Bret L. Thompson

There’s a lot that goes into it, but to really succeed in this profession, I’ve come to believe these three qualities are 90% of it: courage, humanity, and humility. Courage. You must be unafraid. Following a particularly nasty trial, my wife summed up my job: “They are schoolyard bullies. They’ve already bullied your client once, and now they want to use the trial to do it again. But you walk up, stand next to them, put your hand on their shoulder, steel yourself, and...

Atkins Roberts practices primarily in the areas of commercial finance, real estate and bank regulation. Atkins regularly assists banks, financial institutions, investors, real estate developers and individuals in a broad range of commercial lending activities. He has represented developers (including non-profit corporations), syndicators, equity investors and lenders throughout the Southeast in numerous transactions involving low-income housing tax credits (federal and state). Atkins is fluen...

Partner Brad Hightower has been practicing law since 2002, and focuses his practice on commercial and bankruptcy litigation. He routinely handles complex issues that arise in business reorganization, restructuring and liquidations. Prior to joining the firm, Brad interned with the Executive Office of the President in Washington, D.C. He was responsible for supplying science and technology articles to the White House website. Brad also completed a two year clerkship with the Honorable Margaret...

Andrew Shaver routinely represents financial institutions, secured and unsecured creditors and other interested parties in bankruptcy cases, commercial litigation and extra-judicial proceedings. His experience includes fraudulent transfer and preference actions, lender liability claims, contested bankruptcy matters, non-dischargeability actions, stay violation litigation and state law collection and enforcement actions. Andrew also has experience representing secured lenders and court-appoint...

JEFF STARLING is the Chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group. His practice is devoted to the representation of employers in the following areas: Employment Litigation - Federal and State court litigation of individual, multi-plaintiff and class action claims of employment discrimination, wage and hour violations and wrongful discharge. Labor Relations - Strategic advice and legal representation in union organizing campaigns and elections, collective bargaining, strikes and p...

Matthew A. Mantle is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote's Birmingham, Alabama office. As a member of the Tax Practice group, he is part of the State and Local (Subnational) Tax team and the Tax Controversy team. Matt is a nationally-known State and Local Tax (SALT) attorney with over a decade and a half of experience helping taxpayer clients with state and local tax planning, legislative, and audit/litigation matters in Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, and on a multistate basis. He has represented c...

Ryan Daugherty is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office. Ryan’s practice is exclusively focused on developing solutions for clients who are involved in real estate issues and disputes. As chair of the firm’s landlord’s rights practice, Ryan represents multi-family, single-family, and commercial landlords and property managers throughout Alabama on recovering possession, collecting outstanding rent, and providing outside general counsel services. ...

Lance J. Wilkerson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Lance J. practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Lance J. Wilkerson since 2020. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Lance J. Wilkerson is held by other lawyers.

Andrew W. Tunnell is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Energy Law. Andrew W. practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Andrew W. Tunnell since 2009. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Andrew W. Tunnell is held by other lawyers.

Alexander “Alex” Ash is a partner in the Corporate & Securities Practice Group. Alex advises public and privately held clients in a broad range of corporate matters, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity transactions, business entity formation, securities offerings, financing transactions, and corporate reorganizations.