David M. Smith

Dana Thrasher specializes in ERISA, regularly advising employers, trustees and service providers concerning qualified retirement plans, non-qualified plans, fringe benefits, welfare benefits and executive compensation issues. She has developed significant expertise in the ERISA/employee benefits practice area, representing a large and diverse client base. She regularly advises clients regarding planning and evaluating benefit programs, establishing and administering employee benefit plans, mo...

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...

After more than 25 years of practicing labor and employment law, David Walston has developed a formula for building successful client relationships. He believes that all good engagements begin with a face-to-face meeting to perform an assessment of the current policies and practices of the client’s human resources operations. David’s assessment is designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and agency and court interpretations. David then offers day-to-day empl...

Ralph Smith is special counsel in the Corporate Practice Group. He handles general corporate and business matters, international transactions, healthcare, higher education, and NCAA compliance. Prior to joining Jones Walker, Ralph spent 25 years in private law practice in Washington, DC, and Birmingham before joining the University of Alabama System in 2004 as general counsel and member of the Chancellor's Senior Policy staff. Ralph also served the university as a distinguished lecturer of la...

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 ...

Brian C. Richardson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law. Brian 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 Brian C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert K. Spotswood is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Antitrust, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Transportation Law. Robert K., 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 Robert K. is held by other top lawyers...

Steven A. Burns is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law. Steven A., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas S. Creel is a shareholder with Carr Allison and is based out of the Birmingham, Alabama office. A large portion of his practice consists of the defense of construction defect, professional liability and workers’ compensation claims. He provides litigation and consultation support on a wide range of issues within these practice areas and has successfully defended a broad spectrum of clients, including national, regional and local corporations, insurance companies, self-insured com...

Anthony C. Willoughby is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Anthony C., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Anthony C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.