Damian Kelly

Jay Wright is a partner in the firm’s Banking and Financial Services and Litigation practice groups. Jay has earned his Accredited Mortgage Professional (AMP) designation through the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and is one of a small number of lawyers who have achieved this status. Jay’s practice focuses on financial services litigation and regulation, and he is actively involved in lawsuits and disputes across the country representing companies involved in a wide array of ...

Lee Birchall’s practice focuses on public finance in Alabama, where he serves as bond counsel to cities, counties, utilities, school boards, and various other types of governmental entities that issue tax-exempt and taxable securities. He also represents cities and counties in negotiations with private developers for economic development transactions. In addition to representing public bodies, Lee has experience serving as counsel to underwriters, trustee banks and commercial banks in t...

Paul Woodall is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He provides broad-ranging counsel to business entities in the areas of general corporate representation, commercial transactions, and real estate. Paul has extensive experience in a variety of areas of business and transactional practice, including mergers and acquisitions, choice of entity, economic development incentives, product distribution, real estate, commercial lending, intellectual property, and cybersecurity. Paul routinely ...

Ralph D. Cook is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Securities, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Ralph D., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ralph D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Mr. Pennington is the Managing Shareholder and a founding member of the Birmingham Office of Ogletree Deakins. For more than two decades, he has represented employers in a wide range of labor and employment law matters, including administrative agency charges, federal and state court litigation, union campaigns and collective bargaining. Mr. Pennington strives to help employers achieve peaceful, productive workplaces. He helps employers avoid workplace disputes by providing management trainin...

Tom has appeared in state and federal courts across the country, and has tried antitrust, business, construction, civil rights, insurance, mineral rights, negligence, product liability, land use, real property, tax, and wrongful termination cases to verdict or final judgment. He has significant arbitration experience as well as first chair trial experience in both state and federal court, and has been recognized by Alabama Super Lawyers , Benchmark Litigation , Best Lawyers in America, and Bi...

Melinda Mathews is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office. She serves as the co-chair of the Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation practice group. Melinda helps clients navigate complex trust and estate matters to manage and preserve their wealth. She focuses on business and succession planning, estate planning for individuals and families, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, as well as probates and trusts. Melinda also taught estate planning as an adjunct...

Morris Wade Richardson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Morris Wade, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Morris Wade is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chris J. Williams is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Chris J., 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 Chris J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.