Skip to Content

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1982

Education

  • J.D., Duke University School of Law, 1982
  • B.S., Accounting, University of Tennessee, magna cum laude, 1979

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Phi Kappa Phi
  • Alabama Bar Association
  • American Bar Association (Co-Chair, Trial Practice Committee)
  • American Counsel Association (past-president)

Publications and Presentations

Recent Interviews:

  • Litigation News, Vol. 40 No. 2, Winter 2015, – Is Your Fact Witness a Hybrid?
  • Litigation News, Vol. 40 No. 3, Spring 2015, – Statutory Cite Not Required for Federal Civil Rights Complaint

Presentations

  • The Ethical Preparation of Witnesses for Deposition and Trial – ABA Roundtable Program, January 2015
  • “Associate Mentoring and Advancement – How to Do and How to Get” – ABA Roundtable Program, January 2016

Representative Cases

  • lead counsel in obtaining summary judgment in 2016 in a case litigated in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York representing clients who were sued for allegedly misrepresenting and/or failing to disclose material facts in connection with the $51 million sale of their business to an international conglomerate;
  • obtained summary against a certified national plaintiffs class, and in favor of a national equipment leasing company, in a case brought against the leasing company alleging the imposition of excessive insurance charges on lessees in violation of the express and implied terms of their lease contracts – this summary judgment was affirmed by the Alabama Supreme Court in 2016;
  • Doug has represented former top executives of significant national and international companies in litigation seeking severance benefits denied to or clawed back from those former top executives and he obtained recoveries which exceeded $1 million in each of those cases;
  • Doug has served as state-wide defense counsel in Alabama for an international building materials manufacturer in MDL litigation seeking over $1 billion in damages based on product defect-related claims;
  • Doug represented a significant electrical cooperative and its Board of Directors in an extended lawsuit brought by members of the Coop who unsuccessfully sought to unseat a majority of the Coop’s board;
  • Doug has defended national stock brokerage firms against claims brought by customers; similarly, he has recovered hundreds of thousands of dollars for individuals who were misled or misadvised in connection with investments they were sold;
  • Doug has successfully defended clients in litigation where claims were brought under state and federal securities laws, including putative class action claims;
  • Doug has represented clients in regulatory proceedings before the Alabama Securities Commission;
  • Doug has litigated numerous cases in federal and state court involving employee non-compete agreements including many cases involving securities broker non-compete agreements;
  • Doug has been successful in defeating class certification or obtaining dismissal of claims against clients in cases brought as class actions;
  • Doug has acted as general outside counsel in representing and counseling a highly successful local engineering firm in connection with numerous contract negotiations and contractual disputes;
  • Doug has successfully defended numerous cases in state and federal court involving claims of fraud arising out of leasing and financing transactions;
  • Doug has served as successful defense counsel as well as successful plaintiff’s counsel in a multitude of cases involving commercial contract-based claims; and
  • Doug has represented clients in a variety of complex commercial cases including cases involving patent rights disputes, riparian rights disputes, and corporate control disputes.

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent
  • Best Lawyers In America© Banking and Finance, Litigation – Intellectual Property, Litigation, Trusts and Estates, 2020—2023

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1994

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, cum laude, 1994
  • Vanderbilt University, 1991

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Vestry (2016—2018)
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Alabama, Mentor (2010—2016)
  • UMS – Wright Board of Trustees (Vice-Chairman (2012—2017); Chairman (2017—2020); Trustee (2007—Present) 
  • Bulldog Athletic Association (Youth Football and Basketball) (Board of Directors and Secretary 2008—2010)
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of South Alabama (Board of Directors, 2010—2013)
  • Mobile Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program, Inc. (1994—Present)
  • Deep South Council of the Girl Scouts (Board of Directors, Nominating Committee, Fund Development Committee 2002—2007)
  • Leadership Mobile Class of 2006
  • United Cerebral Palsy of Mobile (Board of Directors 2003—2010)
  • Family Counseling Center of Mobile/Lifelines (Board of Directors, Finance Committee, Executive Committee 2002—2005, President 2004—2005)
  • Contact Mobile, Inc.(Board of Directors, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive Committee 1997—2002)

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent
  • Best Lawyers ® Lawyer of the Year 2015, 2020 and 2023, Corporate Law, Mobile
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Corporate Law, 2007—2023

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1975
  • Alabama Supreme Court
  • United States Supreme Court
  • U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits
  • All United States District Courts in Alabama and various other District Courts in other states

Education

  • J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1975
  • B.S., University of Alabama, 1972

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Board Member, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Alabama
  • Ashland Place United Methodist Church

Publications and Presentations

Awards

  • Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial
  • Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year 2016, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Mobile
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation – Construction, 2001—2023
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers© Business Litigation, 2008—2021
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1999
  • Mississippi State Bar, 2001

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, magna cum laude, 1999
  • B.A., Economics, University of Virginia, with distinction, 1996

