Ansley Platt Bennett
Bennett Law, Owner and Attorney
What would you like to tell someone about Birmingham who’s never been here?
Birmingham is the best “big” little city! We have all the things big cities have- amazing food, exceptional entertainment, great nightlife, and nearby hiking and outdoor activities, but without all the traffic and negative things you can experience in a big city. It also maintains the “small town” feel. You’ll never meet a stranger!
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Last fall of 2024, I, along with phenomenal co-counsel, obtained the first “not guilty” in a criminal trial that the Judge had gotten in his court room in his entire 25 years on the bench. The client was charged with multiple felonies and looking at spending the rest of his life in prison. After trial and our cross examination of the victim and multiple witnesses, the jury could not find that our client had committed the acts beyond a reasonable doubt.
What would you like to see happen to attract young professionals to Birmingham?
I think having better transportation to and from downtown and making downtown Birmingham as safe as possible would attract more young professionals. We are so lucky to have such amazing restaurants and bars downtown, but I think we could improve upon making downtown more attractive for young people to live in. Most young people I know are still living in the suburbs. That being said, I like that Birmingham has not blown up in population, like a Nashville, for example. It’s part of that small town feel.
McKenzie Cox
Crittenden Partners, Associate Attorney
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
On a professional level, I’m proud to have earned my law degree and license to practice, and to now be an advocate for those navigating complex, deeply personal legal matters. I work with the best people on their worst day, when everything that matters most is uncertain: their children, their home, their finances, their future. I love that this work challenges me every day, both intellectually and interpersonally, and allows me to help people in a meaningful way.
What would you like to tell someone about Birmingham who’s never been here?
I think Birmingham strikes a rare balance: it offers the amenities of a big city, such as diverse dining, craft breweries, arts, entertainment, and sports, while maintaining a small-town feel where neighborhoods and community truly matter. It’s a city where genuine Southern hospitality meets a flourishing food scene, beautiful parks, and an increasingly vibrant downtown. Whether you are drawn to art, music, outdoor activities, or simply good food and friendly faces, Birmingham offers a unique blend of tradition and modern energy that makes it feel like home to many.
What would you like to see happen to attract young professionals to Birmingham?
I would love to see Birmingham further develop its performing arts scene. Bringing Broadway-caliber productions to Birmingham on a consistent basis could create a cultural scene that can compete with larger cities while remaining accessible and hassle-free. Birmingham still feels like a hidden gem, and with thoughtful investments in the arts, culture, and community amenities, Birmingham has the potential to become a destination for young professionals looking for a dynamic yet grounded place to call home.
Rhett Owens
Bodewell Legal Group, Co-Founder and Shareholder
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Personally, the relationships I have with my wife, Gunter, and our children, Helen and Charlie. Professionally, I am so thankful that the Lord gave me the opportunity and courage to leave “Big Law” and start Bodewell. It was not an easy decision, and we were all drinking from a fire hose when we opened the firm, but now that we’ve settled into a groove, I feel so blessed to be able to serve my own clients on my terms. I told someone the other day that it almost worries me how much I love my job—like, I need to get some new hobbies.
What would you like to tell someone about Birmingham who’s never been here?
If Birmingham had a river or was near any significant body of water, it would have triple the population because that is just about its only material drawback. This city has so many incredible things to see and do. Fantastic restaurants, world class museums, beautiful outdoor spaces, great golf courses, and most of the things you want in a big city without a lot of the downside.
What would you like to see happen to attract young professionals to Birmingham?
Obviously, we have to get control of crime. We not only need more cops but we also need to treat the cops we have better. We need to pay police officers more, incentivize them to develop relationships with the citizens in the neighborhoods they serve and empower them to take steps to eradicate the seeds of violent crime. So where do we get the money to treat our police officers better? We get the money by creating incentives for businesses to operate in Birmingham and by committing the resources of our city government to attracting new businesses to the downtown and surrounding areas. Protection of our most vulnerable citizens and promoting our city’s business community can be intertwined objectives, especially when you realize that the latter can provide the money to fund the former.
