John Isaac Southerland

Kenneth D. Sansom is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - Labor and Employment and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Kenneth D., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kenneth D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic...

Dana Thrasher specializes in ERISA, regularly advising employers, trustees and service providers concerning qualified retirement plans, non-qualified plans, fringe benefits, welfare benefits and executive compensation issues. She has developed significant expertise in the ERISA/employee benefits practice area, representing a large and diverse client base. She regularly advises clients regarding planning and evaluating benefit programs, establishing and administering employee benefit plans, mo...

For over 35 years, Greg's law practice has focused on estate planning and probate, with an emphasis on charitable planned giving. Greg is a past chairman and still active on the University of Alabama Planned Giving Advisory Committee, as well as serving on several other boards at the University of Alabama. He currently serves on the Professional Advisors Committee of the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham. Greg is listed in "The Best Lawyers in America®" and "Super Lawyers" in the...

Alex B. Leath is a partner in the firm’s Economic Development Practice Group and the Tax Practice Group. Since 1990, Alex has been involved in a significant number of the major economic development projects in the Southeast. As a result, he is one of the most trusted economic development attorneys in the region. Leading companies regularly seek him out for counsel on their relocation and site-selection matters, knowing his broad experience will serve them well. Alex has extensive experi...

James H. Hancock Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Water Law. James H., 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 James H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mr. Pennington is the Managing Shareholder and a founding member of the Birmingham Office of Ogletree Deakins. For more than two decades, he has represented employers in a wide range of labor and employment law matters, including administrative agency charges, federal and state court litigation, union campaigns and collective bargaining. Mr. Pennington strives to help employers achieve peaceful, productive workplaces. He helps employers avoid workplace disputes by providing management trainin...

Jesse S. Vogtle Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Bankruptcy and Litigation - Real Estate. Jesse S., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jesse S. is held by other top lawyer...

Personal relationships have always been the backbone of Sonny Ferguson’s law practice. He says parties respond to someone who will listen to their issues and provide them with a truthful evaluation of the facts. Once the parties engage the firm’s services, as a mediator or as a Private Judge, Sonny believes they deserve 100% of his attention to their issues and a timely resolution to their matter. Sonny joined Christian & Small after serving as a judge for 15 years in the Dome...

As a member of the firm’s Finance and Real Estate Group, Austin focuses his practice in business and commercial transactions, commercial lending, mergers and acquisitions and real estate transactions.

Counselor. Teacher. Lawyer. Dale Stone wears many hats when he assists clients in developing and implementing plans for the effective and efficient disposition of their assets. Dale has over thirty-four years of experience guiding clients through the personal and practical aspects of estate planning and estate administration as well as the legal, economic and tax issues involved. For owners of family businesses, Dale coordinates planning for the preservation and continuation of the business i...