John G. "JT" Thompson Jr.

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...

Jeff Dyess is a litigation partner with over two decades of experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants in the areas of intellectual property, competitive practice, trade secret and complex commercial disputes. Jeff’s approach to litigation focuses on the partnership between the client and counsel. He believes that effective representation of the client – representation that achieves both short-term success in the immediate litigation as well as servicing the client&rsq...

William Curtis Gwathney III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. William Curtis, 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 William Curtis is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Samuel D. Friedman is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where he is a member of the Real Estate and Banking and Finance practice groups. Sam’s practice primarily focuses on commercial real estate and commercial lending. Sam helps clients buy, sell, develop, lease, and finance commercial property in his commercial real estate practice, including large apartment complexes, senior living communities, hotels, office buildings, and shopping centers. In Sam&r...

Mr. Pape’s practice is almost solely focused on guiding boards of education through complex governance, policy, civil rights, special education, and employment issues; and, when those issues result in litigation, he defends boards of education. A large part of his practice consists of assisting boards of education navigate complex, modern constitutional and equity matters. Mr. Pape has extensive expertise in the area of modern school desegregation. Between current and past matters, he h...

David Pugh is a partner in the firm's Construction and Procurement Practice Group. He is also a member of the firm's Litigation and Intellectual Property Practice Groups. David has represented owners, general contractors, subcontractors, engineers, architects, insurance companies and sureties throughout the United States. He has advised clients at every stage of a construction project: conception, planning, performance and closeout. He has drafted and negotiated contracts for several large sc...

Lee Birchall’s practice focuses on public finance in Alabama, where he serves as bond counsel to cities, counties, utilities, school boards, and various other types of governmental entities that issue tax-exempt and taxable securities. He also represents cities and counties in negotiations with private developers for economic development transactions. In addition to representing public bodies, Lee has experience serving as counsel to underwriters, trustee banks and commercial banks in t...

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.

David W. Drum is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where he is a member of the Corporate practice group. David represents clients in a variety of business transactions, with emphasis on mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. David advises clients at all stages of transactions, from planning and due diligence to the negotiation of definitive agreements and filings under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. David has counseled clients in a variety of industries in conn...

Jim Henry has extensive experience representing a broad spectrum of health care providers, including hospitals, senior housing and long term care facilities, physicians and physician practices, hospices, home health providers, pharmacies, and medical equipment providers. His practice encompasses operational counseling, regulatory advice, and protecting the rights of health care providers before various regulatory agencies and in state and federal courts. Jim regularly provides advice and coun...