G. John "John" Durward, Jr.

Marc J. Mandich joined Southern Med Law in the Fall of 2019. Marc is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, where he attended Jesuit High School. Marc attended Louisiana State University where he earned a bachelors in finance. Marc went on to attend law school at Loyola University New Orleans where he graduated magna cum laude in 2013. During law school, Marc was the brief writer for Loyola’s Admiralty and National Moot Court Teams and received “Best Brief” in the Southeast Reg...

Jacob Kiser is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Real Estate. Jacob, who practices law in Homewood, Alabama, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jacob is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Partner Brad Hightower has been practicing law since 2002, and focuses his practice on commercial and bankruptcy litigation. He routinely handles complex issues that arise in business reorganization, restructuring and liquidations. Prior to joining the firm, Brad interned with the Executive Office of the President in Washington, D.C. He was responsible for supplying science and technology articles to the White House website. Brad also completed a two year clerkship with the Honorable Margaret...

J. Corbitt Tate is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. J. Corbitt, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Corbitt is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Russell Campbell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. John Russell, 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 John Russell is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Emily Ruzic advises leading natural gas pipeline companies and other infrastructure clients on issues involving location, land acquisition, construction, and operations. Currently, she is advising on multiple large-scale pipeline projects in the Southeast, including serving as the lead outside lawyer on several significant projects for one of the country’s largest energy companies. Emily also regularly litigates land and operational issues, including disputes over survey access, eminent...

Harry Ollinger is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Harry, 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 Harry is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Herbert H. West, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Herbert H., 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 Herbert H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Timothy J. Tracy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Compliance Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Timothy J., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy J. 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...