Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC

With just over 70 attorneys, Lightfoot, Franklin & White is a litigation boutique with roots in Alabama but a strong reach across the United States. Over the past 35 years, the firm’s lawyers have spent more than 5,060 days at trial.

A Forward-Thinking Trio

Lightfoot was founded in 1990 by Warren Lightfoot, Sam Franklin, and Jere White. The trio joined together to launch a litigation boutique that would follow a different course than a traditional full-service firm. Among the founders’ priorities were diversity, high-quality work, and work-life balance. According to the firm, Lightfoot was “founded on the idea that a litigation-focused firm (being small-firm nimble with big-firm resources) would allow us to better serve our clients and provide a unique experience that sets us apart.”

The lawyers at Lightfoot have impressive backgrounds in the legal field. They have included the former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama; a former Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court (who served on the Court for 20 years); a former Justice of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Palau; and six Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Trial Ready

Lightfoot, Franklin & White has represented a broad range of clients in matters across North America. Its lawyers have handled thousands—literally—of complex litigation matters. The firm’s practice includes commercial disputes, antitrust, securities fraud, and internal investigations. And when it comes to trial work, the firm is a force; in fact, Lightfoot has been named a Top 20 Trial Law Firm by Benchmark Litigation for eight years in a row. The firm is a member of The Trial Network.

Not Boxed In

While some firms require their litigators to focus on one area, Lightfoot encourages its attorneys to gain broad experience. At Lightfoot, attorneys embrace a specialization while also gaining broader experience across areas. The firm notes that this approach makes it more “nimble” and better able to serve its clients’ ever-changing needs.