Joseph L. "Joe" Cowan II

Virginia F. Gambacurta is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance. Virginia F., 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 Virginia F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Katie M. Kimbrell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Katie M., 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 Katie M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

David Hymer is an accomplished trial lawyer who has 40 years of experience trying and arbitrating high-stakes disputes for a variety of corporate and individual clients across many disciplines. That broad-based trial experience gives him a unique perspective, enabling him to team with his clients to develop strategies that will guide them through complex and challenging disputes while staying focused on achieving his clients’ objectives. David’s practice concentrates on complex bu...

Leigh A. Kaylor is Of Counsel in Dentons Sirote’s Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation practice, based in Birmingham, Alabama. She concentrates her practice in estate planning and estate administration. She employs a full range of techniques to customize plans for her clients, from basic wills and trusts to more sophisticated spousal lifetime access trusts (SLATs), family-owned limited liability entities, life insurance trusts, and generation-skipping "dynasty" trusts. Leigh’s ...

Will Thistle practices primarily in the areas of federal and state and local taxation. He regularly counsels public and private businesses on Alabama tax matters, with particular emphasis in the areas of sales, use, and property taxes. A significant portion of Will's practice is dedicated to the representation of taxpayers in all phases of federal, state, and local tax controversy, including audit assistance, administrative hearings, and litigation. Other areas of his practice include advisin...

Since 2003, Jon Patterson has represented clients nationwide in a variety of industries, including financial services, manufacturing, industrial equipment, mobile technology and retail services. Jon is an experienced litigator and trial lawyer who helps clients protect their business interests in disputes related to contracts, torts, premises liability, auto accidents, trade secrets and non-competes. Throughout his career, Jon has handled cases through all stages of the litigation process, in...

Chris is a lifelong resident of Birmingham. He graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 2008 with a degree in English. During his time at Birmingham-Southern he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity and earned the Robert Hewlin-Jackson Award for Scholastic Achievement. Chris attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and graduated in 2011. During his time at Cumberland, Chris was a Senior Member of the Trial Advocacy Board, was honored as a member of the Dean’s Lis...

Chris J. Williams is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Environmental Law, Litigation - Environmental and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Chris J., 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 Chris J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...