C. William Courtney

With over 15 years of litigation experience in both state and federal courts in Alabama and more than 70 trials to verdict, it goes without saying that Jim Pattillo is comfortable in the courtroom. He focuses his practice on matters involving insurance coverage and bad faith liability, business and commercial litigation, professional and product liability, class action, toxic torts, and transportation. He is a frequent speaker and writer in the areas of trial practice and technique, litigatio...

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...

Carrie M. Motes is a dedicated partner at Christian & Small, operating from the Birmingham, Alabama office. Her practice areas include commercial litigation, civil defense litigation, personal injury defense, insurance matters, and professional liability. Carrie Motes has experience in representing a diverse client base, including individuals, small businesses, retailers, transportation companies, and healthcare providers. She is committed to understanding the unique needs of her clients ...

Dan Sparks is head of Christian & Small’s Creditor & Lender Rights Practice Group. He focuses his practice in the areas of bankruptcy and business litigation involving creditors’ rights, consumer finance, lender liability and injunctive relief. Dan represents commercial lenders, debt buyers, corporations, Trustees, individuals and other secured and unsecured creditors in all aspects of commercial litigation, loan workouts, loan restructuring, asset recovery, foreclosure an...

Christopher P. (“Chris”) Couch advises banks and other financial institutions on regulatory and operational matters as well as on compliance with banking and lending laws, rules, and regulations. He counsels national, regional, and community banks with respect to deposit operations, payment systems, treasury management products, consumer regulatory regimes, and new services offerings, including electronic and mobile banking. Chris also represents financial institutions, finance co...

Priscilla K. Williams is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Priscilla K. practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Priscilla K. Williams since 2026. 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 Priscilla K. Williams is held by other lawyers.

Randy is a business attorney with experience in corporate law, taxation law, mergers and acquisitions, executive compensation, venture capital and private equity transactions, and the legal aspects of accounting and auditing.

Chad A. Pilcher is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Government Relations Practice. Chad A. practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Chad A. Pilcher since 2021. 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 Chad A. Pilcher is held by other lawyers.

Jason Avery is a member of the Firm’s Real Estate Practice Group and the Natural Resources and Banking and Financial Services Practice Teams. Unlike many other lawyers who concentrate in either a transactional practice or litigation, Jason represents clients in both areas, splitting his time between real estate transactional matters and real estate and mortgage litigation. This hybrid practice allows Jason to think progressively on transactional matters by understanding potential areas ...

Virginia Patterson's law practice focuses on the corporate, business and securities area. Virginia advises clients on a wide variety of business issues, including organizational matters, corporate governance, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, debt and equity financing and securities law compliance. In addition, Virginia has considerable experience in the area of debt restructuring, securitization transactions, formation of domestic and international joint ventures, licensing, and domest...