William K. "Will" Hancock

Trisha Osuch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Trisha, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Trisha is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven A. Burns is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Environmental Law. Steven A., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

For more than ten years, Mike Pennington has been voted by his peers for listing in The Best Lawyers in America , where he is specifically recognized for his skills in defending Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation, and Bet-the-Company Litigation. He also is recognized in both the Chambers USA and national Super Lawyers listings of top U.S. lawyers. Mike chairs the Class Action and Complex Litigation Practice Team, and his primary areas of practice include complex litigation, class act...

As a member of the firm’s Finance and Real Estate Group, Austin focuses his practice in business and commercial transactions, commercial lending, mergers and acquisitions and real estate transactions.

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...

Richard J. Riley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Richard J., 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 Richard J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

David L. McAlister is a shareholder in Carr Allison’s Birmingham (AL) office. David handles a wide variety of legal matters including auto accidents, railroad claims (both FELA and crossing accidents), premises liability, insurance coverage, products liability, construction, commercial vehicle claims and workers’ compensation. He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Alabama and before the US Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. An AV Preeminent ® ra...

For more than 25 years, Jay D. St. Clair has represented clients in employment and labor law matters, including: Discrimination, harassment and retaliation claims Labor management relations Wage and hour regulations Occupational safety and health He has specific knowledge of claims arising under the following statutes: Title VII The Americans with Disabilities Act The Family and Medical Leave Act The Fair Labor Standards Act The Occupational Safety and Health Act The National Labor Relations ...

Marc J. Mandich joined Southern Med Law in the Fall of 2019. Marc is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, where he attended Jesuit High School. Marc attended Louisiana State University where he earned a bachelors in finance. Marc went on to attend law school at Loyola University New Orleans where he graduated magna cum laude in 2013. During law school, Marc was the brief writer for Loyola’s Admiralty and National Moot Court Teams and received “Best Brief” in the Southeast Reg...

Bill Averett is a member of Dentons Sirote's Landlord's Rights practice in the Birmingham, Alabama office. Bill's extensive trial experience includes representing national banks and lenders in all matters of creditor rights and collection, including appellate and bankruptcy proceedings. His high rate of success consists of obtaining settlements through both formal and informal channels. Bill graduated from the University of Alabama with a BA and from Samford University's Cumberland School of ...