D.J. Simonetti

Keith Andress, office managing shareholder in the Birmingham office, concentrates his practice in civil litigation, primarily in the areas of business, construction and real estate. He has extensive experience representing financial institutions, title insurers and others involved in loan security and improvements to real property. He has devoted a significant amount of his practice to defending mortgage lenders and servicers against lender liability charges, allegations of mortgage fraud, an...

Alicia Bennett is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Alicia, 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 Alicia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

K.C. Hairston is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Municipal Law. K.C., 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 K.C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Shaun A. DeCoudres is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Shaun A., 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 Shaun A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chris is a creditor's rights attorney with extensive experience in high stakes insolvency and bankruptcy-related litigation. He routinely represents creditor clients in commercial litigation, fraudulent transfer and preference actions, contested bankruptcy matters, lender liability claims, commercial foreclosures, executions, replevin actions and prejudgment seizures. Chris has also successfully represented lender clients in numerous complex workouts and restructurings outside of court. Chris...

Chris was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on October 2, 1968. He attended college at the University of Alabama and graduated with a B.A. in business in 1990. Upon graduation, he entered the University of Alabama School of Law and obtained his J.D. Degree in 1993. While in law school, he served as the student representative to the Board of Trustees. He was admitted to practice law in the State of Alabama in 1993, and the State of Colorado in 1994. Since obtaining his law license in the State of Al...

Janell M. Ahnert is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Janell M., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Janell M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael places paramount importance on understanding a client’s business and developing tailored solutions that work for each individual client. He aims to build a trusted partnership with his clients to help navigate the difficult and ever-changing issues employers face daily. While he has had numerous victories as an attorney, Michael takes the most pride in helping his clients avoid litigation through a common sense and cost-effective approach. Through serving as interim in-house emp...

Katie M. Kimbrell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Katie 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 Katie M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ralph Yeilding is Chair of the firm's Trusts and Estates Practice Group. His primary areas of practice include estate and gift tax planning, estate and trust administration, IRS estate and gift tax audits and litigation, and state court probate and trust litigation. Ralph regularly advises individuals and fiduciaries on a broad range of estate, trust and probate matters, including rendering advice concerning estate and gift tax planning, and drafting wills, trusts, family LLC's, limited partn...