Overview

Christian & Small is a multi‐disciplinary regional law firm with a global perspective. Our attorneys serve individuals and established regional, national, and international companies, as well as emerging businesses. Clients rely on Christian & Small for innovative legal services that reflect a deep understanding of the law and their businesses. Our firm is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, with additional offices in metro-Jackson, Mississippi, and the Alabama Gulf Coast, providing a strategic geographic base from which to serve clients on a statewide basis and throughout the Southeast. Greer B. Mallette serves as managing partner.
Founded:
1936
Size:
39
Magnifying glass with star icon
Practice Areas:
64
Person outline with Best Lawyers logo
Best Lawyers Recognized:
23

Rankings

National

Tier
3
National Ranking
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants

Regional

Birmingham

Tier
1
Birmingham
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
Birmingham
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier
1
Birmingham
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Birmingham
Construction Law
Tier
1
Birmingham
Family Law Mediation
Tier
1
Birmingham
Insurance Law

Firm Leadership

Highlighted Client Comments

These featured testimonials reflect a sampling of client experiences. As every legal matter is unique—comments are personal opinions, not guarantees of future results.
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Christian & Small is seasoned and highly effective; very tuned in to the local judiciary and bar.
Lisa Stephenson
CRST International
Transportation Law
Christian & Small is simply the best. Their experience and advocacy is second to none.
Lisa Stephenson
CRST International
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Christian & Small provides a great value for the quality of work received. Responsiveness is key for my business, and the attorneys, specifically Bradley Hightower, are extremely responsive.
Jonathan Schlact
Debt Acquisitions LLC
Transportation Law
I have used Christian & Small's services a number of times in the past. They are and will remain my first choice in my selection of an attorney in their areas of practice.
Harry Kimball
River Valley Fleet Safety Consulting
Transportation Law
My experience with the lawyers at Christian & Small is very positive. I worked with the firm on several matters while general counsel of a large transportation and logistics company, and the lawyers at Christian & Small were all very responsive in their interaction with me and very well versed in the subject matter and handling of the issues in which I sought their guidance.
Eric Baker
Frost Brown Todd LLC
Insurance Law
I have worked with the firm Christian & Small since its creation and have always been highly satisfied with their quality work.
Joseph Schleppi
Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company
Employment Law - Management
Richard Smith at Christian & Small has handled a variety of cases for our company ranging from defending insurance claims to employment disputes to criminal referrals. Richard is knowledgeable, down-to-earth, and does his best to keep costs down. Richard, along with his partners and associates at Christian & Small, has always been a pleasure to work with.
 
Family Law Mediation
Retired Judge RA Ferguson is a skilled mediator, with considerable experience and insight. I recommend him highly.
Sara Senesac
Sara J. Senesac Attorney at Law
Employment Law - Management
Christian & Small has an excellent reputation and provides excellent advice. I would recommend them to any company.
 
Commercial Litigation
David Faulkner of Christian & Small has a broad civil trial practice that includes premises liability, products liability, commercial transportation and trucking, personal injury, insurance, fraud and business and commercial litigation. He has experience defending major retailers, large and small transportation companies, various product manufacturers and retailers, and liability and health insurers.
David Benck
General Counsel – Hibbett Sporting Goods, Inc.
Commercial Litigation
Christian & Small is excellent, professional, friendly and very easy to work with.
Marion Spina
Spina Marketing
Transportation Law
I have used the attorneys at Christian & Small for several transportation cases and have found their work product and professionalism over and above the standard.
Harry Kimball
River Valley Fleet Safety Consulting
Insurance Law
Christian & Small does excellent work in a highly professional manner at a fair price. They have extensive knowledge of the various Courts all over Alabama which adds more value to the work they perform.
 

