James R. "Jim" Bussian

Eric T. Ray is a Partner of the firm and is a member of the Creditors Rights & Bankruptcy and Litigation practice groups. Eric's practice regularly includes the representation of utilities, financial institutions, lenders and other creditors in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, adversary proceedings and other types of commercial litigation throughout the country. Mr. Ray is experienced in all facets of creditor representation and routinely represents creditors with respect to adequate assuranc...

M. Tae Phillips is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. M. Tae, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which M. Tae is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mike Vercher is a partner and former chair of Christian & Small’s Insurance and Financial Services Practice Group. For over 20 years, he has represented insurance companies and their insureds in litigation and coverage disputes. Mike also routinely represents businesses in complex mass tort, workplace exposure, construction, transportation, product liability, premises liability, breach of contract and fraud litigation. He has tried cases as lead counsel in seven different Alabama co...

Samuel D. Friedman is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where he is a member of the Real Estate and Banking and Finance practice groups. Sam’s practice primarily focuses on commercial real estate and commercial lending. Sam helps clients buy, sell, develop, lease, and finance commercial property in his commercial real estate practice, including large apartment complexes, senior living communities, hotels, office buildings, and shopping centers. In Sam&r...

James A. Bradford is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Real Estate and Real Estate Law. James A., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

William A. Ratliff is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mediation. William A., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Larry B. Childs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Securities. Larry B., 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 Larry B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Pape’s practice is almost solely focused on guiding boards of education through complex governance, policy, civil rights, special education, and employment issues; and, when those issues result in litigation, he defends boards of education. A large part of his practice consists of assisting boards of education navigate complex, modern constitutional and equity matters. Mr. Pape has extensive expertise in the area of modern school desegregation. Between current and past matters, he h...

Carolyne counsels public and private clients on a range of transactional matters, including commercial real estate, real estate-based financing, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues and other corporate matters. She advises and represents buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants and developers on acquisitions, development and leasing transactions across the country. In law school, Carolyne participated in Alabama Law’s Federal Externship Program in Washington, D.C., where she served as...

David Marsh, a founding partner of Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, is widely recognized as one of the premier trial attorneys in the country. He has been awarded many honors, accolades, and recognition for his work both in the legal profession and the community. But he is genuinely embarrassed by the praise. “This is about justice for our clients. It’s not about me,” says David. “Our clients are victims of circumstances beyond their control. They need help and have often r...