Thomas J. "Tommy" Spina

Josh Harrison is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Josh, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Josh is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jane Mauzy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Jane, 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 Jane is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Anne has over 25 years experience partnering with clients to efficiently manage employment matters, whether that entails walking through an employee disciplinary issue, training supervisors on FMLA, early settlement of an EEOC charge or a jury trial. She has worked with clients throughout the Southeast to develop handbooks, administer FMLA and USERRA leave, oversee reductions in force, negotiate employment agreements (including non-competes), and all aspects of employee training. Anne has han...

Jeremy N. Trousdale is a shareholder in the firm’s Birmingham, Alabama office. Jeremy focuses his practice on defending workers’ compensation, retaliatory discharge and outrage claims. He represents both self-insured clients and insurance carriers. A frequent speaker, Jeremy regularly presents current information on workers’ compensation issues for the Alabama Workers’ Compensation Organization, where he served as president (2015-2016), and the Alabama Self Insured Ass...

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.

Counselor. Teacher. Lawyer. Dale Stone wears many hats when he assists clients in developing and implementing plans for the effective and efficient disposition of their assets. Dale has over thirty-four years of experience guiding clients through the personal and practical aspects of estate planning and estate administration as well as the legal, economic and tax issues involved. For owners of family businesses, Dale coordinates planning for the preservation and continuation of the business i...

M. Lee Johnsey, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. M. Lee, 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 M. Lee is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nicole joined the Birmingham office of Watkins & Eager after practicing law in Alabama courts for more than twenty years with the law firm of Harris & Harris, LLP. Nicole’s practice has centered around commercial litigation matters while representing client interests through all phases of litigation including alternative dispute resolution, jury trials and appellate review. Nicole represents a variety of business entities from small entrepreneurial companies to large corporation...

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...

Tom Ansley is a shareholder in Dentons’ Birmingham, Alabama office, where he is a member of the Real Estate and Corporate practice groups. He serves as corporate counsel to a diverse range of clients, including real estate developers and investors, commercial and project lenders, and healthcare providers, advising them on the intricacies of state and local laws and regulations, financial matters, industry concerns, and risk allocation. Ansley is involved in the financing, negotiation, e...