Robert C. Matthews

Richard Johnson practices primarily in the areas of construction, real estate, tort and commercial litigation. His construction practice involves handling matters for developers, sureties, general contractors, subcontractors, manufacturer and/or suppliers in almost every aspect of construction projects, including the initial bid phase, disputes that arise during construction and post-construction issues which include, but are not limited to, delay damage claims, construction defect claims and...

Tom Garth practices in the areas of taxation, corporate and estate tax, estate planning, qualified retirement plan, corporate, mergers and acquisitions, foreign tax planning, securities, and health care. He has practiced before Probate Courts, State Courts, U. S. District Courts, and Tax Courts. Mr. Garth regularly represents clients in the formation of family limited partnerships, LLCs, grantor retained annuity trusts, grantor trusts and other leveraged estate planning opportunities. In addi...

Sumpter M. McGowin II is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Sumpter M., who practices law in Mobile, Alabama, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sumpter M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steve Nicholas is part of an elite group of Alabama litigators known for their skill in handling Bet-the-Company cases. A big picture thinker, his work revolves around complex litigation claims including business disputes, class actions, mass torts and major construction disputes. Among his many noteworthy cases is representing thousands of business owners who filed lawsuits and claims in connection with the BP oil spill , an event that is deemed to be the worst environmental disaster in the ...

Will Gamble practices in the area of construction, tort and commercial litigation. His commercial practice involves litigating and advising business clients on corporate disputes, officer and director fiduciary liability, shareholder claims, breach of contract, breach of warranty, deceptive trade practices, consumer protection, fraud, professional liability and bad faith claims. His practice also focuses on personal injury claims, including defense of products liability, premises liability, w...

Tara W. Lockett is a shareholder in the firm’s Mobile (AL) office. Her practice areas include the defense of workers’ compensation claims, retaliation cases, employment claims and premises liability (retail practice). She represents several insurance companies and self-insureds in employment matters in Alabama. Tara earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Alabama and her JD from the University of Alabama School of Law. Tara is a speaker on workers’ co...

Michel Nicrosi is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. She focuses her practice on preventive and litigation services for businesses and individuals in corporate and white-collar criminal matters. Michel served as a federal prosecutor for more than 16 years. After graduating from The University of Alabama School of Law, she joined the US Department of Justice in Washington, DC. Michel was appointed to the Department of Justice under the Attorney General's Honor Program, the department'...

An experienced attorney in the fields of eminent domain, condemnation, land use law, and zoning law, Casey has been with the Helmsing Leach since being admitted to practice law in Alabama in 1996.

Clay Lanham is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses on real estate development and finance. Clay regularly represents private equity funds in the negotiation and documentation of loans secured by real estate and other assets as well as the purchase and sale of loans, real estate, and other assets. Clay also represents developers and investors in the purchase and sale of properties and throughout the entire development process, from the formation of development entities, initi...

Jim has been representing businesses and individuals in disputes, litigation, trials and appeals in state and federal courts for over forty years. He handles a wide variety of civil cases ranging from matters involving claims for personal injury to those involving claims made under the False Claims Act. His expertise includes business litigation, statutory and regulatory litigation brought by individuals and the United States, extra-contractual claims brought against insurance companies and d...