Margot Blaire Woolverton
Scott Dukes & Geisler, PC, Associate Attorney
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship with Black Warrior Riverkeeper, a local non-profit committed to protecting the Birmingham area’s water for the sake of public health, wildlife, habitat, and recreation. I grew up spending time at my family’s cabin on the Black Warrior River, and I recently got engaged there. I started volunteering with Black Warrior Riverkeeper in high school. I continued my volunteer efforts there while in college at Birmingham-Southern, and later at The University of Alabama School of Law as an intern and while serving as treasurer of the Environmental Law Society.
What would you like to tell someone about Birmingham who’s never been here?
Birmingham is definitely known for its rich civil rights history and award-winning food scene. However, if someone has never been to Birmingham, I would tell them that Birmingham also has a world-class and growing network of walking, running, and biking trails. The Red Rock Trail System is a network of trails, parks, bike lanes, and sidewalks in Jefferson County. The Red Rock Trail System will eventually span 750 miles and connect communities throughout the County.
In addition to the Red Rock Trail System, Birmingham is also home to one of the nation’s largest urban parks with Red Mountain Park located just west of downtown. Red Mountain Park features fifteen miles of well-maintained hiking trails, numerous historic mining sites, and several excellent overlooks of the City. As an avid runner, I can assure any newcomer that Brimingham has some of the most accessible, unique, and well-maintained urban trails in the country.
What would you like to see happen to attract young professionals to Birmingham?
Birmingham already has so much to offer young professionals with its rich and diverse culture, amazing food scene, and varied industries. I think continued emphasis on improving the walkability of downtown would help attract young professionals to Birmingham. Enhanced green infrastructure and more green spaces would support local businesses and create safe spaces for all members of the greater Birmingham community to enjoy. In addition, the convenience of walking supports community, sustainability, and physical activity. As Birmingham continues to improve its walkability through the Red Rock Trail System and other efforts, young professionals will be more attracted to our City.
Tyerra M. Henderson
Petway French & Ford, Associate Attorney
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
The accomplishment that I am most proud of is transitioning from a Deputy District Attorney to a plaintiff’s attorney. My experience as a prosecutor has helped me to zealously advocate for my clients both inside and outside of the courtroom. In such a short time I’ve learned that while the verbiage, burden of proof, and end goals differ between criminal and civil law, the tenacity, compassion, and hard work that it takes is the same across the board. As a plaintiff’s attorney, I have been recognized by the National Black Lawyers Association as a Top 40 Under 40 Black Lawyer in the state of Alabama an honor that I take great pride in.
What would you like to tell someone about Birmingham who’s never been here?
What I would like to tell someone about Birmingham who has never been here is that Birmingham is vastly growing with endless possibilities for young professionals and that there are many opportunities here if you take advantage of them. As a young lawyer in Birmingham, I have seen firsthand how the legal community here embraces and invests in its young professionals. Birmingham is filled with talented and skilled professionals who are willing to reach back and mentor those coming after them.
What would you like to see happen to attract young professionals to Birmingham?
Continuing to focus on enhancing the things that attract young professionals such as career development, economic opportunities, social and cultural amenities, entrepreneurship, and an enhanced quality of life. More job opportunities and competitive salaries would make Birmingham more attractive to local and out of state professionals.
Curtis Seal, Lisha Graham, Lana Bell, Jack Neal
GNSB, LLC
What is something that sets GNSB apart from other law firms in Birmingham?
Our boutique and highly personalized structure. Clients work directly with our attorneys who are invested in clients’ successes. You are not passed off to layers of associates, case managers, or intake workers. It’s a hands-on approach that allows us to craft tailored legal strategies while maintaining open, responsive, and honest communication. At GNSB, we combine big firm capabilities with small firm attentiveness to not just deliver results, but trust.
What would you like to tell someone about Birmingham who’s never been here?
Birmingham is a city built on connection. It’s a place where community matters, where neighbors know each other, and where local businesses are supported like family. Whether you’re at the farmer’s market in Pepper Place, any of the great local bars, breweries, or restaurants, or working with a nonprofit, there’s a spirit of collaboration and pride that’s genuine. The opening of our law firm is the perfect example: despite being in a competitive career, we have been received with open arms and have already expanded our professional and referral network in just mere months. If you’re looking for a real, supportive community, Birmingham is where you’ll find it.