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Alabama State Bar (Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee Member 2003—2010)
  • Mississippi State Bar
  • Mobile Bar Association (Chair, Admiralty Section, 2011—2012)
  • Maritime Law Association of the United States (Chair, Young Lawyers Committee, 2013—2015; Board of Directors, 2017—2020)
  • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute (Board of Directors, 2007—2008)
  • Propeller Club, Port of Mobile (President, 2013—2015; Vice-President, 2012—2013; Board of Governors, 2007—2015; Advisory Committee, 2015—Present)
  • Dauphin Way United Methodist Church Foundation (President, 2018—2020; Treasurer, 2017; Board of Directors 2017—present)
  • Mobile Museum of Art (Vice-Chair, 2021—present; Secretary 2019—2020; Board of Directors, 2017—present)
  • American Bankruptcy Institute
  • American Waterways Operators

Publications and Presentations

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent
  • Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year 2022, Admiralty and Maritime Law, Mobile
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Admiralty and Maritime Law, 2013—2023

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1982
  • United States Supreme Court
  • Alabama Supreme Court
  • Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
  • United States Tax Court
  • United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama

Education

  • J.D., Cumberland School of Law, 1982
  • B.S., Auburn University, 1979

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Vestavia Hills Baptist Church, Member, Trustee and Deacon, Former Chairman of Deacons
  • Lifetime Member Alabama Sheriffs Boys and Girls Ranches Builders Club
  • Former Member, Allocation Committee, Birmingham Area United Way

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rated
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Commercial Litigation, 2011—2023 
  • Alabama Super Lawyers© Business Litigation, 2008—2015

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.

 

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1985
  • United States Supreme Court
  • Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
  • United States District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama

Education

  • J.D., Cumberland School of Law, 1985
  • B.S., Auburn University, 1982

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
    • Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section Alabama Bar Association
    • Member, Elder Law Section
  • Birmingham Bar Association
    • Co-Chairman, Elder Law Committee
    • Past Chairman, Municipal Courts Committee
    • Past Chairman, Library Committee
    • Past Member, Grievance Committee
  • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
  • Member, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
    • Past Senior Warden
    • Past Junior Warden
    • Three-term Vestry member
    • Chairman, Building Committee, responsible for design, development, and construction of $700,000 educational building in 1987 and 1.2 million dollar educational building in 2002
    • Member of Finance Committee
    • Lay Eucharistic Minister
  • Episcopal Diocese of Alabama
    • Chancellor, 2018-2021
    • Past Member, Department of Camp McDowell, Chair, 2008-2010
    • Past Member, Diocesan Council
  • Member, Downtown Kiwanis Club
  • Auburn University Alumni Association Member, Board of Directors, 2014 to 2017
  • Birmingham-Jefferson County Auburn Club
    • 1987-2001 Member Board of Directors
    • 2002 Treasurer, responsible for all club disbursements receipts and financial reporting
    • 2003 Vice-President for Membership
    • 2004 Vice-President for Operations
    • 2005 President

Awards

  • Alabama Super Lawyers©, Estate & Probate, 2012-2018
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Trusts and Estates, 2019-2023
  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Rated

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1997
  • Mississippi State Bar, 2005

Education

  • J.D., Washington and Lee University School of Law, 1997
  • B.S., Samford University, magna cum laude, 1994

Additional Information

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1986
  • District of Columbia, 1988

Education

  • J.D., Cumberland School of Law, 1986
  • B.A., Auburn University, 1982

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Alabama State Bar Lawyer Assistance Program Committee (2010—2017, Chair 2015—2016)
  • Board of Editors of The Alabama Lawyer, 2008—2010 (Article Subcommittee Chair 2009 and 2010)
  • Birmingham Bar Association (Member of Grievance Committee, 2001—2004)
  • Alabama State Bar Environmental and Natural Resources Law Section (Chair 2007—2008)
  • Defense Research Institute, Employment and Labor Law Section Steering Committee
  • Board of Trustees for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society-Alabama Chapter (Chair 2007—2008)
  • Mountain Brook Athletics Association-Boys Basketball Grade Commissioner (2000—2006)
  • PreSchool Partners (Board Member 2010—2015)
  • Red Mountain Park Commission (2006—Present)
  • St. Luke’s Church (Episcopal) Vestry Member (2016—2019)

Publications and Presentations

  • “12 Things I’ve Learned…appearing before the United States Supreme Court,” Portico Mountain Brook, Summer 2016.
  • Guest Lecturer -University of Alabama School of Law on the Governmental Immunity Doctrine, October 2015.
  • “Preparing for Oral Argument-from the Trial Court to the Supreme Court,” with Arizona Supreme Court Justice Rebecca White Berch. DRI Employment and Labor Law Seminar, Scottsdale, Arizona, May 8, 2015
  • “Surprise – Cert Has Been Granted! Arguing Before the Supreme Court of the U.S.” Birmingham Bar Association, July 24, 2015
  • “Lane v. Franks – Employee Protected Speech,” Alabama Association of Municipal Attorneys Spring Municipal Law Conference, Florence, Alabama, April 18, 2015
  • “Supreme Court Update,” November 6, 2014, Southeastern Business Law Institute
  • “Lane v. Franks – Surprise: Your Petition For Cert Has Been Granted,” October 10, 2014, Alabama State Bar Labor and Employment Law Section Seminar, Orange Beach, Alabama

