Thomas W. "Tom" Thagard III

Hall Eady is a general and commercial litigator with a current focus on the representation of financial institutions. He regularly advises banks and mortgage servicers regarding recoupment options including lien rights, closing errors, title insurance, mortgage insurance and correspondent/broker agreements. Hall has also represented construction companies and product manufacturers. Hall has been named as one of the Best Lawyers in America since 2015 in the Commercial Litigation category. This...

Richard J. Riley is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Appellate Practice, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Richard J. practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Richard J. Riley since 2026. 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 Richard J. Riley i...

Jess Nix is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Jess practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Jess Nix since 2026. 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 Jess Nix is held by other lawyers.

Ed Sledge represents businesses, including private equity groups, product manufacturers and financial services institutions, in high-exposure civil disputes in a variety of industries. Ed’s national practice focuses on complex business and commercial litigation in courts across the country; he also routinely represents businesses in consumer finance disputes and in personal injury and wrongful death matters. With his strategic, problem-solving approach and ability to anticipate and see ...

Sloane Phillips is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Construction. Sloane practices law in Birmingham, Alabama Best Lawyers has recognized Sloane Phillips 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 Sloane Phillips is held by other lawyers.

Judd Harwood focuses his practice on general and nonprofit corporate transactions and healthcare regulatory issues. Judd represents a wide range of healthcare clients in connection with mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and physician alignment strategies, corporate reorganizations, private securities offerings, corporate governance, employment and independent contractor relationships and general corporate matters. His clients include health systems, hospitals and related healthcare fac...

Aaron B. Thomas assists companies and individuals in a wide variety of business and transactional related matters, including but not limited to the areas of real estate development, business planning, financing, contract negotiation, real estate closings, and leases. He has extensive experience in several different types of commercial properties, including retail centers, offices, hotels, industrial sites, residential and mixed-use developments, and other projects. A large portion of Aaron&rs...

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...

Marc James Ayers is a member of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP's Appellate Litigation Group. He represents individual, corporate and governmental clients before state and federal appellate and trial courts. Marc is listed in Best Lawyers in Americain the field of Appellate Law, and has handled numerous appeals in the U.S. Courts of Appeals, the Alabama Supreme Court, the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, and other state appellate courts. He has also represented clients on petitions for certio...

John Gant is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses on mergers and acquisitions, corporate, and tax law. John represents acquiring and target companies and their owners in planning, structuring, and executing business transactions. This includes asset and stock acquisitions, mergers, venture capital investments, and joint ventures. He advises clients with initial legal planning and analysis, developing appropriate structures, negotiating letters of intent, conducting due dilige...