James R. "Jim" Shaw

There’s a lot that goes into it, but to really succeed in this profession, I’ve come to believe these three qualities are 90% of it: courage, humanity, and humility. Courage. You must be unafraid. Following a particularly nasty trial, my wife summed up my job: “They are schoolyard bullies. They’ve already bullied your client once, and now they want to use the trial to do it again. But you walk up, stand next to them, put your hand on their shoulder, steel yourself, and...

John D. Pickering is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. John D., 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 John D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dan Sparks is head of Christian & Small’s Creditor & Lender Rights Practice Group. He focuses his practice in the areas of bankruptcy and business litigation involving creditors’ rights, consumer finance, lender liability and injunctive relief. Dan represents commercial lenders, debt buyers, corporations, Trustees, individuals and other secured and unsecured creditors in all aspects of commercial litigation, loan workouts, loan restructuring, asset recovery, foreclosure an...

Jeremy L. Retherford is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Jeremy L., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeremy L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Kenneth O. Simon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, Government Relations Practice, Litigation - Securities, Mediation and Municipal Law. Kenneth O., 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 Kenneth O. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rodney E. Nolen is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where he is a member of the Litigation practice group. For more than 30 years, Rodney has focused on creditors' rights and collections. He represents manufacturers, suppliers, and commercial lenders in recovering collateral and securing the repayment of defaulted loans in state and federal court. His clients include banks, commercial finance companies, construction material providers, electrical suppliers, ...

Anthony C. Willoughby is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law, Litigation and Controversy - Tax and Tax Law. Anthony C., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Anthony C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Andrew Saag is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Andrew, who practices law in Homewood, Alabama, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Melinda Mathews is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office. She serves as the co-chair of the Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation practice group. Melinda helps clients navigate complex trust and estate matters to manage and preserve their wealth. She focuses on business and succession planning, estate planning for individuals and families, and prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, as well as probates and trusts. Melinda also taught estate planning as an adjunct...