J. Allen Sydnor

Dave Dresher is a member of the Real Estate and the Banking and Financial Services Practice Groups. He chairs the Banking and Financial Services Practice Group, representing banks and other lenders in connection with lending and workout/restructuring activities, regulatory compliance (including consumer-compliance) requirements, product development, and disputes. In the Real Estate area, Dave represents developers and other owners, users, and brokers of industrial, commercial and multi-family...

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...

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...

Kris Cross is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where she is a member of the Litigation practice group. With over 20 years of general litigation experience at Dentons Sirote, formerly Sirote & Permutt, PC, Kris focuses on defending insurance companies in the area of life, disability, and ERISA litigation. Her work for insurers has included not only benefits litigation but also defensive litigation where insureds claim fraud in the marketing and sale of in...

Jess Nix is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Jess practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Jess Nix since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jess Nix is held by other lawyers.

Jack Selden, a partner in the White Collar Criminal Defense, Litigation and Health Care Groups, has practiced law for 30 years. Previously he served as both the United States Attorney and as an Assistant U. S. Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama. While United States Attorney, he established the Affirmative Civil Enforcement (“ACE”) Unit of the United States Attorney’s office, responsible for investigating and prosecuting all fraud and qui tam actions under the Fals...

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...

D. Ty Brown is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. D. Ty practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized D. Ty Brown since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which D. Ty Brown is ...

Robert practices in Financial Services Litigation with an emphasis in mortgage litigation and compliance and commercial/real estate litigation. He is a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) and is one of only a handful of attorneys in the nation who have achieved this status. His national practice focuses primarily on representing two specific industries: financial institutions and mortgage companies. Robert's representation of clients in the financial institutions and mortgage industry is both tri...

John Hargrove is a partner in the Birmingham office in the Labor and Employment and Construction and Procurement Practice Groups. He is chair of the Labor and Employment Group and is a Fellow in the American College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. He also is listed in Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, and Alabama Super Lawyers. John regularly represents public and private companies in mining, construction, manufacturing, medical, communications and warehousing industries, among othe...