Charles "Charlie" Rae

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...

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...

Tammy has successfully represented employers in the defense of claims arising out of the employment relationship. She routinely provides advice to clients concerning all employment-related issues in an effort to avoid litigation. Tammy handles claims and litigation in state and federal courts involving matters relating to discrimination, retaliation, and harassment (including claims based on race, religion, gender, age, and disability). Other matters she handles include any and all tort claim...

Michael E. Turner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Labor and Employment and Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Michael E., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geogra...

A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Drew has developed a diverse business, commercial, and real estate practice and has experience in construction, healthcare, and professional liability litigation. Drew represents a wide range of businesses from closely-held, small businesses to publicly traded hedge funds in litigation and transactional matters. He routinely represents professionals and businesses in asserting and defending breach of contract, negligence, fraud, and business tort claims. Drew ...

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.

Thomas G. Amason III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Thomas G., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert Baugh is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where he serves as chair of the Dentons Sirote Litigation practice group. Robert has been engaged in the practice of law continuously since 1982. Robert represents clients in insurance, business, and product liability cases in both state and federal courts throughout the Southeast. He has obtained favorable results for Fortune 500 companies as well as privately held companies. In addition to his litigation pra...

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...