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ for over 15 years

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1973

Education

  • B.A., University of Alabama, 1969
  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 1972
  • LL.M.(Taxation), New York University School of Law, 1973

Additional Information

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Tax Law; Trusts and Estates, 1983—2023

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1990

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama Law School, 1990
  • B.S., Louisiana State University, 1986

Additional Information

 Awards

  • Chambers USA, Litigation: General Commercial
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Litigation – Construction, 2018—2023

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1987
  • Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy, 1984

Education

  • LL.M. in Taxation, The University of Alabama School of Law, with honors, 1999
  • J.D., The University of Alabama School of Law, 1987
  • B.S. in B.A. (Accounting Concentration), with Honors, Samford University, summa cum laude, 1982

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Business Alliance, Trustee (2006 – present)
  • Samford University Brock School of Business Advisory Board, Member (2005 to present); Chairperson (2015—2018); and Vice Chairperson (2009—2012)
  • The Newcomen Society of Alabama, Member (2016 to present)
  • Samford University Board of Overseers (2007 – 2016; 2022 to present)
  • Samford Network in Birmingham – Founder and Chairperson (2006—2016)
  • St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Member

Publications and Presentations

  • “Four often overlooked questions to ask before buying or selling a business,” Birmingham Business Journal (March 28, 2014)
  • “The Bottom Line,”Birmingham Business Journal (October 14, 2011)
  • “What’s the top issue private companies face now?” Birmingham Business Journal (June 24, 2011)
  • “Experts sound off on economic hotspots,” Birmingham Business Journal (April 25, 2011)
  • “What are the most common mistakes that small businesses make and how can they be avoided?” Birmingham Business Journal (August 1, 2010)
  • “What long-term impact do you believe the recession will have on estate planning?” Birmingham Business Journal (May 9, 2010)
  • “Birmingham Economic Forecast: Mergers and Acquisitions,” Birmingham Business Journal (January 4, 2009)
  • “Succession a hot topic as boomers loom,” Birmingham Business Journal (July 6, 2008)
  • “So long, Wall Street: Increased reporting regulations have some Alabama companies abandoning the public route,” Birmingham Business Journal (March 16, 2008)
  • “FSBOs: Not Necessarily the Best Approach for Businesses,” Birmingham Business Journal (November 26, 2006)
  • “New year often a good time to review plans made by fiduciary,” Birmingham Business Journal (January 2, 2005)
  • “Innovative Equipment Maintenance Management,”Business Alabama (June 2003)
  • “Business Lawyer is integral to success of startup,” Birmingham Business Journal (August 18, 2002)

Awards

  • Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year 2019, Corporate Law, Birmingham
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2009 to present)
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent (2000 to present)
  • Samford University, Alumnus of the Year (2016)
  • Samford University Brock School of Business, Alumnus of the Year (2010)
  • Beta Alpha Psi, Kappa Pi Chapter, Distinguished Alumnus (2010)

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 2004
  • Mississippi State Bar, 2005

Education

  • J.D.,University of Alabama School of Law, magna cum laude
  • B.A., University of South Alabama, magna cum laude, 2001

Additional Information

Awards

  • Mobile Bay Monthly 40 Under 40, Class of 2014
  • Alabama Super Lawyers Rising Star®, PI General: Defense, 2012—2019

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1994

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 1994
  • B.A., University of Richmond, cum laude, 1991

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • University of Richmond Alumni Association – member
  • Limestone County Bar Association – current member and past-President
  • Elkmont United Methodist Church – current member and Chairperson, Board of Trustees
  • Athens Rotary Club – current member

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 2006

Education

  • J.D., Cumberland School of Law, cum laude, 2006
  • B.A., Georgetown College, summa cum laude, 2003

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Mobile County Bar Association
  • Alabama State Bar Association
  • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
  • Senior Bowl Committee
  • American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance

Publications and Presentations

  • Co-Author, “Construction Laws and Customs: Alabama,” Practical Law Real Estate (Dec. 2015)
  • Co-Author, “Discovery Deskbook for Construction Disputes,” American Bar Association Forum on the Construction Industry, 2nd Edition (2015)
  • Mr. Campbell presented mock trial presentations to the Alabama Trucking Association’s Safety and Maintenance Management Council on August 24, 2022, May 19, 2015 and October 24th, 2013 in Montgomery. 
  • “It’s Not Who you Paid, It’s Why You Paid It – Middle District analyzes Alabama law regarding the voluntary payment defense,” Alabama Defense Lawyers Association Journal, Volume 26, No. 1, page 27.
  • “Endangered Species Reintroduction Coming to Alabama,” The EnLaw, Volume 14, No. 1 – Page 3.
  • “The Meaning of the Griffin Ruling” presented at the “Alabama Toxic Torts Litigation: Life after the Griffin Ruling” CLE, May 19, 2008, Birmingham, Alabama.

