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LaSheryl Dotch

Since 2021, The Esquiress, LLC has been serving the Mobile area with proven success. We are consistent, patient and professional, giving each new case our undivided attention whilst walking you through each step of the process. With The Esquiress, LLC, you should expect the best. We are a new kind of law firm in a challenging and constantly changing market, where we help our clients overcome their most complex legal issues. We are waiting for your call. Credentials Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration - Auburn University (August 2011) Juris Doctorate - Faulkner University’s Thomas Goode Jones School of Law (May 2015) Legal Masters (LL.M.) in Alternative Dispute Resolution and Trial Advocacy (May 2015) Licensed attorney in Alabama, Texas and Georgia Alabama Notary at Large Registered Mediator on the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution Roster

Leroy Maxwell, Jr.

Leroy has focused his practice on Appellate Litigation, Civil Rights, and Criminal Defense. Leroy has recovered over 30 Million dollars for Personal Injury and Civil Rights clients. He has also been responsible for over 5000 criminal charges being dismissed. 

Prior to founding Maxwell + Tillman, Leroy was a senior civil litigator and criminal defense trial lawyer at one of Birmingham's top firms. Leroy also worked as a Fellow with the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI), based in Montgomery, Alabama, where he assisted EJI in all areas of Appellate Litigation. In addition, Leroy provided legal assistance to the poor and addressed problems caused by unfair criminal justice policies through education, community outreach efforts, litigation, and policy reform. Recently, Leroy was an instrumental member of the legal team who won two landmark United States Supreme Court victories in Jackson v. Hobbs and Miller v. Alabama.

Leroy has experience in both state and federal court, both in and outside of Alabama. He received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University and his law degree from Valparaiso University School of Law. Outside of work, Leroy enjoys watching Alabama football and spending time with his family.

Education

Awards

Kevin Clark

Kevin Clark loves the art of oral advocacy and it shows. Kevin has successfully argued hundreds of motions and tried several jury trials in state and federal courts throughout Alabama and across the country. He is a frequent speaker at national legal conferences and seminars hosted by the Defense Research Institute (DRI), The Trial Network and other legal organizations. He also regularly speaks for local schools and civic organizations, and routinely preaches for churches across the country. Kevin’s legal practice spans a wide variety of civil litigation matters, including catastrophic injury, product liability, toxic torts, medical malpractice, employment discrimination and consumer fraud. Kevin also has significant experience defending clients in class action litigation. In addition to litigating cases, he provides training and consulting services for his employment law clients. Before joining the firm, Kevin clerked for Judge Bernice B. Donald of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. The experience of researching legal issues and writing opinions allowed him to further refine and hone the research and writing skills he developed in law school. Moreover, the opportunity to consult with a federal district court judge about the lawyers appearing before her helped Kevin develop an appreciation for the intangible aspects of persuading judges, communicating with courts and portraying his clients in the most favorable light during litigated disputes. Kevin is a member of the National Black Lawyers Top 100, a national invitation-only professional honorary organization. He also is a Fellow in the American Bar Foundation, the Alabama Law Foundation and the Litigation Counsel of America. In addition to his legal practice, Kevin is active in several national and local legal associations. He has been very involved with DRI, which promotes the interests of the defense bar, and has served on many committees within the organization, including his service as chair of DRI’s Toxic Torts & Environmental Law Committee. Additionally, Kevin is a member of the firm's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. Kevin has also been active in supporting his alma mater. He served on the University of Tennessee Alumni Association’s Board of Governors from 2004-10. He was elected to serve as treasurer for the University of Tennessee Alumni Association (UTAA) for the 2006-07 fiscal year. In addition, he served on the Executive Committee for the UTAA and the UTAA Strategic Planning Steering Committee. Kevin is a proud husband and father of three, including a set of fraternal twins. PRACTICE AREAS Catastrophic Injury Product Liability Automotive Employment Law Medical Malpractice Environmental & Toxic Torts Consumer Fraud & Bad Faith Commercial Litigation Class Actions Professional Liability Appellate EDUCATION Vanderbilt University Law School (J.D.) University of Tennessee (B.S., summa cum laude ) BAR ADMISSIONS Alabama JUDICIAL CLERKSHIPS Judge Bernice B. Donald, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS Alabama Defense Lawyers Association (ADLA) Alabama Law Foundation, Fellow Alabama Lawyers Association American Bar Foundation, Fellow Birmingham Bar Association, Fellow Defense Research Institute (DRI) International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), Member Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow Magic City Bar Association, Parliamentarian (2017) Propane Gas Defense Association, Member University of Tennessee Alumni Association, Treasurer (2006-07); former member of the Executive Committee and Strategic Planning Steering Committee University of Tennessee Alumni Association Board of Governors (2004-10) AWARDS The Best Lawyers in America© by BL Rankings, “Lawyer of the Year” for Birmingham — Tort Litigations/Class Actions (2022) The Best Lawyers in America© by BL Rankings — Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions (2020-22), Product Liability Litigation (2021-22) Alabama Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters — Personal Injury Defense: General, Product Liability Defense (2013-15) Alabama Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, “Rising Star” — Environmental Litigation (2012) Birmingham MS Leadership Class of 2017 Birmingham Times , “Birmingham Lawyers on the Rise” (2018) Mid-South Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters — Product Liability (2016-17) National Black Lawyers Top 100, member

