Established in July 2000, the Christian & Small law firm has a solid foundation and an impressive history. Its founders, Thomas W. Christian, Robert E. Cooper, Duncan Y. Manley, and Clarence M. Small, Jr., were partners at Rives & Peterson, a Birmingham firm created in 1936. Christian & Small's lawyers believe that clients are best served by providing an exceptional level of knowledge and experience as well as a firm-wide dedication to excellence. The firm is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell. We render the most vigorous, effective and cost-efficient representation available. Our diverse experience provides flexibility and resources to solve problems. Our goal is to exceed client expectations in order to build an enduring relationship.

Christian & Small is a full-service law practice representing a diverse clientele throughout Alabama, the Southeast and the nation. The firm is listed as one of the leading litigation firms in Alabama by the Chambers USA Guide: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. Superior client service has fostered longstanding relationships with clients from a wide array of industries including financial institutions, insurance, transportation, retail, health care, hospitality and manufacturing. To enhance our success and efficiency, we have invested in the latest technology and research tools necessary to excel in today's competitive legal market. These investments ensure that each legal matter is handled in the most effective, efficient and economically feasible manner possible. Whether the client is a Fortune 500 company, an emerging business or an individual, we strive to provide innovative legal solutions specifically tailored to meet each client's distinct needs.

The attorneys of Christian & Small celebrate a tradition of professional distinction and service. They are active in the legal community and strongly support participation in bar associations and professional activities, including the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, the Transportation Lawyers Association, the Trucking Industry Defense Association, the Federation of Insurance Counsel, the International Association of Corporate Counsel, and the International Association of Defense Counsel. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized for their superior legal and leadership skills, as exemplified by the following:

Four Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers;

Three Fellows of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers;

Two Fellows of the American Board of Trial Advocates;

Five Fellows of the American Bar Foundation;

Two have served as President of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association;

Two are ranked as Alabama's leading litigators by "Chambers USA";

Ten are listed in "The Best Lawyers in America";

Nine are listed as "Alabama Super Lawyers";

Three have served as President of the Alabama State Bar; and

Four have served as President of the Birmingham Bar Association.

Christian & Small is committed to providing the knowledge, excellence and integrity that our clients expect and deserve. These guiding principles have earned the firm a distinguished place among Alabama's elite law firms. Zealous client advocacy tempered by a commitment to the highest ethical standards has secured the respect of our clients and the legal community. We strongly believe that our clients benefit from the firm's superior reputation in every representation we undertake.

Special Practice Areas

Firm Practice Areas

Appellate Practice, Aviation, Bankruptcy, Business & Corporate Law, Criminal Defense, Estate Planning, Family Law, Government, Health Care, Labor & Employment, Insurance, Malpractice / Professional Negligence, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Negligence / Personal Injury / Wrongful Death, Real Estate, Trucking & Transportation, Utilities, Workers Compensation, Aircraft Accidents, For Defendants- Business/Individual Being Sued, For Business, Bankruptcy, Business & Commercial Litigation, For Business, Estate Planning & Probate, Environmental Law, Labor & Employment, Contracts & Transactions, Securities, Real Estate, Taxation, Commercial Law, Construction Law, Toxic Torts, Complex & Multidistrict Litigation, White Collar Crime, Probate, Trusts, Wills, Municipal Law, Civil Rights, For Health Care Providers, Medical / Dental Malpractice, Hospital Law, For Defendants - Business/Individual Being Sued, Breach of Contract, For Businesses, Wrongful Termination, For Businesses, Employee Benefits, Civil Rights, Insurance Defense, Medical Malpractice, For Health Care Providers, Dental Malpractice, For Dental Care Providers, Legal Malpractice, For Attorneys / Law Firms, Commercial Trucks, For Defendants - Business/Individual Being Sued, Civil Actions, For Defendants- Business/Individual Being Sued, Environmental Accidents, For Defendants- Business/Individual Being Sued, Medical / Dental Malpractice, For Defendants - Business/Individual Being Sued, Product Liability / Damages, For Defendants - Business/Individual Being Sued, Construction Accidents, For Defendants - Business/Individual Being Sued, Premises Liability, Class Actions, Toxic Torts, For Defendants - Business/Individual Being Sued, Commercial / Industrial Properties, Retail (Stores & Shops), Commercial Trucking, Truck Accidents, Trucking Liability, Cable Television, For Business Owners, Construction Defect, Product Liability

Firm Lawyers

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  • Steven Benefield, Esq.
  • sabenefield@csattorneys.com | (205) 250-6634
  • Read Steven's Bio Business Formation, Business Operations, Business Litigation, Business Estate Planning, Charitable Trusts and Foundations, Tax Exempt Organizations, Federal Estate and Gift Taxation, Trusts and Estates Taxation, Estate Administration, Estate Litigation, Estate Planning, Civil Litigation


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  • Bob Cooper, Esq
  • recooper@csattorneys.com | (205) 250-6608
  • Read Robert's Bio Medical malpractice,Transportation Lit (def),Civil Litigation,Trial Practice,Dental Malpractice Defense,Medical Malpractice Defense,Motor Carrier Defense,Hospital Liability Defense,,


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  • Brad Hightower, Esq.
  • brhightower@csattorneys.com | (205) 250-6661
  • Read Brad's Bio Business Reorganization,Cable Franchising,Family Corporations,Executive Lobbying,Securitization,Leveraged Acquisitions,Gynecology Malpractice,Business Law,Communications and Media


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  • Michael Vercher, Esq.
  • mavercher@csattorneys.com | (205) 250-6621
  • Read Michael's Bio General Practice,Employment litigation,Insurance Fraud Defense,Age Discrimination in Employment,Employment Defense,Casualty Insurance Defense,Commercial Insurance Defense,First & Third Party Insurance Defense,Civil Litigation,Complex Litigation,Negligence Defense,Bodily Injury,Tort Defense


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  • David Walston, Esq.
  • dbwalston@csattorneys.com | (205) 250-6636
  • Read David's Bio Labor litigation,ERISA,Employment litigation,COBRA,Employee Benefits Litigation,ERISA Litigation,Municipal Civil Rights,Municipal Labor Law,Labor and Employment,,


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