John A. Little, Jr.

Ralph Smith is special counsel in the Corporate Practice Group. He handles general corporate and business matters, international transactions, healthcare, higher education, and NCAA compliance. Prior to joining Jones Walker, Ralph spent 25 years in private law practice in Washington, DC, and Birmingham before joining the University of Alabama System in 2004 as general counsel and member of the Chancellor's Senior Policy staff. Ralph also served the university as a distinguished lecturer of la...

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.

Meade represents clients nationwide in a variety of industries, including mortgage servicing, auto finance, farm credit, automotive, insurance, and construction. Her financial services practice includes representing financial institutions, auto-finance lenders and mortgage companies in defensive litigation matters throughout the country. She also spearheads regulatory compliance services in response to pending or new legislation. Her product liability work includes personal injury and class a...

Tiffany deGruy is a trial lawyer who has considerable experience trying high-stakes business and commercial litigation. Tiffany represents clients in a variety of industries, such as healthcare and e-commerce. Most recently, she was a key member of a trial team in a 10-week jury trial and conducted witness examinations before a jury. Tiffany represents the interests of clients in the healthcare industry in various types of commercial litigation. Tiffany also regularly advises clients on matte...

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...

Brad is a member of the Firm’s Trusts and Estates Practice Group. Brad’s practice primarily involves estate and trust planning and administration, with an emphasis on the related income, estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer tax issues. In addition, Brad is actively engaged in representing individual and corporate fiduciaries (executors and trustees) in administrating and litigating estate and trust matters. Brad has more than 15 years experience in advising clients in an ...

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.

Miles M. Hart is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Miles M., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Miles M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stuart has significant experience in mergers and acquisitions, with a non-exclusive emphasis on private equity transactions. He also devotes a substantial amount of time to assisting investment managers and family offices with regulatory matters. Stuart also represents numerous private equity portfolio companies and family-owned businesses with respect to general corporate matters.

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...