Practices

Business Litigation
Labor & Employment
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Government & Public Litigation
Energy & Natural Resources
Environmental Litigation and Regulatory Compliance
Workers’ Compensation

Education

J.D., University of Denver School of Law (2000)
B.A., Birmingham-Southern College (1994)

Bar Admissions

Alabama
Mississippi

Courts

U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th and 11th Circuits
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi

P. Andrew ("Andy") Laird, Jr., is a partner at Starnes Davis Florie. He joined the firm in 2000.

Practice

Andy devotes 100% of his practice to litigation.  He enjoys a diverse practice including the areas of alternative dispute resolution, mining liability, workers' compensation, and construction defect litigation.  Andy has also effectively handled civil RICO and Sherman Antitrust claims, ERISA, mineral rights, contract issues, environmental and toxic tort claims, and employment matters.  Andy's experience includes trial and appellate work involving numerous types of claims, including physical and mental injuries and numerous forms of occupational disease claims such as coal workers' pneumoconiosis, hearing loss, and asbestosis. 

Andy is an active member of the American Bar Association, Alabama State Bar, The Mississippi Bar, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, Birmingham Bar Association and Defense Research Institute. He is admitted in all state and federal Courts in Alabama and Mississippi, as well as the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh and Fifth Circuits.

Highlights

* Currently representing a mining company in a matter involving property owners' claims of damage allegedly due to blasting and various mining operations.

* Represented a large property and casualty insurer in Mississippi against claims of fraud, civil RICO and Sherman Antitrust allegations.

* Represented an Alabama Municipality against claims brought by its Mayor and a former Council Member.

* In 2009, obtained a defense verdict in a workers' compensation matter wherein the employee claimed cumulative trauma to the neck.

* In 2009, obtained full summary judgment for two supervisory employees, where plaintiff sought claims pursuant to Alabama's co-employee liability statute.

Community Involvement

Andy is involved in the Birmingham Track Club and attends Trinity United Methodist Church.

Reported Cases

Brooks v. J. C. Penney Life Co., 231 F. Supp. 2d 36 (N.D. Ala. 2002).

Ex parte State of Alabama, 937 So. 2d 56 (Ala. 2006).

Speeches And Publications

* Investigation and Preparation Considerations for Trial - Premises Liability Seminar, Birmingham, Alabama, December 2006.

* Defending Occupational Disease Claims, Workers' Compensation Update, Birmingham, Alabama, August 2003