Representative Cases

  • In the Matter of Arbitration between Escapes! To the Shores Condominium Owners Association, Inc., et al. v. Hoar Construction, LLC, et al., (American Arbitration Association Nov. 2, 2021, with judgment entered by the Baldwin County Circuit Court Dec. 2, 2021) (following seven-day hearing, defense verdict in favor of caulking subcontractor client in construction defect case involving 80-unit condominium project in Orange Beach, Alabama).
  • Grupo HGM Tecnologias Submarina, S.A. v. Energy Subsea, LLC,, et al., (S.D. Ala. Oct. 13, 2021) (bench verdict in favor of client petroleum industry undersea salvage support company against defendant undersea work contractor and its principal on claims of breach of contract and fraud (assisted as local counsel)).
  • Martha Faye Brannon, et al. v. Swanson Logistics, LLC, et al., (M.D. Ala. May 13, 2021) (achieved dismissal of injury and property damage claims filed by guardian of underage driver against client trucking company).
  • ZP NO. 314, LLC v. ILM Capital, LLC, et al., (S.D. Ala. May 29, 2020) (bench verdict in favor of client student housing facility owner against competing student housing facility owner on claims of unfair competition under the Lanham Act (15 U.S.C. 1125(a)) and trademark infringement and unfair practices under the Alabama Code (Ala. Code 8-12-1, et seq.)).
  • James P. Hofius, et al. v. Advance Auto Parts, Inc. d/b/a Carquest Auto, et al., (Cir. Ct. Mobile Co., Ala., December 10, 2019) (summary judgment in favor of two clients, one a refractory materials contractor and the other an automobile body shop, on plaintiff’s asbestos exposure claim).
  • ILM Operations, LLC, et al. v. ZP NO. 314, LLC, et al., (Cir. Ct. Mobile Co., Ala. October 31, 2018) (successful defense of a dispute between competing student housing facility owners, including claims of trespass, conversion, misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference, and civil conspiracy).
  • ALIMGMT Alabama, Inc., et al. v. Team Holdings, LLC, (Ala. S.C., case no. 1160262, October 13, 2017) (affirming judgment in favor of client landowner on breach of lease and personal guaranty claims and on tenant’s fraud counterclaims).
  • IBI Group Michigan LLC f/k/a Giffels LLC v. Outokumpu Stainless USA LLC, et. al., (Cir. Ct. Mobile Co., Ala., September 19, 2017) (achieving dismissal with prejudice as to multi-million dollar third-party indemnity claim against client construction contractor).
  • Team Holdings, LLC v. ALIMGMT Alabama, Inc., et al., (Cir. Ct. Mobile Co., Ala., November 21, 2016) (bench verdict in favor of client landowner on breach of lease and personal guaranty claims and on tenant’s fraud counterclaims).
  • Adam Hudson v. SAIA Motor Freight Line, LLC, et al., (Cir. Ct. Mobile Co., Ala., Jan. 8, 2016) (dismissal of personal injury claim against client trucking company and its driver).
  • SAIA Motor Freight Line, LLC v. Adam Hudson, (Dist. Ct. Mobile Co., Ala. Oct. 19, 2015) (bench verdict in favor of client trucking company on client’s property damage claim stemming from motor vehicle accident).
  • Batchelor’s Residential Service, LLC v. Paul D. Robinson, (Dist. Ct. Mobile Co., Ala. July 19, 2015) (bench verdict in favor of employer enforcing employment contract).
  • Slidell Oil Company v. One Stop, Inc., (Cir. Ct. Choctaw Co., Ala. March 4, 2015) (summary judgment in favor of client oil company on client’s claim to collect debt owed on an open account).
  • Batchelor’s Residential Service, LLC v. Robert Royse, (Dist. Ct. of Mobile Co., Ala. Feb. 5, 2015) (bench verdict in favor of employer enforcing non-compete agreement).
  • Big Jim’s Pawn Company, Inc., et al. v. Target Corporation, et al., (Cir. Ct. Jefferson Co., Ala., June 18, 2014) (summary judgment in favor of client Target Corporation on claims of defamation, slander of title, tortious interference with a business relationship, and malicious prosecution).
  • Wiggins v. Billy Barnes Enterprises, Inc., (Ala. Civ. App., case no. 2121032, June 6, 2014) (affirming summary judgment in favor of client trucking company on wrongful death claim).
  • McClendon v. Target Corporation, (Cir. Ct. St. Clair Co., Ala., Aug. 28, 2013) (summary judgment in favor of client Target Corporation on claim of malicious prosecution).
  • Robinson v. SAIA Motor Freight Line, LLC, (Cir. Ct. Mobile Co., Ala., July 19, 2013) (dismissal of personal injury and property damage claims against client trucking company).
  • Wiggins v. Billy Barnes Enterprises, Inc., (Cir. Ct. Monroe Co., Ala., Feb. 25, 2013) (summary judgment in favor of client trucking company on wrongful death claim).
  • Greyhound Lines, Inc. v. The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., (M.D. Ala., Oct. 29, 2009) (unreported decision dismissing plaintiff’s claims for economic losses resulting from bus accident).
  • Chance v. Clayton Corporation, (N.D. Ala., July 2009) (following removal from Circuit Court of Tuscaloosa County, Ala., unreported dismissal of toxic exposure personal injury claim against client manufacturer of polyurethane mine foam).
  • Southern Cal Transport v. Rowell, (Cir. Ct. Monroe Co., Ala., Oct. 6, 2008) (jury verdict in favor of client trucking company on both client’s property damage claim and defendant’s property damage counterclaim stemming from motor vehicle accident).

