Brian P. Kappel

Mr. Palmer is an experienced litigator specializing in both employment litigation and general civil litigation in state and federal courts. His interest in litigation began early in his legal career when as a law student at Vanderbilt University, Mr. Palmer won the Harlan Dodson Moot Court Competition and was appointed to the position of Associate Justice of Vanderbilt’s Moot Court Board. Mr. Palmer began his career in 1988 as an associate and later a partner in a large general practice...

Emily Tidmore is an appellate lawyer and commercial litigator who has represented clients in complex commercial litigation throughout the country, including in the United States Supreme Court. Her litigation experience includes commercial and labor-and-employment class actions, business torts, intellectual property disputes, transportation regulation, Chapter 9 (municipal) bankruptcy, and punitive damages and federal preemption issues. Emily was named as the 2018 “Lawyer of the Year&rdq...

Steven F. Casey is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He maintains a diverse practice not only representing clients in court, but also in counseling clients in avoiding and managing litigation risks. Steve has extensive experience in the energy, pharmaceutical, chemical, banking, and aviation industries. He has litigated toxic tort, product liability, securities fraud, banking, ERISA, insurance, and contract cases. With more than 70 trials under his belt, Steve’s experience has...

Michael Sansbury has represented clients in trial and appellate courts across the United States. He has argued in courts ranging from Oregon Circuit Court to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He has examined countless witnesses—from the president of a multi-national corporation in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to a newspaper publisher from Auburn, Alabama—and has tried issues in state and federal courts in Alabama. Always thinking of the long-term impact, Sansbury spec...

D. Ty Brown is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. D. Ty, 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 D. Ty is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ryan M. Hodinka is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Ryan M., 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 Ryan M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Cecil H. “Coy” Macoy, Jr. practices principally in the areas of civil litigation and construction law. He represents insurance companies, construction companies, automobile dealerships, and other corporate and individual clients in both state and federal court. Coy has been named to Best Lawyers in America. He has been assigned the highest possible Peer Review Ratings for legal ability and ethical standards in the Martindale-Hubbell ® Legal Directory. He is a member of the Ala...

Ethan Tidmore is a litigator with a primary focus in the areas of complex commercial litigation and creditors’ rights. His practice involves the representation of businesses and individuals in a broad range of trial and appellate litigation in state and federal courts. Ethan routinely handles matters for national, regional, and community financial institutions, including creditor claims, lender liability, and trustee litigation. Ethan currently serves as the co-chairperson of the Alabam...

Todd Carlisle is a shareholder and former president (2015–2022) of Dentons Sirote in Alabama. He is a member of the Corporate practice group and leads the Dentons Sirote Mergers and Acquisitions team. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and general corporate representation with an emphasis in the financial services and forest products industries. Todd represents national property/casualty and life insurance distribution platforms, broker-dealers, regional and national banks...

Richard Smith, one of the founding partners of Christian & Small and a partner with its predecessor, Rives & Peterson, has been an integral member of the firm’s litigation group for his entire legal career. He served as the firm’s Managing Partner for five years. Richard’s practice focuses primarily on complex and corporate litigation for clients in the financial services, health care and construction industries, as well as corporate entities in other industries. His...