Capell & Howard PC

26 Best Lawyers awards

Capell & Howard PC logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Litigation - Trusts and Estates Tax Law Trusts and Estates

Biography

Debby graduated from Auburn University with high honors in 1988. She received her J.D. and an LL.M. in taxation, with high honors, from the University of Alabama. She was an editor of the Alabama Law Review, a member of the Jessup International Moot Court Team, a member of the Moot Court Board, and a finalist in the John A. Campbell Moot Court Competition. Debby has practiced with the law firm of Capell & Howard, P.C., in Montgomery since her admittance to the Bar in 1991. She specializes in estate planning and administration, estate and trust litigation and taxation.

Debby has served as President of the Central Alabama Community Foundation and is a 2006 graduate of Leadership Alabama. She has co-chaired both the professionals section and attorney section of the United Way Campaign. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees for The Montgomery Academy. She is a member of the Advisory Board of ClefWorks, Inc., an organization formed to promote the enjoyment of classical music in a relaxed and social setting. She is a member of First United Methodist Church where she currently serves on the Administrative Board. She is a past board member of the Children’s Museum of Alabama, the YMCA Metro Board of Directors, Jackson Hospital Foundation, the Central Alabama Community Foundation, the Montgomery Education Foundation, and the Chamber of Commerce. In 2003, she spearheaded a successful effort to fund and build a Boundless Playground in Vaughn Road Park, a facility designed to accommodate children of all abilities. During her last year as an active Junior League member, she co-chaired another community-wide effort to build Discovery Village, a science-based playground in downtown Montgomery.

Capell & Howard PC

26 Best Lawyers awards

Capell & Howard PC logo

Overview

  • English

  • The University of Alabama, J.D., graduated 1991
  • The University of Alabama, LL.M., Taxation, with high honors , graduated 1996
  • Auburn University, B.A., with high honors , graduated 1988

  • Alabama, Alabama

  • Alabama Law Review - Former Editor
  • Jessup International Moot Court - Former Team Member
  • John A. Campbell Moot Court - Former Board Member
  • Leadership Alabama Program, 2006 Class - Graduate
  • Montgomery Estate Planning Council - Member
  • English
  • Alabama, Alabama
  • Alabama Law Review - Former Editor
  • Jessup International Moot Court - Former Team Member
  • John A. Campbell Moot Court - Former Board Member
  • Leadership Alabama Program, 2006 Class - Graduate
  • Montgomery Estate Planning Council - Member
  • The University of Alabama, J.D., graduated 1991
  • The University of Alabama, LL.M., Taxation, with high honors , graduated 1996
  • Auburn University, B.A., with high honors , graduated 1988

Client Testimonials

Debra is an outstanding lawyer with vast experience, great people skills, very prompt in delivering the client's work, and works in a cost effective way. She has developed a terrific support group within the firm. One would never regret referring someone to Debra and the Capell firm.

Clinton Berry, Jr. (AlaTrust, Inc.)

Debbie Spain is very responsive, caring, thorough, and complete in her work. She thinks through all the issues and is prompt in alerting me to the risks and decisions that are important.

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2015 - Trusts and Estates
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Montgomery (2025)
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Montgomery (2023)
  • Trusts and Estates, Montgomery (2020)
  • Trusts and Estates, Montgomery (2015)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates
  • Tax Law
  • Trusts and Estates
Special Focus:
  • Estate Planning
Awards:
  • Order of Barristers
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating Award
  • Volunteer of the Year Awards - Frank Sego Humanitarian Award

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