Awards

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 2006

Education

  • J.D., Cumberland School of Law, magna cum laude, 2006
  • B.A., University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2001

Additional Information

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent
  • Alabama Super Lawyers Rising Star® ,Business Litigation, 2011—2015
  • Birmingham Magazine, Top Attorney in Land Use
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Litigation-Real Estate, 2017—2023

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 2007

Education

  • LL.M. (Taxation), New York University School of Law, 2008 
  • J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, cum laude, 2007
  • B.S.B.A. (Accounting), University of Southern Mississippi, 2001

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations 

  • Standing Committee on Trusts for the Alabama Law Institute
  • Alabama Federal Tax Clinic (Board of Directors)
  • Estate Planning Council of Mobile
  • Mobile Bar Association (Treasurer 2016-2017)
  • Junior Achievement (Board of Directors)
  • State Governmental Affairs Committee for the Mobile Chamber of Commerce

Publications and Presentations

  • Foreign Investment in Real Estate: Alabama, Practical Law State Q&A (Current as of March 23, 2020)
  • Estate Planning from Start to Finish: Taxes, Handling the Basics, National Business Institute (2017)
  • Estate Planning from Start to Finish: Ethical Considerations in Estate Planning, National Business Institute (2017)
  • Legal Aspects of Operating a Nonprofit, Start the Spark, Fuse Factory (August 9, 2017)
  • The Ultimate Guide to Probate: Inventory and Satisfying Creditor Claims, National Business Institute (2016)
  • Alabama Limited Liability Company Law of 2014, Baldwin County Bar Association (September 9, 2015)
  • Tax Aspects of Real Estate Transactions, National Business Institute (2012 and 2013).
  • Conflicts of Interest in Derivative Litigation Involving Closely Held Corporations: An All or Nothing Approach to the Requirement of “Independent” Corporate Counsel, 31 J. LEGAL PROF. 337 (2007) (Winner of ABA 2006-2007 Mendes Hershman Award).

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 2009

Education

  • J.D., Cumberland School of Law, cum laude, 2009 
  • B.B.A., The University of Georgia, 2004

Additional Information

Awards

  • Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch, Real Estate Law, 2021-2023, Business Organizations (Including LLCs and Partnerships), 2023

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 1978

Education

  • J.D., Cumberland School of Law, cum laude, 1978
  • B.S., Auburn University, with high honor, 1975

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • Alabama State Bar
  • Birmingham Bar Association
  • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
  • Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (Co-Chair, Insurance Coverage Committee) EMERITUS STATUS
  • ABA Insurance Coverage Litigation Committee

Publications and Presentations

Presentations

  • “Professional Liability Insurance Issues” (Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants, November 2008)
  • “Professional Engineers Liability Insurance Issues” (Half Moon, Inc., August 2006)
  • “What Triggers Coverage? Nuances of Occurrence in Alabama” (Cumberland CLE, April 2005)
  • “Insurance Coverage for Fraud Actions” (ABICLE, November 1999)
  • “When there is No Appeal of Right: Mandamus, Certiorari, Etc.” (October 1997)
  • “What Constitutes Arguable Basis for Refusal: Defendant’s Perspective (1993)
  • “Recent Developments in Bad Faith and Fraud Claims” (Cumberland CLE February 12, 1988)
  • “Bad Faith and Fraud – Alabama Update” (Cumberland CLE, February 16, 1988)
  • “Developments in the Law of Bad Faith and Fraud Claims Against Insurance Companies” (Insurance Law Seminar, November 1988)
  • “Recent Developments and Tactics in Defense of Bad Faith Actions” (Birmingham Bar Association Annual Seminar, December 1987)
  • “Liability of Insurance Companies for Acts of Agents” (ABICLE, October 1986)
  • “Bad Faith Seminar” (Moderator, April 1989)

