J.D. from Fordham University School of Law and was awarded the school’s C.V. Starr Scholarship. While at Fordham, Jennifer served in the Fordham Child & Family Litigation Clinic and attended the Cornell-Paris Summer Institute of International and Comparative Law. Jennifer received her B.S., magna cum laude, from the University of Alabama. Prior to joining Hand Arendall for the first time, Jennifer practiced at a firm in New York.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • New York State Bar

Education

  • J.D., Fordham University School of Law, 2006
  • B.S., University of Alabama, B.S., magna cum laude, 2001

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Mobile Bar Association
  • Member, Alabama State Bar

Publications and Presentations

  • Hand Arendall Sustainability Initiatives – Presenter – November 2010
  • Green Coast Council Financing Opportunities, Incentives and Regulations for Green Building – Panel Speaker – December 2010 Green Building Focus Seminar Series, Mobile, Alabama
  • Legal Issues Associated with Green Building Projects – Presenter – September 2011 – USGBC Alabama Chapter
  • Title Risks and Insurance Coverage – Presenter and Author and Curing Title Defects – Presenter – December 2011 – National Business Institute Advanced Issues in Real Estate Law CLE Seminar
  • Public Trust Doctrine in Alabama – Speaker and Co-Author – March 2012 – Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Legal Program CLE Seminar
  • Financing Green Improvements – Speaker – July 2012 – Green Coast Council
  • Update on Incentives for Green Building – Speaker – February 2013 – Green Coast Council
  • The Commercial Real Estate Cycle – Speaker – March 2013 – Alabama Association of Paralegals, Region III
  • Getting and Keeping the Business: A Discussion with In-House Counsel – Alabama State Bar 2017 Annual Meeting

Biographical Information

Matthew is an associate in the Firm’s business section. Matthew’s practice focuses on representing developers, owners, sellers, builders and lenders in a broad range of real estate transactions, including the acquisition, development and conveyance of real property.

Matthew graduated from the Faulkner University, Thomas Goode Jones School of Law in 2020 where he served as President of the Jones School of Law’s Chapter of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, and as a member of the nationally recognized Ernestine S. Sapp Chapter of the Black Law Students Association. Matthew was also a member of the Jones School of Law’s Board of Advocates and competed on the National Trial Team that finished as a finalist in the 2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. National Civil Rights Trial Competition in Sacramento, California. Upon graduation, Matthew was also inducted as a Fellow into the Public Interest Society.

During law school, Matthew served as a summer law clerk for the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office, where he represented the DA’s Office in court with his third-year practice card. Additionally, Matthew also worked as a real estate law clerk for a Montgomery based law firm, where he later began his career as an attorney focusing his practice on various real estate-related matters.

Prior to attending law school, Matthew worked as a real estate agent in Mobile and was a member of the National Association of Realtors, Alabama Association of Realtors, and Mobile Area Association of Realtors. He also worked in higher education as an admissions officer for the University of South Alabama. Matthew received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of South Alabama and was initiated into the Lambda Pi Eta National Honor Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Born and raised in Mobile, Matthew is glad to be home on the gulf coast and grateful for the opportunity to serve his community.

Admissions

Alabama State Bar

Education

  • J.D., Faulkner University, Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, 2020
  • B.A., University of South Alabama, 2012

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations 

  • Mobile Bar Association
  • Baldwin County Bar Association

Awards

  • Fellow, Public Interest Society
  • Finalist, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. National Civil Rights Trial Competition

Biographical Information

Martin Cunningham is an associate in the Firm’s business section. He assists clients in a wide variety of transactional matters, with a focus in real estate acquisition and development.

Attending the University of Mississippi School of Law as a Dean’s Scholar, he received his J.D. in 2021. He served as a member of the Trial Advocacy team, and was a finalist in the 2019 Steen, Reynolds & Dalehite Trial Advocacy Competition.  Martin also served as an Innocence Project student attorney, where he sought post-conviction relief of an individual imprisoned for homicide. Before joining the Firm, Martin gained valuable experience as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge S. Wesley Pipes of the 13th Judicial Circuit in Mobile, Alabama.

Having been born and raised in the Mobile Bay area, Martin enjoys his warmer weekends on the water.  He also appreciates a day on either the basketball or tennis court. With a passion for his career and community, Martin hopes to leave a positive, lasting impact.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 2021
  • Southern District of Alabama, 2021
  • Middle District of Alabama, 2021

Education

  • University of Mississippi, BBA Marketing and Corporate Relations and Minor in Professional Writing, cum laude, 2017
  • University of Mississippi School of Law, 2021

Additional Information

 Awards

  • Finalist; Steen, Reynolds, Dalehite Trial Advocacy Competition (2019)
  • Dean’s Scholar (University of Mississippi School of Law)
  • Provost Scholar (University of Mississippi 2013-2017)

Biographical Information

Matthew R. Brooks is an Associate in the Panama City office. His practice is focused on Civil Litigation, dealing primarily in insurance claims, commercial disputes, business, construction, and general property litigation.

Matt earned his Juris Doctor from Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida where he also served as the Vice President of the Student Veterans Law Symposium. Matt grew up in southeastern Kentucky and earned his B.A. from Morehead State University (KY). After completing his undergraduate degree in 2004, Matt spent 9 years in the U.S. Marines serving in ground infantry and armor occupational specialties. During this service, he completed numerous deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. In addition, Matt spent 2 years as a project officer in future technologies at the Warfighting Laboratory in Quantico, VA.

Matt continues to assist our nation’s veterans through his active involvement with the Veterans Business Outreach Center of Florida.  

Mr. Brooks joined the Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC’s Panama City Office in July 2021.

Admissions

  • Florida State Bar
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida

Education

J.D., Florida State University College of Law, 2021
B.A., Morehead State University (KY), 2004

Biographical Information

Victoria Henien is an associate with Hand Arendall Harrison Sale. Prior to joining the Firm, Victoria worked as a South Carolina Circuit Court Judicial Law Clerk for two years.  This position provided extensive experience in the chambers of the Chief Administrative Judge for three counties assisting in Business Court, Civil Circuit Court and Criminal Circuit Court.  

Victoria obtained her Juris Doctor from Charleston School of Law in 2019. While in law school, she was a legal intern at the Charleston County Probate Court and the City of Charleston Corporation Council. 

Additionally, she was the Service Chair of the Christian Legal Society, a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and volunteered with the SBA Ronald McDonald House Charities. Upon law school graduation, she was honored with a Pro Bono Recognition for service.  

Victoria earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Mississippi, where she graduated in 2016, majoring in political science with a minor in English. She greatly enjoyed her time at the University of Mississippi and loves to return to Oxford for fall football games in the Grove. Victoria was involved in Alpha Delta Pi sorority recruitment and philanthropy leadership. 

Born in Chicago Illinois, she then moved to Orlando, Florida with her family at an early age. She currently resides in Fort Walton Beach with her doodle, Henri. In addition to practicing law, she enjoys being involved in church, spending time with her family, and living on the Emerald Coast.

Admissions

Florida State Bar
South Carolina State Bar

Education

J.D., Charleston School of Law, 2019
B.A., Political Science and English, University of Mississippi, 2016

Biographical Information

Shelby Morris is an associate attorney focusing on local government work and bankruptcy and creditor’s rights.

Shelby was born and raised in Savannah, Georgia. She attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Professional Writing, was inducted into the Sigma Tau Delta honor society, was awarded runner-up Most Outstanding Professional Writing Student, and was a Dean’s List recipient. While earning her Master’s degree in Rhetoric and Composition, Shelby developed and taught freshman composition classes while tutoring students at the University Writing Center. Later, she earned her Juris Doctorate from Cumberland School of Law where she was an active member of Women in Law and was an Academic Success mentor. When she’s not practicing law, Shelby enjoys traveling, exploring Birmingham’s food scene, and spending time with her cats.

Admissions

Alabama State Bar

Education

  • J.D., Cumberland School of Law, 2021
  • M.A., University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2018
  • B.A., University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2016

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • UAB Young Alumni Council
  • Rotary Club of Birmingham Sunset

Awards

  • Dean’s List recipient

Biographical Information

Jennifer Wintrode Shuler is Of Counsel with Hand Arendall Harrison Sale. Ms. Shuler is Florida Bar Board Certified in City, County, Local Government Law and has been a local government attorney for twenty years, working in both the private and public sector. Ms. Shuler began her legal career in her home state of Michigan working for a private law firm that represents villages, towns, and cities in the greater Detroit area. Upon moving to Florida, Ms. Shuler continued her local government work while representing the City of Mary Esther. Ms. Shuler next spent four years practicing with a firm handling insurance litigation for insurers such as Florida Association of Counties Trust, Preferred Governmental Insurance Trust and the Florida Sheriff’s Insurance Fund in defense of local government clients all over the Florida Panhandle. In 2012, Ms. Shuler joined the Bay County Attorney’s office, where she served as the Deputy Assistant County Attorney for nine years.

Throughout her legal career in Florida, Ms. Shuler has provided numerous Ethics, Public Records Act and Sunshine Law presentations to County Boards and Commissions. In addition, she has provided ethics training to the Emerald Coast Section of the American Planning Association and presented continuing legal education to the Florida Association of County Attorneys entitled, “HIPAA Training for EMS Providers.”

Ms. Shuler currently serves as the County Attorney for Liberty County and helps to represent many Firm local governmental clients, as well as private individuals who request assistance with government and administrative matters.

Ms. Shuler earned her Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara School of Law and her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California: Santa Cruz.

Ms. Shuler is a member of The Florida Bar, The Michigan Bar, and the Federal Bar of the Northern District of Florida. Ms. Shuler has volunteered for many years with Legal Services of Northwest Florida and in 2018, she was honored to receive the Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award in a Florida Supreme Court ceremony.

Admissions

  • Florida State Bar
  • Michigan State Bar
  • Federal Bar of the Northern District of Florida

Education

  • J.D., Santa Clara University, 2001
  • B.A., University of California: Santa Cruz, 1991

Additional Information

Publications and Presentations

  • Ethics Training for the Emerald Coast Section of the American Planning Association
  • “HIPAA Training for EMS Providers,” continuing legal education to the Florida Association of County Attorneys
  • Ethics, Public Records Act and Sunshine Law Presentations for Florida Government Officials

Biographical Information

Nathan believes in client-centered service while understanding and meeting the unique needs of each individual client. His practice areas include real estate law, business and general corporate law, probate law and probate litigation, estate planning, and community association law. Nathan is admitted to practice law in Florida and Alabama and works in the Santa Rosa Beach and Destin offices.

Prior to joining the Firm, Nathan was the Managing Attorney and In-House Counsel for a local real estate company, and he was previously in private practice in the Panhandle and in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. While in private practice in Tuscaloosa, Nathan was an Adjunct Instructor for legal seminars in the Honors College at The University of Alabama. Nathan earned his law degree from The University of Alabama School of Law, and his Bachelor of Science in business and real estate from The University of Alabama, summa cum laude.

Born and raised in lower Alabama, Nathan grew up with Destin and South Walton in his back yard. After relocating to the area, Nathan immediately set out to establish a legacy of active community involvement. He is currently Chair-Elect of the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, and he serves on the Board of Directors of Westonwood Ranch in Freeport. Nathan also served as President of the Young Professionals of Walton County in 2020, and in 2019, he was chosen as Young Professional of the Year by his peers in the local Walton County community. Nathan served as President of his 2018 Leadership Walton class and President of the Emerald Coast Real Estate Council until 2019. Additionally, Nathan enjoys being active in both the Florida and Alabama state bar associations and presenting seminars to real estate agents in the Panhandle area.

Outside of his professional obligations, you can find Nathan cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide and the New Orleans Saints in the fall, traveling, enjoying his record collection, trying new recipes in the kitchen, or enjoying all of the wonderful things about living along the beautiful Emerald Coast.

Admissions

  • Florida State Bar
  • Alabama State Bar

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 2015
    • Honors/Leadership: Certificate in Public Interest Law; Dean’s Community Service Award; Board of Governors, Law Student Division of the American Bar Association; President, Bench & Bar Honor Society; Senator and Treasurer, Student Bar Association; High Pass/Best Paper – Mediation and Trial Advocacy I and II
  • B.S., University of Alabama, 2012, summa cum laude
    • Honors/Leadership: Faculty Excellence Award, Highest Senior GPA; Hulsey Real Estate Scholar; Anderson Society; Mitchell Business Scholar; Justice – Academic Honor Council; Mortar Board Senior Honor Society

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Chair-Elect, Walton Area Chamber Board of Directors (2021)
  • Secretary/Counsel, Westonwood Ranch (2019-Present)
  • Past-President, Young Professionals of Walton County (2020)
  • Young Professional of the Year (2019)
  • Past-President, Leadership Walton (2018)
  • Past-President, Emerald Coast Real Estate Council (2017-2019)
  • Walton County Chamber of Commerce

Publications and Presentations

  • “A View From the Backside of the Pandemic: Turning Burnout into Opportunities for the Future” – Alabama State Bar Annual Meeting, 2021
  • Former Adjunct Instructor, The University of Alabama Honors College
  • Local Real Estate Seminars

Biographical Information

Ben Thomas is an associate in the Firm’s litigation section.  He is a dedicated advocate who takes joy in effectively representing his clients through even the most difficult issues.  From his time working for the Attorney General of Alabama to clerking in the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama, he has garnished invaluable experience that he uses to represent clients in civil litigation. Mr. Thomas has handled matters in a wide array of practice areas including general insurance defense, tractor trailer accidents, coverage law, and automotive liability defense.  Prior to joining Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, he practiced at a firm specializing in civil litigation. 

Mr. Thomas spent his undergraduate years at Washington and Lee where he played four years of varsity baseball, was a member of Beta Theta Pi and Reformed University Fellowship.  While playing baseball, he was named the team’s Student Athlete Mentor.  Mr. Thomas obtained his Juris Doctorate at The Cumberland School of Law where he was a Dean’s List recipient.  While in law school, Mr. Thomas also clerked for The Alabama Securities Commission, The Mobile District Attorney’s Office, The Attorney General of Alabama and The Judicial Inquiry Commission. 

Mr. Thomas currently resides in Birmingham, Alabama with his wife, Rachael Thomas and their two dogs Lucas and Tito. In addition to practicing law, Mr. Thomas is involved with Easter Seals and enjoys spending time with his wife, hunting and cooking.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar

Education

  • J.D., The Cumberland School of Law
  • B.A., Washington and Lee University

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Birmingham Bar Association Membership Committee
  • Easter Seals Junior Board Member
  • Alabama Defense Lawyer’s Association

Biographical Information

Gregory Hawley is Senior of Counsel in the firm’s Birmingham office. His primary practice areas include Conservatorship, Business Litigation, and Environmental Litigation.

Conservatorship: Mr. Hawley has been serving as one the Jefferson County Conservators since appointed to that position in 2013 by the Probate Court. In that capacity, he has managed hundreds of conservatorship and guardianship cases, worked with a dozen or more elder care facilities, hospitals, with doctors, nurses, caregivers, and with mental health professionals to meet the needs of his conservator clients. In 2021, upon the retirement of the other Jefferson County Conservator, Mr. Hawley at the request of the Court assumed the handling of those court-appointed cases as well.

Business Litigation: In his 35 years of practice, he has appeared in about half the county courthouses and most of the federal courthouses in Alabama. He has represented defendants in numerous environmental tort, products liability and  mass tort class actions.

Environmental Litigation: Hawley has represented  several energy companies to resolve their disputes in Alabama concerning environmental and contract issues arising from the production, storage or transportation of gasoline and fuels.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • District of Columbia
  • Texas State Bar

Education

  • J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1983
  • A.B., Harvard College, cum laude, 1979 (Honors Thesis: “The Kennedy Tax Cut: The Interplay of Politics, Economics and Government”)

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Indian Springs School, Board of Governors, 1998 – 2011
  • Harvard Club of Birmingham, President, 2006 – 2008
    • State Law Resources, Inc., Chair, 2002 – 2003
  • Leadership Birmingham, 1996
  • Alabama State Bar
    • Editor, The Alabama Lawyer (2010 – 2019)
    • Access to Justice Commission (2014 – 2019)
    • Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year (2012)                                              
    • Bar Commissioner (2006 – 2009)
    • Board Member, Alabama Bar Foundation (2006 – 2009)
  • Birmingham Bar Association
    • President (2010)
    • Chair, Long Range Planning Committee
  • National Association of Bar Executives
    • Member, Communications Section (2010 – 2019)

Awards

  • Best Lawyers in America, 2009 – Present
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers, 2009 – Present                                             
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated, 1994 – Present

Biographical Information

Alan Duke is an experienced litigation and appellate attorney who regularly handles cases involving the administration of substantial and complex estates and trusts. He has been recognized multiple times by Birmingham Magazine in its Top Attorneys list as well as the Mid-South’s Rising Stars by Super Lawyers.

