About

Provided by Lightfoot, Franklin & White, LLC

When Lightfoot was founded 32 years ago, we were motivated, challenged and defined by our products liability work. While much has changed in the world since then, product liability cases are still the lifeblood of the firm. We serve as trusted regional and national product liability defense counsel to some of the world’s largest product manufacturers in automotive, transportation, heavy agricultural equipment, energy, electronics, consumer goods and other sectors.  Key clients include U-Haul, PAACAR, General Electric, Techtronic Industries, Hyundai, General Motors, BP, 3M, Dupont, A.I.G., Emerson Electric, A.O. Smith, Terminix, Toyota, Volkswagen and Proctor & Gamble.


When leading manufacturers choose the Lightfoot Product Liability team, they engage strategic and creative trial lawyers to defend their products. We dedicate ourselves to pursuing the right solution for our clients, whether negotiating a favorable settlement, securing a dismissal or taking a case to trial. All of this is done in an efficient, cost-effective manner that rivals the caliber of work from a New York, Chicago, D.C. or LA firm. We also play well with others, working seamlessly with a client’s other outside litigation counsel to achieve collective goals.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Litigation: Appellate - Alabama

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Lightfoot, Franklin & White, LLC is a leading Birmingham litigation boutique with a deep bench of highly experienced and successful trial lawyers. It is noted for its excellent strengths in commercial litigation matters, with particular expertise in product liability disputes and medical malpractice claims. The law firm offers wider experience in defending regulatory investigations, white-collar criminal litigation and arbitration proceedings. The team is further noted for representing clients in high-stakes personal injury and catastrophic injury cases. It typically acts for clients in the manufacturing, insurance, energy and financial services sectors.

Work Highlights

  • Lightfoot defended General Motors as lead defense counsel in connection with a plaintiff obtaining an order from the state court of Cobb County directing that GM's CEO, Mary Barra, sit for deposition based on public comments she had made about general safety.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Harlan Prater
1
Harlan Prater
1
Band 1
Harlan Prater is highly regarded in the market for his experience representing clients in product liability, personal injury and securities disputes. He ably handles both class actions and single-plaintiff cases.

He looks out for his clients and takes their best interest into consideration, willing to give hard advice and communicate harsh truths. That's the difference between a good and an outstanding lawyer.

Adam K Peck
2
Adam K Peck
2
Band 2
Adam Peck is an experienced litigator with a wealth of experience across a broad range of commercial disputes. He often works on product liability, personal injury and wrongful death cases.

An absolute pleasure to work with. He clearly has our interests at heart, and I have the highest respect for his skills and demeanor. I would consider myself fortunate to have him at my side any time.

John G Thompson
2
John G Thompson
2
Band 2
John Thompson specializes in the representation of healthcare providers in medical malpractice suits, alongside his experience in product liability and business litigation.

John is a very good lawyer.

Laura Peck
2
Laura Peck
2
Band 2
Laura Peck brings a wealth of experience acting in medical malpractice disputes. She represents both physicians and medical institutions.

Laura is a very good lawyer.

M Christian King
2
M Christian King
2
Band 2
Christian King enjoys a strong reputation in the market for his deep expertise in appellate proceedings. He represents clients from the manufacturing and energy sectors on single-plaintiff cases, as well as mass torts and class actions.
Michael Bell
2
Michael Bell
2
Band 2
Michael Bell is regularly called upon to defend medical malpractice claims. His clients include physicians.

Michael is an excellent attorney with great judgment and demeanor. He has keen insights into people of all levels.

Chandler Bailey
3
Chandler Bailey
3
Band 3
Chandler Bailey is recognized for his considerable strengths handling high exposure personal injury and wrongful death cases in the product liability sphere, frequently representing manufacturers and suppliers.

Chandler is an excellent trial lawyer.

Chandler Bailey is a fantastic and trusted lawyer.

Lee Hollis
3
Lee Hollis
3
Band 3
Lee Hollis demonstrates expertise handling product liability litigations. He is regularly sought after by clients in the healthcare sector.

Lee is an excellent attorney with great judgment and demeanor.

Lee Hollis is excellent.

Melody Eagan
3
Melody Eagan
3
Band 3
Melody Eagan is managing partner of Lightfoot, Franklin & White, LLC. She regularly works with high-profile names on product liability suits.
Lana Olson
4
Lana Olson
4
Band 4
Lana Olson has experience handling a wide range of commercial disputes, including toxic torts and employment litigation.
Rachel Lary
4
Rachel Lary
4
Band 4

Rachel Lary has expertise spanning handling product liability, negligence and personal injury matters.

Rachel is an excellent attorney with great judgment and demeanor. She has a great ability to figure it out and get the support of others.

Rachel was amazing. She read the situation well and was able to present herself in court in a polished and sophisticated manner. She was just fabulous.

Sara Ford
4
Sara Ford
4
Band 4
Sara Ford is recognized for her broad base of litigation experience, including healthcare, shareholder and insurance related suits.
Wesley Gilchrist
4
Wesley Gilchrist
4
Band 4

Wesley Gilchrist adeptly handles a range of complex commercial litigation.

He's a problem solver in wide range of different litigation areas. He's also personable and someone I really enjoy working with.

Ranked Lawyers at
Lightfoot, Franklin & White, LLC

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Alabama

Litigation: Appellate

M Christian King
2
M Christian King
2
Band 2
Litigation: General Commercial

Harlan Prater
1
Harlan Prater
1
Band 1
Adam K Peck
2
Adam K Peck
2
Band 2
Chandler Bailey
3
Chandler Bailey
3
Band 3
Lee Hollis
3
Lee Hollis
3
Band 3
Melody Eagan
3
Melody Eagan
3
Band 3
Lana Olson
4
Lana Olson
4
Band 4
Rachel Lary
4
Rachel Lary
4
Band 4
Sara Ford
4
Sara Ford
4
Band 4
Wesley Gilchrist
4
Wesley Gilchrist
4
Band 4
Litigation: Medical Malpractice Defense

John G Thompson
2
John G Thompson
2
Band 2
Laura Peck
2
Laura Peck
2
Band 2
Michael Bell
2
Michael Bell
2
Band 2