April E. Nichols

Carl Smyly was born and raised in Andalusia, Alabama. He received his undergraduate education at Birmingham-Southern College, where he was selected for membership in the Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa scholastic honorary societies and was valedictorian of his graduating class in 1979. He then earned his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Virginia School of Law in 1982. Mr. Smyly has been assigned the highest possible Peer Review Ratings for legal ability and ethical standards in...

Gregory Rhodes is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where he is a member of the Tax practice group and leads the Dentons Sirote Tax Controversy team. In his practice, Greg focuses on complex tax controversy and tax litigation work. He has successfully represented professional athletes, partnerships, corporations, and individuals as a first-chair trial attorney in high-stakes federal and local tax litigation throughout the country. Greg has also successfully h...

As a member of the firm’s Finance and Real Estate Group, Brad focuses his practice on commercial real estate, corporate law, intellectual property law, and wills and estates.

Sloane Phillips is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction. Sloane, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sloane is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard J. Riley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Richard J., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Grant Premo is an experienced advisor for banks, mortgage servicers, student loan servicers, and farm credit agencies on complex litigation and compliance matters. He is known for his expertise in navigating high-risk litigation and guiding clients to comply with important regulations, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and Farm Credit Administration Regulations. Grant’s expansive litigati...

Chad A. Pilcher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice. Chad A., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chad A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Katie T. Powell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Katie T., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katie T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Emily Ruzic advises leading natural gas pipeline companies and other infrastructure clients on issues involving location, land acquisition, construction, and operations. Currently, she is advising on multiple large-scale pipeline projects in the Southeast, including serving as the lead outside lawyer on several significant projects for one of the country’s largest energy companies. Emily also regularly litigates land and operational issues, including disputes over survey access, eminent...

Leon Ashford has been a trial lawyer for 42 years. Throughout the course of his career, Mr. Ashford has a proven record of consistently obtaining multimillion dollar jury verdicts and settlements for his clients, their families and their small businesses. Though he has always focused his practice on complex litigation involving catastrophic personal injuries and wrongful death, he has recently been called upon to represent family-owned and closely held businesses in litigation which threatene...