Alan’s probate practice is well-rounded; he often represents personal representatives and trustees during their administration, serves as attorney for beneficiaries in protecting their interests in trusts and estates, and is even appointed as an estate administrator when necessary. Alan draws on his unique background in engineering to take a detail-oriented approach in the matters that he handles and leverages that experience for success in his role as an attorney representing clients in trust and estate litigation. 

Beyond his practice, Alan works to stay informed about trust and estate issues by teaching Trusts & Estates and Alabama Probate Law at Birmingham School of Law. Alan has also served as an adjunct professor in the Building and Construction Technology department at Jefferson State Community College, where he teaches Contracting and Construction Law.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama
  • Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

Education

  • J.D., Birmingham School of Law, 2010
  • B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2006

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

Biographical Information

Chris, a Birmingham native, regularly advises and represents clients in probate and estate matters, civil litigation, business transactions and litigation, probate support for personal injury litigation, estate administration, estate and trust litigation, guardianships, conservatorships and taxation.

He has been recognized by Birmingham Magazine in its Top Attorneys list in the areas of Probate Law (2017-2020) and Tax Law (2017), and was selected to the Mid-South’s Rising Stars by Super Lawyers for Estate & Trust Litigation (2018-2021). Chris maintains the highest Avvo Rating of 10.0 – Top Attorney, and has been recognized with Avvo’s Clients’ Choice Award (2012, 2017). Additionally, he has been selected as one of the 18 Best Birmingham Litigation Attorneys (2017-2020) and as one of the 16 Best Birmingham Probate Attorneys (2020) by the website Expertise.com. Chris currently serves as the Chair-Elect of the Probate Section of the Birmingham Bar Association.

Chris received his Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Commerce & Business Administration, with a concentration in Small Company Management, from the University of Alabama in 2005. After earning his undergraduate degree, he worked as General Manager of Sports Transportation for over seven years, and successfully negotiated the sale of the company to an industry peer in 2011. Chris received his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Birmingham School of Law, graduating with honors in 2010. After completing his law degree, he attended the University of Alabama School of Law and received his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation, graduating cum laude in 2013, with a concentration in Business Tax.

Chris lives in Birmingham with his wife, Beth, and three daughters, Abbey, Olivia and Charlotte. He is a member of Canterbury United Methodist Church in Mountain Brook, where he has served on the board of the Child Development Center.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
  • U.S. Tax Court

  • Eleventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals

Education

  • L.L.M., Taxation, University of Alabama School of Law, cum laude, 2013
  • J.D., Birmingham School of Law, with honors, 2010
  • B.S., Commerce & Business Administration, University of Alabama, 2005

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

Representative Cases

Alliance Investment Company, LLC v. Omni Construction Company, Inc., et. al, 2019 WL 1219416, — So.3d —- (Ala. 2019)

Biographical Information

Ms. Dorissa Smith is an associate in the Firm’s litigation section and focuses her practice primarily on insurance claims and coverage litigation. Ms. Smith is a 2009 graduate of The University of Southern Mississippi, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English.  In 2013, Ms. Smith graduated from The University of Mississippi School of Law, where she was a member of the Moot Court Board and the Trial Advocacy Board and a Dean’s List recipient.  While in law school, Ms. Smith completed internships with the Mississippi Secretary of State and the Mississippi Supreme Court.  Following law school, Ms. Smith also completed clerkships with a Mississippi trial court and the Mississippi Court of Appeals. She later joined private practice as an associate with law firm in Jackson, Mississippi, where she focused her work primarily on insurance defense and personal injury matters. 

 

Admissions

  • Mississippi, State and Federal (Northern and Southern Districts)
  • Alabama State Bar
  • Alabama Federal (Northern District)

Education

  • J.D., University of Mississippi School of Law, 2013
  • B.A., University of Southern Mississippi, 2009

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • National Bar Association
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
  • Birmingham Bar Association
  • Magnolia Bar Association, Inc.

Awards

  • Mid-South Super Lawyers, Rising Stars (2022)
  • Birmingham Business Journal NextGen Law 2022
  • Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch, Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2022

  • Mid-South Rising Stars (2017-2020)

Biographical Information

After receiving a degree in Physics from the University of Alabama, Steve Kerr worked for a leading defense contractor as a research scientist in the field of infrared and ultraviolet optical systems. Mr. Kerr then attended law school at the University of Alabama School of Law and received his JD degree. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Kerr passed the U.S. Patent Bar exam and became a registered patent attorney. He began his career as a patent attorney in Atlanta, Georgia in 1986. After 34 years in private practice, Mr. Kerr retired from full-time law practice at one of the largest law firms in the country, where he was a partner for over 20 years. He holds an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell.

Mr. Kerr served as President of the Intellectual Property Section of the State Bar of Georgia, as managing partner of a boutique patent law firm in Atlanta, as Team Leader of the Mechanical Patent Team at his large law firm, and as president of the Vinings Rotary Club in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a member of the Alabama Bar Association, the State Bar of Georgia, the United States Patent Bar, and is admitted to several State and Federal Courts.

Mr. Kerr’s experience includes preparation and prosecution of hundreds of U.S. patents and of patents in other countries throughout the world. He has been a member of patent litigation teams in several patent infringement cases across the U.S. and one case in Europe. He also has experience in trademark registration and enforcement and in matters involving copyrights and trade secrets.

Admission

  • Alabama State Bar
  • Georgia State Bar
  • United States Patent Bar

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law
  • B.S., Physics, University of Alabama

Biographical Information

Denny Hughes concentrates on the defense of bad faith, fraud and punitive damage actions and other insurance defense matters at the trial and appellate levels, as well as the defense of class actions and complex litigation. He also assists insurers in coverage evaluations and the litigation of coverage issues. In addition, he represents employers in the defense of employment discrimination claims and advises employers on preventive employment law.

Mr. Hughes was appointed to the Board of the Alabama Insurance Planning Commission at the University of Alabama in 2012, for which he has been elected to serve as Chairman for 2021—2022. He is an Associate Member of the Board of the Association of Alabama Life Insurance Companies and a member of the Alabama Association of Arson Investigators. In 2001 Mr. Hughes was appointed as a Deputy Attorney General to represent the State of Alabama in the defense of civil actions against state agencies. He is a past member of the Board of Directors (President 2011—2012) of Camp Smile-a-Mile, which provides year-round programs for children with cancer and their families.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama
  • Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 1992
  • B.A., University of Alabama, 1989

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Alabama State Bar
  • Birmingham Bar Association
  • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Association of Alabama Life Insurance Companies
  • Alabama Association of Arson Investigators
  • American Bar Association
  • Chairman, Alabama Insurance Planning Commission, 2021-2023

Publications and Presentations

  • University of Alabama, 2021 Insurance Day
    Investigation, Detection, and Prevention of Insurance Fraud
    October 13, 2021
    Bryant Conference Center, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Central Alabama Society of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters
    Business and Professional Ethics: Historical Development and Practical Application
    May 10, 2022
    Montgomery Country Club, Montgomery, Alabama
  • Amber S. Finch and C. Dennis Hughes, Exclusions from Coverage for Wear and Tear, Deterioration, Inherent Vice, Latent Defect, and Mechanical Breakdown, 50 TORT TRIAL & INS. PRAC. L.J. 49 (2014).
  • American Bar Association Tort, Trial & Insurance Practice Section: Property Insurance Law Committee 2013 Annual Meeting
    Wear and Tear Exclusions from Coverage Under the All-Risk Property Insurance Policy
    May 16—18, 2013
    PGA National Resort, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
  • University Of Alabama, 2014 Insurance Day
    Tools for Detecting and Preventing Insurance Fraud
    October 8, 2014
    Bryant Conference Center, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
  • Birmingham Bar Association: 2014 Insurance Update Seminar
    Insurance Fraud
    November 7, 2014
    Birmingham Bar Center, Birmingham, Alabama

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Insurance Law, 2015—2023

Biographical Information

Christine Hart is a member of the Firm’s litigation section in Mobile. She has litigated cases from the initial pleading stage through trial and appeal and focuses on federal court litigation. She is admitted to practice in Alabama and California (inactive), all federal district courts in Alabama, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Christine has substantive knowledge and experience in anti-discrimination matters involving Title VII, Title IX, ADA/Rehabilitation Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. She also has experience litigating constitutional matters involving First Amendment free speech and Fourteenth Amendment equal protection and due process. She monitors developments in the Eleventh Circuit and the Supreme Court related to federal practice, discrimination, and constitutional rights. She also provides counseling and training to local businesses and institutions on a variety of issues including discrimination and harassment.

Christine serves as an Officer-at-large for the South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program (SAVLP) Board, and provides pro bono legal services as a SAVLP Volunteer Lawyer. She also serves on the Board of Flight Works Alabama, and volunteers as Alabama Chapter Chair for Stanford University’s Alumni Interview Program. Christine is a member of Class 15 of the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum, and serves on the Alabama State Bar’s Lawyers Hall of Fame Committee.

Christine grew up in Orange County, California, and attended Stanford University and the USC Gould School of Law. She clerked in Philadelphia for the Honorable Theodore A. McKee, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, shortly after she began her legal practice.

Christine lives “across the Bay” in Spanish Fort with her husband Curtis and their two young sons.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • California State Bar (Inactive)

Education

  • J.D., University of Southern California Gould School of Law, 2011
  • B.A., Stanford University, 2006

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program Board
  • Flight Works Alabama Board
  • Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum, Class 15
  • Alabama State Bar Lawyers Hall of Fame Committee

Publications and Presentations

  • “Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) Leave Requirement Will Expire December 31,” Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC Employment Alert (December 22, 2020)
  • “Alabama Employers Now Required to Notify Separated Employees of the Availability of Unemployment Compensation,” Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC Employment Alert (July 28, 2020)
  • “Managing a Safe Return to the Workplace,” Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC Employment Alert (April 28, 2020)
  • “DOL and IRS Release Guidance on the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), Effective April 1,” Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC Employment Alert (March 25, 2020)
  • “Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is Passed by the House and Senate, Will Require Employers with Fewer than 500 Employees to Provide Paid Leave,” Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC Employment Alert (March 18, 2020)
  • “DOL Issues Final Overtime Rule,” Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC Employment Alert (October 3, 2019)
  • “Alabama Equal Pay Act, signed by Governor Ivey on June 11,” Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC Employment Alert (June 24, 2019)
  • “Lying about Leave: Recent Cases on How to Handle Intermittent FMLA Misuse,” DRI Employment Law Committee Newsletter (May 20, 2017)
  • “Court Issues Permanent Injunction Enjoining New Department of Labor Interpretation of ‘Persuader Rule,’” Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC Employment Alert (December 5, 2016)
  • NLRB Legal Update, Alabama Council of Community Mental Health Boards, HR Annual Conference (June 10, 2015)
  • “DOL issues Final Rule revising the definition of ‘spouse’ under the FMLA” (March 2015)
  • “Equal Protection Challenge to the ADA: The Gender Identity Exclusion,” DRI Employment Law Committee Newsletter (April 27, 2015)

Awards

  • Mobile Bay Magazine’s 40 Under 40, Class of 2020
  • Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch, Labor and Employment Law – Management; Litigation – Labor and Employment, 2021 – 2023, Civil Rights Law, 2022 -2023

Biographical Information

Britley Brown is a native of Athens, joined the Firm’s Athens office as an associate in 2016. Britley lives in Athens with her husband, Jeremy, and dogs, Jenson and Sammie.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 2015
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, 2016

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 2015
  • B.S., Commerce and Business Administration, University of Alabama, 2010, with distinction

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Rotary International
  • Limestone County Council on Aging

Biographical Information

Eddie Rowe is a member in the Firm’s business section. His practice focuses on representing businesses and individuals in commercial transactions ranging from residential and commercial real estate deals to company formation and governance arrangements to employment contracts and other operational agreements.  His real estate practice includes experience in advising clients in land use planning, entitlements issues, and other matters related to the transfer and development of real property. Eddie began his career as a trial lawyer and worked in the Firm’s commercial litigation section for many years before transitioning his focus to transactional matters.  Although his practice focus has shifted away from litigation, Eddie’s experience in handling a wide variety of commercial disputes provides him with a unique and valuable perspective.  Having guided clients through the difficult challenges that arise when an agreement is breached or a venture fails, Eddie frequently draws on his litigation experience when advising clients about the best approach to any given transaction, including the legal risks and practical outcomes that may result from the various approaches to the contractual arrangements involved and any available protections against such risks.

A Georgia native, Eddie graduated with honors from the University of Georgia in 2007. He then obtained his J.D., cum laude, from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University where he was the Executive Editor of the Cumberland Law Review.

Eddie and his wife Laura live in Fairhope where they raise their two daughters. Eddie is a member of the Mobile and Baldwin County Bar Associations. He is a former member of the board of directors for Bayshore Christian School in Fairhope and currently serves on the board of directors for the Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation (FEEF). The Rowes are members of Church of the Apostles Eastern Shore where Eddie also serves on the parish Vestry.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 2012

Education

  • J.D., Cumberland School of Law, cum laude, 2012
  • B.A. University of Georgia, cum laude, 2007

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Mobile County Bar Association
  • Baldwin County Bar Association
  • Bayshore Christian School, Board of Directors (2013—2017)
  • Church of the Apostles Eastern Shore, Vestry Member
  • Fairhope Educational Enrichment Foundation, Board of Directors (July 2018—present)
  • Alabama Department of Human Resources, Licensed Foster Care Home

Awards

  • Mobile Bay Magazine’s 40 Under 40, Class of 2023
  • Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch, Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, 2021 – 2023
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers© Rising Star, 2016-2021

Biographical Information

Jack O’Dowd is a business lawyer who assists clients in a variety transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, real estate, and corporate law. Jack also works with families on their estate planning needs and guides them through the probate court process. He routinely assists client with issues that arise throughout the business lifecycle including entity formation, legal aspects of their operations,  buying and selling businesses, business succession planning.

Jack is a lifelong Mobilian. He received his undergraduate degree in accounting from the University of South Alabama and his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law. Jack’s previous experience working as a Certified Public Accountant  at a Big 4 accounting firm enhances his law practice.

Together with his wife Anna and their five children, the O’Dowds are active parishioners at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mobile. Jack serves on the board of directors of the charity Soccer4Life, and he also enjoys playing and coaching the “beautiful game.”

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • Georgia State Bar
  • Louisiana State Bar

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law
  • B.S. in Accounting, University of South Alabama, magna cum laude

Biographical Information

Jason Lee is a member in the litigation section. He works with clients in the areas of construction, design, and public contracts, OSHA, land use and environmental, professional liability, and insurance coverage.

He is a 2002 graduate of Auburn University, Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering.  Mr. Lee specialized in Construction Management and completed his senior thesis in Concrete Design. While earning his Engineering degree from Auburn, Mr. Lee was awarded the State of Alabama Licensing Board for General Contractors Scholarship and successfully completed the professional requirements for the Cooperative Education Program. While pursuing his Engineering degree, Mr. Lee worked with an Engineering News-Record top 25 General Contractor constructing commercial projects in Atlanta, Georgia. Furthermore, Mr. Lee gained additional design and technical experience working with the National Center for Asphalt Technology at Auburn University as well as managing preconstruction services for a large Water and WasteWater General Contractor in Georgia.

After graduating from Auburn University, Mr. Lee accepted a management position with an Engineering News-Record top 40 General Contractor in Atlanta, Georgia where he completed the construction of the Flint RiverQuarium and the I-Works Imagination Theater – a project designed by architect Antoine Predock. Afterward, Mr. Lee managed large Civil Construction projects for owners such as Alabama Power, Georgia Power, and The United States General Services Administration.

In 2008, Mr. Lee received his Master of Business Administration from Samford University, Brock School of Business. After which, Mr. Lee managed studio and design operations for healthcare and institutional projects for one of the largest, most discipline-diverse design firms in the United States based in Nashville, Tennessee.

In 2014, Mr. Lee received his Juris Doctorate from The Cumberland School of Law. While in law school, Mr. Lee was a Judge Abraham Caruthers Teaching Fellow, member of the 2012 and 2013 Career Advisory Board, member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, 2012 Semi-Finalist in the Henry Upson Sims Moot Court Competition, and recipient of the Scholar of Merit for Environmental Issues in Real Estate.