Representative Cases

Supreme Court of the United States

  • Chemical Waste Management, Inc. v. Hunt, 504 U.S. 334 (1992)
  • Pacific Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Haslip, 499 U.S. 1 (1991)
  • Lloyd v. Professional Realty Services, Inc. 519 U.S. 1150 (1997), opposed petition and cert. denied

Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals

  • Fire Ins. Exch. v. Braxton, 656 Fed. Appx. 656 (11th Cir. 2003) (memorandum opinion)
  • Samford v. Dolgen Corp., 33 Fed. Appx. 984 (11th Cir. 2001)(table)
  • Gorove/Slade Assoc., Inc. v. ITT Hartford Group, 174 F.3d 202 (11th Cir. 1999)(table)
  • Piazza v. Prudential Ins. Co., 103 F.3d 148 (11th Cir. 1996)(table)
  • Simmons v. Safeco Ins. Co., 99 F.3d 1157 (11th Cir. 1996)(table – reh’g en banc denied)
  • Weathers v. State Farm Ins. Co., 992 F.2d 328 (11th Cir. 1992)
  • Wolff v. Allstate Life Ins. Co., 996 F.2d 316 (11th Cir. 1992)
  • Caudle v. Life of Georgia, 966 F.2d 680 (11th Cir. 1992)
  • Farlow v. Union Cent. Life Ins. Co., 874 F.2d 791 (11th Cir. 1989)
  • Billingsley v. Travelers Ins. Co., 824 F.2d 974 (11th Cir. 1987)
  • Vanzant v. Allstate Life Ins. Co., 795 F.2d 87 (11th Cir. 1986)
  • Bojorge v. Madison, 760 F.2d 279 (11th Cir. 1985)
  • Lloyd v. Professional Realty Services, Inc., 734 F.2d 1428 (11th Cir. 1984)

