John A. Smyth III

Trey Dowdey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Trey, 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 Trey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lane Finch is an analytical and creative problem solver with 37 years' experience advising insurance carriers on a broad range of claims and coverage disputes and litigating coverage and bad faith claims. He handles a broad spectrum of insurance-related litigation, such as claims for construction defects, products liability, professional liability, property claims, catastrophic injury, death, and bad faith claims involving millions and even hundreds of millions of dollars. Leveraging his vast...

Vaughn McWilliams specializes in general business and corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, real estate, and real estate and commercial finance. He represents lenders and developers in a variety of commercial real estate transactions, including senior housing, medical office, self-storage, multi-family, and tax credit financing. Vaughn also represents clients on the purchase and sale and financing of of closely-held businesses, including professional practices. Prior to moving to Birmingha...

Michael Waters is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses on issues facing banks, financial institutions, and other financial-services entities. Mike has practiced corporate and securities law, primarily in the financial institutions area, for more than 30 years. He routinely represents banks, bank holding companies, and other financial entities in acquisitions, capital raising transactions, SEC and shareholder issues, new bank formations, and board fiduciary duty issues. He has...

Frederic's primary practice areas include mergers and acquisitions, business entity formations, corporate counsel, private equity transactions, financing transactions and securities offerings. Frederic's clients include healthcare services businesses, construction and engineering firms, real estate developers, diversified service and manufacturing companies, and government contractors. Frederic has substantial experience in transactions involving the construction materials, construction and c...

Mary F. Samuels is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law and Natural Resources Law. Mary F., 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 Mary F. 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...

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.

Janell M. Ahnert 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. Janell M., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Janell M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Katherine N. Barr is Counsel in Dentons' Birmingham, Alabama office. She is a member of the Trusts, Estates & Wealth Preservation practice group and leads the Dentons Sirote Special Needs Planning team. As a lawyer in the Trusts, Estates & Wealth Preservation practice group, Katherine advises clients in planning their estates to accomplish their goals for asset distribution to beneficiaries while minimizing their estate and income tax liabilities. Katherine handles all aspects of esta...