Category: Attorney

• Alabama State Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Birmingham Bar Association
• American Board of Trial Advocates

• In the past 5 years, Williams has tried five lengthy wrongful death or paraplegia cases for defendant physicians and two retaliatory discharge cases for employers.
• Summary judgments have been obtained on behalf of multiple defense clients thereby avoiding the risk of trial.
• Effective trial preparation has enabled workers’ compensation clients to achieve reasonable, successful settlements and avoid the expense of trial.

Williams is married and has two sons at the University of Alabama. He enjoys golf and is active at the Episcopal Cathedral of the Advent.

• Selected to Super Lawyers
• AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell

• Alabama Bar Association
• Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
• Defense Research Institute
• Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) — Legal Affairs Committee Former Member

• Obtained defense verdict in Wilcox County, Alabama in favor of a logging company involving serious injury arising out of a plaintiff’s collision with a log truck.
• Obtained defense verdict in favor of a national rental car company in United States District Court in Birmingham, Alabama for claims asserted pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act. Tierney v. Alamo Rental Car.
• Obtained defense verdict in favor of a bank located in Cullman, Alabama for claims asserted by a commercial borrower for unfair lending practices and seizure of collateral.
• Obtained defense verdict in favor of hospital in Huntsville, Alabama in a medical malpractice case involving the death of a patient.
• Represented national client in the negotiation of a ten year agreement for the annual supply of 700,000 to 800,000 tons of industrial grade ammonium nitrate.
• Successfully defended insurance carrier in an appeal of a lower court legal ruling relating to a $500,000 consent judgment between the carrier’s insured and the plaintiff.  Federated Mutual Insurance Co. v. Abston Petroleum, 967 So.2d 705.

Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Mr. Dazzio moved to Birmingham upon completion of law school and is a founding member of the firm.  He is married with five children.  Mr. Dazzio is involved in his local community, including by serving as a board member of Forgotten Children Ministries, former president of the Vestavia Hills, Alabama Parks and Recreation Board, and serving on a committee for the planning of improvements to city facilities.

• Alabama State Bar Association
• Birmingham Bar Association

When not practicing law, Jay enjoys spending time with his wife, Theresa Friedman, and dog, Scarlett.

Mrs. Gordon is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Alabama. She is a member of the Alabama State Bar, the Birmingham Bar Association, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association.

• As co-counsel, obtained a defense verdict in a fraud, breach of contract, negligence case filed in Jefferson County.
• Obtained summary judgment in a wrongful death action filed in Walker County.
• Obtained summary judgment for corporation on employee’s age discrimination an disability discrimination claims filed in the Northern District of Alabama.
• Obtained summary judgment in a negligent construction case based on the argument that the subcontractor plaintiff’s contributory negligence caused his alleged injuries.

Gwen and her husband are Birmingham natives and the proud parents of three children. Outside of work, Gwen enjoys her church, Pilates, Auburn football, and spending time with her family, especially at the lake.

• Alabama State Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Birmingham Bar Association
• International Society of Explosives Engineers
• Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
• Defense Research Institute

• Rated by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star (2012-2015)
• Rated by Super Lawyers as a Super Lawyer in the Mid South for Environmental Litigation (2022 – 2025)

• Represented the City of Rome, Georgia in a case involving PFAS pollution in its drinking water caused by the largest chemical companies and carpet companies in the world, which settled on the eve of trial for $280 Million.
• Served as co-lead counsel in the defense of global Portland cement manufacturer in mass tort case filed on behalf of 75 local residents seeking recovery for property damage and personal injury.
• Served as lead counsel representing local retailers and national manufacturers in asbestos litigation.
• Serves as outside general counsel for nationwide functional fitness franchisor with operations in numerous states.
• Represented blasting and mining companies in mass tort cases pending in Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia and Texas.
• Argued multiple appeals before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Patterson and his wife Brandi have three children and reside in Homewood, Alabama.

