Hirlye "Ryan" Lutz

Sloane Phillips is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction. Sloane, 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 Sloane is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Personal relationships have always been the backbone of Sonny Ferguson’s law practice. He says parties respond to someone who will listen to their issues and provide them with a truthful evaluation of the facts. Once the parties engage the firm’s services, as a mediator or as a Private Judge, Sonny believes they deserve 100% of his attention to their issues and a timely resolution to their matter. Sonny joined Christian & Small after serving as a judge for 15 years in the Dome...

Frank H. Long Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. Frank H., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Frank H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew Hinshaw focuses on economic development incentive package structuring and negotiation. Matthew also represents a variety of clients in general corporate and tax matters and assists nonprofit entities with tax and governance issues. He helps clients form new companies, negotiate tax incentive packages, close deals, draft legislation, manage and grow operations, and manage their relationships with local and state government officials. Matthew was privileged to represent clients on two o...

Ethan Tidmore is a litigator with a primary focus in the areas of complex commercial litigation and creditors’ rights. His practice involves the representation of businesses and individuals in a broad range of trial and appellate litigation in state and federal courts. Ethan routinely handles matters for national, regional, and community financial institutions, including creditor claims, lender liability, and trustee litigation. Ethan currently serves as the co-chairperson of the Alabam...

Carl Smyly was born and raised in Andalusia, Alabama. He received his undergraduate education at Birmingham-Southern College, where he was selected for membership in the Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa scholastic honorary societies and was valedictorian of his graduating class in 1979. He then earned his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Virginia School of Law in 1982. Mr. Smyly has been assigned the highest possible Peer Review Ratings for legal ability and ethical standards in...

Katie T. Powell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Katie T., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katie T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Russell Q. Allison is a founding shareholder of Carr Allison and a resident in the Birmingham (AL) office. He advises and represents clients in a broad range of businesses with an emphasis on clients in the insurance industry. Russ is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Alabama and before the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Russ sits on the board of the EC Defense Network, which he co-founded in 2016 and served a two-year term as president. He also serves on ...

L. Jackson Young, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. L. Jackson, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which L. Jackson is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dan Murphy’s practice has focused exclusively on healthcare transactional and regulatory matters for the past decade. He has represented all types and sizes of healthcare providers, from publicly-traded national hospital, dialysis, and ambulatory surgery center companies, to independent surgery centers and pharmacies, physician practices, and individual physicians. In representing providers, Dan brings a holistic view to healthcare deals and compliance issues that incorporates an unders...