Mr. Lee began his practice at a regional law firm in 2014. He resides in Homewood with his wife Elizabeth, and their three sons; Edward Pate, Robert Turner and John Ford, where they attend Dawson Memorial Baptist Church.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama

Education

  • J.D., Samford University, Cumberland School of Law
  • M.B.A., Samford University, Brock School of Business
  • B.S., Auburn University

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • Alabama State Bar
  • Birmingham Bar Association
  • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association

Awards

  • Mid-South Super Lawyers© Rising Star, 2020-2022

Biographical Information

Jack Russell has represented private equity companies, developers, and lenders through all phases of real estate development and lending. His practice focuses on the finance, acquisition, and dispositions of office, multi-family, hotels, restaurants, and subdivisions throughout the Sunbelt region.

He also has significant experience acting as outside general counsel, advising clients on transactional matters, business litigation, and all phases of corporate development and governance. In particular, he frequently advises general contractors, community banks, non-traditional lenders, and subcontractors.

Representative transactions include the purchase and sale of industrial manufacturing facilities; merger of a multiple unit franchisee entity; and the sale of a real estate development company to an outside equity group. In addition, he has recently represented commercial lenders, community banks, and loan servicing companies through various mixed-use developments, real estate syndications, the refinancing of commercial warehousing facilities, and hotel transactions.

Jack also has significant experience in the single family sector, having been lead counsel for Alabama and Georgia-based developers and national homebuilders through numerous subdivisions.

He has been a frequent speaker, having spoken or presented at the University of Alabama School of Law, Samford University, Birmingham Entrepreneur’s Organization (“EO”), ABICLE, Law Review CLE, and the National Business Institute.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • Alabama Federal District Courts

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, magna cum laude, Alabama Law Review
  • B.S., Auburn University

Biographical Information

Rebecca Parks practices in the Firm’s Mobile office. She has a wide range of experience in civil litigation, including the areas of business litigation, automobile and trucking liability, personal injury, product liability, premises liability, professional liability and workers’ compensation. She has trial experience in both state and federal Alabama courts.

Rebecca graduated summa cum laude from the University of Alabama School of Law where she was Managing Editor of the Alabama Law Review, a member of Order of the Coif, a member of the John A. Campbell Moot Court Board, and a Hugo L. Black Scholar. She graduated magna cum laude from Loyola University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1996

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, summa cum laude, 1995
  • B.A., Loyola University, magna cum laude, 1992

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Paul W. Brock American Inn of Court
  • Mobile Bar Association Women Lawyers

Publications and Presentations

  • The Bond for Title: A Modern Look at Alabama’s Land Installment Contract, 46 Ala. L. Rev. 137 (1994)

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rated

Biographical Information

Kevin Hon is an associate in the Firm’s litigation section. He focuses his practice on automotive liability defense. He also practices in appellate advocacy and insurance litigation including the defense of insurers against first-party and third party insurance claims, extra-contractual claims, coverage disputes, bad faith claims, and punitive damage claims.

Prior to joining Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, Mr. Hon practiced as an attorney at a firm specializing in civil litigation. He gained invaluable experience there conducting trials and navigating complex litigation. He wrote and successfully presented briefs to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, the Supreme Court of Alabama, and the Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. In addition to the experience he has in civil litigation, he also served as the Chief Executive Officer and in-house counsel for a business specializing in healthcare communication services.

Mr. Hon obtained his Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law in 2011. While in law school he volunteered with criminal prosecutors’ offices in Alabama and Georgia where he assisted in preparing cases for trial, developing witnesses, conducting probable cause hearings, arguing evidentiary matters in court, and writing appellate briefs that were successful before the Georgia Court of Criminal Appeals. Upon law school graduation, he was honored with a Pro Bono Recognition for his outstanding service.

Mr. Hon earned his bachelor’s degree at Wake Forest University where he graduated in 2008 with a double major in Political Science and Religion. He was inducted into Theta Alpha Kappa Religion Honor Society, Pi Sigma Phi Political Science Honor Society, and on the Dean’s List while at Wake Forest University.

Mr. Hon was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama. He currently resides in Birmingham, AL with his wife, Angie Hon. In addition to practicing law, he enjoys attending church, spending time with his wife, family and friends, reading, watching basketball, playing the piano, traveling, and outdoor activities.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar

Education

  • J.D., Emory University School of Law, 2011
  • B.A., Wake Forest University, 2008

Biographical Information

Sabrina Ruffin is a member in the Firm’s Business Section. She focuses her practice on representing owners, developers, lenders and borrowers, in both the public and private sectors, in real estate transactions, including acquisitions, dispositions, leasing, development and financing transactions. Sabrina has experience in negotiating, structuring, and documenting complex financing transactions involving all types of collateral, ranging from real estate to inventory and receivables, for both borrowers and lenders.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 2019
  • Mississippi State Bar, 2010

Education

  • J.D., Mississippi College School of Law, cum laude, 2010
  • M.B.A., University of Southern Mississippi, 2005
  • B.A., University of Southern Mississippi, 2003

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Leadership Mobile (2020)
  • Mississippi Bar, Young Lawyers Division, Chair of Communication Committee (2016), Bar Admission Committee (2015), Professionalism Committee (2014)
  • American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Co-Chairman (2014)
  • Jackson Young Lawyers, Board Member (2015) Athletic Committee Co-Chairman (2014), Speaker’s Committee Co-Chairman (2013)
  • Mississippi Surety Association Social Chairman and Event Coordinator (2015)
  • University Press of Mississippi, Board Member (2013—2016)
  • Junior League of Jackson, Community Council Member (2017—2019)
  • Mississippi Bar Leadership Forum (2015)
  • Leadership Madison County (2014)

Awards

  • Portico’s Top Ten Lawyers in Jackson, Mississippi, 2017
  • Finalist for Mississippi’s 50 Leading Business Women, 2016
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers Rising Star, 2014—2021

Biographical Information

Mr. Reardon is an associate in the Firm’s litigation section. He focuses his practice primarily in insurance claims and coverage litigation, commercial litigation and employment. Mr. Reardon also practices in the appellate advocacy group where he has experience with appeals in the Alabama appellate courts.

Mr. Reardon was born and raised in Nashville, TN. He is a 2015 graduate of Birmingham-Southern College where he received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration. While earning his degree, Mr. Reardon was a member of the tennis team where he served as team captain. Mr. Reardon received his law degree from Mississippi College School of Law in 2018.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • Tennessee State Bar
  • U.S. District Court: Alabama (Northern, Middle, Southern), Tennessee (Middle, Eastern)
  • U.S. Court of Appeals: Eleventh Circuit

Education

  • J.D., Mississippi College School of Law, 2018
  • B.S., Birmingham-Southern College, 2015

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Tennessee State Bar
  • Nashville Bar Association
  • Alabama State Bar
  • Birmingham Bar Association

Biographical Information

Emily Van Haneghan is an associate in the Firm’s litigation section. She maintains a diverse litigation practice with an emphasis on labor and employment law, as well as federal court litigation. Emily has a wide range of experience in a variety of areas of civil litigation, including employment litigation, life, health and disability, and automobile and trucking litigation.

Emily earned her law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Alabama School of Law, where she was elected to the Order of the Coif. While in law school, Emily served as a member of the Alabama Law Review, the John A. Campbell Moot Court Board, and Alabama’s Jessup International Law Moot Court Team.

Before joining the Firm, Emily gained valuable experience as a law clerk to the Honorable L. Scott Coogler, District Court Judge for the Northern District of Alabama.

Emily is a member of the Mobile Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar Association, and the Defense Research Institute.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • Alabama Federal District Courts

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, magna cum laude, 2018
  • B.A., Guilford College, 2015

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Alabama State Bar
  • Mobile Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute (Employment and Labor Law; Life, Health & Disability)

Biographical Information

Originally from Australia, Yanya received her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame Australia.  She then attended Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C. and subsequently practiced in the Washington, D.C., New York and London, England offices of an international law firm.  After returning to Perth, Australia to serve as general counsel for a publicly traded corporation for several years, Yanya ultimately returned to the United States to pursue her career and family objectives.  The geographic breadth and scope of Yanya’s practice have allowed her to glean experience in a broad array of transactions across a variety of industries, ranging from intellectual property, real estate development and corporate governance to mergers and acquisitions.  Many of the transactions in which Yanya has been involved have addressed international law issues and often have spanned multiple states in the US. Commercial, mixed-use and residential real estate development, commercial leasing and asset/share acquisitions and dispositions are particular areas in which Yanya has significant experience and in which she has successfully advised clients in working through the myriad of applicable issues. Yanya’s diverse background and experience grant an enlightened perspective and make her uniquely suited to serve the needs of the Firm’s clients.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • New York State Bar
  • Western Australia

Education

  • University of Notre Dame, Australia (LLB, Hon)
  • Georgetown University Law Center (LLM, Securities and Financial Regulation)

Biographical Information

Lisa Darnley Cooper is a member in the Firm’s Mobile, Alabama office and is a member of the Firm’s labor and employment and litigation groups.

Lisa’s pragmatic and thorough approach to her clients’ matters allows her to skillfully answer these common questions: How can we best minimize risks to our business and employees? Can or should we do “this”? We did “this,” now what? How can we do “this” better?

She focuses primarily on employment-related and business litigation, and her experience includes defending employers in discrimination, harassment, retaliation, FMLA, and FLSA proceedings at the administrative level and in state and federal courts. Lisa routinely advises clients on risk mitigation and compliance issues related to discrimination, harassment, terminations or reductions in force, and reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She has extensive experience drafting employee handbooks and workplace policies, contracts, and non-competition and non-solicitation agreements. She is frequently called upon to conduct a variety of workplace investigations or audits. Lisa also often assists the Firm’s transactional lawyers with employment related issues in mergers and acquisitions. Her work portfolio spans numerous industries and workplace settings including transportation and trucking, healthcare, manufacturing, construction, retail, utilities, automotive, education, tourism, and municipalities as well as state agencies.

Complementing her employment practice, Lisa assists businesses and municipalities with ADA accessibility and/or Fair Housing Act (FHA) compliance. She has handled numerous matters defending against private litigants and complaints or investigations originating with the DOJ or HUD.

Prior to joining the Firm, Lisa served as a law clerk to the Honorable Charles R. Butler, then Chief District Court Judge for the Southern District of Alabama.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1999
  • Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Alabama Federal District Courts

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, magna cum laude, 1999
  • B.A., University of Alabama, magna cum laude, 1995

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Alabama State Bar
  • Mobile Bar Association
  • South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program (Board Member)
  • American Bar Association (Litigation Section)

Publications and Presentations

Representative Cases

  • Edwin Woods v. Austal, 2011 WL 1380054(S.D.Ala. 2011) (Summary judgment on multiple claims including racial harassment and reasonable resolution of two remaining claims);
  • Balyn Parker v. Alabama State Port Authority, Case No. 09—32-EFA (Alabama State Personnel Department and Administrative Law Judge upholding termination );
  • Catanzaro v. James K. Lyons and Alabama State Port Authority, 232 Fed.Appx. 878, 11th Cir. 2007) (affirming summary judgment on reverse race discrimination claim under Title VII);
  • Radiation Therapy Oncology, P.C. v. Providence Hosp., 906 So. 2d 90 (Ala. 2005) (affirming summary judgment for hospital in leading Alabama case on medical staff privileges);
  • Reedy v. Armstrong – McCall LP, (S.D. Ala., September 1, 2004) (granting summary judgment in favor of franchisor on claims of fraud and tortious interference with business/contractual relations); aff’d without opinion, 130 Fed. Appx 422 (11th Cir. 2005);
  • Beard Equipment Co. v. Barko Hydraulics, Inc., unreported decision (Mob. Co. Cir. Ct., November 3, 2003) (granting summary judgment and awarding $136,000 to dealer on indemnity claim against product manufacturer who refused to defend dealer in underlying product liability action); affirmed without opinion, Barko Hydraulics, L.L.C. v. Beard Equipment Co., 920 So.2d 1138 (Ala. 2004);
  • Mitchell v. Folmar & Associates, LLP,, 854 So.2d 1115 (Ala. 2003) (Trial and appellate counsel: Eleventh Circuit affirming jury verdict obtained in favor of a partnership in a malicious prosecution action);
  • Joyce A. Stallworth v. S. D. Warren Corp., 2003 U.S. App. LEXIS 19926 (11th Cir. 2003) (affirming summary judgment for defendant on ERISA claim for denial of benefits);
  • Lamm Auto Sales v. Auto Parts Express, 37 Fed. Appx. 507 (11th Cir. 2002) (affirming summary judgment for defendant on claims of fraud, suppression, and breach of contract against corporation);
  • Jerry Eaton v. Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Inc., 2002 Ala.Civ.App. LEXIS 991 (Ala.Civ.App. 2002)(affirming summary judgment for defendant on terminated employee’s defamation claim);
  • Anthony Franks v. Mobile Co. Department of Public Health, Civil Action No.: 1:99-CV-01025-S, United States District Court, Southern District of Alabama (jury verdict for defendant on religious discrimination claim).

 Awards

  • Lawyer of the Year 2021 and 2023, Employment Law-Management, Litigation – Labor and Employment, Best Lawyers®
  • Best Lawyers in America© 2017—2023, Employment Law- Management
  • Best Lawyers in America© 2017—2023, Litigation-Labor and Employment
  • AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum-Class of 2009
  • William Kaufman Award 2013-Community Foundation of South Alabama
  • Order of the Coif- University of Alabama School of Law
  • Alabama Law Review-University of Alabama School of Law
  • Hugo Black Scholar-University of Alabama School of Law

Biographical Information

Stephen G. Crawford is a retired member of the Firm’s Business Section. He practices in the fields of general corporate, partnership, and commercial law; mergers and acquisitions; banking; executive compensation; and estate planning.

Steve was born in Asheville, North Carolina and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1964. He graduated from Duke University, A.B. 1961, and Duke University School of Law, LL.B. 1964. He is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha and the Order of the Coif. Steve served as a member of the Board of Editors of the Duke Law Journal.

He is a member of the Mobile County Bar Association and the Alabama Bar Association. Steve has been recognized in the book The Best Lawyers in America in the fields of corporate law and banking law for more than twenty years.

Biographical Information

Blane H. Crutchfield has retired from the firm. If you are in need of assistance, please contact Paul Beckmann, Chair of the Admiralty & Maritime Practice Group, at 251-694-6278 or pbeckmann@handfirm.com.

During his career, Blane represented clients in the fields of general litigation, admiralty and maritime law and has acted as a board member and counsel to a number of privately held corporations. Blane’s practice included both commercial and personal injury litigation, insurance coverage disputes, products liability, international trade, transportation and cargo matters and environmental torts. He practiced at the trial and appellate levels in both State and Federal courts and is admitted in the United States District Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama, the Fifth and Eleventh Circuit United States Courts of Appeals, the United States Court of International Trade and the United States Supreme Court.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1984

Education

  • J.D., Cumberland School of Law, cum laude, 1984
  • B.S., Auburn University, 1981

Additional Information

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rated
  • Best Lawyers In America©, 2005—2023, Admiralty and Maritime Law
  • Best Lawyers In America© Lawyer of the Year 2017

Biographical Information

Douglas W. Fink is a Member in the Firm’s Mobile office. He is a member of the Firm’s Life, Health and Disability, Admiralty, Product Liability, Insurance, and Personal Injury Groups. His litigation practice and experience encompasses these and a wide variety of other litigation areas, including commercial litigation, premises liability, underground storage tank liability, and professional liability.

Mr. Fink has tried jury and non-jury cases in both State and Federal Courts and has tried cases in arbitration. He has represented a wide range of clients, including insurance companies, insurance brokers, pharmacists, pharmacies, manufacturers, oil companies, shipyards, shipping and transportation firms, vessel owners, and airlines.

Mr. Fink is a member of the Commercial Litigation, Drug and Medical Device and Professional Liability Committees of the Defense Research Institute. He is a member of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association and has served on its editorial board. He is also a member of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute and has been elected as a Port Director.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1993

Education

  • J.D., Cumberland School of Law, 1993
  • B.S., Mississippi College, 1990

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations  

  • Mobile County Bar Association
  • Alabama State Bar Association
  • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute
  • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Propeller Club of the United States Port of Mobile

Publications and Presentations

  • “Recent Developments in Admiralty Law in the Eleventh, Sixth, and Eighth Circuits,” presented at the Southeastern Law Institute June 2005 Meeting.

