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: General Commercial - Alabama

2
Band 2

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.

Work Highlights

  • 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

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Jay Ezelle
1
Jay Ezelle
1
Band 1

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.

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.

Michael Wright
1
Michael Wright
1
Band 1
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.

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

Robert MacKenzie
1
Robert MacKenzie
1
Band 1

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.

Sybil Newton
1
Sybil Newton
1
Band 1
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.

She has outstanding knowledge, reasoning and writing abilities.

Walter W Bates
1
Walter W Bates
1
Band 1
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.

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

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

J. Bennett White
2
J. Bennett White
2
Band 2
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.

Joe Miller
2
Joe Miller
2
Band 2
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.

Joe is a fantastic lawyer.

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.

3
Allen C. King
3
Band 3

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.

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

3
Chris Eagan
3
Band 3

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.

He is an outstanding medical malpractice litigator.

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.

3
George E. Newton II
3
Band 3

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.

George is an excellent communicator.

George produces tremendous work product and has excellent courtroom skills.

Thomas Wells III
4
Thomas Wells III
4
Band 4

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.

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.

Ranked Lawyers at
Starnes Davis Florie LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

Alabama

Litigation: Appellate

Sybil Newton
1
Sybil Newton
1
Band 1
Litigation: General Commercial

Jay Ezelle
1
Jay Ezelle
1
Band 1
Robert MacKenzie
2
Robert MacKenzie
2
Band 2
Thomas Wells III
4
Thomas Wells III
4
Band 4
Litigation: Medical Malpractice Defense

Michael Wright
1
Michael Wright
1
Band 1
Robert MacKenzie
1
Robert MacKenzie
1
Band 1
Walter W Bates
1
Walter W Bates
1
Band 1
J. Bennett White
2
J. Bennett White
2
Band 2
Joe Miller
2
Joe Miller
2
Band 2
3
Allen C. King
3
Band 3
3
Chris Eagan
3
Band 3
3
George E. Newton II
3
Band 3

Members

Provided by Starnes Davis Florie LLP

Alex Wood

Alfred Perkins

Alicia Harrison

Allen King

Allison Adams

Amber Whillock

Ben Presley

Beth Liles

Chris Eagan

Christian Hines

Clayton Bromberg

Cole Gresham

George Newton

Gray Stiff

John McCall

John P. Scott, Jr.

Joseph Reese

Madeleine Greskovich

Matt Keenan

Michael Lasserre

Michael Scivley

Reed Bates

Richard Davis

Rick Harris

Sarah Chamberlain

Scott Salter

Scott Stevens

Stephen Still

Sybil Newton

Tabor R. Novak, III

Todd Huntley

Warren Butler

Weathers Bolt

Will Axon

Will Davis

William A. Davis, III