What would you like to see happen to attract young professionals to Birmingham?
Birmingham already has the foundation to be a magnet for young professionals. The city’s proximity to great schools and universities contributes to that. But what is needed now is more visibility and support for the opportunities that exist, so that people see Birmingham as a place to build community, have fun, grow and put down roots. The reality is that there is room and support here to make an impact in your career. We’ve felt that and relied on that in starting GNSB. Pair that with an affordable cost of living, access to mentorship, and a welcoming professional community, Birmingham becomes a place to grow, not just work.
Johnathan F. Austin
Attorney, Austin Law, P.C., 2025 President, the Magic City Bar Association
Clinton Richardson
Principal (Mass Torts), Beasley Allen Law, President-Elect, Magic City Bar Association
Devan L. Byrd
Attorney Byrd Firm, PLLC Vice President, Magic City Bar Association
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
In 2025, the Magic City Bar Association was recognized as Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham’s Community Partner of the Year, marking a year of meaningful service and growth. The organization set a $150,000 goal to support law students across Alabama and strengthen its sustainability. That same year, MCBA celebrated the appointment of the Honorable Bill Wayne Lewis Jr. to the Alabama Supreme Court before a standing-room-only crowd and nearly tripled attendance at its annual Clerks’ Reception. Beyond the courtroom, MCBA supported students through two events: one providing school supplies for 444 second graders and another offering 200 haircuts and lunches for students to start the school year confidently.
What would you like to tell someone about Birmingham who’s never been here?
Birmingham hums with history and momentum, where every courthouse, mural, and steel beam carries a story. For a lawyer, it’s sacred ground. The steps of the federal building once echoed with the voices of those who challenged segregation and reshaped American justice. Yet Birmingham isn’t bound by its past; it’s alive with innovation. Young attorneys mentor students, entrepreneurs reclaim old foundries, and neighborhoods rise with grit and grace. Here, justice isn’t theoretical; it’s lived, argued, and rebuilt, one case, one cause, one community at a time.
What would you like to see happen to attract young professionals to Birmingham?
Create visible pathways for leadership early, invest in livable neighborhoods near culture and green space, and connect civic, legal, and tech sectors in ways that feel natural and inspiring. Birmingham doesn’t need to imitate bigger cities; together, we can amplify its authenticity, the rhythm of a place where you can build a career, grow a family, make an impact, and still recognize the skyline as home. To make that vision real, the Magic City Bar Association offers complimentary membership to first-year lawyers, helping them build relationships and community within the profession. Join us and call Birmingham home.
Ethan Hiatt
Edge Lawyers, Partner
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Outside my legal practice, I am most proud of commitment to civic engagement in the Birmingham community through my involvement with various organizations I deeply admire. I previously served as Vice President for the Junior Board for Smile-A-Mile and currently serve on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. I am also honored to be Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the McNew Project – a Birmingham based Non-Profit funding life-changing research. Each of these organizations has provided me with a unique outlook on fundraising and non-profit work within our community.
What would you like to tell someone about Birmingham who’s never been here?
Birmingham has all the amenities and benefits of cities like Atlanta and Nashville without any of the drawbacks of “big city” living. Highway 280 notwithstanding, Birmingham is easy to navigate and most of its populated suburbs are mere minutes from downtown. Our food scene rivals any city in the South, our arts and culture are thriving and our neighborhoods each have their own unique character. Beyond that, Birmingham is full of people who care deeply about their community and are working every day to make it better. Recent developments like the Coca-Cola Amphitheatre and innovative food and music festivals have only amplified Birmingham’s charm.
What would you like to see happen to attract young professionals to Birmingham?
As someone who has built my career here, I know how powerful relationships can be in shaping opportunities. I’d love to see Birmingham continue investing in vibrant, walkable neighborhoods, innovative workspaces, and a diverse mix of arts, entertainment, and dining options. But just as important, we need to create more intentional spaces for connection — mentorship programs, networking events, and professional organizations that bring people together. When young professionals can easily meet, collaborate, and learn from one another, they’re far more likely to put down roots and see Birmingham as a place to grow both personally and professionally.
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