William W. Smith

Mr. Samples was admitted to the Alabama Bar in 1976. Having established his career as a trial lawyer with another prominent firm, he came to Hare Wynn as a full partner in 1994. He is a native of Alexander City, Alabama. He is married to Colleen (a Master’s level R.N. and attorney), and they have been blessed with two children, Courtney and Connor. Shay worked his way through college and law school. He attended Alexander City Junior College where he was elected President of the Student ...

Jennifer McGahey has extensive experience in both commercial litigation and labor and employment matters. She represents clients in a variety of industries, such as e-commerce, natural resources, government contract, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and retail, and her clients range from large publicly-traded companies to small family-owned businesses. Jennifer has litigated cases ranging from a single plaintiff to class action to the federal government. Jennifer handles cases across the country a...

Chris is a creditor's rights attorney with extensive experience in high stakes insolvency and bankruptcy-related litigation. He routinely represents creditor clients in commercial litigation, fraudulent transfer and preference actions, contested bankruptcy matters, lender liability claims, commercial foreclosures, executions, replevin actions and prejudgment seizures. Chris has also successfully represented lender clients in numerous complex workouts and restructurings outside of court. Chris...

Carolyne counsels public and private clients on a range of transactional matters, including commercial real estate, real estate-based financing, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues and other corporate matters. She advises and represents buyers, sellers, landlords, tenants and developers on acquisitions, development and leasing transactions across the country. In law school, Carolyne participated in Alabama Law’s Federal Externship Program in Washington, D.C., where she served as...

Daniel James Ruth is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law and Tax Law. Daniel James, 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 Daniel James is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Randy is a business attorney with experience in corporate law, taxation law, mergers and acquisitions, executive compensation, venture capital and private equity transactions, and the legal aspects of accounting and auditing.

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.

Jack B. Levy, Partner in the Birmingham office, concentrates his practice in the areas of employer resources, employee benefits and executive compensation, corporate and business, health care, taxation and estate and trust planning. Mr. Levy represents numerous closely held businesses, professionals and professional corporations and negotiates and closes sales of professional practices and closely held business practices. He also lectures throughout the United States on issues relating to pen...

Steve Ball is a shareholder with Carr Allison residing in the firm’s Birmingham, Alabama office. Steve represents local and national clients in their business litigation and corporate matters arising both in Alabama and other states. His diversified practice includes the representation of his clients, both as plaintiffs or defendants, in their litigation and transactional needs. Steve has litigated numerous contractually based claims for his clients and also has extensive experience in ...

Robert Baugh is a shareholder in Dentons Sirote’s Birmingham, Alabama office, where he serves as chair of the Dentons Sirote Litigation practice group. Robert has been engaged in the practice of law continuously since 1982. Robert represents clients in insurance, business, and product liability cases in both state and federal courts throughout the Southeast. He has obtained favorable results for Fortune 500 companies as well as privately held companies. In addition to his litigation pra...