Department profile
Starnes Davis Florie LLP

Litigation: Appellate

USA Guide 2026 : Alabama

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Starnes Davis Florie LLP

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About

Provided by Starnes Davis Florie LLP

Starnes Davis Florie LLP is a firm of real trial lawyers focused on obtaining the highest value for its clients. While the firm is one of the most experienced in complex litigation in the Southeast and vigorously contests courtroom battles in bet-the-company cases, it also understands that value means more than just winning verdicts. With a lean structure designed to deliver top shelf advice in a cost-effective way, Starnes provides real value by collaborating with its clients to accomplish their goals and enhance their bottom-line. With 60+ lawyers, the firm has offices in Birmingham, AL; Mobile, AL; and Nashville, TN.


General Litigation Practice Areas Include: 

- Appellate

- Arbitration

- Class Actions

- Commercial Disputes: 

  1. Antitrust
  2. Bad Faith/Insurance Disputes
  3. Banking & Financial Services 
  4. Construction Litigation
  5. Fidelity & Surety
  6. Privacy & Data Security

- False Claims Act / Qui Tam

- Intellectual Property:

  1. ​Patent Litigation
  2. Trademark, Copyright & Advertising 
  3. Trade Secret Litigation & Dispute Counseling 

- Mass Torts:

  1. ​Aviation
  2. Admiralty & Maritime
  3. Outbreaks
  4. Pharmaceuticals
  5. Recalls 

- Products Liability 

- Professional Liability: 

  1. Medical Malpractice
  2. Legal Malpractice
  3. Long Term Care & Nursing Home Litigation
  4. Accounting Malpractice
  5. Architect, Engineer & Design Professional Malpractice

- Wrongful Death / Catastrophic Injury 

- Securities
- White Collar, Compliance & Investigations 

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Litigation: Appellate - Alabama

What the Team is Known For
Starnes Davis Florie LLP is an impressive firm widely regarded as the preeminent force in Alabama's medical malpractice arena, with a strong track record in defending some of the region's largest healthcare providers and long-term care organizations. It also fields an accomplished commercial litigation group, with expertise in construction disputes, environmental claims, IP issues and securities matters. The firm is further noted for its work on consumer class actions.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Starnes Davis Florie represented ProAssurance in a case alleging an obstetrician mismanaged a labor and delivery by administering too much medication, resulting in uterine rupture and death of the child.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Starnes Davis Florie's strong local relationships provide practical insights that streamline strategy and improve outcomes. Paired with a deep understanding of our highly technical and complex industry, the team quickly grasps nuanced issues and delivers clear, effective guidance.

    Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

  • The team is always available, very responsive and quick to address questions/requests.

    Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

  • The team at Starnes Davis Florie is made up of outside-the-box thinkers who are incredible at making sound oral arguments.

    Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

  • The attorneys at Starnes Davis Florie spend the time and make the effort to develop the facts and the litigation strategy in great detail. I have never worked with a firm that prepared witnesses so well for deposition and trial.

    Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

  • The department’s primary strengths are its practical, business-minded approach and its responsiveness.

    Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Jay Ezelle
    Jay Ezelle

    Jay Ezelle

    Jay Ezelle's practice includes representing clients in securities and patent infringement litigation, as well as class actions and ADR.

    • Jay knew the subject matter and was insightful and responsive.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • Jay is truly a walking, talking legal Swiss Army knife. His ability to handle incredibly complex or unique matters in an organized and creative way never ceases to amaze me.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • Michael Wright
    Michael Wright

    Michael Wright

    Michael Wright is a renowned litigator in the Alabama market with noted expertise in defending medical practitioners. His practice includes both wrongful death and personal injury cases, as well as medical device litigation.

    • Mike is a trusted partner and an excellent litigator.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • His thoroughness in working up a case and developing all aspects of a case is unmatched. He is an experienced, proven litigator.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • Robert MacKenzie
    Robert MacKenzie

    Robert MacKenzie

    Robert MacKenzie is widely recognized for his work on medical malpractice defense, with notable expertise in medical negligence and wrongful death cases.

    • Bob is an excellent litigator and the best at communicating consistently and accurately.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • Sybil Newton
    Sybil Newton

    Sybil Newton

    Sybil Newton heads the appellate group at Starnes Davis Florie LLP and offers considerable expertise across a wide array of disputes before Alabama appellate courts, with a background in medical malpractice litigation.

    • Sybil has a highly successful appellate mind. She is able to craft very intelligent arguments.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • She has outstanding knowledge, reasoning and writing abilities.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • Walter W Bates
    Walter W Bates

    Walter W Bates

    Walter Bates heads the medical malpractice group at Starnes Davis Florie LLP and enjoys a stellar track record in the Alabama Bar for representing physicians and other medical practitioners in litigation. His practice includes acting on wrongful death, personal injury and medical negligence cases.

    • Billy is beyond organized, forward-thinking and collaborative. He is truly exceptional as an experienced litigator and deserves recognition at the highest level.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • Billy's preparation, knowledge and instincts are top notch. He's just so enjoyable to be around.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • He is an extremely successful litigator with vast experience in trial.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • J. Bennett White
    J. Bennett White

    J. Bennett White

    Bennett White represents an impressive array of medical practitioners and healthcare institutions. He handles disputes involving wrongful death and personal injury claims, among others.

    • He is forward thinking and a great communicator.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • Joe Miller
    Joe Miller

    Joe Miller

    Joe Miller has experience of obtaining favorable verdicts on behalf of medical practitioners. He is recognized for his handling of malpractice lawsuits at trial and appeal.

    • He has vast medical malpractice experience as a litigator with an outstanding record of success.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • Joe is a fantastic lawyer.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • Joe's success comes from his outstanding ability to work up and understand the legal and medical issues of his case and his relationship-building skills.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • Allen C. King
    Allen C. King

    Allen C. King

    Allen C. King is well-regarded for his medical malpractice expertise which covers personal injury and medical negligence.

    • Not only is Allen an outstanding litigator, he is passionate in developing the file and building strong relationships.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • He has excellent skills in the courtroom and is a hard worker.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • Chris Eagan
    Chris Eagan

    Chris Eagan

    Chris Eagen is lauded for his experience representing clients in medical malpractice disputes, including under the Alabama Medical Liability Act.

    • Chris is knowledgeable and great at easing the tension of clients and jurors.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • He is an outstanding medical malpractice litigator.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • Chris has extensive experience in litigating medical malpractice cases. You can always count on him to respond, to develop a case and to consistently achieve favorable results.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • George E. Newton II
    George E. Newton II

    George E. Newton II

    George Newton is best known for his expertise in defending his clients across complex medical malpractice matters, with notable experience in wrongful death cases.

    • He brings a level of expertise and sophistication to his matters that drives positive outcomes.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • George is an excellent communicator.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • George produces tremendous work product and has excellent courtroom skills.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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  • Thomas Wells III
    Thomas Wells III

    Thomas Wells III

    Thomas Wells III is a strong practitioner with experience in tax and product liability disputes, as well as claims under the RICO act.

    • He is not only highly effective in dispute resolution, but also an excellent strategic advisor. Trey demonstrates judgment, industry fluency and strategic awareness.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA

    • Trey is an exceptional litigator whose industry knowledge, personal relationships within the region, and courtroom experience far exceed what one might expect for his age.

      Litigation: Appellate respondentUSA
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Ranked Individuals at Starnes Davis Florie LLP (12)

Alabama

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