17 Christian & Small Partners Named in 2019 Best Lawyers in America Rankings; Three Named 'Lawyer of the Year'

Christian & Small is proud to congratulate our three partners – Edgar M. Elliott IV, Richard E. Smith and Michael A.Vercher – who were recognized in the 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in America as “Lawyer[s] of the Year” for their respective practice areas: Transportation Law, Construction Litigation, Land Use and Zoning Litigation.
The firm is also pleased to announce that 17 partners have been included in the 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Added to the list this year was Partner Bradley R. Hightower (Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law). In addition, the following partners are being recognized for consistently achieving Best Lawyers rankings for the past five to 30 years: Greer B. Mallette (five years), LaBella S. Alvis (10 years), James B. Carlson (10 years), Edgar M. Elliott IV (10 years), Deborah Alley Smith (10 years), Richard E. Smith (10 years), Daniel D. Sparks (10 years), Sharon D. Stuart (10 years), David B. Walston (10 years), Clarence M. Small Jr. (30 years), and Thomas W. Christian (30 years).

Christian & Small attorneys recognized for 2019 include:

• LaBella S. Alvis – Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
• Bill D. Bensinger – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law; Bankruptcy Litigation
• James B. Carlson – Commercial Litigation; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
• Thomas W. Christian – Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
• Edgar M. Elliott IV – 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” – Transportation Law; Insurance Law; Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
• Retired Judge R.A. "Sonny" Ferguson Jr. – Family Law Arbitration; Family Law Mediation
• Bradley R. Hightower – Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• John W. Johnson II – Insurance Law; Insurance Litigation
• Jonathan W. Macklem – Labor & Employment Litigation
• Greer B. Mallette – Construction Law; Construction Litigation; Real Estate Litigation
• Clarence M. Small Jr. – Arbitration; Mediation; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
• Deborah Alley Smith – Appellate Practice; Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law
• Richard E. Smith – 2019 “Lawyer of the Year”– Construction Litigation; Commercial Litigation; Banking & Finance Litigation
• Daniel D. Sparks – Bankruptcy & Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency & Reorganization Law; Commercial Litigation; Banking & Finance Litigation; Bankruptcy Litigation
• Sharon D. Stuart – Commercial Litigation; Insurance Law; Labor & Employment Litigation; Securities Litigation; Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
• Michael A. Vercher – 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” – Land Use and Zoning Litigation; Insurance Litigation; Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
• David B. Walston – Employment Law - Management; Labor & Employment Litigation

According to its website, Best Lawyers has published its list for over three decades and its recognition “is based entirely on peer review. [Its] methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.” Only one attorney is recognized as the “Lawyer of the Year” for each specialty and location.