Gavin King

In 2020, Gavin joined Beasley Allen in the firm's Toxic Torts Section. Gavin currently represents a variety of plaintiffs, primarily in environmental litigation.
The Mississippi State University graduate earned a Bachelor of Arts in 2017. During college, Gavin was elected by the student body to serve as Attorney General. After completing his undergraduate education, Gavin attended Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, where he was a member of the National Trial Team, Christian Legal Society, and the Black Law Students Association.
In 2021, Gavin served as lead trial counsel on behalf of the family of Wilcox County, Alabama man who died as a result of the negligence of Camden Nursing Facility. Gavin and a team from Beasley Allen tried the case to a six-figure verdict.
Gavin is a member of the Alabama State Bar and the State Bar of Georgia. He was selected to serve on Alabama State Bar Young Lawyers’ Section Executive Committee. Gavin is a member of the Montgomery County Bar Association, where he serves on the Board for the Young Lawyer’s Section. He is also a member of the Alabama Lawyers’ Association and the Alabama Association for Justice, where he is a member of Emerging Leaders. Gavin serves as an Adjunct Professor at Auburn University at Montgomery.
Gavin is a native of Opelika, Alabama. He is married to the former Erica Williams of Birmingham. They recently adopted their first daughter. The Kings make their home in Montgomery and are active members of Strong Tower Church. Gavin also serves as the Chairperson of the Committee of the Black College World Series. When he’s not working or spending time with his family, Gavin enjoys following sports teams at Mississippi State and Alabama State Universities, and hunting with his bird dog, Judge.

Devan Byrd

Attorney Devan Byrd is a distinguished legal professional who brings a wealth of experience and a passionate commitment to justice to our firm. Born in Florida and raised in Alabama, Devan’s Southern roots inform her approach to law: a combination of determination, a positive attitude, and excellent communication skills that make her a relentless advocate for her clients. As a key member of our litigation team, Devan embodies our firm’s commitment to a collaborative, team-based approach to case management and litigation strategy. Notable Achievements and Case Results Devan’s track record of success in the courtroom is truly impressive: Served as first chair in multiple trials, securing verdicts in favor of her clients of $450,000 and $1,500,000. Involved in the prosecution of numerous medical malpractice cases, resulting in a total recovery of over $49,000,000 for clients. Over the last seven years, Devan has assisted in recovering over $63,000,000 for clients across all practice areas. These results demonstrate Devan’s skill, dedication, and effectiveness as an advocate for her clients. Commitment to Diversity and Mentorship Devan is deeply committed to empowering female and minority lawyers in the legal profession. She not only serves as a mentor but also as a vital connector, helping the next generation of minority professionals forge relationships with the right mentors to achieve their dreams. Her dedication to diversity and inclusion is reflected in her work within the firm and her extensive community involvement. Team Approach to Litigation At our firm, Devan is a key player in our collaborative approach to case management and litigation. She believes that the best outcomes for clients are achieved when diverse perspectives and expertise are brought together. This team-based strategy allows us to leverage the unique strengths of each attorney, ensuring comprehensive and innovative solutions for our clients. Areas of Practice Automobile, Motorcycle, and Truck Accidents Dram Shop Catastrophic Injury Medical Malpractice and Negligence Wrongful Death Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Education J.D., University of Alabama School of Law B.S. in Business Administration, Birmingham-Southern College Bar Admissions Alabama State Bar U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama Professional Affiliations Alabama State Bar Association Alabama Association for Justice Alabama Lawyers Association Birmingham Bar Association Magic City Bar Association The American Association for Justice National Trial Lawyers The National Black Lawyers American Bar Association Leadership Positions Vice President, Alabama State Bar Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee Member, Alabama Association of Justice Emerging Leaders Board, 2018-2021 Awards and Recognitions Best Lawyers – Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, 2025 The National Black Lawyers – Top 40 in Civil Plaintiff Practice, 2023-2024 Super Lawyers – Rising Star, 2022-2024 Birmingham Business Journal NextGen Rising Stars of Law, 2020 B-Metro – Top Women Attorneys, 2022 Community Involvement Devan is deeply committed to giving back to her community and fostering diversity in the legal profession. She serves on the Board of Directors for several impactful organizations: STAIR Birmingham Alabama Head Injury Foundation (AHIF) Alabama Civil Justice Foundation (ACJF) Additionally, she contributes her time and expertise to: The Bell Center (Junior Board) Girls Inc. of Central Alabama (Host Committee for the 2025 Bold Futures Breakfast) Through these roles, Devan actively works to create opportunities for underrepresented groups in the legal field and beyond. Personal Devan’s commitment to self-improvement and helping others extends beyond her professional life. When she’s not practicing law, Devan enjoys spending time with her beloved doodle, Blue, tending to her garden, practicing Pilates, cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide, and exploring new destinations through her love of travel. These pursuits reflect her well-rounded approach to life and her ability to connect with clients from all walks of life. Attorney Byrd’s unique combination of legal acumen, community involvement, and personal dedication to diversity and mentorship makes her an invaluable asset to our firm and a powerful advocate for our clients. Her role in empowering the next generation of legal professionals underscores our firm’s commitment to shaping a more inclusive and dynamic legal landscape.