Stephen George

Sarah S. Johnston is a Shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Trusts, Estates and Wealth Preservation practice, based in Birmingham, Alabama. Since 2004, she has advised high-net-worth individuals, families, and businesses on a wide range of matters, including estate and tax planning, trust and estate administration, wealth preservation strategies, trust and estate litigation, business succession planning, and the ongoing support of family offices. She also regularly counsels clients on retire...

Jason Avery is a member of the Firm’s Real Estate Practice Group and the Natural Resources and Banking and Financial Services Practice Teams. Unlike many other lawyers who concentrate in either a transactional practice or litigation, Jason represents clients in both areas, splitting his time between real estate transactional matters and real estate and mortgage litigation. This hybrid practice allows Jason to think progressively on transactional matters by understanding potential areas ...

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...

Michael B. Odom is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Banking and Finance Law, Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Litigation - Land Use and Zoning and Litigation - Real Estate. Michael B. practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Michael B. Odom since 2010. 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 Mi...

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.

Mike Brown is the head of the Real Estate Litigation Team at the firm. Mike is a member of the firm’s Environmental and Toxic Tort Practice Group and the General Litigation Practice Group. Mike’s emphasis in both practice groups is on real property and land use matters. Because of this emphasis in his practice, Mike also works very closely with the Real Estate Group. For the past several years, Mike has served as an adjunct Professor at the University of Alabama School of Law wher...

Ellis Brazeal is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and co-leader of the firm’s aerospace and aviation team. Ellis has more than 30 years of experience in commercial litigation, including all levels of state, federal, and bankruptcy courts. He represents and advises financial institutions and other entities regarding corporate restructuring, and handles construction, surety, and government contract litigation. He is recognized for his work by legal publications, and he regularly...

Julia Bernstein’s practice focuses on all aspects of the representation of lenders and borrowers in secured and unsecured transactions, finance transactions involving commercial real estate, corporate finance transactions and multi-state transactions. Julia frequently issues legal opinions in connection with multi-state projects and as local counsel for transactions originated outside of Alabama secured by real property located within the state.

Kyle T. Smith is the President of Dentons Sirote in Alabama, where he is a Shareholder, serves on the Board of Directors, and is Chair of Dentons Sirote's Employment and Labor practice. In addition to his role as President of Dentons Sirote, he is a member of the Dentons US Region Management Committee and Board of Directors. In his practice, he counsels employers across all industries on a broad range of employment issues and represents employers in all types of employment litigation. Kyle&rs...

Christopher P. (“Chris”) Couch advises banks and other financial institutions on regulatory and operational matters as well as on compliance with banking and lending laws, rules, and regulations. He counsels national, regional, and community banks with respect to deposit operations, payment systems, treasury management products, consumer regulatory regimes, and new services offerings, including electronic and mobile banking. Chris also represents financial institutions, finance co...