Alabama Appellate Courts

  • Safeway Insurance Company of Ala., Inc. v. Thomas, 264 So. 3d 98 (Ala. Civ. App. 2018)
  • Robertson v. Gaddy Electric Co.,53 So. 3d 75 (Ala. 2010)
  • Lawson v. McDaniel, 65 So. 3d 1048 (Ala. Civ. App. 2009)
  • Ex parte Progressive Specialty Ins. Co., 31 So. 3d 661 (Ala. 2009)
  • Howard v. Allstate Ins. Co., 9 So.3d 1213 (Ala. 2008)
  • Ex parte Safeway Ins. Co. of Ala. Inc., 990 So. 2d 344 (Ala. 2008)
  • Ex parte Barnett, 978 So. 2d 729 (Ala. 2007)
  • Pinigis v. Regions Bank, 942 So. 2d 841 (Ala. 2006)
  • Empire Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Martin, (Ala. 2005)(petition mandamus)
  • Safeway Ins. Co. of Ala., Inc. v. Herrera, 912 So. 2d 1140 (Ala. 2005)
  • Allstate Ins. Co. v. Beck, 889 So. 2d 314 (Ala. 2004)(table)
  • Helton v. Brown, 916 So. 2d 633 (Ala. 2004)(table)
  • Miller v. Allstate Ins. Companies, 896 So. 2d 499 (Ala. Civ. App.2004), cert. denied, September 17, 2004.
  • Ex parte Auto Investigators of Georgia, Inc. (Ala. 2003)(petition for mandamus)
  • Wilemon v. Alfa Ins. Co., 863 So. 2d 1162 (Ala. civ. App. 2001)(table)
  • Grimes v. Dodge, 816 So. 2d 53 (Ala. Civ. App. 2001)
  • Harris v. Murray & Safeway Ins. Co. of Ala., Inc., 823 So. 2d 63 (Ala. Civ. App. 2001)(table)
  • Ex parte Pepper, 794 So. 2d 340 (Ala. 2001)
  • Flagstar, Inc. v. Foster, 779 So. 2d 1220 (Ala. 2001)
  • Kirkland v. Mitchell, 790 So. 2d 370 (Ala. Civ. App. 2000)(table)
  • Hathcock v. Wood, 815 So. 2d 502 (Ala. 2000)
  • Colafrancesco v. Lett, 790 So. 2d 366 (Ala. Civ. App. 2000), cert. denied, 806 So. 2d 416 (Ala. 2000)(table)
  • Life Ins. Co. of Georgia v. Johnson, 725 So. 2d 934 (Ala. 1998)
  • Green v. Life Insurance Co. of Georgia, 720 So. 2d 1064 (Ala. Civ. App. 1997), cert. denied, 717 So. 2d 889 (Ala. 1997)(table)
  • Medical Center East v. Allstate Ins. Co., 686 So. 2d 1218 (Ala. Civ. App. 1996)
  • American Legion Number 57 v. Leahey, 681 So. 2d 1337 (Ala. 1996)(Amicus Brief, ADLA)
  • Ex parte Stephens (Stephens v. Life of Georgia), 676 So. 2d 1307 (Ala. 1996)
  • Commons v. Drake, 682 So. 2d 1364 (Ala. Civ. App. 1996)(table)
  • Nash v. Segars, 682 So. 2d 1364 (Ala. Civ. App. 1996)
  • Hacker v. Witt, 861 So. 2d 655 (Ala. Civ. App. 1995)
  • Turnipseed v. Snow, 674 So. 2d 604 (Ala. Civ. App. 1995)
  • Ex parte Pate, 673 So. 2d 427 (Ala. 1995)
  • Ex parte Chrysler Corp., 659 So. 2d 113 (Ala. 1995) (Amicus brief, Ala. Retail Ass’n)
  • Howell v. Hall, 667 So. 2d 746 (Ala. 1995)(table)
  • Wilson v. Nissan Motor Co., Amicus Brief, ADLA (appeal dismissed)
  • Robertson v. Gulf Life Ins. Co., 655 So. 2d 953 (Ala. 1995)
  • Campbell v. Orsini, 668 So. 2d 547 (Ala. 1995)(table)
  • Peek v. State Auto Mut. Ins. Co., 661 So. 2d 737 (Ala. 1995)(Amicus Brief, ADLA)
  • Valley Steel v. Brasfield & Gorrie, Inc. & United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co., 646 So. 2d 106 (Ala. Civ. App. 1994)
  • Ingram v. Chambers Life Ins. Co., 643 So. 2d 575 (Ala. 1994)(Amicus, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association)
  • Benefield v. Liberty National Life Ins. Co., 632 So. 2d 1328 (Ala. 1994)
  • Gurganus v. Continental, 603 So. 2d 903 (Ala. 1993)
  • Sears Roebuck & Co. v. Harris, 630 So. 2d 1018 (Ala. 1994) (Amicus, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association)
  • Jones v. Brasfield & Gorrie, Inc., 629 So. 2d 815 (Ala. 1993)
  • Gurganus v. Continental American Life Ins. Co., 629 So. 2d 815 (Ala. 1993), reh. denied, 639 So. 2d 960 (Ala. 1993)
  • Stewart v. Grimes, 628 So. 2d 467 (Ala. 1993)(Amicus, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association)
  • Hallmark v. Duke, 624 So. 2d 1058 (Ala. 1993)(Amicus, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association)
  • Williams v. Delta International Business Machine Corp., 619 So. 2d 1330 (Ala. 1993)(Amicus, Ingersoll-Rand Company)
  • Delchamps, Inc. v. Larry, 613 So. 2d 1235 (Ala. 1992)
  • Alfa Mut. Ins. Co. v. Northington, 604 So. 2d 758 (Ala. 1992)(Amicus, State Farm Fire & Casualty Company)
  • Humphries v. Rice, 600 So. 2d 975 (Ala. 1992)
  • Ex parte Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Ala., 590 So. 2d 270 (Ala. 1991)
  • Southern Life & Health Ins. Co. v. Turner, 586 So. 2d 854 (Ala. 1991)
  • Hardy v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Alabama, 585 So. 2d 29 (Ala. 1991)
  • Rice v. Hartman, 582 So. 2d 464 (Ala. 1991)
  • Peck v. Dill, So. 2d 800 (Ala. 1991)
  • Pacific Mut. Life Ins. Co. v. Haslip, 553 so. 2d 537 (Ala. 1989)
  • Cooperman v. Bellamy, 553 So. 2d 600 (Ala. Civ. App. 1989)
  • Liberty Nat. Life Ins. Co. v. Waite, 551 So. 2d 1003 (Ala. 1989)
  • Garner v. Kent Excavation, Inc., 532 So. 2d 1033 (Ala. Civ. App. 1988)
  • Knight v. Seale, 530 So. 2d 821 (Ala. 1988)
  • McMillan, Ltd. v. Warrior Drilling & Engineering Co., 512 So. 2d 14 (Ala. 1986)
  • McGee v. Guardian Life Ins. Co., 472 So. 2d 993 (Ala. 1985)
  • Shell v. Jefferson County, 454 So. 2d 1331 (Ala. 1984)(Amicus, Birmingham Housing Authority)
  • Prudential Ins. Co. of America v. Watts, 451 So. 2d 310 (Ala. Civ. App. 1984)
  • USF&G v. Warwick Development Co., 446 So. 2d 1021 (Ala. 1984)
  • Brown Mechanical Contractors, Inc. v. Centennial Ins. Co., 431 So. 2d 932 (Ala. 1983)

Awards

  • Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year 2016, Insurance Law, Birmingham
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Insurance Law, 2007—2023
  • Alabama Super Lawyers©, Insurance Coverage, 2008—2009, 2011—2015
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers©, Insurance Coverage, 2021

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar, 2012
  • Florida State Bar, 2015
  • Eleventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, 2016

