Alfred has practiced with Starnes since 1998 and is on the firm’s Executive Committee.
Alfred is an experienced trial lawyer, litigator, and counselor, and he excels at assisting clients to address and solve legal challenges. Alfred’s practice has been devoted to representing and defending employers, businesses, professionals, and governmental entities in civil litigation primarily in the areas of employment discrimination, wage and hour, complex litigation, commercial disputes, product liability, legal malpractice, governmental liability, and wrongful death/catastrophic injury. He has represented public and private entities in both federal and state courts, agency proceedings, and arbitrations. Alfred has defended manufacturers, restaurants, universities, financial institutions, municipalities, insurers, retailers, and professionals among his clients. He also provides training and counseling for employers.
Alfred is a trained mediator and is on the Panel of Neutrals for the Northern District of Alabama.
Professional Recognition
- Listed in Best Lawyers in America® for Labor & Employment Litigation
- Named “Litigation Star” in Benchmark Litigation
- Top Leading Litigator by Chambers USA
- Litigation Counsel of America Trial Lawyer Honorary
- Appointed Chair of the Employment Law Committee of the International Association of Defense Counsel
Community Involvement
Alfred is an active member of his church, serving in the worship ministry, the photography ministry, and technical arts ministry.
Alfred currently serves on the board of the HUB Community Development Corporation, which is a church-affiliated entity whose mission is to develop dynamic neighborhoods, revitalize communities and improve the quality of life for residents in Jefferson County, Alabama. He formerly served as President of the Board of Directors for a church-affiliated daycare.
Alfred has served as an adjunct professor of Trial Advocacy at the University of Alabama School of Law. He has also served as President of the Band Boosters organization at Spain Park High School and as a member of the scholarship committee of the Magic City Bar Association.
Highlights
- Eleventh Circuit affirmed summary judgment in favor of a national retailer where the plaintiff claimed an alleged defect in the threshold of a doorway caused her injuries.
- Obtained defense verdict in a federal jury trial in favor of a store owner where a customer alleged the premises were unreasonably dangerous due to the manner in which a heavy box was shelved.
- Obtained defense verdict in a federal jury trial in federal court in favor of a city in a case involving allegation of gender discrimination in promotion.
- Eleventh Circuit affirmed dismissal of FLSA and state law claims and grant of summary judgment as to Rehabilitation Act claim asserted by former city employee.
- Obtained arbitration ruling in favor of manufacturer employer on former employee’s claim that his termination was in violation of collective bargaining agreement.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of city, Mayor, Fire Chief and Fire Captain in claim asserted by firefighter alleging violation of his First Amendment rights when he was suspended for social media posts.
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of employer in claims asserted by former employee under the Family Medical Leave Act, in which employee alleged the employer interfered with his rights under the FMLA and retaliated against him by terminating under an attendance policy for absences that the employee claimed should have been covered/excused by the FMLA.
Presentations and Publications
- Algorithmic Bias: The Law’s Newest Frontier and How it Affects Litigation and Your Firm, International Association of Defense Council (IADC) Midyear Meeting, February 28, 2019
- Prognostications into the Future of HR under a Trump Administration, Birmingham Society for Human Resource Management, December 14, 2016
- The Impact of HR Investigations on Litigation, November 1, 2016
- Social Media and Employment Law, University of Alabama’s Employment Law Update CLE, December 17, 2015
- Professionally Interacting with Alabama’s Courts – Practical Advice for the New Lawyer, CLE Sponsored by Circuit Court Judges Eugene R. Verin and Annetta H. Verin, and the Alabama Lawyers Association, June 20, 2014
- Individual Capacity Claims Against Government Employees, National Business Institute Seminar, Legal Issues Involving Local Governments, July 30, 2013
- Lessons Learned from Mock Depositions, HR Counsel Meeting, Ashville, NC, April 20, 2013
- Employer’s Liability for Workplace Violence, Managing Violence in the Workplace Seminar, Samford University, April 12, 2013
- Common Liability Issues, Police Liability Seminar, October 2011
News & Insights
- SDF L&E News Alert: Employers Can No Longer Force Employees To Arbitrate Sexual Assault/Harassment Claims
- Biden-Harris Administration Issues Emergency Regulation Requiring COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers
- OSHA Issues Vaccine Mandate: Common Questions on OSHA’s Large Employer Vaccine Mandate
- STARNES RANKED AS A “HIGHLY RECOMMENDED FIRM” IN THE 2022 EDITION OF BENCHMARK LITIGATION
- COVID-19 Is Once Again Changing The Employment Landscape: Are You Keeping Up?
- 29 SDF ATTORNEYS LISTED IN BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA 2022
- L&E News Alert: Biden’s Executive Order & the Effect on Non-Competes
- L&E News Alert: Alabama Unemployment (UI) Fraud and Abuse
- STARNES DAVIS FLORIE RANKED A TOP FIRM BY CHAMBERS USA 2021
- Starnes Ranked as a “Highly Recommended Firm” in the 2021 Edition of Benchmark Litigation
- The Families First Coronavirus Response Act Set to Expire in 2021
- Alabama Employers Are Now Required to Notify Separated Employees About Potential Unemployment Benefits
- SDF Attorneys Perkins and Whillock Obtain Defense Verdict for Fortune 500 Company
- Twenty-Six SDF Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2021
- Employment News Alert: Supreme Court Rules Title VII Protects LGBTQ Employees From Discrimination
- The Impact of OSHA’s Revised Guidance on Reporting & Recording for Non-Healthcare Employers
- Should Employers Issue Travel Authorization Letters or Other Documentation to Employees?
- FFCRA Poster & Guidance Now Available From DOL
- COVID-19 PREMISES ALERT FOR BUSINESS AND PROPERTY OWNERS
- Coronavirus Sick Leave & School Closing Leave Policy
Fun Facts
Alfred served as Attorney General of the Mississippi State University Student Association. He was also elected a Senator of the MSU SA. During his time at MSU, Alfred was a member the Road Runners (student recruiters), Black Voices Gospel Choir, and the Famous Maroon Band (trombone), as well as held part-time jobs as a Resident Assistant, Library Assistant and Campus Telephone Operator.
Alfred was initiated into Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. at Mississippi State University. He remains a proud and active member of the fraternity through a Birmingham graduate chapter.
While at the University of Alabama School of law, Alfred served for 3 years on its Honor Court.