Rankings

National

Tier
3
National Ranking
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants

Regional

Birmingham

Tier
1
Birmingham
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
1
Birmingham
Bet-the-Company Litigation
Tier
1
Birmingham
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
Birmingham
Construction Law
Tier
1
Birmingham
Family Law Mediation
Tier
1
Birmingham
Insurance Law
Tier
1
Birmingham
Litigation - Banking and Finance
Tier
1
Birmingham
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier
1
Birmingham
Litigation - Construction
Tier
1
Birmingham
Litigation - Insurance
Tier
1
Birmingham
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
1
Birmingham
Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
Tier
1
Birmingham
Litigation - Real Estate
Tier
1
Birmingham
Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
Tier
1
Birmingham
Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
Tier
1
Birmingham
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Tier
1
Birmingham
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Tier
1
Birmingham
Real Estate Law
Tier
2
Birmingham
Appellate Practice
Tier
2
Birmingham
Family Law
Tier
2
Birmingham
Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier
2
Birmingham
Litigation - Health Care
Tier
2
Birmingham
Transportation Law
Tier
3
Birmingham
Arbitration
Tier
3
Birmingham
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
3
Birmingham
Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
Tier
3
Birmingham
Health Care Law
Tier
3
Birmingham
Litigation - Securities

Jackson-MS

Tier
2
Jackson-MS
Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Tier
3
Jackson-MS
Commercial Litigation
Tier
3
Jackson-MS
Litigation - Banking and Finance
Tier
3
Jackson-MS
Litigation - Environmental

Mobile

Tier
1
Mobile
Workers' Compensation Law - Employers
Tier
2
Mobile
Litigation - Insurance
Tier
3
Mobile
Insurance Law

Practice Areas

Christian & Small LLP has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 30 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Appellate Practice
  • Arbitration
  • Aviation Law
  • Bad Faith
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Bankruptcy
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Breach of Contract
  • Business Disputes
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Civil Litigation
  • Class Actions
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Complex Litigation
  • Construction
  • Construction Law
  • Coverage
  • COVID-19
  • Creditors' and Debtors' Rights
  • Electronic Discovery and Information Management Law
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Ethics and Professional Responsibility Law
  • Family Law Arbitration
  • Family Law Mediation
  • Food and Beverage Law
  • Government Relations Practice
  • Health Care Law
  • Information Technology Law
  • Insurance
  • Insurance Law
  • Land Use and Zoning
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants
  • Leisure and Hospitality Law
  • Litigation
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Health Care
  • Litigation - Insurance
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
  • Litigation - Municipal
  • Litigation - Real Estate
  • Litigation - Securities
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
  • Mediation
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants
  • Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law
  • Municipal Law
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
  • Privacy and Data Security Law
  • Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
  • Qui Tam Law
  • Real Estate Law
  • Reinsurance Law
  • Securitization and Structured Finance Law
  • Technology Law
  • Toxic Tort
  • Transportation Law
  • Workers' Compensation Law - Employers
  • Workouts and Restructurings

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Christian & Small LLP proudly has 23 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
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Client Comments

A strong relationship between a client and their law firm is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Open communication, trust, and collaboration ensure that attorneys understand each client’s unique goals and needs. Choosing the right firm means finding a team with the experience, knowledge, and dedication to guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Client comments reflect personal opinions and individual experiences. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Past results and testimonials do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. For personalized legal advice, consult directly with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your specific situation and provide tailored guidance.
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Awards

Christian & Small LLP is honored to be recognized for excellence by Best Law Firms and other leading legal industry organizations. Our rankings and awards reflect the dedication, skill, and results our attorneys deliver across a wide range of practice areas. In addition to our Best Law Firms awards, Christian & Small LLP has earned accolades from respected national and regional publications for outstanding legal service and professional achievement. Explore our awards below to learn more about how Christian & Small LLP continues to set the standard for quality legal representation.
Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers

Offices & Contacts

Birmingham, AL
Financial Center, Suite 1800
505 North 20th Street
Birmingham, AL 35203
United States
Daphne, AL
Jackson, MS
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