• Alabama State Bar Association
• American Association for Justice
• American Bar Association
• Birmingham Bar Association

• Named “Top 10 Environmental Trial Lawyer” by the National Trial Lawyers
  Named “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” by the National Trial Lawyers
• Named “Rising Star” for Civil Litigation by Super Lawyers Magazine, Mid-South Region, 2016-2019
• Named “Rising Star” for Civil Litigation by Super Lawyers Magazine, Alabama, 2014-2015
• Named to B-Metro Magazine’s “Top Flight Lawyers”, 2016-2021
• Named to B-Metro Magazine’s “Top Attorneys 2020”, 2020
• Named to B-Metro Magazine’s “Stars of the Bar”
• AV Rated as “Preeminent” by Martindale Hubble
• Rated as “Excellent” by AVVO

• Represented the City of Rome, Georgia in a case involving PFAS pollution in its drinking water caused by the largest chemical companies and carpet companies in the world, which settled on the eve of trial for $280 Million.
• Served as co-lead counsel for businesses and individuals harmed by the largest environmental spill (by volume) in U.S. history and received a liability decision against the Tennessee Valley Authority after a six and a half week trial. The Court found TVA liable for its December 22, 2008 Coal Ash Spill Disaster, despite TVA’s argument that it was protected by governmental immunity. The case is reported as: In re TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY ASH SPILL LITIGATION, 2012 WL 3647704 (E.D. Tenn.).
• Represented property owners in south Georgia in a case involving benzene contamination against one of the largest specialty chemicals companies in the United States.
• Represented former Chief Operating Officer of a well-known beverage company for breach of promise to provide equity in the company.
• Represents businesses and individuals for economic losses sustained in the worst oil spill in U.S. history.
• Represented the City of Key West, Florida, for economic losses caused by pollution from an environmental oil spill.
• Represented retired NFL players for numerous claims against their former teams and the National Football League, including brain injuries and orthopedic injuries.

Matt is married to Elizabeth Conn and is the proud father of their three sons, David, James and Owen.

• Alabama State Bar
• American Bar Association
• Birmingham Bar Association
• Alabama Defense Lawyers Association

• David Gordon and Tommy Dazzio obtained a defense verdict on October 3, 2018, following a jury trial in Wilcox County, Alabama. In the case, a log truck driver parked a loaded truck off the highway overnight on private property. On the night in question, a Clarke County resident collided into the rear of the loaded log truck while attempting to avoid an animal in the roadway. The plaintiff sustained significant bodily injuries due to the accident. Plaintiff alleged that the log truck was illegally parked on the shoulder of the road and should have used various measures to warn motorists of the truck’s dangerous location. After a four day trial, the Wilcox County jury returned a verdict in favor of the Defendant.
• In May 2017, David obtained summary judgment for a client in Jefferson County, Alabama. The plaintiff claimed personal injuries related to installation and maintenance of overhead doors located at a car dealership.
• In February 2014, David obtained a defense verdict for a Tuscaloosa business that was sued for damages resulting from an automobile accident.
• In April 2014, David obtained summary judgment for a general contractor who was blamed for improperly constructing a school cafeteria floor, which allegedly caused a slip and fall accident.
• In 2008, David was co-counsel in a multi-plaintiff trespass and nuisance lawsuit filed in Jefferson County, Alabama that resulted in a defense verdict for the blasting contractor.
• Birmingham Coal & Coke Co. v. Johnson, 10 So. 3d 993 (Ala. 2008).

David lives in Birmingham with his wife and twin daughters. Outside of work, David enjoys his daughters’ sporting events, golf and Auburn football.

Mr. Friedman is admitted to practice in all Alabama state and federal courts, the United States Eleventh Circuit Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Friedman has litigated in over thirty counties in the State of Alabama and has been admitted, on a pro hac vice basis, to litigate in the states of West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, Texas, and Oklahoma. Mr. Friedman is a Fellow of the America Board of Trial Advocates and holds an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell which is the highest rating for an attorney bestowed by that organization.

As a founding partner of the firm in 1998, my greatest professional honors are not tied to individual accomplishments but the growth of our firm which we measure in reputation, and not size. Our firm has been hired on many occasions over larger and older firms because of our good reputation and track record. Recently we were retained in a mass tort case referred to by in house counsel as “bet the company” litigation. We are honored to be able to provide meaningful litigation experience, practical efficiency, and the ability to deliver results to our clients.  We are cost conscious and goal oriented.

