James Howard

After more than 25 years of practicing labor and employment law, David Walston has developed a formula for building successful client relationships. He believes that all good engagements begin with a face-to-face meeting to perform an assessment of the current policies and practices of the client’s human resources operations. David’s assessment is designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations and agency and court interpretations. David then offers day-to-day empl...

Matthew A. Mantle is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote's Birmingham, Alabama office. As a member of the Tax Practice group, he is part of the State and Local (Subnational) Tax team and the Tax Controversy team. Matt is a nationally-known State and Local Tax (SALT) attorney with over a decade and a half of experience helping taxpayer clients with state and local tax planning, legislative, and audit/litigation matters in Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, and on a multistate basis. He has represented c...

Scott Frederick is a partner in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group with a national practice focused on complex, high-value transactions. He has played a central role in transactions representing more than $1 billion in aggregate deal value, representing developers, investors, landlords, tenants, lenders, homebuilders, and special servicers in acquisitions, dispositions, financings, leasing, and development across the country. Scott’s practice spans a broad range of asset classe...

Ryan M. Hodinka is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Ryan M. practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Ryan M. Hodinka 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 Ryan M. Hodinka is held by other lawyers.

Mr. Palmer is an experienced litigator specializing in both employment litigation and general civil litigation in state and federal courts. His interest in litigation began early in his legal career when as a law student at Vanderbilt University, Mr. Palmer won the Harlan Dodson Moot Court Competition and was appointed to the position of Associate Justice of Vanderbilt’s Moot Court Board. Mr. Palmer began his career in 1988 as an associate and later a partner in a large general practice...

Tammy has successfully represented employers in the defense of claims arising out of the employment relationship. She routinely provides advice to clients concerning all employment-related issues in an effort to avoid litigation. Tammy handles claims and litigation in state and federal courts involving matters relating to discrimination, retaliation, and harassment (including claims based on race, religion, gender, age, and disability). Other matters she handles include any and all tort claim...

Mr. Davis’ law practice, focused on transactional commercial real estate, began in 2009 in Montgomery, Alabama. He was born and raised in Mobile, Alabama and currently resides in Birmingham, Alabama. Prior to forming DLB Attorneys at Law, LLC in 2022, he was a shareholder with a prestigious boutique full service law firm based in Montgomery, Alabama and relocated to Birmingham, Alabama in 2015 to help establish his former firm’s first satellite office. Mr. Davis’ commercial ...

Bill Averett is a member of Dentons Sirote's Landlord's Rights practice in the Birmingham, Alabama office. Bill's extensive trial experience includes representing national banks and lenders in all matters of creditor rights and collection, including appellate and bankruptcy proceedings. His high rate of success consists of obtaining settlements through both formal and informal channels. Bill graduated from the University of Alabama with a BA and from Samford University's Cumberland School of ...

Christopher L. Yeilding is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - ERISA, Litigation - Health Care, Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Christopher L. practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Christopher L. Yeilding since 2015. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The reco...

Dana Thrasher specializes in ERISA, regularly advising employers, trustees and service providers concerning qualified retirement plans, non-qualified plans, fringe benefits, welfare benefits and executive compensation issues. She has developed significant expertise in the ERISA/employee benefits practice area, representing a large and diverse client base. She regularly advises clients regarding planning and evaluating benefit programs, establishing and administering employee benefit plans, mo...