Edward G. "Ed" Hawkins

A fifth-generation attorney with 40 years of legal experience, Bill’s practice at Helmsing Leach is focused on civil litigation with an emphasis on appellate advocacy. He has handled numerous appeals in state and federal courts resulting in more than one hundred published decisions. Bill’s practice also includes environmental law and insurance litigation, and he has represented clients in a variety of civil disputes in product liability, construction litigation and more. In additi...

Clay Lanham is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses on real estate development and finance. Clay regularly represents private equity funds in the negotiation and documentation of loans secured by real estate and other assets as well as the purchase and sale of loans, real estate, and other assets. Clay also represents developers and investors in the purchase and sale of properties and throughout the entire development process, from the formation of development entities, initi...

Jonathan R. Maples is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Jonathan R., who practices law in Mobile, Alabama, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ron Snider is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group, where he focuses his practice on bank regulatory law and corporate law. From 1973 to 1979, Ron was with the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, first in the Office of the General Counsel, and then as assistant secretary. He also served as assistant secretary of the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation from 1976 to 1979. In addition to his active involvement in a number of professional associations, Ron is a member, and past chairman, of the...

James Rebarchak is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Finance Law. James, who practices law in Mobile, Alabama, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard Johnson practices primarily in the areas of construction, real estate, tort and commercial litigation. His construction practice involves handling matters for developers, sureties, general contractors, subcontractors, manufacturer and/or suppliers in almost every aspect of construction projects, including the initial bid phase, disputes that arise during construction and post-construction issues which include, but are not limited to, delay damage claims, construction defect claims and...

Wade B. Perry Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Health Care Law and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Wade B., who practices law in Mobile, Alabama, has been recognized since 1991. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Wade B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ben Harris is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. He represents financial institutions in complex commercial litigation, bankruptcy, and related disputes. Ben has more than 30 years of experience in commercial litigation. He began his career as a clerk to the Honorable Patrick E. Higginbotham of the US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit before practicing in Washington, DC, first with the General Counsel’s Office of the Federal Trade Commission and later with Williams & C...

Tom is an experienced attorney handling a diverse array of legal issues with a focus on civil defense litigation and trial work. He regularly practices in state and federal court defending clients in serious injury and wrongful death cases. His practice includes product liability defense, medical and professional liability defense, toxic tort litigation, premises liability, construction litigation and other civil defense matters. Tom is also experienced in defending governmental entities and ...

Tara W. Lockett is a shareholder in the firm’s Mobile (AL) office. Her practice areas include the defense of workers’ compensation claims, retaliation cases, employment claims and premises liability (retail practice). She represents several insurance companies and self-insureds in employment matters in Alabama. Tara earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Alabama and her JD from the University of Alabama School of Law. Tara is a speaker on workers’ co...