The Alabama Supreme Court has amended Ala. R. Civ. P. 55(b)(2), to provide that a hearing is required on an application or motion for default judgment if the party against whom judgment by default is sought has appeared in the action. The amendment requires written notice of both the application or motion and the hearing … Read More
Christian & Small is pleased to announce that Partners Priscilla K. Williams and Neal D. Moore won a complete defense verdict in a 7-figure personal injury case. In closing argument, the plaintiff asked a federal court jury to award a verdict between $1.2 million and $1.9 million for a seven-level cervical fusion following a rear-end collision … Read More
Christian & Small partner M. Jansen Voss recently represented a national pet supplies retailer before the Alabama Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (ABVME). The retailer is launching a pilot project in Alabama to provide veterinary services at some of its Birmingham-area retail locations. The retailer must have a permit from the ABVME to offer those … Read More
Christian & Small is pleased to share that Christina May Bolin has become a fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel (ACCC), the preeminent association that represents the interests of insurers and policyholders in disputes arising out of insurance policies. The ACCC, established in 2012, is an invitation-only organization of senior lawyers who have … Read More
Over the past few days, I have experimented with an artificial intelligence product from a well-known legal research provider. I ran the product through a number of common litigation tasks. Full disclosure: I’ve been casually reading about AI in the legal field since 2019, but I’m not an expert. In fact, I am an AI … Read More
Christian & Small is pleased to announce that Rachel J. Moore, a partner in the firm’s Birmingham office, has been named a Fellow of the Alabama Law Foundation. Fellows provide leadership and support for the Alabama Foundation’s programs that promote access to justice. No more than 1% of bar members may become Fellows; therefore, the selection … Read More
Jim Pattillo and Gaby Ruiz obtained a complete summary judgment on behalf of their client in the Northern District of Alabama. The plaintiffs claimed their property was stolen by a company they hired to conduct an estate sale prior to moving. The insurer denied the claim and the plaintiffs sued for bad faith. At issue … Read More
Alabama’s new dram shop statute has been heralded for months as a “historic dram shop reform” and a win for the restaurant and hospitality industry. Ostensibly, the new legislation makes it harder to sue restaurants and bars for dram shop claims, thereby lowering the risk of exposure, and in turn, lower dram shop insurance premiums. … Read More
We are pleased to share that Richard E. Smith has been named to the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2023 Best of the Bar. Each year, the Birmingham Business Journal highlights the best and the brightest from Birmingham’s legal scene. These attorneys represent a range of practice groups and help to shape their firms and the Birmingham … Read More
