Richard represents businesses and professionals in trials and appeals and in investigations and administrative proceedings involving federal and state regulatory agencies.
Over three decades, he has defended clients in matters presenting substantial risks to their continued business or professional viability.
Richard has also obtained millions of dollars in value for plaintiffs and counterclaimants in bad faith, fraud, data security breach, contract, and laboratory research negligence cases; obtained an injunction protecting a rare wetlands ecosystem for a university; and secured, pro bono publico, the release from federal prison of an individual incarcerated for 30 years for a non-violent crime.
In addition to his work in Alabama, he has litigated in Mississippi, Oklahoma, and South Carolina; addressed regulatory matters in Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and Washington, D.C.; and represented clients in investigations originating in Washington, D.C., New York, and Detroit, Michigan.
Before law school, Richard was a university English instructor and a technical writer for a software company. His focus in law practice remains clear and effective communication of answers to complex questions.
Professional Recognition
- AV-Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
- Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America Trial Lawyer Honorary
- Top Leading Litigator by Chambers USA
- Best Lawyers in America®—Litigation-Environmental, Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law, and Natural Resources. In addition, Best Lawyers in America® has named Richard Davis the “Birmingham Natural Resources Law Lawyer of the Year” for 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2024.
- Mid-South Super Lawyers
- Chair, Birmingham Bar Association Federal Practice Section (2015-2016)
- Chair, Alabama State Bar Environmental Law Section (2010-2011)
- Editor-in-Chief, Cumberland Law Review (1988-1989)
Community Involvement
- Volunteer, Northern District of Alabama Pro Bono Counsel for Unrepresented Indigent Parties in Civil Cases
- Two pending pro bono representations in cases of wrongful conviction or “over-sentencing”
- Member, Friends of Rickwood Field (America’s Oldest Baseball Park, 1910)
Highlights
- False Claims Act: Representing asphalt and construction companies against allegations of fraud and whistleblower retaliation pertaining to paving of a highway and an airfield; already obtained dismissal of 4 individual defendants.
- Environmental/Natural Resources/Land Use: Representing county commission as plaintiff in effort to protect free-flowing Halawakee Creek (National Rivers Inventory: “outstanding remarkable values”), its watershed, local water supply, and ecological habitat from potential catastrophic impacts by a proposed granite quarry.
- Environmental: Defending a city waterworks and sewer board and individual board members in a putative class action regarding PFAS and related chemicals released into the Tennessee River by upstream manufacturers.
- Environmental: Defending two water works and sewer boards in two state enforcement cases and one CWA citizen suit regarding sanitary sewer overflows (“SSOs”) and permit non-compliance.
- Commercial Fraud/RICO: Defending corporation, CEO, and CFO in federal lawsuit by customer alleging breach of contract, fraud, and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) Act violations and damages of $370,836,753.
- Environmental/Commercial: representing recycling and transport service companies in federal-lead and state civil enforcement proceeding after successful representation in federal criminal investigation of hazardous waste disposal practices (no charges filed); represented same companies in fraud and contract litigation against disposal site owner and obtained judgment of $929,478.
- False Claims Act: represented or currently representing numerous healthcare providers—including medical doctors, a psychiatrist, a psychologist, nursing homes, physician practices, pharmacies, therapy and rehabilitation providers, and a hospice—in False Claims, Anti-Kickback, and other investigations with claims totaling over $10,000,000.
Presentations and Publications
- “Surprise! You May Be an Environmental Criminal: Recognizing the Quagmire as a Prerequisite to Managing Risk, Manufacture Alabama Environmental Conference (November 16, 2016) (presentation)
- “Working with Environmental Experts in Litigation, Regulation, and Transactions,” 25th Annual Southern Environmental Law & Regulation Conference (June 10, 2016, Destin, Florida)(presentation)
- “Healthcare Audits and Investigations as Pathways to Criminal and Civil Liabilities for Providers,” Etowah County Medical Group Management Association (October 20, 2015) (presentation)
- “Strategic Legal Risk Management—Contingency Planning to Avoid or Mitigate Legal Crises,” “Investigations—Internal and Governmental,” and “What Accountants Should Know About White Collar Crime,” Alabama Society of Certified Public Accountants (August 13, 2015; August 31, 2015) (presentations)
News & Insights
- SDF’s Davis, Eagan & Ezelle Named Best Lawyers “2024 Lawyer of the Year”
- 30 Starnes Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2024
- Starnes Davis Florie Ranked a Top Law Firm by Chambers USA 2023
- SDF’s Richard Davis & Brittney Claud Obtain Favorable Judgment for Family Physician in Medicare Overpayment/Recoupment Case
- 16 Starnes Attorneys Listed in the 2022 Edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers
- 30 SDF ATTORNEYS LISTED IN BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA 2023
- STARNES DAVIS FLORIE RANKED A TOP FIRM BY CHAMBERS USA 2022
- US Department of Labor Announces Enforcement, Effort for Focused Inspections in Hospitals, Nursing Care Facilities Treating COVID-19 Patients
- TWENTY-TWO ATTORNEYS NAMED TO THE 2021 EDITION OF MID-SOUTH SUPER LAWYERS
- DOJ Announces Renewed, Enhanced Focus on Corporate Crime
- 29 SDF ATTORNEYS LISTED IN BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA 2022
- OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard for Healthcare Workers
- STARNES DAVIS FLORIE RANKED A TOP FIRM BY CHAMBERS USA 2021
- OSHA’s National Emphasis Program – COVID-19
- Biden’s OSHA and the Likelihood of More COVID-19 Regulation
- Corporate Transparency Act Requires Identification of Owners and Control of Shell Companies and Imposes Civil and Criminal Liability for Non-Compliance
- Twenty-Six Attorneys Named to the 2020 Edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers
- Criminal Consequences for Failed OSHA Compliance
- Twenty-Six SDF Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2021
- Richard Davis, Joe Miller & Christian Hines Named Best Lawyers”2021 Lawyer of the Year”