James F. "Jay" Watkins
About James F. Watkins
James F. Watkins is a lawyer based in Mobile, AL and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2010. James F. Watkins is recognized in the following practice areas:
- Mobile, Alabama
- Banking and Finance Law
- Financial Services Regulation Law
Current Firm: Maynard Nexsen PC
Education: The University of Alabama, J.D., graduated 1992
Location: Mobile, AL
It takes just a few minutes to optimize your profile for clients looking to engage and lawyers who are ready to refer.
Activate your profile and highlight why your peers recognized in Best Lawyers today.
Nearby Lawyers
Sarah Cross Ryan is a shareholder in the Mobile, Alabama office of Carr Allison. Her practice concentrates on a wide variety of litigation matters in which she defends companies and individuals in retail and hospitality liability, premises liability, workers’ compensation, complex litigation and general liability matters. Sarah is admitted to practice before the Alabama State Courts, the Middle and Southern District Courts of Alabama, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleve...
Jim has been representing businesses and individuals in disputes, litigation, trials and appeals in state and federal courts for over forty years. He handles a wide variety of civil cases ranging from matters involving claims for personal injury to those involving claims made under the False Claims Act. His expertise includes business litigation, statutory and regulatory litigation brought by individuals and the United States, extra-contractual claims brought against insurance companies and d...
As the lead and co-lead counsel in numerous cases that have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements totaling over $200 million in recoveries for his clients, David Cain’s reputation as a “litigation star” is well deserved. David has proven himself a skilled litigator at every stage in his career and his success in the courtroom has earned him an enviable reputation within the Alabama legal community as well as nationally. A few of David's successes include:...
Tara W. Lockett is a shareholder in the firm’s Mobile, Alabama 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 BA from the University of South Alabama and her JD from the University of Alabama School of Law. Tara is a speaker on workers’ compensation issues...
A senior tax and corporate lawyer, Robert’s trusts and estates practice includes estate and gift planning and taxation, charitable planning and estate and trust administration. His corporate practice includes general corporate representation, entity selection and formation issues, corporate business and tax planning, and corporate transactions.
Rick A. La Trace is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Real Estate. Rick A., who practices law in Mobile, Alabama, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Rick A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Britten Britt practices primarily in the areas of probate and estate planning, business and tax planning, and trusts and estates. She also handles corporate transactions, family limited partnerships, limited liability companies, corporate tax matters, charitable foundations and assists in the preparation of fiduciary estate tax returns.
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.
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...
Tom Garth practices in the areas of taxation, corporate and estate tax, estate planning, qualified retirement plan, corporate, mergers and acquisitions, foreign tax planning, securities, and health care. He has practiced before Probate Courts, State Courts, U. S. District Courts, and Tax Courts. Mr. Garth regularly represents clients in the formation of family limited partnerships, LLCs, grantor retained annuity trusts, grantor trusts and other leveraged estate planning opportunities. In addi...
Explore and Learn
The Family Law Loophole That Lets Sex Offenders Parent Kids
by Bryan Driscoll
Is the state's surrogacy framework putting children at risk?
Best Lawyers 2026: Discover the Honorees in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain
by Jamilla Tabbara
A growing international network of recognized legal professionals.
Unenforceable HOA Rules: What Homeowners Can Do About Illegal HOA Actions
by Bryan Driscoll
Not every HOA rule is legal. Learn how to recognize and fight unenforceable HOA rules that overstep the law.
Holiday Pay Explained: Federal Rules and Employer Policies
by Bryan Driscoll
Understand how paid holidays work, when employers must follow their policies and when legal guidance may be necessary.
Reddit’s Lawsuit Could Change How Much AI Knows About You
by Justin Smulison
Big AI is battling for its future—your data’s at stake.
US Tariff Uncertainty Throws Canada Into Legal Purgatory
by Bryan Driscoll
The message is clear: There is no returning to pre-2025 normalcy.
Alimony Explained: Who Qualifies, How It Works and What to Expect
by Bryan Driscoll
A practical guide to understanding alimony, from eligibility to enforcement, for anyone navigating divorce
UnitedHealth's Twin Legal Storms
by Bryan Driscoll
ERISA failures and shareholder fallout in the wake of a CEO’s death.