• 2024 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law
• Rated by Super Lawyers as a Super Lawyer in the Mid South for Environmental Litigation
• Rated by Super Lawyers as a Super Lawyer (2010-2025)
• Named “Top 50 Alabama Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers (2022, 2023, 2025)
• Named “Top 50 Birmingham Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers (2022 – 2023, 2025)
• AV Rated as “Preeminent” by Martindale Hubble

• Represented the City of Rome, Georgia in a case involving PFAS pollution in its drinking water caused by the largest chemical companies and carpet companies in the world, which settled on the eve of trial for $280 Million.
• Multiple defense verdicts in mining, quarrying, and environmental lawsuits in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
• Lead counsel in successful appellate effort to redefine Alabama law pertaining to damages recoverable in mining, nuisance and trespass cases. Birmingham Coal & Coke Co., Inc. v. Johnson, 10 So. 3d 993 (Ala. 2008).
• Argued insurance coverage interpretation in cases of first impression before the Alabama Supreme Court in matters ranging from environmental coverage to uninsured motorist coverage. Federated Mutual Ins. Co. v. Abston Petroleum, Inc., 967 So. 2d 705 (Ala. 2007); Federated Mutual Ins. Co. v. Vaughn, 961 So. 2d 816 (Ala. 2007).
• Lead counsel in largest environmental lawsuit in Tennessee history and obtained verdict for clients at trial. In re TENNESSEE VALLEY AUTHORITY ASH SPILL LITIGATION, 2012 WL 3647704.
• Successfully represented Alabama Governor Fob James in retaliation/discrimination lawsuit and obtained summary judgment. Gene Tibbets v. Gov. Fob James, et al.
• Successfully represented SEC head football coach and obtained his dismissal from Tuscaloosa County lawsuit. Cottrell v. National Collegiate Athletic Ass’n., 975 So. 2d 306 (Ala. 2007).
• Named and approved as class lead counsel for statewide class action.
  Prince Hagler, et al. v. ALFA Mutual Insurance, et al.
• Co-counsel in litigation arising from the worst air disaster in Alabama history and obtained defense verdict at trial on behalf of airline pilot. McGowan v. L’Express, Inc., 26 F.3d 1121 (11th Cir. 1994).
• Co-counsel for Bresette family in Birmingham Shuttlesworth International Airport tragedy involving the death of a child and numerous injuries to family members. Ryan Bresette, et al. v. Brasfield & Gorrie Gen. Contractors, Inc., et al.
• Obtained defense verdicts in transportation and trucking lawsuits in venues across Alabama.
• Successfully represented trucking companies in Multi-District Litigation against a major gasoline supplier for breach of contract and fraudulent conduct.
• Appointed as co-lead counsel in nationwide data breach litigation.

Jeff Friedman has been a long time member of the Cumberland Law School Dean’s Advisory Board and serves on charitable organizations such as Cystic Fibrosis. He is a member of Canterbury Methodist Church, is married to Anise C. Friedman and is the proud father of three great children.

• American Bar Association
• Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
• Birmingham Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute

Mr. Moss holds an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell which is the highest rating for an attorney bestowed by that organization. He has been published in DRI’s For the Defense and Alabama Construction News (“Responsible Parties in Job Site Safety”) (Fall 2004). He has spoken to industry and trade groups on numerous topics related to civil litigation.

• Mr. Moss successfully defended Insituform Technologies, Inc. in obtaining an affirmation of summary judgment granted on behalf of Insituform before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, Case Number: 13-13612-E.
• Mr. Moss worked with his partner, Joel Williams, in defending an ENT surgeon in North Alabama in a wrongful death, medical malpractice case resulting in a defense verdict following a two week trial in April 2013.
• Mr. Moss represents a variety of companies including insurance carriers and their insureds involving a wide range of issues.

Mr. Moss is married to Ashley and they have three children, Hannah, Chandler and Woodson. Mr. Moss grew up in Birmingham, and previously served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. The Mosses are members of Mountain Brook Community Church and enjoy spending time as a family and pursuing a variety of fitness and adventure activities.