Alabama is a growing market for commercial development, multifamily housing, industrial projects, and land investment. Whether you are closing a commercial deal, resolving a zoning dispute, or financing a large property portfolio, having the right real estate lawyer on your side is one of the most important decisions you will make.
Alabama is also one of only a handful of states that requires a licensed attorney to certify property title before a transaction can close. According to the Alabama State Bar, this makes the role of a real estate attorney especially critical in every property transaction across the state, from residential purchases to large-scale commercial developments.
Here are seven real estate lawyers in Alabama who stand out for their verified track records, peer-recognized expertise, and consistent rankings from the country’s most trusted legal directories.
1. Dawn Helms Sharff: Commercial Real Estate Partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, Birmingham, AL
Dawn Sharff has been with Bradley Arant since 2005 and previously served as Managing Partner of the firm’s Birmingham office and as a member of the firm’s managing board. She is ranked by Chambers USA in both Banking and Finance and Real Estate for Alabama, and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for Real Estate Law since 2009. Her practice covers commercial real estate transactions, construction loans, and real estate finance across multifamily, student housing, senior living, retail, office, and healthcare sectors. She represented a publicly traded REIT in a $1.9 billion sale/merger and led a $354 million REIT initial public offering.
2. Thomas C. Clark III: Corporate and Transactional Section Leader at Maynard Nexsen P.C., Birmingham, AL
Tom Clark leads Maynard Nexsen’s Corporate and Transactional Section and sits on the Firm’s Board of Directors. Chambers USA has ranked him Band 1 in Real Estate for Alabama for 20 consecutive years, one of the longest individual ranking streaks confirmed for any Alabama real estate attorney. His practice covers acquisitions, development, leasing, finance, and economic incentives across retail shopping centers, multifamily, office, industrial, healthcare, and hospitality sectors. He also advises on opportunity zone investments and represents manufacturing and technology companies on their Alabama real estate needs.
3. Dwight L. Mixson: Commercial Real Estate Finance Partner at Burr & Forman LLP, Birmingham, AL
Dwight Mixson has over 40 years of experience in commercial real estate finance and lending. He graduated Order of the Coif from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1982 and has been recognized by Chambers USA at Band 1 in both Banking and Finance and Real Estate for Alabama for 23 consecutive years, a dual-category achievement that is exceptionally rare. Best Lawyers in America named him Lawyer of the Year in Real Estate Law for Birmingham in 2021. He represented the lead lender in a $150 million syndicated credit facility covering 22 skilled nursing and assisted living facilities across 10 states.
4. T. Michael (Mike) Brown: Real Estate Litigation Team Head at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, Birmingham, AL
Mike Brown has been at Bradley Arant since 1989 and serves as head of the firm’s Real Estate Litigation Team. He is ranked by Chambers USA in Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use for Alabama and has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America continuously since 2010 across Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation: Real Estate, Environmental Law, and Litigation: Land Use and Zoning. Best Lawyers named him Lawyer of the Year in Land Use and Zoning Law for Birmingham four times, in 2016, 2021, 2023, and 2026. He is also an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama School of Law, teaching Land Use Planning, Real Estate Finance, and Development.
5. Jeffrey W. Blitz: Real Estate Shareholder at Rushton, Stakely, Johnston & Garrett P.A., Montgomery, AL
Jeff Blitz has over 35 years of experience representing clients in all facets of commercial and residential real estate, including development, construction financing, leasing, and title issues. Chambers USA has ranked him Band 1 in Real Estate for Alabama, and Best Lawyers in America has recognized him for over 20 years. He holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell held it for more than 25 years, has been included in Alabama Super Lawyers since 2008, and was named Lawyer of the Year in Real Estate for the Montgomery area by Best Lawyers. He previously served as legal counsel to the Alabama Housing Finance Authority.
6. M. Beth O’Neill: Real Estate and Energy Shareholder at Maynard Nexsen P.C., Birmingham, AL
Beth O’Neill has been ranked by Chambers USA in Real Estate for Alabama for 13 consecutive years. She graduated Order of the Coif from the University of Alabama School of Law and received the Hugo L. Black Scholarship. Her practice is unique on this list because it bridges commercial real estate and energy law, covering acquisitions, land use planning, zoning, solar, oil and gas development, mining, timber, and construction contracts. Chambers USA clients describe her as ‘very knowledgeable, direct to the point and quick to solve problems with a high degree of accuracy and professionalism.’
7. James A. Bradford: Real Estate and Commercial Litigation Partner at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, Birmingham, AL
James Bradford has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 2011 across three categories: Commercial Litigation, Litigation: Real Estate, and Real Estate Law, one of the longest multi-category recognition records found among Alabama real estate attorneys. He practices both real estate litigation and transactional real estate work, with a focus on high-stakes property disputes, title matters, development agreement conflicts, and investor claims. He is part of Bradley Arant’s real estate team, which has held a Band 1 ranking from Chambers USA in Alabama for 22 consecutive years.
How to Choose the Right Real Estate Lawyer in Alabama
The seven lawyers on this list cover the full range of real estate legal needs in Alabama. Sharff and Clark are strong choices for complex commercial transactions, fund work, and large-scale development across multiple property sectors. Mixson at Burr and Forman brings unmatched depth in real estate finance and commercial lending, particularly for senior housing and healthcare. Brown is the most credentialed option for real estate litigation, zoning, and land use matters in the state. Blitz stands out as the strongest independent firm choice in Montgomery for commercial deals and title work. O’Neill is the right fit for clients whose real estate matters intersect with energy, natural resources, or solar development. Bradford rounds out the list for clients who need a litigator with both courtroom and transactional real estate experience.
Alabama’s attorney title opinion requirement means you need a real estate lawyer for every property transaction, not just complex ones. That makes choosing someone with the right credentials and experience more important here than in states where attorneys are optional. Every lawyer on this list has earned documented recognition from independent, peer-reviewed ranking systems. That is the standard that matters.
If your real estate matter is important, these are names worth knowing before you move forward.
