Joe R. Whatley, Jr.

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 ...

K.C. Hairston is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Energy Law. K.C. practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized K.C. Hairston since 2025. 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 K.C. Hairston is held by other lawyers.

Ellis Brazeal is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and co-leader of the firm’s aerospace and aviation team. Ellis has more than 30 years of experience in commercial litigation, including all levels of state, federal, and bankruptcy courts. He represents and advises financial institutions and other entities regarding corporate restructuring, and handles construction, surety, and government contract litigation. He is recognized for his work by legal publications, and he regularly...

Kenneth O. Simon is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Arbitration, Commercial Litigation, Government Relations Practice, Litigation - Securities and Mediation. Kenneth O. practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Kenneth O. Simon since 2005. 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 Kenneth O. Simon is...

Joel L. DiLorenzo is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Joel L. practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Joel L. DiLorenzo since 2021. 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 Joel L. DiLorenzo is held by other lawyers.

Since 1993, Mr. Warren has represented employers in the employment and labor law field, with an emphasis on litigation prevention counseling and employment litigation defense. Mr. Warren has served as lead counsel in numerous bench and jury trials at the state and federal level and on state and federal appeals. He became a founding member of Ogletree Deakins’ Birmingham office in 1997. Mr. Warren’s litigation prevention counseling includes areas such as training employees and supe...

Matt has over 20 years of experience representing and advising management in all areas of labor and employment law, including anti-discrimination laws, wage and hour law, ERISA, OSHA, and covenants not to compete. He regularly advises clients on preventive measures, including creation and revision of policies and procedures, and represents clients in court cases in federal, state and administrative forums. Matt has tried jury, non-jury and arbitration cases and has litigated cases ranging fro...

Bruce Ely’s more than 40 years of experience have allowed him to handle projects as diverse as serving on the recruiting teams that successfully induced both Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai to locate their first U.S. manufacturing plants in Alabama to representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, the Alabama Department of Revenue and local taxing authorities. His practice focuses on three concentric areas: representing taxpayers in federal, state and local administrative and jud...

Virginia Patterson's law practice focuses on the corporate, business and securities area. Virginia advises clients on a wide variety of business issues, including organizational matters, corporate governance, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, debt and equity financing and securities law compliance. In addition, Virginia has considerable experience in the area of debt restructuring, securitization transactions, formation of domestic and international joint ventures, licensing, and domest...

Emily Ruzic advises leading natural gas pipeline companies and other infrastructure clients on issues involving location, land acquisition, construction, and operations. Currently, she is advising on multiple large-scale pipeline projects in the Southeast, including serving as the lead outside lawyer on several significant projects for one of the country’s largest energy companies. Emily also regularly litigates land and operational issues, including disputes over survey access, eminent...