Education

  • J.D., Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, magna cum laude, 2012 
  • B.A., Spring Hill College, summa cum laude, 2009

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Paul M. Brock American Inn of Court
  • Member of the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance
  • Litigation Management Institute, Certified Litigation Management Professional designation
  • Member of Fairhope Kiwanis Club
  • Past President of Mobile Business Fusion Chapter of BNI
  • Vice Chair of Green Coast Council, An Initiative of the Alabama Coastal Foundation
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program

Publications and Presentations

  • “Municipal Mayhem: Navigating Practical and Legal Implications of a Cyber Breach for Local Government,” November 2020, Alabama League of Municipalities Fall Conference
  • “Cybersecurity Risks and Liabilities,” October 2020, Electric Cities of Alabama Engineering and Operations Conference
  • “Trends in Cybersecurity,” October 2019, Gulf States Shipbuilders Consortium
  • “Cybersecurity for Nonprofits,” October 2016, South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program

Awards

  • Best Lawyers: Ones To Watch, Commercial Litigation, 2021 – 2023
  • Mobile Bay Monthly 40 Under 40, Class of 2019
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers© Rising Star, 2019-2021

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.

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar

Education

  • J.D., University of Alabama, Order of the Barristers, Bench and Bar, John A. Campbell National Moot Court Team, Associate Editor, Law and Psychology Review, Edward M. Friend, Jr., Award, 1987
  • B.A., University of Alabama in Huntsville, with honors, 1984

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • Alabama State Bar (Board of Editors, The Alabama Lawyer, 1992—1993, Quality of Life Committee, 2008—2010)
  • Birmingham Bar Association
  • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association (Member, Amicus Curiae Brief Committee)
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Trucking Industry Defense Association
  • Leadership Vestavia Hills
  • Vestavia Hills Blue Ribbon Study Committee for Professional City Management (2008—2009)
  • Birmingham Swim League (Board of Directors 2007—2008, President 2008—2009)
  • Briarwood Presbyterian Church (PCA)

Publications and Presentations

  • UM and UIM Coverage and Claims; The Basics, BLR 2013
  • Bad Faith Claims Under Automobile Insurance Policies, National Business Institute, 2012
  • “Spoliation of Evidence”, Alabama Chapter, National Association of Subrogation Professionals, 2008
  • “Gather Information Critical to Your Case”, Bad Faith Insurance Claims in Alabama, National Business Institute, 2008
  • “Understand What the Insurer Is – and Isn’t – Responsible For”, Settling Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Claims, National Business Institute, 2008

Awards

  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent
  • Best Lawyers In America©, Insurance Law, 2010—2023

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Biographical Information

Jerome (“Jerry”) Chapman is an associate in the Firm’s litigation section. He is a passionate advocate who is proud to serve his clients’ causes. Jerry’s practice is focused on liability defense, coverage analysis, and related areas of insurance-linked civil litigation.

Prior to joining Hand Arendall Harrison Sale, Mr. Chapman worked for a matrimonial and family law practice in Birmingham, Alabama, serving high-asset clientele in divorce and custody cases with complex financial components and parallel, non-divorce claims. Prior to that, he was an associate with a civil litigation firm representing large commercial clients and insurance companies in the state and federal courts of New York City, Long Island and the downstate region of New York. His prior experience in litigation includes insurance claims and coverage, construction litigation, and the defense of insured retailers, distributors, and manufacturers in products liability cases.

Mr. Chapman obtained Juris Doctor from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York City in 2017. While studying at Cardozo, Jerry served as an Associate Editor on the Cardozo Arts and Entertainment Law Journal. His focused in pretrial practice and trial advocacy, and he is an alumnus of both the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program and the Advanced Trial Advocacy programs. While in law school, Mr. Chapman volunteered with the Nassau County Legal Aid Society to assist with weekend arraignments and served on several successful political campaigns for local judges.

Mr. Chapman earned a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University where he majored in Non-fiction Composition in the English Language. While attending Vanderbilt, he co-founded Blessings in a Backpack, and served as leadership in his fraternity.

Mr. Chapman lives in Birmingham with his fiancée, Brooke. Outside of the office, he enjoys golf, softball, photography, and cooking.  

Admissions

  • Alabama State Bar
  • New York State Bar
  • Southern District of New York (SDNY)
  • Eastern District of New York (EDNY)

Education

  • J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, 2017
  • B.A., Vanderbilt University, 2013

Additional Information

Civic and Professional Affiliations

  • Alabama Bar Association
  • Birmingham Bar Association
  • New York State Bar Association
  • New York State Trial Lawyers Association

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

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

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

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

A LAW FIRM SINCE 1941
© 2023 Hand Arendall Harrison Sale LLC. All rights reserved.
Alabama: 
Athens Birmingham Fairhope Mobile
Florida: 
Destin Panama City Panama City Beach Santa Rosa Beach