Representative Cases

  • Fowler v. Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company, 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11277 (N.D. Ala. 2003).
  • Cooks v. Bender Shipbuilding & Repair Co., Inc., 833 So. 2d 631 (Ala. Civ. App. 2001).
  • Delta Air Lines, Inc. v. Barnard, 799 So. 2d 208 (Ala. Civ. App. 2001).
  • Frichelle Limited v. Master Marine, Inc., 2000 U.S. Dist LEXIS 8382 (S.D. Ala. 2000).
  • McDaniel v. Starvin’ Marvin, Inc., 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 8516 (S.D. Ala. 1999)
  • Shipley v. Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company, 352 F. Supp. 2d 1213 (S.D. Ala. 2005).

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rated 

Biographical Information

Ginger P. Gaddy is a retired member of the firm.  She practiced in the Public Finance and Economic Development Practice Group as well as the Tax, Trust and Estate Planning Practice Group.

If you are a client of the firm who has worked with Ms. Gaddy in the past and are in need of assistance, please contact Chris Gill, head of the Firm’s Business Section, at 251-694-6238 or cgill@handfirm.com, and Mr. Gill can help you identify the appropriate attorney in the Firm to assist you with your matter.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1995

Education

  • LL.M. (Taxation), University of Florida, 1997
  • J.D., Cumberland School of Law, 1995
  • B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1992

Additional Information

Awards

  • Chambers USA, Banking & Finance: Public Finance
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Public Finance Law, 2011—2023 
  • Alabama Super Lawyers, Bonds/Government Finance, Estate Planning & Probate
  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rated 

Biographical Information

Chris Gill serves as the head of Hand Arendall Harrison Sale’s Business Section. He practices primarily in the fields of real estate acquisition, development and financing and land use planning. He also has significant experience in the formation of business organizations, primarily for real estate acquisition and development purposes.

In his practice, Chris has represented the Firm’s clients in numerous real estate matters, primarily involving the acquisition, development and/or conveyance of real property. Chris’ land use planning practice involves representing developers who are seeking to obtain the various entitlements necessary to pursue a specific project.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 2000

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, summa cum laude, 2000
  • B.S., University of Alabama, summa cum laude, 1997

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Mobile United

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rated
  • Lawyer of the Year 2023, Real Estate Law, Best Lawyers In America©
  • Best Lawyers In America© Real Estate Law, 2018—2023 
  • Alabama Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Real Estate, 2010—2011

Biographical Information

Neil C. Johnston (Sr.) has practiced law with Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC since 1978, is a Member in the Mobile, Alabama law offices, and the Real Estate, Land Use and Timber Practice Group Leader. Neil is a 1975 graduate of Southwestern at Memphis (Rhodes College) (B.A. in Economics and Urban Studies), attended University College in 1973 (Oxford, England), and the University of Alabama School of Law (1978). Neil works with clients regarding permitting and other legal and practical solutions regarding general real estate, development, surface and subsurface uses, and coastal, riparian and submerged land issues affecting ownership, use, development and redevelopment.

Water, wetlands, stormwater, oysters, endangered species, timber, turkeys, cultural resources, cane poles and crickets are constant companions . . . and now sUAVs.

Projects have included permitting and compliance for multi use residential/commercial/conservation projects along the Gulf Coast, Mobile Bay and many of the rivers, creeks, watersheds, and floodplains throughout Alabama, in addition to golf courses, pipelines and other linear projects, race track complexes, timberland, water use and supply, sand and gravel, and coal as well as oil and gas developments.

Neil holds certificates from Wetland Resources for Wetland Delineation and Identification, and Wetland Rapid Assessment Procedure workshops, and has held a Stormwater Qualified Credentialed Inspector Certificate 2007—2012 and 2013—2017, QCI # T0751; and is a 2017 certified Professional Logging Manager, Certificate # 109641.

Recent law adventures have involved Section 333 Exemptions and “new” Part 107 Certificates and Waivers from the FAA rules regulating national/navigable airspace and “manned” aircraft for the use and services involving the commercial operations of small UAVs (drones) by clients involved in land trust activities, forest management, mitigation services, photography and the development of new technologies, as well as defending rights of small and large landowners, preparing contracts, easements, permits and other documents addressing permitted and prohibited uses of sUAS. Other sUAV clients are involved in commercial and professional aerial videography, photography and data collections, and evolving and innovative activities.

Neil is a 2013 Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), the 2014 Chairman of the Alabama Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and built (with his wife Ashley) the first certified LEED Silver waterfront, resilient and energy-efficient residence on Mobile Bay (presented the USGBC “Clover Award” 2012). He is also active in public service, a licensed participant of the Mobile Bay Oyster Gardening Program, sponsor of the Oyster Trail, and active with the annual Coastal Kids Quiz. Neil is also active with the American Bar Association Section on Environment, Energy and Resources (Committees: Public Service, Forestry, Smart Growth, Wetlands, Water Resources) and the Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Section, and active with the Alabama Bar Association – Environmental Law Section (Chairman 1984 and 1991), Real Estate Law Section, and the Oil and Gas Law Section.

He has received numerous awards for his work in the fields of conservation, environmental law and education, including Named the Mobile Environmental Lawyer of the Year for 2011 and 2014 by Best Lawyers, the 2009 Community Partner Award from Partners for Environmental Progress, 2003 National Wetlands Award from the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C., Gulf Guardian Award 2002 – First Place Conservation Education (Ribbit’s Big Splash), the 2003 Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award (“Conservation Educator of the Year” for The Project CATE Foundation) from the Alabama Wildlife Federation, the 2002 Best Environmental Education Award for development of Ribbit’s Big Splash from the Environment Education Association of Alabama, the Wetlands Merit Award from the Environmental Protection Agency in 2000, and the Governor’s Conservation Achievement Award (“Water Conservationist of the Year”) from the Alabama Wildlife Federation in 1987. At the 2011 Fall Meeting of the American Bar Association Section on Environment, Energy and Resources, Neil was presented The Phoenix Award as the Chairman of the Forest Resources Committee for the Committee’s work during the 2010-2011 year. The Phoenix Award is a special recognition given to the Committee that has made an outstanding effort to improve the Committee’s performance over the past year.

He is a member of numerous professional and civic associations, including the Rotary Club of Mobile (President, 1996), the Nature Conservancy of Alabama (Board of Trustees, 1990-1996), The Project CATE Foundation, Inc. (President and General Counsel, 1997-present), Alabama Coastal Foundation (President, 2003-2004), Partners for Environmental Progress (Board Member), America’s Junior Miss, Inc. (Board of Directors, 1996-2002), Society of American Military Engineers (Member 1996 – present), Alabama Chapter, Soil and Water Conservation Society (Member), the International Right-of-Way Association (Member), Governor’s Wetland Mitigation Task Force (Member), Chair of the USGBC Alabama Chapter (2014); member of the USGBC – Gulf Coast Branch (Past Director of State Chapter) of the Alabama Chapter, and a member of the Environmental Law Institute.

Biographical Information

Douglas L. McCoy practices primarily in the area of commercial litigation, including cases involving intellectual property and non-compete agreement disputes, claims arising out of financing and leasing transactions, contract disputes, cyber security breach related claims, real estate litigation, securities litigation, corporate control litigation, commercial fraud and tort litigation, engineers and accountants professional liability claims and construction related litigation, as well as in the areas of estate litigation, products liability litigation and class action litigation. Doug serves as chair of Hand Arendall Harrison Sale’s class action litigation practice group.

Doug graduated from Duke University School of Law in 1982 and from the University of Tennessee, B.S., magna cum laude, in 1979. Doug is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the Alabama Supreme Court, as well as before the United States Circuit Courts of Appeal for the Second, Fifth and Eleventh Circuits and the United States District Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama.

Doug has argued before the United States Circuit Courts of Appeal for the Second, Fifth and Eleventh Circuits and before the Alabama Supreme Court. He has handled cases for clients in the United States District Courts for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. Doug has also litigated cases in a significant number of the Circuit Courts of Alabama as well as in state courts in several Mississippi counties.

Doug’s litigation experience has involved a broad range of legal issues which have arisen out of widely varying factual situations. His undergraduate degree in accounting contributes to his acumen for understanding complex factual scenarios as well as detailed technical information and his belief in developing a full understanding of the operations of his clients, particularly as those operations pertain to the issues in a particular case, have given Doug a strategic advantage which he has used for the benefit of his clients in many cases.

Doug has lectured and written on various topics including non-competition and trade secret litigation, class action litigation as well as damages issues including the defense of claims for punitive damages. He is presently a member of Leadership for the ABA Section of Litigation. Doug is a past Co-Chair of the Business Torts Litigation Committee of the ABA Section of Litigation, a past Co-Chair of the Trial Practice Committee of the ABA Section of Litigation and a past Co-Chair of the Consumer and Civil Rights Litigation Committee of the ABA Section of Litigation. Doug is a past President of the American Counsel Association and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Doug is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi, the Alabama Bar Association, the Mobile Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Doug has achieved Martindale Hubbell’s highest AV rating.

Biographical Information

Bruce McGowin has extensive experience in the fields of real estate, commercial finance, and environmental law. His clients include utilities, manufacturers, developers, investors, retailers, banks, finance companies, title insurers and management companies.

Bruce is a member of the Mobile County Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar (Chairman, Environmental Section, 1988-1989), and the American Bar Association. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Downtown Mobile Alliance. He is a member of Leadership Coastal Alabama. He was a contributing editor for the Environmental Practice Guide published by Matthew Bender & Co. in 1992. Bruce is a frequent lecturer on environmental and real estate matters and is recognized in the book The Best Lawyers in America, for real estate law and environmental law.

SAMPLE TRANSACTIONS

  • Acquisition of a 2.1 million square foot former railcar production facility in Colbert County, AL – Representing Buyer 
  • Sale of retail and commercial multi-use development at The Wharf, Orange Beach, AL – Representing Receiver/Seller 
  • Sale and financing of multiple beachfront properties for hotel development, Orange Beach, AL – Representing Seller and Lender 
  • Representation of European and Asian banks in $175,000,000 loan facility for development of chemical production facility in Decatur, AL – Representing Lenders
  • Land swap pertaining to various Mobile River properties between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Alabama State Port Authority, Mobile, AL – Representing Port Authority 
  • Sale of Konica-Minolta office and production campus to Mobile County School Board, Mobile, AL – Representing Seller 
  • Acquisition of All Pipeline Right of Ways for LNG facility (Mobile, AL and Offshore State Lands) – Representing Buyer
  • Sale of former Kaiser Aluminum Wire Manufacturing Facility, Bay Minette, AL – Representing Seller 
  • Purchase of 114 acre International Paper Company Mill Site for the Alabama State Port Authority, Mobile, AL – Representing Buyer 
  • Purchase of Beach frontage for Condominium Development, Gulf Shores, AL – Representing Lender 
  • Purchase of 49 Hectares on the Rio Panuco, Tampico, Mexico for Shipyard Construction – Representing Buyer 
  • Sale of Former Navy Homeport to Exxon LNG, Mobile, AL – Representing Seller
  • Sale of FBI Building, Mobile, AL – Representing Buyer 
  • Acquisition of All Right of Ways Required in Alabama and Mississippi for Gulfstream TransGulf Pipeline (Gautier, MS and Mobile, AL to Tampa, FL) – Representing Buyer 
  • Purchase of Citgo Oil Terminal, Panama City, FL – Representing Buyer
  • Development of Historic Malbis (300 Lot New Urbanism Subdivision), Daphne, AL – Representing Developer 
  • Purchase of 14,000 acres of Timberland, Keith Springs, TN – Representing Buyer
  • Refinancing of Three Wood Chip Mills, Monroe County, AL – Representing Borrower
  • Sale of Oil Refinery and Associated Pipeline to Shell Oil Co., Chickasaw, AL – Representing Seller 
  • Sale of 5,000-acre resort community (including hotel, condominiums, undeveloped lots, golf course and single family residences), Still Waters, AL – Representing Seller 
  • Private Auction of 325 Commercial and Residential Properties for the Resolution Trust Corporation – Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham and Huntsville, AL – Representing Seller 
  • Purchase of First National Bank Building, Mobile, AL – Representing Buyer 
  • Financing the Sale and Lease Back of 36 Auto Parts Stores in eleven states – Representing Lender
  • Development and creation of numerous condominiums at Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, AL – Representing Developers 
  • Purchase of Springdale Mall, Mobile, AL – Representing Buyer

Biographical Information

Brooks Milling devotes a significant portion of his practice to the representation of buyers and sellers of businesses. He has handled numerous bank mergers involving the public offering of registered common stock. He also frequently represents buyers and sellers of small to medium sized private businesses. Mr. Milling has advised public companies regarding compliance with the 1933 Act and the 1934 Act and assisted in the preparation of periodic reports required by the 1934 Act. Brooks represents several charitable foundations that have significant timberland holdings. Brooks previously served as the head of the Firm’s Business Section. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America for corporate law.

Other significant components of his practice include:

  • advising banks and bank holding companies in corporate and regulatory matters;
  • representing buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants in real estate transactions;
  • representing charitable private foundations;
  • the formation of corporations, limited liability companies and partnerships for clients engaged in all types of business; and
  • providing general corporate and transactional advice to businesses.

Biographical Information

Henry T. Morrissette is a strong and creative advocate for clients in state and federal courts throughout Alabama. He has more than 30 years of experience successfully representing corporate and individual clients in business and insurance disputes and defending businesses and insurance companies in life, health, and disability insurance; ERISA; employee benefits; fraud and bad faith; product liability; and class action cases. Henry serves as Chair of the Firm’s Personal Injury, Insurance and Employment Practice Group. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and was named Best Lawyers 2013 “Lawyer of the Year” for Insurance Law for Mobile, Alabama. Henry has also been selected for inclusion in Mid-South Super Lawyers.

Henry is very active in civil defense trial lawyer organizations. He is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC). Henry is past Chair of the IADC In House and Law Firm Management Committee. He served as Co-Editor of the Third Edition of the Defense Counsel Training Manual published by the IADC. Henry is also a past Chair of the IADC Trial Techniques and Tactics Committee. He served on the faculty of the 2012 IADC Trial Academy at Stanford Law School. Henry also served as 2010 General Convention Chair and as Program Chair for the 2011 IADC Annual meeting. Henry was President of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association in 2001—2002 and served as Alabama State Representative for the Defense Research Institute from 2002—2005. He currently serves as Chair of the Federal Court Civil Practice Section of the Mobile Bar Association.

Henry is actively involved in the Mobile community. He is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce and served as Vice Chair for Economic Development. Henry served as the Co-Chair of the Mobile Connect Program for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. Henry served as President of the Mobile Arts Council in 2012. He also volunteers his time with the South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program. Henry and his wife, Beth, live near Downtown Mobile.

Biographical Information

Caine O’Rear has been in private practice with the Firm of Hand Arendall Harrison Sale since 1975, where he serves as chairman of the Firm’s Litigation Section. He is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States and the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits and tries cases in all three federal districts and numerous circuit courts in Alabama, as well as in courts of other jurisdictions. Mr. O’Rear usually serves as lead counsel both at trial and on appeal.

Mr. O’Rear handles complex cases involving issues of fraud, the False Claims Act, business torts, breach of contract, constitutional claims, class action certification, and professional liability. He also conducts corporate internal investigations and advises companies regarding their compliance obligations. His clients span a wide variety of industries, including government contractors, health care providers, financial companies, nuclear energy, utilities, technology companies, state government, municipalities, and engineering firms.

Mr. O’Rear has prevailed at trial and on appeal for his clients in a number of significant cases throughout the years. Reported decisions include:

  • Baldwin County Elec. Membership Corp. v. City of Fairhope (2008 WL 2410213) (obtained defense verdict and affirmance on appeal in favor of municipality in territorial dispute between two electric utilities);
  • Radiation Therapy Oncology v. Providence Hospital (2005 WL 78756) (obtained summary judgment and affirmance on appeal for hospital in leading case on medical staff privileges);
  • Waddell & Reed, Inc. v. United Investors Life Ins. Co. (2003 WL 21512990) (obtained for financial services company a reversal on appeal of $50 million verdict and established new law on tortious interference with business relations claim); and
  • Louisiana Debating and Literary Ass’n v. City of New Orleans, 42 F.3d 1483 (1995 WL 8991) (obtained judgment and affirmance on appeal in Fifth Circuit for private clubs in leading First Amendment case regarding freedom of association).

More recently, Mr. O’Rear served as co-lead counsel with other members of his Firm in representing the State of Alabama and Alabama Medicaid against various pharmaceutical manufacturers where the State obtained a series of jury verdicts in excess of $400 million regarding claims of improper prescription drug price reporting by the defendant manufacturers. In 2013-14, Mr. O’Rear defended south Alabama’s largest health care provider against a multi-million dollar complaint filed by the U.S. Department of Justice under the False Claims Act.

