Steve R. Burford

Rodney E. Nolen is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where he is a member of the Litigation practice group. For more than 30 years, Rodney has focused on creditors' rights and collections. He represents manufacturers, suppliers, and commercial lenders in recovering collateral and securing the repayment of defaulted loans in state and federal court. His clients include banks, commercial finance companies, construction material providers, electrical suppliers, ...

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

Brian O’Dell represents financial service providers in regulatory, enforcement and litigation matters related to mortgage servicing, mortgage origination, credit cards, debt collection and title insurance. He assists clients in navigating regulatory issues and potential liability by ensuring that their operations are in compliance with federal and state consumer financial protection laws and that they are able to successfully demonstrate their compliance to federal and state regulators,...

Carl Smyly was born and raised in Andalusia, Alabama. He received his undergraduate education at Birmingham-Southern College, where he was selected for membership in the Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa scholastic honorary societies and was valedictorian of his graduating class in 1979. He then earned his Juris Doctor degree at the University of Virginia School of Law in 1982. Mr. Smyly has been assigned the highest possible Peer Review Ratings for legal ability and ethical standards in...

Debra Taylor Lewis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Debra Taylor, 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 Debra Taylor is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Susan Doughton’s practice of law focuses on health care law, including representing hospitals and physician groups. In 2010, she was named Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year for health care law in Birmingham (Copyright 2011 by Woodward/Wright, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.). Susan graduated from Birmingham-Southern College in 1974, where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in 1977 and served on the Vanderbilt Law Review. Her professional and civic affil...

Richard Monk is a seasoned attorney experienced in a variety of complex civil litigation, including commercial, product liability, toxic tort and personal injury cases. Richard's experience includes significant responsibilities on coordinated teams of lawyers defending and managing large numbers of similar cases and cases among multiple jurisdictions, including work on cases in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina and West Virginia. H...

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...

Andrew Shaver routinely represents financial institutions, secured and unsecured creditors and other interested parties in bankruptcy cases, commercial litigation and extra-judicial proceedings. His experience includes fraudulent transfer and preference actions, lender liability claims, contested bankruptcy matters, non-dischargeability actions, stay violation litigation and state law collection and enforcement actions. Andrew also has experience representing secured lenders and court-appoint...

Michael J. Brandt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Michael J., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.