James R. "Jamie" Moncus III

A founding member of Christian & Small, Eddie was a long time partner with its predecessor firm, Rives & Peterson, and has been trying cases in federal and state court for more than 30 years. Eddie’s experience includes retail and premises liability, transportation, product liability, pharmaceutical litigation, medical malpractice, and a variety of insurance cases. He combines his courtroom expertise and knowledge with the best technology available, efficient management of rigor...

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...

Kay is a member of the firm's Corporate Practice and Estate Planning/Probate Practice groups. She is listed in Alabama Super Lawyers in the Estate Planning and Probate, Closely Held Business, and Tax Law categories of law, and she has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America(r) in the fields of Litigation - Trusts & Estates, Tax Law, and Trusts and Estates (Copyright 2011 by Woodward/Wright, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.). The author of numerous articles regarding tax, corporate ...

Timothy John Segers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Tax Law and Venture Capital Law. Timothy John, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Zac Madonia is a litigator who primarily practices in the areas of class action defense and complex commercial litigation. He represents corporate clients from a diverse range of industries – including mortgage and consumer lending, pharmaceutical manufacturing and distribution, and healthcare – facing class and mass actions in federal and state courts across the country. Zac's practice spans the substantive spectrum. For example, Zac recently obtained dismissal with prejudice of ...

David W. Drum is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where he is a member of the Corporate practice group. David represents clients in a variety of business transactions, with emphasis on mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. David advises clients at all stages of transactions, from planning and due diligence to the negotiation of definitive agreements and filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. David has counseled clients in a variety of industries in conn...

Michael places paramount importance on understanding a client’s business and developing tailored solutions that work for each individual client. He aims to build a trusted partnership with his clients to help navigate the difficult and ever-changing issues employers face daily. While he has had numerous victories as an attorney, Michael takes the most pride in helping his clients avoid litigation through a common sense and cost-effective approach. Through serving as interim in-house emp...

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

James R. "Jim" Sturdivant is a shareholder at Dentons Sirote in Birmingham, Alabama, where he is a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice and leads the Dentons Sirote White Collar and Government Investigations team. Jim represents and defends clients in criminal and white collar investigations and proceedings, including those brought by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Financial Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the United States Justice Department, the Ala...

Melisa Zwilling is a shareholder with Carr Allison in the Birmingham (AL) office and serves as the chair of the firm’s Business Development Committee. Her practice focuses on Labor and Employment and Professional Liability. Having practiced law for more than 25 years, Melisa defends employers against claims alleging discrimination, harassment and retaliation in addition to alleged violations of leave laws, civil rights laws, wage and hour laws, OSHA standards and guidelines, claims alle...