Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that well known economic development attorney Alex B. Leath has joined the firm as a partner in the Birmingham office. Arriving with him are three associates: David H. Cooper, Jr.; Charles B. “Trey” Hill III; and Matthew A. Hinshaw. Mr. Leath and his colleagues will serve as members of the firm’s Economic Development and Incentives Group and State and Local Tax Practice Group. They are formerly of Balch & Bingham LLP in Birmingham, where Mr. Leath was head of the Economic Development/Taxation Practice Group.
These additions continue Bradley Arant Boult Cummings’ strong strategic growth over the past year, during which more than 60 attorneys have joined.
“We are pleased to welcome Alex and his colleagues to Bradley Arant Boult Cummings,” said Firm Chairman Beau Grenier. “They are an excellent addition to our existing economic development team, which is an area of strategic focus for us as a firm.”
“We believe the combination of Alex’s group with ours is a very positive move in our ongoing objective to be a market leader in economic development in Alabama, Tennessee, and the Southeast,” said J. Thomas Trent, Jr., who chairs the firm’s Economic Development and Incentives Group. “We are excited about their joining us and think this will be a real asset for our clients.”
Mr. Leath has played a significant role in numerous economic development projects in the Southeastern United States over the last two decades. Recently, he advised Volkswagen Group of America on the site selection process for the company’s U.S. manufacturing headquarters. His representation on this matter included implementation of the project incentives and other work related to tax, corporate, real estate, and environmental permitting issues.
“We are pleased to join Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, which boasts a thriving and well-respected economic development team,” said Mr. Leath. “This move was a natural next step for our practice, and we look forward to working with such a talented group of attorneys and serving the firm’s clients.”
Mr. Leath earned his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law and his L.L.M. in taxation from New York University School of Law. He also has a B.A. from Wake Forest University. He is a member of the Economic Development Association of Alabama and the Mississippi Economic Development Council.
David H. Cooper, Jr.’s practice focuses on economic development and incentive package structuring as well as the representation of public and private companies in connection with various corporate matters and transactions. He holds a J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law and a B.S. from Auburn University.
Charles B. “Trey” Hill III focuses his practice on obtaining economic development incentives for emerging businesses as well as transactional and tax matters. He holds an L.L.M. (Taxation) from New York University School of Law, a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law, and a B.S. from Auburn University.
Matthew A. Hinshaw advises clients regarding economic development incentive package structuring and negotiation, as well as on general corporate and tax matters. He holds a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law and a B.S. from Auburn University.
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings offers a broad range of services through its State and Local Tax Practice Group and Economic Development and Incentives Group. Drawing from the firm’s other areas of strength, including real estate, finance, and government relations, attorneys in these groups work closely together to advise clients on the various state and local tax and financial benefits associated with expansion, relocation, research, hiring and other business expenditures. Southern Business & Development magazine selected Bradley Arant Boult Cummings as one of the top economic development law firms in Alabama and Tennessee, and the firm also recently was named to “Trade Allies: The Best Economic Development Service Providers in the South.”