Marcus Maples

J. Rushton McClees is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where he is a co-chair of the Dentons Sirote Litigation practice group. For more than 35 years, Rushton has tried jury and bench trials in state and federal courts throughout Alabama; including securing a $20 million verdict representing plaintiffs in a class action breach of fiduciary duty case. He routinely prosecutes and defends claims for injunctive relief, including enforcement and defense of non-co...

Carolyne counsels public and private clients on a range of transactional matters, including commercial real estate, real estate-based financing, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues and other corporate matters. She advises and represents buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants and developers on acquisitions, development and leasing transactions across the country. In law school, Carolyne participated in Alabama Law’s Federal Externship Program in Washington, D.C., where she served as...

Pamela Payne Smith is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Trade Secrets Law and Trademark Law. Pamela Payne practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Pamela Payne Smith since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Pamela Payne Smith is held by other lawyers.

Alicia Bennett is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Insurance Law. Alicia practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Alicia Bennett since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Alicia Bennett is held by other lawyers.

Ryan M. Hodinka is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Litigation. Ryan M. practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Ryan M. Hodinka since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Ryan M. Hodinka is held by other lawyers.

Bill Athanas represents companies and individuals in government enforcement matters, focusing on federal grand jury investigations. He has almost 30 years of white-collar experience, roughly a third of which was spent as a federal prosecutor in Washington, D.C. and Birmingham. Bill has handled hundreds of complex criminal cases and represented clients in all facets of those matters – whether as subjects, targets or witnesses, or those who simply receive subpoenas for documents. In repre...

Michael places paramount importance on understanding a client’s business and developing tailored solutions that work for each individual client. He aims to build a trusted partnership with his clients to help navigate the difficult and ever-changing issues employers face daily. While he has had numerous victories as an attorney, Michael takes the most pride in helping his clients avoid litigation through a common sense and cost-effective approach. Through serving as interim in-house emp...

Scott Sims is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where he is a member of the Real Estate practice group and leads the Dentons Sirote Hotels and Leisure team. Scott is a trusted counselor to business corporations, advising them on critical industry matters. He represents clients in commercial real estate transactions, loan closings, general business negotiations and transactions, cell tower leasing, and title work. Scott has worked on over 2,000 cell tower site...

Thomas S. Thornton, III is a shareholder with Carr Allison and a resident in the firm’s Birmingham (AL) office. He is a member of the Birmingham and Alabama State Bar Associations as well as various legal and industry specific organizations. Tommy serves as chair of the firm’s Retail and Hospitality Practice Group. He has focused his litigation practice on the defense of personal injury, premises liability, product liability, transportation, retaliatory discharge, general liabilit...

John Graham’s practice includes a significant amount of personal injury litigation, much of which is involved in the regular representation of Norfolk Southern Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies. He also has a general litigation practice in which he has represented a number of companies and businesses in various commercial disputes. He has extensive experience in jury trials as well as appellate practice in both state and federal courts. Mr. Graham has been assign...