Mr. O’Rear has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for the categories of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Construction Litigation. He is also listed in Chambers USA for Commercial Litigation and in Alabama Super Lawyers for Business Litigation. He was named by The Best Lawyers in America as the Lawyer of the Year 2016 for Bet-the-Company Litigation in Mobile, Alabama.

Mr. O’Rear has been active in the Alabama State Bar and other professional organizations. He is a Fellow of the Alabama Law Foundation and served on the Board of Bar Commissioners from 1992 through 2001. He has served on the faculty of the IADC’s National Trial Academy and has written and lectured on topics involving trial techniques, trial strategy and ethics. He recently chaired the Federal Court Civil Practice Committee for the Southern District of Alabama.

Mr. O’Rear served in the United States Army and attained the rank of Captain.

Biographical Information

Buzzy Riis serves at the Managing Lawyer for the Mobile office of the firm. He is a lifetime resident of Mobile, Alabama, graduating from Washington & Lee University, B.A., cum laude, 1982, and receiving his law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law, J.D., 1985. He has been with the firm since 1991, and is a member of the Litigation Section of the law firm actively involved in the following Practice Groups: Personal Injury & Insurance; Construction; Employment and Labor, Worker’s Compensation, and Cybersecurity.

Buzzy practices in the field of general civil litigation with a concentration in personal injury, trucking defense and construction defense litigation. Buzzy has tried more than 50 jury trials. He also has more than 30 years experience in OSHA disputes on behalf of contractors, healthcare providers, shipyards, stevedores and manufacturing facilities in contesting citations from the Occupational Safety & Health Commission. Buzzy has tried cases both before juries and judges in Mobile County, Baldwin County, Montgomery County, Choctaw County, Escambia County and Conecuh County, Alabama. He has also tried cases in the federal courts for the Southern District of Alabama and has argued appeals before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

Buzzy has been active in the pro bono lawyer program in the City of Mobile throughout his practice. He was recognized as the 2003 recipient of the Ben Kilborn Volunteer Lawyer of the Year.

While in law school, Buzzy served on the Editorial Board of the Alabama Law Review. He is currently a member of the Mobile Bar Association, the Alabama Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Alabama Self-Insurers Association, the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (Executive Council), and TIDA. He was inducted into the Paul Brock Inn of Court in 1999. He serves on the Associate Board of Directors of the Mobile AGC (Associated General Contractors) and he is a Past-President of the Associate Board of the Mobile and state AGC.

Buzzy and his wife, Nicole, are members of Government Street Presbyterian Church. He has two children: a son, Burruss, and a daughter, Mickey. His son, Burruss, graduated from the University of Southern Miss and law school at the University of Alabama School of Law. Mickey attended Auburn University and now works in Opelika, Alabama. Buzzy also has two stepdaughters, Mollie and Callie. Mollie is a graduate of the University of Alabama and Callie graduated from Mississippi State and is now at the University of Alabama School of Law.

Biographical Information

Norman Stockman is chair of the Firm’s Litigation Section. Norman’s diverse practice includes commercial litigation, maritime litigation and transactions, construction litigation and contract negotiations, and bankruptcy litigation. Norman tries cases in state and federal courts in Alabama and Mississippi and is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida and the Fifth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals.

Norman’s clients include marine towing companies, terminal operators, shipyards, shipowners, marinas, domestic and international marine insurers, architects, engineers, contractors, suppliers, property owners, commercial insurance companies, financial institutions, and other businesses and commercial interests.

Norman is actively involved in numerous trade and business associations and has served in leadership positions as president of the Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Mobile, as chair of the Young Lawyers Committee and member of the board of directors of the Maritime Law Association of the United States, and as a member of the Alabama State Bar Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee. Norman is also the past president and member of the board of directors of the Dauphin Way United Methodist Church Foundation and is the vice-chair and member of the board of directors of the Mobile Museum of Art.

Biographical Information

George Walker is a member in the Firm’s Mobile office. His litigation practice and experience encompasses a wide variety of litigation areas, including product liability litigation; toxic tort litigation; banking practices and conduct litigation; commercial litigation; and employment discrimination litigation.

Mr. Walker has tried (and prosecuted/defended the appeals of) numerous jury and non-jury cases throughout Alabama and in Mississippi and Northwest Florida in both state and federal courts, representing banks, doctors, product manufacturers and distributors, insurance agents, employers, insurance companies, and airlines. The Representative and Reported Cases list reflects the variety of his litigation practice over the last 41 years. In addition, he has counseled clients in all of these areas on ways in which litigation might be avoided.

Mr. Walker has also frequently written and spoken extensively on litigation topics. He has written on topics as diverse as the award of attorneys’ fees, junk science, closing arguments, proximate cause, expert witnesses, and employment torts for such publications as the Alabama Lawyer, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association Journal, DRI’s For the Defense, and the Newsletters of the DRI Committees. In addition, he has spoken at meetings of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, the DRI Trial Tactics Committee seminars, the Environmental Law Section of the Alabama State Bar, and the Mobile Bar Association Bench and Bar Conference.

Mr. Walker is a member of the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association, as well as a member of and a former Director for the Defense Research Institute, as well as its Product Liability, Professional Liability, Medical Liability, Commercial Litigation, Trial Tactics, and Toxic Tort and Environmental Law Committees. He is a member and Past President of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys. He is recognized in the book The Best Lawyers in America, and is also recognized as an Alabama Super Lawyer. He was a sustaining member of the Product Liability Advisory Council from 1999 to 2015 and participated in its Amicus Curiae Program. Outside of his practice of law, Mr. Walker serves as a Director Emeritus and as a former President of the Alabama Golf Association. From 1993 until 2011, Mr. Walker served on the Board of Trustees at the University of Montevallo and as the Chair of the Board from 2006 until 2011.

Biographical Information

Roger Bates has served as the firm’s Managing Lawyer for more than 10 years, and guided the firm through its geographic expansion into Florida.  Mr. Bates has extensive experience in complex business and commercial litigation, including business and contract disputes, labor and employment and healthcare-related litigation. He also represents clients before state and federal regulatory agencies and assists them with governmental relations issues. Mr. Bates regularly represents postsecondary educational institutions in litigation, compliance and regulatory matters. He serves as a Member of the Board of Trustees of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the body for accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states.  Mr. Bates has served as a specially appointed Deputy Attorney General in Alabama since 1995 and has represented the State of Alabama and various agencies in state and federal courts. Mr. Bates was also appointed to serve a term as the City Attorney for the City of Hoover, Alabama and he currently serves as the County Attorney for Chilton County, Alabama. 

Mr. Bates has served on numerous committees of the Birmingham Bar Association and has lectured on a variety of topics for continuing legal education seminars. As General Counsel for the Alabama Pharmacy Association, Mr. Bates publishes a quarterly journal article on law and ethics. Mr. Bates is active in the Birmingham area community. Mr. Bates is a member of the American Bar Association, and of its State and Local Government Law and Litigation Sections. He is also a member of the American Health Lawyers Association and the Alabama Association of Municipal Attorneys. In 2015, he was named a Fellow of the Alabama Law Foundation in recognition of his service to the community.

Mr. Bates was born in Clanton, Alabama. After being admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1982, he was a law clerk to Senior U.S. District Judge C. W. Allgood until 1983. In 1979, Mr. Bates received a B.S. degree from Auburn University, and in 1982, he obtained his J.D. from Cumberland School of Law. While attending law school he was awarded the Donald E. Corley Best Advocate Award, served on the National Mock Trial Team, and was an associate member of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy.

Biographical Information

Shane Black practices in the field of general civil litigation. His litigation practice encompasses a variety of areas, including commercial litigation, property law, municipal law, education law, and complex litigation. The following list of Representative and Reported Cases reflects the variety of his practice.

Mr. Black was born in Ripley, Alabama and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1997. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in 1994 from Birmingham-Southern College, cum laude. He obtained his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law, summa cum laude. Mr. Black is a member of the Order of the Coif, and served as the Editor in Chief of the Alabama Law Review.

Outside of his law practice, Mr. Black serves as the President of the Board of Directors for Athens Main Street.

Biographical Information

I. Ripon Britton, Jr. practices primarily in the area of probate proceedings, guardianships, conservatorships, elder law planning, real property litigation, commercial litigation, and municipal and local government representation.

Conservatorship & Probate: Mr. Britton has a wide probate practice including conservatorships, guardianships, and estate administration. In addition to his representative work, he also serves as Conservator, Guardian, Trustee, Special Needs Trustee or Payee appointed by the Probate Court, the Circuit Court, Social Security Administration, or private clients. In this role, he is responsible for marshaling assets, litigating real and personal property ownership issues, managing estate funds, overseeing nursing home placement, Medicaid eligibility, and overseeing payment of the beneficiaries’ day to day needs and expenses. He is involved in all areas of administration of simple and complex estates. He also counsels with family members regarding elder care planning, estate planning, and Medicaid eligibility.

Special Needs Trust: Mr. Britton is also privileged to serve as the trustee for numerous individuals who have special needs and to administer their Special Needs Trusts and to counsel with them and their families.

Litigation: Mr. Britton has extensive litigation experience representing clients in real estate litigation, commercial, property and insurance disputes, business tort cases, insurance fraud, bad faith cases, and insurance agent representation. 

Municipal & Local Government: Mr. Britton also has a broad municipal and local government practice. He is the former prosecutor for Hoover, Alabama, and Tarrant, Alabama. He previously served as Assistant County Attorney for Jefferson County, Alabama.

Mr. Britton was born and raised in Birmingham. He attended Auburn University where he received his degree in Industrial Management and was elected President of the Student Government Association. He attended Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham where he was an Associate Editor of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy, and a member of the Moot Court Board and the Trial Board.

 

Biographical Information

Tracy Davis is a member of Hand Arendall Harrison Sale’s employment, healthcare, and commercial litigation teams. During her tenure at the Firm, Tracy has concentrated in a variety of litigation areas. She has extensive trial experience in large complex litigation, contract cases, and all types of employment disputes. She regularly provides counsel to state entities, health centers, and community colleges on various topics.

Outside of the law practice, Mrs. Davis is a wife and mother. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, designing and completing home renovation projects, and reading novels.

She graduated from undergraduate studies from the University of Alabama. She attended Loyola University School of Law, served as a Managing Editor of the Law Review, and graduated magna cum laude.

Biographical Information

John S. Johnson is a member of the Firm’s Litigation Section. He practices in the field of general civil litigation but spends most of his time working on labor and employment law and life, health and disability insurance matters. He has pre-trial, trial and appellate experience in state and federal courts throughout the State of Alabama and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. He enjoys assisting business clients with all types of employment matters, including crafting personnel policies, drafting and enforcing non-compete agreements, making personnel decisions, defending discrimination and harassment claims, and other employment-related issues. John also has extensive experience assisting life and disability insurers in ERISA and bad faith litigation.

John was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1997. He received his law degree from Washington & Lee University School of Law in 1997 and his Bachelor’s degree from Samford University, magna cum laude, in 1994. He was also admitted to the Mississippi State Bar in 2005. He remains admitted to practice in all state and federal district courts in Alabama and Mississippi, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is a member of the Birmingham Bar Association and the Defense Research Institute. He is also active at Antioch Community Church and in the City of Vestavia Hills, where he enjoys spending time with his family, reading and being outside.

Biographical Information

Designations & Registrations

  • Alabama Super Lawyers©
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers©
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Insurance Law, 2012—2023 
  • Birmingham Business Journal – Best Alabama Attorneys
  • B Metro Magazine – Top Rated Attorneys in Birmingham
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent
  • Registered Mediator

Drew has tried cases in state and federal courts throughout Alabama for over 33 years. He is committed to understanding from the outset his client’s goal and objectives for the prosecution or defense of the litigation and achieving those goals. Drew is frequently involved in ADR, particularly arbitration and mediation. Drew has extensive experience representing owners and contractors in construction disputes and defending product liability claims involving a wide range of products from heavy equipment to construction products, commercial and consumer products, as well as chemicals. He also defends major carriers in bad faith litigation. Drew is dedicated to recognizing and developing opportunities to effect desirable business resolutions of claims at all phases, pre-suit through trial.

Biographical Information

Mark T. Waggoner is the Chair of the Firm’s Employment and Labor Practice Group. Mark argued the position of respondent, Dr. Steve Franks, before the United States Supreme Court in Lane v. Franks (134 S. Ct. 2369) on April 28, 2014. He has significant experience in most types of civil litigation, but his emphasis is in the fields of employment law (with an emphasis in constitutional law in public sector and higher education employment) and environmental law. He represents management in all aspects of workplace statutory compliance, employment discrimination charges and litigation, employment contracts, personnel policies and procedures, and workplace drug testing. He served as Hearing Officer for Jefferson County Personnel Board.

Mark is a frequent speaker to various groups regarding employment issues. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute and is on the steering committee of DRI’s Employment Law Committee. He has also been appointed to serve as an Administrative Law Judge in health care facility permitting matters before the Certificate of Need Review Board, State Health Planning and Development Agency. Mark has served as a First Amendment Free Speech subject matter expert for Colleges and other post-secondary institutions.

Mark’s environmental law experience includes administrative permitting proceedings and appeals before the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and litigation concerning Clean Water Act and Solid Waste Act compliance. Mark served as chair of the Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section of the Alabama State Bar, 2007-2008. He was appointed by Alabama Governor Bob Riley to serve on the board of the Red Mountain Greenway and Recreational Area Commission.

He has been appointed to serve as Deputy Attorney General to handle numerous litigation matters for the State of Alabama and its agencies for more than 20 years.

After graduation from law school, Mark served as Legislative Assistant to United States Senator Jeremiah Denton; in the Office of the General Counsel, U.S. Department of Energy; and as Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Legislative, Intergovernmental and Public Affairs, U. S. Department of Energy.

Biographical Information

James S. Witcher, III practices in the field of civil litigation. He represents clients in the areas of commercial law, business torts, maritime law, banking, insurance coverage law and environmental law.

James was born in Jacksonville, Florida. He graduated cum laude from Birmingham Southern College in 1990 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He was a member of Sigma Tau Delta.

James obtained his Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama School of Law and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1995. At the University of Alabama, James served as acting Editor-in-Chief of the Law and Psychology Review. He was a member of the Bench and Bar Honor Society and was elected Associate Justice to the Honor Court. He is a member of the Birmingham Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar, the American Bar Association, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, the Defense Research Institute, the Maritime Law Association of the United States, the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute and the Atlanta Claims Association.

James strives to serve the needs of his clients by understanding their goals. He has represented a variety of businesses with different needs and concerns. Representative clients range from large multi-state banks to locally held businesses. He has handled numerous cases in the state and federal court systems from the beginning of the litigation process through trial and appeal. He has also represented clients in various arbitration forums.

Biographical Information

Gregory L. Leatherbury, Jr. (Greg) obtained his Master of Law degree (LL.M) from New York University in taxation law, and has extensive experience in a broad range of practice areas, including real estate, corporate, tax, probate, and estate planning, including wills, trusts, durable powers of attorney and living wills..

REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCE:

Greg has extensive experience in the area of real estate transactions and development, including commercial and residential multi-family condominium developments. Greg’s office is located in South Baldwin County near the Gulf Coast, and represents developers throughout the development process, including formation of development entities, joint venture agreement, acquisition of properties, representations before the Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Baldwin County political bodies for re-zonings and approvals of projects; preparation of condominium documents and filings with HUD in Washington under the Interstate Land Sales Fair Disclosure Act (if applicable). Greg also represents developers in the permitting process for various developments, including representation before the Army Corps of Engineers, Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and U. S. Fish & Wildlife with respect to Alabama Beach Mouse and other endangered species. Greg is a member of the American College of Mortgage Counsel and has served on its National Board of Regents. Greg also handled the legal representation for developers that constructed the toll bridge and eight miles of roadway in South Baldwin County.

CORPORATE AND BUSINESS PRACTICE:

Greg has vast experience over the years in business and commercial law, business organizations, mergers and acquisitions. Many of Greg’s clients are families which own closely-held businesses, and Greg has handled all of the family matters, including the business, corporate, financing and business succession planning. Greg served on the Alabama Law Institute committees that prepared the Revised Alabama Business Corporation Act, the Limited Liability Company Act, and is currently serving on the Business Entities Committee. Greg also served as Chairman of the University of Alabama Federal Tax Clinic and the Alabama Tax Institute Federal Tax Seminar.

ESTATE PLANNING, PROBATE AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION:

Greg’s tax background has afforded him extensive practice in family estate planning, including family LLCs and LLPs, wills, trusts, life insurance trusts, CRUTS, CRATS, and administration of probate estates. Greg is included in the book The Best Lawyers in America in the fields of tax law and trusts and estates and is a member of the Mobile Estate Planning Council.

