James C. "Jay" Lester

J. Birch Bowdre is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Tax Law. J. Birch, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Birch is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Alicia Bennett is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Alicia, 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 Alicia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Todd Carlisle is a shareholder and former president (2015–2022) of Dentons Sirote in Alabama. He is a member of the Corporate practice group and leads the Dentons Sirote Mergers and Acquisitions team. His practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and general corporate representation with an emphasis in the financial services and forest products industries. Todd represents national property/casualty and life insurance distribution platforms, broker-dealers, regional and national banks...

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.

J. Foster Clark is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. J. Foster, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2005. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Foster is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen W. Shaw is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, DUI / DWI Defense and Family Law. Stephen W., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Stephen W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matt Lembke, one of five Bradley Arant Boult Cummings lawyers to have clerked for the Supreme Court of the United States, has the broad range of skills necessary to be effective in representing clients at both the trial and appellate levels. He has applied those skills for more than 16 years in dozens of high-stakes cases. Matt has extensive experience in handling appeals pending in both state and federal courts, including arguing cases in the Alabama Supreme Court and the D.C., Fifth, and El...

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

With over 15 years of litigation experience in both state and federal courts in Alabama and more than 70 trials to verdict, it goes without saying that Jim Pattillo is comfortable in the courtroom. He focuses his practice on matters involving insurance coverage and bad faith liability, business and commercial litigation, professional and product liability, class action, toxic torts, and transportation. He is a frequent speaker and writer in the areas of trial practice and technique, litigatio...

Jimmy concentrates his practice primarily in the area of state and local tax matters, including income, franchise and transactional taxes and various tax incentives. Jimmy also assists clients with federal tax issues, including those related to forming, acquiring, reorganizing and operating their businesses as corporations or various limited liability entities. Jimmy has represented clients in state and local tax controversies during each stage of the proceeding, including the Alabama Departm...