Jennifer R. Smith

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.

Shaun A. DeCoudres is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Shaun A., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shaun A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael J. Brandt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Michael J., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

One of the firm’s founders, Charles Carr has more than 35 years of litigation experience in state and federal courts in Alabama. Charles has litigated in many other states throughout the United States. He has served as national coordinating counsel on complex and catastrophic personal injury cases in 25 states within the United States for a major national insurance carrier. Currently, Charles serves as national trial counsel for Swift Transportation, one of the largest motor carriers in...

Carrie M. Motes is a dedicated partner at Christian & Small, operating from the Birmingham, Alabama office. Her practice areas include commercial litigation, civil defense litigation, personal injury defense, insurance matters, and professional liability. Carrie Motes has experience in representing a diverse client base, including individuals, small businesses, retailers, transportation companies, and healthcare providers. She is committed to understanding the unique needs of her clients ...

Thomas S. Creel is a shareholder with Carr Allison and is based out of the Birmingham, Alabama office. A large portion of his practice consists of the defense of construction defect, professional liability and workers’ compensation claims. He provides litigation and consultation support on a wide range of issues within these practice areas and has successfully defended a broad spectrum of clients, including national, regional and local corporations, insurance companies, self-insured com...

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.

David is an AV-rated attorney with a focus in commercial litigation and insurance coverage and defense. He has served as lead counsel and co-counsel in numerous jury trials in state, federal and military venues and has handled matters for clients in 60 of Alabama’s 67 counties.

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...

Mr. Frazier is a member of the Birmingham and American Bar Associations; Alabama State Bar (Secretary-Treasurer, 1981-1982, Vice Chairman, 1982-1983, Chairman, 1983-1984, Employment Law Section); and Alabama Bar Institute (Member, Continuing Legal Education, Employment Law Committee and Faculty, 1988 to present). He has been listed in all seven editions of Super Lawyers magazine (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014). Martindale Hubbell, a peer review rating system, has given him an &l...