William W. Smith

Ellis Brazeal is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and co-leader of the firm’s aerospace and aviation team. Ellis has more than 30 years of experience in commercial litigation, including all levels of state, federal, and bankruptcy courts. He represents and advises financial institutions and other entities regarding corporate restructuring, and handles construction, surety, and government contract litigation. He is recognized for his work by legal publications, and he regularly...

Chris was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on October 2, 1968. He attended college at the University of Alabama and graduated with a B.A. in business in 1990. Upon graduation, he entered the University of Alabama School of Law and obtained his J.D. Degree in 1993. While in law school, he served as the student representative to the Board of Trustees. He was admitted to practice law in the State of Alabama in 1993, and the State of Colorado in 1994. Since obtaining his law license in the State of Al...

Sean W. Shirley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Sean W., who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sean W. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sloane Phillips is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Construction. Sloane, 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 Sloane is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Timothy John Segers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Tax Law and Venture Capital Law. Timothy John, who practices law in Birmingham, Alabama, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dana B. Hill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Dana B., 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 Dana B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

Joseph H. Driver is a shareholder in Carr Allison’s Birmingham (AL) office. Joe heads up the firm’s Appellate Litigation group. He is admitted to practice before the US Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the US District Court for the Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama. In addition to his appellate practice, Joe handles cases involving general liability and workers’ compensation. Joe is a member of the Birmingham and Alabama State Bar Associations ...

Dan Murphy’s practice has focused exclusively on healthcare transactional and regulatory matters for the past decade. He has represented all types and sizes of healthcare providers, from publicly-traded national hospital, dialysis, and ambulatory surgery center companies, to independent surgery centers and pharmacies, physician practices, and individual physicians. In representing providers, Dan brings a holistic view to healthcare deals and compliance issues that incorporates an unders...

Bruce Ely’s more than 40 years of experience have allowed him to handle projects as diverse as serving on the recruiting teams that successfully induced both Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai to locate their first U.S. manufacturing plants in Alabama to representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, the Alabama Department of Revenue and local taxing authorities. His practice focuses on three concentric areas: representing taxpayers in federal, state and local administrative and jud...