Atty. David E. Roth
For more than a decade, I have worked to understand how environmental law impacts my clients. Identifying problems is only a part of what I do; what I most enjoy, and what my clients value, is finding solutions.
Profile Summary
About David E. Roth at a glance
David E. Roth is a foreclosure, litigation, environmental, and energy attorney based in Birmingham, Alabama, practicing at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. Admitted to practice in Alabama, Alabama State Bar Association and New York, New York State Bar Association. Educated at Fordham University (J.D., 1994) and Dartmouth College (—, 1990). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Energy Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Environmental Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Environmental (2026). Serves clients in Birmingham, AL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- For more than a decade, I have worked to understand how environmental law impacts my clients
- Identifying problems is only a part of what I do
- what I most enjoy, and what my clients value, is finding solutions
- For me, practicing law is about helping real people and businesses to succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace
- My early career as a lawyer prepared me to provide effective, commonsense guidance
- I have closed asset purchases, conducted corporate due diligence, and served as de facto general counsel for a manufacturing company
- I have met with company presidents, maintenance supervisors, and CFOs, and learned how they run their businesses
- As an environmental lawyer, I spend as much time on plant floors as I do in seminars
- I like to say I spent my first years learning how to write and talk like a lawyer, and the time since then learning how not to
- I have handled environmental matters across the country—from California to New Jersey, from Wisconsin to New Mexico
- I have advised banks on environmental issues related to foreclosures, drafted waste disposal agreements, reviewed environmental representations and warranties, taken contaminated sites through brownfield programs, negotiated consent decrees with federal and state regulatory agencies, and helped prepare Title V permit applications
- In 2010 alone, I was the primary environmental counsel on transactions totaling more than $1 billion
- I also have significant experience representing corporations and individuals in environmental criminal cases
- In 2004 through 2006, I was part of a team that defended a company in a six-week trial in connection with alleged criminal Clean Water Act violations
- Following a government verdict, the case was appealed to the Eleventh Circuit, which reversed the convictions
- Then, in 2007 through 2009, I helped represent an individual defendant in a closely-watched case in federal court in Missoula, Montana
- At the time, the government described the case as the largest environmental criminal case in United States history
- After more than ten weeks of presenting evidence, the government admitted it could not make a case against my client, and the case against him was dismissed with prejudice
- As for professional recognition and involvement, I am in Best Lawyers in America and Alabama Super Lawyers, served as the Chairman of the Environmental Law Section of the Alabama State Bar, and currently am on the ASTM E1527-05 (Phase I) Task Force
- Additionally, I am a member of the American Bar Association, the Environmental Law Institute, and the Environmental Bankers Association
- I was recently selected Chair of the Environmental, Energy, and Natural Resources Law Committee of the Business Law Section of the ABA, a three-year post I assume in August 2011
- I also write and speak frequently (some of my articles are available in another section of my profile)
- Personally, I was born in New York City, but have a wife and two children with southern accents, know how to cook grits, and make a conscious effort to honk less when I drive
- I am chairman of the board of my local library and served for three years on the board of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival
Practice Areas Explained
David E. Roth's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David E. Roth handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
David E. Roth is one of 12,926 foreclosure attorneys indexed nationally. Browse foreclosure attorneys in Alabama →
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
David E. Roth is one of 409,070 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Alabama →
Environmental attorneys for regulatory compliance, contamination, land use, and natural resource law.
David E. Roth is one of 50,776 environmental attorneys indexed nationally. Browse environmental attorneys in Alabama →
Energy attorneys for oil & gas, renewables, utility regulation, and energy sector transactions.
David E. Roth is one of 32,699 energy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse energy attorneys in Alabama →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Alabama
Practicing law in Alabama. Legal matters in Alabama are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Birmingham are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Alabama state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Alabama brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Alabama courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Alabama attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Birmingham or all attorneys in Alabama.
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