GENERAL:

Greg was born in Mobile, Alabama and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1973. He graduated from The University of Alabama, B.A. 1969, The University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. 1972, and New York University School of Law, LL.M. (Taxation) 1973. Greg now lives in Orange Beach, Alabama.

Biographical Information

David A. Ryan’s practice encompasses a broad array of transactions, ranging from developments involving real estate to securities offerings to mergers and acquisitions. His practice generally can be grouped into the following categories:

Real Estate: Purchases, developments and divestitures of all types, including commercial, residential, mixed-use, resort, special-purpose and others, comprise David’s real estate practice. Transactions often include assemblage of land parcels, complex entitlements issues, historic districts, tax credits, negotiation of joint development ventures and agreements, procurement and negotiation of debt and equity through institutional providers and private placements, procurement of all capital stack components, negotiation of hierarchical risks and returns to various transaction participants, provision of non-consolidation opinions and other opinions necessary to facilitate financing and otherwise consummate transactions.

Condominiums: As an integral component of David’s real estate development experience, he has been involved in a multitude of condominium developments, including mixed-use, residential, commercial, vertical, horizontal and land condominiums. Such projects have included procurement of air rights, subterranean rights, lighting rights and other issues associated with high-rise/high-density developments. These transactions have involved private parties, public entities and governmental institutions, and in some instances have involved private, public and governmental participation in a single development.

Ground Leases: Ground lease structures are a recurring theme in David’s practice, and he has negotiated such arrangements in connection with a variety of real estate transactions, some of which involve condominiums, others which involve private and public institutions, and many of which have involved both public and private universities. As a component of his ground lease experience, David has structured sub-ground leases as a derivative component of master ground lease structures and has negotiated ground lease conversions to fee ownership interests. The specific issues pertaining to title insurance represented by ground lease transactions are an area in which David has been heavily involved.

Public-Private Partnerships: As the public sector has become increasingly interested in sharing the financial burdens and risks associated with large scale developments, David’s practice has increasingly involved public-private partnerships.  These arrangements have involved municipalities, counties and state organizations across the United States, and have included ordinance, zoning district and overlay area creation, municipality expansion, land use planning, infrastructure projects, mixed-use developments, toll bridges, student-oriented housing, and hotels and related developments in resort areas.

Securities: Exempt from registration securities offerings have played a significant role in David’s practice, whether such offerings have been for a particular project or whether a fund is being created for various investment purposes, and whether related to real estate or otherwise. David’s securities practice has involved significant filings and appearance before local, state and federal agencies.

Mergers and Acquisitions: The purchase and sale of business interests and controlling interest purchases and sales in ongoing business ventures have been a component of David’s practice from its inception, and involves asset purchases, ongoing business concern purchases and sales, membership interest purchases and sales, negotiation of structured buyouts with post-closing participation in ongoing success of the venture, as well as wind-downs, spinoffs and other types of divestitures, including addressing the various tax implications associated therewith.

Professional Services Representation: Throughout David’s practice he has been active in the representation of physicians and physician groups with their various transactional needs, including professional services agreements, management services agreements, mergers, acquisitions, partial, complete and phased buyouts of professional service groups and other related transactions. He has been involved in multiple Certificates of Need procurements. Restructuring of professional service groups to facilitate growth, attraction of talent and succession planning has also been an area of focus in David’s professional services representation.

General: Throughout David’s practice he has been integrally involved in and consummated billions of dollars of transactions, and in doing so has represented owners, developers, borrowers, lenders, equity providers, municipalities and state agencies.

David is a member of the American, Birmingham and Mobile Bar Associations, and serves as a member of the Board of Directors of various charitable and civic organizations.

 

 

Biographical Information

Michael Niemeyer serves as chairman of the Commercial Litigation Practice Group for the firm. He has practiced in Alabama since 1990, representing national, state, and local clients in state and federal courts throughout Alabama. He is a lifelong resident of Baldwin County and enhances the Firm’s litigation and business practice in that jurisdiction.

Michael specializes in the representation of business, professional, insurance, retail and individual clients in commercial and property/casualty litigation, and he has successfully represented these clients in numerous arbitrations and civil trials in both state and federal courts in Alabama. The significant matters in which Michael has recently been involved include:

  • representation of developers, contractors, real estate firms and engineering firms in real estate and professional liability disputes and litigation
  • representation of contractors, subcontractors and product manufacturers in construction defect disputes, litigation and arbitration
  • representation of professional appraisers in litigation arising out of professional liability claims by lenders
  • representation of businesses to judicially enforce non-compete and confidentiality provisions of employment agreements
  • representation of a regional health care system in real estate and professional employment agreement disputes and litigation
  • representation of members and shareholders of closely held businesses in control and buy/sell disputes
  • representation of businesses in complex personal injury and wrongful death litigation
  • representation of product manufacturers in personal injury and wrongful death litigation
  • representation of policyholders and insurance companies in insurance coverage disputes and bad faith litigation
  • representation of insurance companies in claim investigations, coverage disputes and bad faith cases arising out of occupational accident/disability policies

Michael graduated from Louisiana State University (B.S. Bus. Adm. 1986), and obtained his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law (J.D. 1990). He is a member of the Baldwin County, Mobile County, Alabama State Bar Associations, as well as the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel.

Biographical Information

W. Bradley Smith practices in Hand Arendall Harrison Sale’s Litigation Section. Mr. Smith received his J.D., summa cum laude, in 2002 from the University of Tennessee College of Law, where he was elected to the Order of the Coif upon graduation. While attending the University of Tennessee, Mr. Smith was a member of the Tennessee Law Review. Mr. Smith received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from the University of North Carolina in 1998.

Mr. Smith is a member of the Bar of the State of New York, First Department, and is admitted to practice in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York.

Biographical Information

J. Fred Kingren concentrates his legal practice in the general business, corporate, and securities law, mergers and acquisitions, and taxation areas. He has extensive experience representing purchasers and sellers of many types of businesses and start-up companies in their early stages of development and during their evolution into more mature businesses. Fred also represents businesses as they seek debt and equity financing and with various types of contractual negotiations. An integral part of Fred’s practice involves providing general legal and strategic business advice, while ensuring that the business planning strategies of the businesses he represents are consistent with their owners’ estate planning strategies. Consequently, he effectively serves as general counsel for many “Main Street” businesses and their owners.

Fred has worked as in-house counsel for a public company and its insurance company subsidiaries. He has the benefit of practicing law from the client’s side of the desk, so he knows the joys and frustrations of everyday business life — including working with lawyers. Fred also worked as a CPA for what was then the “Big Eight” national accounting firm of Price Waterhouse. He continues to keep current his Certificate of Public Accountancy.

An honors graduate of the Brock School of Business at Samford University, Fred received his J.D. and LL.M. in Taxation degrees from the University of Alabama School of Law. While in law school, Fred served as Editor-in-Chief of the Alabama Law Review.

Fred has written numerous articles and spoken extensively to professional groups on topics relating to mergers and acquisitions, choice of business entity, and tax strategies.

The Birmingham Business Alliance, his entrepreneurs’ roundtable, the Brock School of Business at Samford University, and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church are all important to Fred. He serves a Trustee of the Birmingham Business Alliance. He is a member of an entrepreneurs’ roundtable, comprised of local business owners and C-level executives, which meets monthly in Hand Arendall’s offices to discuss issues important to their businesses. He continues to be involved with his alma mater, Samford University, by serving as a member of the Advisory Board of the Brock School of Business. He is a member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

Biographical Information

Kelly Thrasher Fox practices in the areas of real estate, mergers and acquisitions, contract negotiation, business and estate planning, finance, and general corporate, tax and contract law. Kelly represents numerous clients in the acquisition, disposition, and management of real estate ranging from distribution centers, shopping centers, governmental buildings, residential subdivisions, multi-family housing, and cell phone tower sites. She assists entrepreneurs in their evolution from starting their business, selling or expanding their business, and dissolving their business, including all of the steps along the way such as financing and contractual negotiations. Kelly also works with various municipalities in remediating blight and addressing other real estate issues.

Kelly serves on the board of directors of the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Kelly was named as one of the Birmingham Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40 in 2015.

Biographical Information

Katie Hammett Hassell is a Member in Hand Arendall Harrison Sale’s Mobile office. She practices both in Alabama and Mississippi. Her litigation practice is wide and varied, including transportation and other trucking litigation; OSHA disputes; mass tort; construction litigation; medical malpractice; premises liability; non-compete issues; and commercial litigation; and other general litigation matters.. While at HAHS, Katie has tried several jury and non-jury cases and obtained a number of dismissals for clients. Katie has successfully counseled clients to resolution of cases throughout both Alabama and Mississippi.

Katie’s philosophy is to place her clients in the best position possible, whether that is a successful trial verdict or early resolution. The client’s best interest is always forefront of her analysis and strategy in any case.

Katie received her B.A., magna cum laude, from the University of South Alabama. While at South, Katie was elected SGA Vice President, as well as serving in several clubs and academic leadership positions. Katie received her J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Alabama School of Law. While at Alabama, Katie served on the managing board of the Alabama Law Review and the John A. Campbell Moot Court Board. She authored School Shootings, Ceramic Tiles & Hazelwood: The Continuing Lessons of the Columbine Tragedy, 55 Ala. L. Rev. 393 (2004). She also received the Maynard, Cooper & Gale Best Junior Editor Award for her work on the law review. She was a Hugo Black Scholar, member of the Bench & Bar, and was selected for membership into the Order of the Coif.

Katie is married to her husband, Matt Hassell, who is an occupational therapist specializing in hand therapy. Her greatest joy is being a mom to her two young children, Anne Harlan (age 9) and Jennings (age 5), who attend St. Paul’s Episcopal School.

Biographical Information

Ben Goldman is a member in the Law Firm of Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC, a full-service civil firm with offices throughout Alabama and in the panhandle of Florida. He is Chair of the Firm’s State and Local Government Practice Group, Chair of the Firm’s Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights Practice Group, and a former member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. Since 2001, Goldman has practiced in Birmingham as a litigator, successfully defending clients through all stages of federal and state court litigation, including trial and appeal. He has represented over 75 Alabama municipalities, utilities, development boards, and other governmental entities. Furthermore, Goldman has served as corporate counsel to local, regional, and national businesses, representing them in a broad scope of matters.

In 2020, Goldman was commended as a “Hometown Hero” by the Alabama League of Municipalities. In 2012, Goldman received the International Municipal Lawyer Association’s Daniel J. Curtin Young Public Lawyer of the Year Award as the top public lawyer under 40 in the U.S. and Canada. Among his recognitions, Goldman has been named a “Rising Star Lawyer” by the Birmingham Business Journal, a “Super Lawyer,” an “Alabama Rising Star” and “Top Rated State, Local & Municipal Attorney” by Super Lawyers in multiple years, a 2012 “Top 40 Under 40” by the Birmingham Business Journal, as one of the inaugural “Rising Stars of the Bar” by B-Metro, and as a “Top Attorney” by Birmingham Magazine. He is a recipient of The Literacy Council’s Distinguished Partner Award and the National MS Society Leadership Award. Goldman is a Fellow of the Birmingham Bar Foundation. He is a graduate of the IADC Trial Academy hosted by Stanford Law School in Palo Alto, California, and he is a graduate of the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum Class 7.

Goldman graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. from Spring Hill College. He obtained his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law where he was a member of the National Trial Advocacy Team, a member of the Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society, a Student Bar Association Senator, and an Honor Court Justice.

In service to his community, Goldman is a member of the Birmingham Bar Foundation Board of Directors, serving as its Treasurer for 2023. Goldman is past President of the Alabama Association of Municipal Attorneys, a former member of the Birmingham Bar Association Executive Committee, former Chair of the Birmingham Bar Association Grievance Committee, a former member of the Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama Board of Directors, former President of the Legal Aid Society of Birmingham Board of Directors, former President of the Tarrant-Pinson Valley Chamber of Commerce, and a former member of the Family Promise of Birmingham Board of Directors.

Biographical Information

Anne G. Burrows is a member in the Firm’s Athens office. She practices in the areas of real estate, probate, estate planning, municipal, education, and commercial law. She received her J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law where she was a member of the Law and Psychology Review. She obtained her B.A., cum laude, from the University of Richmond and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Mrs. Burrows previously held the position of Deputy District Attorney for Limestone County.

Mrs. Burrows is past President of the Limestone County Bar Association. She is also a member of Elkmont United Methodist Church.

Biographical Information

Rod Cate has an extensive trial and litigation practice. The majority of his trial practice relates to medical malpractice defense. Mr. Cate has tried numerous medical malpractice cases to verdict, representing obstetricians, neurologists, psychiatrists and emergency room physicians. His medical malpractice area runs the full gamut of medical issues and specialties.

Mr. Cate’s practice also includes representation of chemical companies in chemical exposure cases. He has considerable experience in class action and mass tort defense and has successfully consolidated competing class actions before the Judicial Panel Multidistrict Litigation. He has also tried cases involving consumer fraud issues and tractor-trailer collision.

Mr. Cate is a member of the Mobile County Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar Association, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, and Professional Liability Defense Federation. In addition, he writes and speaks on the topics of insurance, bad faith and medical related issues.

Mr. Cate is the author of “Get Back Up,” detailing his life journey from a wheelchair to getting back up on his feet literally and never looking back. He is also the host of the Rocket Motivation podcast.

Biographical Information

Craig Campbell is a member in the Litigation Section at Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC in Mobile, Alabama. Craig received his B.A., summa cum laude, from Georgetown College, and his J.D., cum laude from the Cumberland School of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review.

Craig’s practice includes many areas of commercial litigation, including construction, product liability, personal injury, trucking, intellectual property (copyright and trademark), and insurance coverage litigation. He has practiced in state and federal courts throughout the State of Alabama, including jury and bench trials and appellate advocacy. Craig also assists clients with general advice, review and drafting of construction contracts and various other commercial agreements, and registration of trademarks. Craig has also been active in the pro bono lawyer program in the City of Mobile throughout his practice. He was recognized as the 2011 recipient of the Ben Kilborn Volunteer Lawyer of the Year.

Craig is currently a member of the Mobile County Bar Association, Alabama State Bar Association, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, American Bar Association (Construction Law section), the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, and Trucking Lawyers Association.

Outside the practice of law, Craig and his wife, Kimberly, and their two daughters are active members of Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Mobile, Alabama. Craig has served as a “Big” in Big Brothers/Big Sisters since 2010, and has also served on the board of directors for the non-profit Save-A-Stray. Craig is also a member of the Senior Bowl Committee, as well as an active participant in USTA league tennis.

Biographical Information

Paul Beckmann is chair of the Firm’s Admiralty Practice Group. In addition to admiralty matters, Paul assists clients with various litigation issues, including transportation and trucking, construction, medical malpractice, commercial litigation, banking and financial services, intellectual property, and OSHA disputes. Paul has tried several jury and non-jury cases throughout Alabama and the Florida panhandle in both State and Federal Court.

Paul is a member of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute and the Maritime Law Association. Paul actively participates in the Mobile Volunteer Lawyers Program and Big Brothers Big Sisters. He serves on the school advisory counsel at his children’s school.

Paul grew up in Mobile. He and his wife, Kelli, are active members of St. Ignatius Catholic Church and have three young children, Thomas, Grace, and James.

Biographical Information

John Rollins is a member of the Firm’s litigation section. His litigation practice covers numerous areas of law, but he primarily focuses on insurance defense and personal injury litigation; commercial litigation and collections; and real property litigation, including representation of the State of Alabama in condemnation proceedings.

John was born and raised in Birmingham. He received his bachelor’s degree from UAB, where he double majored in English and Philosophy. After several years in the banking industry, John began law school and graduated magna cum laude from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. While at Cumberland, John received numerous academic awards and was a member of the Cumberland Law Review.

Biographical Information

Nick Greenwood is a retired member of the Firm’s Public Finance and Economic Development Practice Group. His primary practice includes serving as bond counsel, underwriter’s counsel, trustee’s counsel, counsel to providers of credit enhancement and counsel to bond purchasers in public financings. His clients include the State of Alabama, state universities, hospitals, airports, industrial development boards, utility systems, public schools, municipalities and counties.

Nick has written numerous constitutional amendments and state statutes relating to public finance.

