Four veteran finance and real estate attorneys join Waller in Birmingham

January, 2020 - Nashville, Tennessee

Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP announced today that four prominent Birmingham attorneys – Jesse S. Vogtle, Jr., Randolph H. Lanier, Eric T. Ray and Paul H. Greenwood – have joined Waller’s Birmingham office as partners. They previously practiced at Balch & Bingham, LLP.

“It’s very exciting to welcome these accomplished attorneys,” said Waller partner Larry Childs who joined the firm when it opened its Birmingham office in 2005. “Growing our capabilities and depth in Birmingham is a key priority for the firm, and this is a great way to start 2020.”

“Financial services and real estate are areas of strategic focus for Waller, and we are committed to expanding and strengthening the services we can provide our clients,” said Waller chair Matt Burnstein.
“Jesse, Randy, Eric and Paul are well-known for their experience in bankruptcy, restructuring, litigation, real estate and financial services matters throughout the country.”

Vogtle has multiple areas of financial experience, including assistance to financial institutions and creditors in complex commercial bankruptcy matters and civil litigation and providing advice to banks on core bank operating contracts and vendor agreements. His practice also includes advising public entities on creation and development of industrial parks and economic development of those parks.

He has litigated and protected the interests of clients in state and federal courts across the country, and his experience also includes advocating on behalf of clients in arbitration, mediation, and multi-party financial disputes. Vogtle represents clients ranging from national, regional and community banks, to universities, public entities, medical research facilities, real estate developers, commercial landlords, and private equity and venture funds. Vogtle is recognized for his bankruptcy experience by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. He earned his J.D. in 1988 from the University of Alabama School of Law and received his B.S. in 1985 from the University of Alabama. Vogtle served as chairman of the board of directors of the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, the Birmingham Zoo, and corporate chairman of the Maestro’s Ball benefiting the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. He presently serves as first vice president of the Alabama Wildlife Federation. He was elected director emeritus of the Birmingham Zoo in 2017. Vogtle is a graduate of Leadership Birmingham and Leadership Alabama.

Lanier has more than 35 years of experience providing counsel on complex commercial finance transactions and development projects in more than 25 states and the District of Columbia. His experience includes office buildings, warehouses and industrial sites, retail and hospitality, condominiums, multi-family, recreational facilities and planned unit developments. Lanier is recognized for his experience by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. Lanier earned his J.D. in 1974 from Vanderbilt University Law School and received his B.S. in 1971 from the University of Alabama.

Ray represents financial institutions, lenders, utilities and other creditors in chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, adversary proceedings and other types of commercial litigation. His experience includes all facets of creditor representation including preference and fraudulent transfer litigation, executory contract issues, asset sales and purchases, and bankruptcy appellate proceedings. Ray also advises clients on issues related to the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act. He is recognized in Chambers USA and Best Lawyers for his bankruptcy, restructuring and commercial litigation experience. Ray earned his J.D., cum laude, in 1998 from the University of Mississippi School of Law. He received his B.S. in 1996 from Auburn University.

Greenwood represents lenders with commercial real estate projects, construction loans, and other transactional matters. He also represents clients facing bankruptcy disputes, litigation, loan workouts, restructuring, and complex real estate issues. Greenwood is recognized in Best Lawyers in the categories of Banking and Finance Law and Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Law. In 2017 he served as the Chair of the Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section of the Birmingham Bar Association. He earned his J.D., cum laude, in 2006 from Cumberland School of Law. He received his B.S. in 1997 from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

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