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

Practice

Andy's practice is devoted to litigation and regulatory compliance.  He enjoys a diverse practice including the areas of commercial disputes, mining liability, workers' compensation, and construction defect litigation.  Andy has also effectively handled mineral rights disputes, product liability, 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

* In 2012, obtained full summary judgment on behalf of an employer in an occupational butanol exposure matter.

* In 2012, obtained full dismissal of claims by more than 120 plaintiffs for a distributor defendant in multiple asbestos lawsuits.

* In 2011, obtained full summary judgment on behalf of a mining company in a mining subsidence suit wherein plaintiff claimed damages related to alleged trespass, nuisance, negligence, wantonness, strict liability, intentional infliction of emotional distress and breach of duty to provide subjacent support.

* Successfully defended a coal mining company in Walker County against allegations of nuisance, trespass, negligence, wantonness and breach of duty to provide subjacent support.

* 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.

Honors And Awards

* Andy is currently serving as the Social Media Chair for DRI's Trial Tactics Committee and as the Young Lawyers Liaison for DRI's Workers' Compensation Committee.

* Andy has been named a Rising Star for the state of Alabama by the 2011 and 2012 editions of Alabama Super Lawyers® magazine.

Community Involvement

Andy is involved in the Birmingham Track Club and Cub Scout Pack 95.

Speeches And Publications

* Ethical Issues in Workers' Compensation Cases, Workers' Compensation Hearings: Techniques and Strategies for Success Seminar, Birmingham, Alabama (December 12, 2012).

* Confidentiality of Nurse Case Manager Records, Nurse Case Manager Spring Meeting, Grandview Marriott, Birmingham, Alabama (April, 2012).

* Alabama Workers’ Compensation Update, CLU presentation approved by the Texas Department of Insurance, Des Moines, IA  (March 28, 2012).

* P. Andrew Laird, Jr. & Jeremiah J. Rogers, Homework from a Workers’ Compensation  Lawyer:  Update Your Forms, "Alabama Self-Insurers Association Journal" (Volume 4, Winter 2011).

* "2011 Workers' Compensation Update," Workers' Compensation:  The Settlement Process and Hearings Seminar (December, 2011).

* "Updates in Workers Compensation Law in Alabama and the Work Product Doctrine as it Relates to Investigations by Insurance Claims Adjusters," CLE Seminar approved by the State of Alabama Department of Insurance, Atlanta, Georgia (May, 2011).

* P. Andrew Laird, Jr. & Jeremiah J. Rogers,  Nothing to LOL About: Social Media Issues in the Law, The Voice (March 16, 2011).

* Alabama Supreme Court Upholds $50,000 Retaliatory Discharge Claim in Workers' Compensation Case, Starnes Davis Florie Labor & Employment Bulletin, (March 2011).

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

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

Reported Cases

Brooks v. J. C. Penney Life Ins. Co., 231 F. Supp. 2d 1136 (N.D. Ala. 2002).

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

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