RECENT TRANSACTIONS

  • $15,770,000 The Utilities Board of the City of Opelika Taxable Utility Revenue Bonds, Series 2020-B and $10.725,000 Utility Revenue Bonds, Series 2020-A, dated September 16, 2020
  • $24,160,000 Lee County Board of Education Capital Outlay Warrant, Series 2020, dated June 16, 2020
  • $30,000,000 The DCH Health Care Authority Revolving Note, Series 2020
  • $35,350,000 The DCH Health Care Authority Health Care Facilities Revenue Bond, Series 2019
  • $46,640,000 The Educational Building Authority of the City of Homewood Educational Facilities Revenue Bonds (Samford University, Series 2017-A)
  • $23,380,000 The Utilities Board of the City of Opelika Utility Bonds, Series 2017-B
  • $39,130,000 The Utilities Board of the city of Foley Utilities Revenue Bonds, Series 2017
  • $27,265,000 The Utilities Board of the City of Opelika Utility Revenue Bonds, Series 2017

Nick is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and a Regular Fellow of the American College of Bond Counsel. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for Public Finance Law for over ten years and was the 2012 Best Lawyer’s Lawyer of the Year for Public Finance in Birmingham. He served as Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama from 1994 to 1997, and served as Chairman of the Committee for the Nomination of the Bishop Suffragan in 2001. During Nick’s forty-five plus years of public finance practice he has conducted seminars, presentations and taught or participated in CLEs for numerous organizations, including the National Association of Bond Lawyers, Rebuilding America (Forbes Conference, New York), the Southern Trust School and the Alabama Association of School Boards.

Biographical Information

Bob Riccio is a member in Hand Arendall Harrison Sale’s business section. Bob’s practice focuses on complex tax and estate planning, business taxation, taxation of trusts and estates, and tax-exempt organizations. His practice also includes handling estate administrations and advising clients on asset protection issues. Bob also has experience in representing taxpayers in disputes with various federal, state and local taxing authorities, as well as representing both beneficiaries and trustees in fiduciary disputes and litigation.

Bob currently serves as a member of the Standing Committee on Trusts at the Alabama Law Institute, and serves on the board of directors for the Alabama Federal Tax Clinic. Bob is also active in the community and is a member of the Leadership Mobile Class of 2016. As recognition of pro bono service to clients, Bob received the 2015 Volunteer of the Year Award from the South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program.

Bob received his LL.M. (Master of Laws)  degree in taxation from NYU School of Law and his Juris Doctorate, cum laude, from the University of Alabama School of Law. Bob is also a Certified Public Accountant and received his bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Biographical Information

Patrick J. R. Ward is a member in the Firm’s litigation and admiralty law sections. He handles various litigation matters including personal injury defense, Jones Act defense, workers’ compensation defense (both Alabama and Longshore and Harbor Workers) and contractual/business disputes.

After growing up in Mobile, Patrick attended the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, New York. While at the Academy, Patrick was appointed to several leadership positions and served aboard numerous cargo ships which delivered goods to countries all over the world. Upon graduation, Patrick received a commission in the United States Navy and retired from the Navy Reserve in 2012 as a Lieutenant Commander. Patrick also has a Third Mate’s Unlimited License from the United States Coast Guard.

Patrick received his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2008. While in law school, Patrick was a Senior Editor on the Journal of the Legal Profession and was active in the Parham H. Williams Trial Competition. He is a member of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, The Mobile Propeller Club, the Maritime Law Association and is active in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Mobile. Patrick has also been named an Alabama Super Lawyers Rising Star. He was admitted to the Alabama Bar in 2008 and lives in Mobile with his wife Jennifer, son Jackson and daughters Sophie and Avery.

Biographical Information

Wes Hunter is a member in Hand Arendall Harrison Sale’s business section. Wes’s practice focuses on representing developers, owners, sellers, builders and lenders in a wide variety of commercial, industrial and residential real estate transactions. His real estate practice includes extensive experience in representing clients in the acquisition, development and conveyance of real property, as well as land use planning. In addition, Wes frequently assists clients in connection with commercial loan transactions and foreclosure matters. He also has significant experience in the formation of business organizations.

Wes received his J.D., cum laude, from Cumberland School of Law in 2009. While at Cumberland, he was a Senior Associate Editor of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy, an executive member of the Moot Court Board and a Caruthers Fellow teaching assistant. Wes received his B.B.A. in Economics from the University of Georgia in 2004.

Wes is a member of the Mobile County Bar Association, the South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program and the Alabama State Bar. Wes is also active in his community, including service as a member of the board of directors of the Augusta Evans School Foundation.

Biographical Information

Mark Hart specializes in insurance coverage claims and litigation. He has developed a set of strategies for fair and prompt resolution of insurance coverage disputes for policyholders and carriers. His practice includes advising clients on converge matters, preparation of written opinion letters, filing interventions and declaratory judgment actions. Mark’s practice spans a broad area of tort and insurance suits, including property and casualty, life and health, directors and officers, and professional responsibility. His client base includes major insurance carriers throughout the United States and local businesses and corporations. He also has an active appellate practice and has participated in close to one hundred appeals.

Mark has published two novels: “Fielder’s Choice” and “The Timepiece Protocols.” For more information see www.markhartnovels.com.

Mark has served as an adult leader in Scouts BSA for nineteen years holding positions of Cub Scout den leader, assistant scoutmaster, patrol mentor, Eagle Coach, merit badge teacher, and Chairman of Troop 63’s Eagle Board for the Greater Alabama Council.

Biographical Information

Joe Cowan is an insurance coverage and business litigator. Joe’s practice focuses on advising clients on insurance coverage issues and defending claims involving breach of contract, bad faith, and fraud. Joe has extensive experience advising insurers and policyholders on claims arising from catastrophic losses and natural disasters, with a particular emphasis on business interruption and cyber risk claims. Joe regularly consults with contractors and sureties on insurance coverage and risk transfer issues. Joe’s experience also includes trials and appeals in the areas of business torts, products liability, construction, fidelity and surety, and other complex civil litigation.

Joe has published and lectured on a number of topics involving insurance litigation, including institutional bad faith, defending business interruption claims, preparing the insurance claim representative for testimony, and using social media to combat insurance fraud.

Biographical Information

Christopher Williams is a member in the Firm’s commercial litigation section. Chris has a diverse litigation practice that includes construction, business and toxic tort, cybersecurity, privacy, environmental, and real property litigation. Chris has defended businesses in premises liability, transportation, personal injury, fraud, and other torts. Finally, Chris has experience defending municipalities and other governmental entities, as well as complex and class action litigation. He is licensed to practice law in Alabama and Florida and serves as outside counsel for litigation, planning and zoning matters for the City of Fairhope.

Chris has developed a specialty practice in the area of cybersecurity and privacy. Chris has worked with clients that have fallen victim to spear-phishing attacks, ransomware, man-in-the-middle email schemes, wire instruction fraud, and other computer security breaches. He has advised clients on policies and procedures to minimize cybersecurity vulnerability, has served as breach counsel for multiple clients following a breach, and has assisted clients in crafting notices for compromised personal information in accordance with state and federal laws. He has also been involved in litigation involving data breach.

Chris has achieved the following for clients of the Firm in litigation:

  • Obtained full dismissal for a governmental entity on a class action claim for seventy-five million dollars;
  • Obtained summary judgment, affirmed on appeal, for a municipality in defense of a personal injury case pursuant to the Alabama Recreational Use Statute;
  • Obtained a favorable judgment in a bench trial for a million-dollar real property dispute which was affirmed on appeal;
  • Obtained final summary judgment for property owners in a dispute regarding rights to a pier;
  • Obtained full dismissal of all claims in an arbitration on behalf of an automobile dealership in a dispute with a customer;
  • And attained multiple favorable settlements in residential and commercial construction defect cases on behalf of residential home builder, general contractor, and subcontractor clients.

He grew up in Mobile, attending McGill-Toolen Catholic High School and Spring Hill College. Chris was the SGA Senior Class President at Spring Hill and graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English. He received his J.D., magna cum laude from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, where he was on Law Review and competed in two national trial advocacy competitions. He is a member of the Order of Barristers and was named a Crowe Scholar upon graduation from Loyola. He is currently a member of the Paul W. Brock American Inn of Court.

Chris lives on the Eastern Shore with his wife and two sons. He is an active youth sports coach (baseball, football, and basketball), is a member of the Fairhope Kiwanis Club, a participant in the South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program, and is a member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Fairhope.

Biographical Information

Ms. Miller’s practice is devoted to defending employers and individuals in accident-related litigation and employment law matters. Ms. Miller also represents insurers in matters where an insured has claimed breach of contract and “bad faith.” Ms. Miller has considerable experience drafting and ensuring compliance with contracts, non-compete agreements, and employee handbooks. She is able to provide competent legal advice in a cost-effective manner, and produces quick turn-around on the legal needs of her clients.

Biographical Information

Mark Hess has a state-wide practice that focuses on insurance litigation, including the defense of insurers against extra-contractual claims, first-party and third-party insurance claims, coverage disputes and professional malpractice defense. He has tried to verdicts cases too numerous to count in the state and federal courts throughout Alabama, and he also maintains an extensive state and federal appellate practice.

Mr. Hess has substantial government and public law experience. From 1987—1988 he was a Law Clerk to Senior United States District Judge Robert E. Varner, Middle District of Alabama, and was invited to join the legal staff of the Governor of Alabama, where he served in various capacities from 1989—1992, culminating in his appointment as Legal Advisor/General Counsel and Interim Chief of Staff to the Governor. In those roles, he specialized in education and education finance, voter registration and redistricting, and was involved in state and federal constitutional litigation. He recently served for 8 years as an Administrative Law Judge/Fair Hearing Officer for the Alabama State Health Planning and Development Agency.

Mr. Hess is an active lecturer on civil litigation matters, including discovery, evidentiary and procedural issues in insurance fraud and bad faith defense, introductory and intermediate level courses in handing and litigating UM/UIM claims and trial strategy. He is a long-time member (and past Chair) of the Amicus Curiae Brief Committee of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, and is also active in civic affairs. Mr. Hess has been recognized for insurance and appellate law in the Birmingham Business Journal’s “Best of the Bar” and in The Best Lawyers in America.

Biographical Information

Jennifer Gutai Comella is an Associate in the Destin Office. Her practice areas include community association law, real estate litigation, landlord-tenant, collections, construction litigation, local government law, workers compensation, and business/commercial litigation.

Jennifer earned her law degree from Florida State University College of Law. During her time at FSU she served as a legal writing teaching assistant, a mentor for the Summer for Undergraduates Program, and was active on the Moot Court team and Moot Court Board. She participated in multiple moot court competitions during law school including arguing before the Florida Supreme Court after finishing in the Final Four of the Intramural competition and taking first place with her teammates at the Gabrielli National Family Law Competition. She also received book awards for receiving the highest grade in the class for Advanced Legal Research and Insurance Law.

After law school, Jennifer spent a year practicing Family law in the Jacksonville area and then four years practicing insurance defense in Panama City before beginning to practice law in Destin. Jennifer has experience handling many different kinds of cases over the years, and has practiced in thirteen different counties across North Florida. She has drafted appellate briefs for appeals in the 1st and 5th District Courts of Appeal and served as second chair in two multi-day civil trials. Jennifer has been practicing law on the Emerald Coast since 2011 and is active in her community.

Biographical Information

Cole Davis is a member in the Firm’s Panama City Beach office. He currently serves as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Panama City Beach, Assistant District Attorney for the Bay County-Panama City Airport and Industrial District, and represents many other local governments in a wide range of matters.

In addition to his local government practice, Mr. Davis handles a wide variety of civil litigation and business transactions with an emphasis on  labor and employment disputes, business purchase and sale agreements, real property transactions, land use disputes, wage and hour disputes, commercial business litigation, and workers’ compensation defense.

Mr. Davis enjoys counseling clients and using common sense to solve tough issues but enthusiastically litigates for them when necessary. He has successfully represented clients in the Florida Supreme Court, Florida First District Court of Appeals, Florida’s federal district courts, state courts, and before numerous government agencies – including the DOL, EEOC, and FCHR. Additionally, he has represented employers in Divisional of Financial Services audits.

Mr. Davis is a Past-Chair of the Florida Bar Grievance Committee for the 14th Judicial Circuit. He has served on multiple community boards and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Beach Care Services.

Mr. Davis is a native of Panama City Beach where he and his family reside. Prior to entering the legal field, Mr. Davis taught third-grade at a local elementary school.

Biographical Information

Hayward Dykes, Jr. is a Member in the Hand Arendall Harrison Sale Destin Office. His primary areas of practice are Local Government Law, Civil Litigation, Contracts, Construction Law, Business Law and Criminal Law. Mr. Dykes earned his J.D. from the University of Mississippi where he served on the moot court board, was a member of the Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity and was a member of the environmental law association. He earned his B.S. from Florida State University in Criminology.

Mr. Dykes is admitted to practice in Florida, the U.S. Middle District of Florida, the U.S. Northern District of Florida, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Dykes served as an Assistant State Attorney in the 6th Judicial Circuit for three years (2002—2005) handling both misdemeanor and felony cases, before moving back to the Florida Panhandle in 2006 with his wife.

Mr. Dykes has handled over 25 jury and non-jury trials and several appeals in both state and federal courts. Mr. Dykes has represented and counseled government organizations, elected officials, business owners, and property owners in a wide-range of legal matters in State and Federal courts. Mr. Dykes was voted to Florida Trends, Florida Legal Elite Up & Comers for 2010. One of 111 attorneys in the State of Florida voted by their peers in the Legal Elite balloting.

Biographical Information

Franklin R. Harrison was a Founding Partner of the Firm of Harrison Sale McCloy Attorneys at Law and now serves as the Managing Lawyer of Hand Arendall Harrison Sale’s Florida offices. His primary areas of practice are real estate, business and education law. Mr. Harrison heads the Firm’s Florida real estate section and is Board Certified by The Florida Bar as an Education Law attorney.

Mr. Harrison earned both his J.D. and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Florida, where he was elected President of Florida Blue Key and the University of Florida Hall of Fame.

Mr. Harrison has served as Chairman of the Bay County Economic Development Alliance, Chairman of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee, President of the Florida School Board Attorneys Association, President of the Bay County Bar Association, and as a member of the 14th Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission.

Mr. Harrison is a member of the Council of School Attorneys of the National School Boards Association; the Education Law Section of the Florida Bar; and the Education Law Association. In addition to his real estate work Mr. Harrison serves as the Board Attorney for the School Board of Bay County, a position he has held since 1979. Mr. Harrison received the Florida School Boards Association’s Richard “Spike” Fitzpatrick Award in 2010, was voted one of Florida’s Legal Elite by Florida Trend in 2010, was awarded the Lauren Merriam Memorial Award by the Bay County Chamber of Commerce in 2011, and received the C. Graham Carothers Award of Excellence from the Florida School Board Attorneys Association in 2013.

Biographical Information

Heather Kennedy Hudson takes the time to listen to her clients and understand what is important to them so she can offer personally-tailored advice aimed at helping clients reach their goals. Whether she’s advising an institutional client in a packed board room, privately consulting with an individual who has recently lost a loved one, or creating a client’s customized estate plan, Heather’s focus is on meeting each client’s individual needs in a professional and caring manner.

Heather’s practice is primarily focused on public education, probate, and estate law. She serves as Chair of the firm’s Education Law Practice Group. She is a Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in Education Law, a distinction held by less than 60 Florida attorneys, and an officer on the Board of Directors for the Florida School Board Attorneys Association. Heather is knowledgeable and experienced in her fields, allowing her to provide practical advice and help clients navigate difficult situations while avoiding unnecessary costs or delays.

Heather earned her Juris Doctorate from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University, where she graduated Cum Laude, received the Faculty Legal Writing Award, and served on law review. She earned her B.A. from the University of West Florida, where she was an active student organization leader, graduated Magna Cum Laude, and received the faculty award for Excellence in Legal Studies in 2006 and Outstanding Legal Studies Graduate in 2007.

Heather enjoys serving the community through her involvement with the Junior League of Panama City, the Parent Teacher Organization at her daughter’s school, and her service as a mentor with Bay District Schools’ Elevate Bay initiative. When not practicing law, Heather enjoys crafting, cooking, and traveling with her husband and their young daughter.

Biographical Information

Robert C. Jackson is a member with the Firm. His primary areas of practice are employment, health, local government and business & commercial law. Mr. Jackson heads the Firm’s Florida employment law and health law departments.

Mr. Jackson earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Florida State University, where he was an editor of the Law Review and Order of the Coif. He earned his B.S. from the United States Naval Academy. Mr. Jackson served 17 years as a Naval Officer and Aviator in the active and reserve forces. He flew combat helicopters in Operation Desert Storm and was recalled to active duty immediately after September 11, 2001, to assist in aviation strikes and target planning for operations in the war on terror.

