Martyn Liberson

Richard Smith, one of the founding partners of Christian & Small and a partner with its predecessor, Rives & Peterson, has been an integral member of the firm’s litigation group for his entire legal career. He served as the firm’s Managing Partner for five years. Richard’s practice focuses primarily on complex and corporate litigation for clients in the financial services, health care and construction industries, as well as corporate entities in other industries. His...

David Stewart is the chair of the firm's Governmental Affairs Practice Group. He is also a member of the Economic Development Practice Group. While based in the firm's Birmingham office, he regularly represents clients before the executive and legislative branches in Washington, D.C. and Montgomery, Alabama. He also advises clients on federal and state campaign finance and ethics laws. Following David’s graduation from Washington and Lee, he worked in Washington, DC for Senator Jeff Ses...

Larry B. Childs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Securities. Larry B., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Larry B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ryan M. Hodinka is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Ryan 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 Ryan M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steve Ball is a shareholder with Carr Allison residing in the firm’s Birmingham, Alabama office. Steve represents local and national clients in their business litigation and corporate matters arising both in Alabama and other states. His diversified practice includes the representation of his clients, both as plaintiffs or defendants, in their litigation and transactional needs. Steve has litigated numerous contractually based claims for his clients and also has extensive experience in ...

Robert K. Spotswood is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Antitrust, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Transportation Law. Robert K., 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 Robert K. is held by other top lawyers...

M. Jansen Voss is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law and Insurance Law. M. Jansen, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which M. Jansen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jason Walters is a litigation partner in the firm's insurance group and serves as national and regional counsel for several life and health insurance companies. His practice focuses on both individual and class action litigation, with particular emphasis in the area of fraudulent sales practices and the bad faith denial of benefits for life insurance, annuities, and long term care products. Jason also has extensive experience defending insurers in litigation filed by agents and independent ma...

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

Bill Bensinger focuses his practice on commercial dispute litigation, bankruptcy and restructuring litigation. He represents creditors, franchisors, landlords, unsecured creditors’ committees and financial institutions in a wide variety of matters, including preference and avoidance actions, workout transactions and insolvency matters. Bill represents franchisors in bankruptcy, including matters concerning the assumption of franchise agreements, and represents landlords in bank matters ...