Mr. Jackson served on and was elected Chair of the 14th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission. He is a two-term Chairman of the Bay County Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee and its Junior Leadership Bay Program. He is also a graduate of the Bay County Chamber’s Leadership Bay Program.

Mr. Jackson is admitted to practice in Florida, the U.S. District Courts of the Northern & Southern Districts of Florida, and the U.S. Circuit Courts for the Eleventh and Federal Circuits. He has been accredited by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to represent veterans in cases involving veterans and veteran benefits. He is a member of the Bay County Bar Association and St. Andrews Bay American Inn of Court. Mr. Jackson currently serves as General Counsel for the Bay Health Foundation, a health care special district of the State of Florida. Mr. Jackson served as general counsel for Bay Medical Center, a 323-bed regional hospital, from 2000 through 2012. He led Bay Medical Center’s legal team through its lease and asset sale to a joint venture between Sacred Heart Health System and LHP Hospital Group. The $158 million dollar transaction is believed to be the largest health care transaction in Bay County history. He also served as the City Attorney for the City of Lynn Haven, Bay County’s second most populous city, for over 15 years.

Biographical Information

After beginning her legal career in downtown Chicago, Jane Kerrigan relocated to Northwest Florida, with her husband Mike, to be closer to her family. Now a resident of Grayton Beach, Jane has firmly established herself in the community and has expanded her family to include three young children.

Jane has experience in many facets of the law, but she found her calling when she began assisting individuals and families in planning for their futures and the futures of their children and loved ones. In order to better serve her clients, Jane went back to school to obtain her masters of law in taxation from the University Of Alabama School Of Law. Jane focuses her practice on Estate Planning, Elder Law, Long Term Care, Medicaid, Health Care Directives, Financial Directives, and Asset Protection.

Jane is a member of the American Bar Association, Estate Planning Counsel of the Emerald Coast (Destin), Walton County Bar Association, and Wealth Counsel.

Jane is available for speaking engagements for client seminars, community groups, and professional organizations.

Biographical Information

Julia K. Maddalena is an Associate in the Panama City office. Her practice is focused on Civil Litigation, including life, health, and disability insurance defense, ERISA, automobile insurance defense, real property, employment law and commercial business litigation. She also represents a number of Homeowner and Condominium Community Associations as general counsel and assists City Attorneys in the Firm with municipal law.

Mrs. Maddalena earned her Juris Doctorate from the Florida State University College of Law in Tallahassee, Florida, where she graduated Cum Laude. She specialized in International Law, achieving the highest possible honors. She also received Book Awards in International & Foreign Legal Research, Asylum and Refugee Law, Immigration Law, Law of the Sea, and Professional Responsibility. She served as Article Selection Editor for the FSU Journal of Transnational Law and Policy, received the International Bar Association Certificate for International Human Rights, and was a competitor in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Competition in Vienna, Austria. In her second year, she clerked for the Honorable Ronald W. Flurry of the Second Judicial Circuit of Florida.

After graduating, Mrs. Maddalena was hired as a Staff Attorney for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit of Florida, where she assisted the circuit judges with legal research and writing. She worked for the judiciary for three years, focusing primarily on civil litigation. She left the court in 2017 to pursue a career in private practice with Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, LLC.

Biographical Information

Mr. McCloy is a Founding Partner at the Firm whose primary areas of practice are general civil litigation and mediation. As such, Mr. McCloy has handled a wide range of cases, including commercial business litigation, education litigation, contract disputes, construction litigation, employment litigation, professional negligence claims, personal injury and wrongful death claims. His litigation experience includes both state and federal court proceedings and claims.

Mr. McCloy has 45 years of trial experience. He is Board Certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in both Civil Trial and Business Litigation designations since 1990 and 1997 respectively. He was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2010 and has been a Florida Certified Civil Circuit Court Mediator since 1992.

After earning an undergraduate degree from Davidson College, Mr. McCloy went on to graduate from law school at the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University where he was a Board member of the Law Review. He has since served as a member and Chairman of the 14th Circuit Judicial Nomination Commission, as a member of the Board of Governors for the Florida Bar and as a member of the Florida Committee on Standard Jury Instructions in Civil Cases.

Biographical Information

Dion J. Moniz is a Member at the Firm and serves as the Managing Lawyer for the Firm’s Destin Office. He represents numerous businesses and individuals throughout Northwest Florida with issues involving business/corporate law, real estate transactions, and commercial litigation.

Mr. Moniz earned his Juris Doctor from the Florida State University College of Law, Cum Laude. He earned his B.S. degree from Florida State University, Cum Laude. Mr. Moniz is admitted to practice in Florida, Alabama, the U.S. District Courts of the Northern District of Florida, and the Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama.

Mr. Moniz is active in the local bar and community. He is a member of the Bar Associations for Okaloosa and Walton County, and Past-Chairman of the Florida Bar’s 1st Judicial Circuit Grievance Committee “B.” He is also Chairman of the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation, Vice President of Aletha’s Legacy, Past-President of the Rotary Club of Destin, Past-Chairman of the Destin Chamber of Commerce, a founding board member of the Ellison McCraney Ingram Foundation, and a member of All Sports Association and 100 Men Who Care – Emerald Coast. He previously served as Chair and board member for the Bay, Franklin, Gulf Healthy Start Coalition, as Treasurer and Foundation Chair for the Panama City Rotary Club, Chair and steering committee member for the Bay County Chamber of Commerce Junior Leadership Bay Program, and as Co-Chair of the 14th Judicial Circuit First Saturday Legal Clinic. He also served for seven years as a student mentor at Rosenwald Middle School, and volunteered for four years as a Rotary Reader for the Early Learning Coalition of Northwest Florida’s Rotary Read Aloud project. He received the Destin Chamber of Commerce’s Business Person of the Year Award in 2020, the Destin Chamber’s Ann Gibson Community Service Award in 2017, and the Pro Bono Public Service Award in 2007. He was also named to Florida Trend’s Legal Elite in 2022, and has maintained an “AV Preeminent” Rating from Martindale-Hubbell since 2018.

Biographical Information

Amy E. Myers is a Member with the Firm. Her practice is focused on local government and land use law. She represents various governmental clients in code enforcement issues, property acquisition and development, and infrastructure construction projects.

Ms. Myers earned her Juris Doctorate from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and her B.A. from the University of Florida.

Ms. Myers is a member of The Florida Bar (Local Government, Land Use and Administrative Law sections), Federal Bars of the Northern and Southern Districts of Florida. She is Past President of the Bay Arts Alliance, Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Woodlawn United Methodist Church, and Past President of the Junior League of Panama City. She currently serves as City Attorney for the City of Panama City Beach and as Board Attorney for the Beach Mosquito Control District and South Walton Mosquito Control District.

Biographical Information

Kevin D. Obos is a Member with the Firm. He serves as City Attorney for the City of Callaway, the City of Springfield and the City of Lynn Haven. In addition to his extensive local government law practice, he also practices in the areas of Real Estate Law, Business and Corporate Law, Association Law, Construction Law and Civil Litigation.

Mr. Obos is a former Assistant State Attorney and handled civil forfeitures for several local law enforcement agencies. Mr. Obos also represents the Bay County School Board in truancy proceedings. He regularly serves as a presenter for the Central Panhandle Association of Realtors.

Biographical Information

William Q. Platt IV (Will) is an Associate at the Firm. His practice is focused in Insurance Defense, Civil Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Business Formation and General Representation of Businesses, Contract Formation and Disputes, and Real Estate Closings.

Will earned his Juris Doctorate from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University where he graduated magna cum laude. During law school, Will was a member of the Law Review and Mock Trial team, served as an “Academic Success” mentor, earned Dean’s List honors every semester, and received “CALI” Awards for receiving the highest grade in Evidence, Business Associations, and Secured Transactions. In his third year, Will served as the local chapter President of the International Legal Honor Society of Phi Delta Phi and was also inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Upon graduation, Will was inducted into Mercer Law’s honor society, the Brainerd Currie Honor Society, which is limited to the students in the top 10% of the graduating class, upon faculty approval, who have made substantial contributions to the law school and legal community.

Prior to law school, Will spent several years working at Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC assisting staff in many areas. Joining the Firm where he has history and growing his practice serving his home community is something he has been looking forward to doing.

When not at the office, Will enjoys spending time around Bay County with his wife, Daniela, and their son, William Q. Platt V.

Biographical Information

Douglas J. Sale is a Founding Partner with the Firm. His primary areas of practice are local government, public finance, and land use law. In addition, he heads the Florida section of the Firm’s local government and public finance departments. He also maintains an active United States Coast Guard 100 Ton Masters License.

Mr. Sale served as the City Attorney for the City of Panama City Beach from 1981 until 2017 when Amy Myers with the Firm succeeded him in that position. He serves as General Counsel for the Bay County Tourist Development Council and the Panama City Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, Inc., and is the former General Counsel for First Florida Governmental Financing Commission and former General Counsel and Public Finance Counsel for Bay Medical Center, a special district. In addition, he serves as General Counsel for the Panama City Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, and was the City’s lead representative in the financing and development of the Pier Park redevelopment project on Panama City Beach. From 2017 to 2020 he served as Special Counsel to the Panama City Community Redevelopment Agency regarding the City Marina and mixed use redevelopment project.

Mr. Sale earned his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Florida, where he served on the Law Review and as a Member of the Order of the Coif. He earned his B.A., magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University, majoring in Political Science with additional emphasis on Economics, and was chosen to be a Member of the Tennessee Alpha Chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Society.

Biographical Information

Ms. Sheekley is a Member in the Destin office. Her primary areas of practice are commercial/business litigation, contract negotiation and community association law and litigation. Ms. Sheekely is the Chair of the Firm’s Community Association Practice Group. She has more than 30 years of jury and bench trial experience in a significant number and variety of cases, including the successful defense of multi-million dollar damage claims. She has represented clients in shareholder binding arbitration proceedings and in actions for declaratory and injunctive relief. She also represents clients in appellate proceedings. Clients have included national and local businesses, 501(c)(3) organizations, shareholders, developers, municipalities, condominium associations and homeowners associations. Ms. Sheekley’s representation of community associations concerns all facets of operations, management, and governance, as well as dispute resolution and enforcement and collections actions.

Ms. Sheekley is Board Certified in Business Litigation by the Florida Bar, which is the highest level of recognition of an attorney’s competency and expertise in that area of law. She is also is also AV® Preeminent™ 5.0 out of 5 rated (the highest level attainable) by Martindale-Hubbell, based upon the endorsement of her colleagues in the areas of professional conduct, ethics and ability.

Biographical Information

Mr. Townsend is a Member in the Firm’s Destin office. His primary areas of practice are community association law and civil litigation. He has more than 35 years of jury and bench trial experience and appellate court practice, as well as representation of clients in mediation and arbitration proceedings. He has represented clients in cases including a multi-million dollar jury trial verdict for a condominium association client, a landmark Florida Supreme Court ruling, and numerous other significant trial and appellate court rulings.

Mr. Townsend routinely teaches community association board member education classes and community association manager continuing education courses. He has also been a presenter at the Community Associations Institute-College of Community Association Lawyers annual law conference.

Mr. Townsend is Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Condominium and Planned Development Law, which is the highest level of recognition of an attorney’s competency and expertise in that area of law. He holds the AV® Preeminent™ highest rating by Martindale-Hubbell, which rates attorneys in the areas of professional conduct, ethics and ability based on evaluations by other attorneys. Mr. Townsend was also recognized as one of Florida’s top rated lawyers (less than one percent of all lawyers in Florida) by Florida Trend magazine’s 2019 Legal Elite, which is determined by evaluations and recommendations from other Florida attorneys.

Biographical Information

Before joining the Firm, Mr. Weddle built his legal background performing both criminal defense work and civil litigation. As an undergraduate at the University of Florida, Mr. Weddle majored in Construction Management and interned on large-scale, multimillion dollar infrastructure projects, which gives him insight into the land use and construction litigation issues that many businesses may face.

Mr. Weddle went on to graduate from Stetson University’s College of Law before moving home to the Panama City area. He has served as President of the Bay County Bar Association and is a member of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, the St. Andrews Bay American Inn of Court, the Florida Bar, the Maritime Law Association, and the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute.

Mr. Weddle practices in the area of general litigation, focusing specifically on business and contract disputes, construction litigation, insurance defense and property litigation. Since his employment with the Firm, he has tried several jury trials to verdict and understands the complex scenarios litigation creates. From those experiences, Mr. Weddle is able to carefully and efficiently guide his clients to successful outcomes.

Biographical Information

J. Hodge Alves, III, practices in the fields of general litigation, maritime law and environmental law (with an emphasis on litigation). He was born in Alexandria, Louisiana, and grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Falls Church, Virginia. Hodge was admitted to the Virginia State Bar in 1969, the Washington State Bar in 1973, and the Alabama State Bar in 1974. He graduated from The University of the South, B.A. cum laude 1966, and the University of Virginia School of Law, J.D. 1969. He served with the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1969 to 1973 and as a law clerk to The Honorable Daniel H. Thomas, United States District Court, Southern District of Alabama from 1974 to 1975. Hodge is a member of the Mobile County Bar Association, the Maritime Law Association of the United States and the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers In America for maritime law each year since 1995. Hodge has previously served as the Firm’s representative to the CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution. Hodge has received CPR’s training for mediators, but his practice in the area of mediation has been primarily as advocate for parties. Hodge follows the practice of early case evaluation and consideration of alternative dispute resolution options with clients from the outset. He was the 2000—2001 President of the Mobile Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and was Chairman of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute for 2004.

Biographical Information

Windy Cockrell Bitzer is a member of the Firm’s Litigation Section and has substantial pre-trial, trial, and appellate experience in courts throughout the State of Alabama, the Eleventh Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Windy regularly represents and counsels businesses and educational institutions in commercial disputes and employment matters. She is experienced in matters ranging from fraud, False Claims Act, breach of contract, tortious interference, non-compete agreements, and other business torts to Title VII, Title IX, FMLA, FLSA, ADA, ADEA, and other employment-related issues. Windy also conducts internal investigations and provides training on EEO best practices.

Windy has a particular interest in appellate work and serves as leader of the Firm’s Appellate Litigation Team. She often counsels and assists other attorneys with ensuring issues are properly preserved for appellate review and assists throughout the appellate process, including preparation of appellate briefs and for oral argument.

Windy has been recognized by Best Lawyers in employment litigation and appellate practice and by Alabama Super Lawyers in business litigation and employment law. She is a graduate of the IADC Trial Academy. Windy is a member and former subcommittee chair of the ABA Section of Litigation Corporate Counsel and Woman Advocate Committees and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

Windy received her J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law where she was a member of the Managing Board of the Alabama Law Review, the John A. Campbell Moot Court Board, and the Bench & Bar Legal Honor Society.

Windy has volunteered as a “Big Sister” in the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Mobile. She is an active member of the Mobile Bar Association, having chaired the Federal Civil Practice, Bench & Bar, and Law Day Committees. Windy serves on the Board of Directors of the Mobile Bar Foundation, is a Leadership Mobile graduate, and served on the planning committee for the 2016 Eleventh Circuit Judicial Conference.

Biographical Information

R. Preston Bolt, Jr. serves as the chair of Hand Arendall Harrison Sale’s public finance practice group. He practices in the fields of public finance, securities, and commercial and lending transactions. He was born in Anniston, Alabama, practiced in Georgia from 1979 until 1982, and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1983. He graduated from The University of Alabama, B.A. 1976, and from Vanderbilt University School of Law, J.D. 1979. Preston was selected for membership in Phi Beta Kappa, Omicron Delta Kappa, Jasons, and was the recipient of the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. At Vanderbilt Law School, he was a Patrick Wilson Scholar and was inducted into the Order of the Coif. He served on the staff of the Vanderbilt Law Review, 1977—1979.

Preston has extensive experience in representing cities, counties, utilities and other public bodies issuing bonds and other tax-exempt debt. He also has acted as bond counsel for bonds issued to finance projects for 501(c)(3) organizations and manufacturing and other facilities eligible for industrial development and financing.

With the increased use of incentives and public/private partnerships to encourage investment, Preston has also had extensive experience in advising both public and private participants in public/private transactions. He regularly advises clients with respect to tax exemptions and abatements, infrastructure assistance, direct financial assistance and other types of assistance available to encourage economic development. For a complete listing of representative tax-exempt financings in which Preston or other members of the Public Finance and Economic Development Practice Group have participated, see List of Representative Tax-Exempt Financings.

Preston is a member of the Mobile County Bar Association, the National Association of Bond Lawyers and numerous civic and charitable boards. He is a Fellow of the American College of Bond Counsel.

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