Atty. Michael D. "Mike" Waters

Atty. Michael D. "Mike" Waters

Michael Waters is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses on issues facing banks, financial institutions, and other financial-services entities.

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Profile Summary

About Michael D. "Mike" Waters at a glance

Michael D. "Mike" Waters is a business attorney based in Birmingham, Alabama, practicing at Jones Walker Llp. Admitted to practice in Alabama, Alabama and District of Columbia, District of Columbia. Educated at The University of Alabama (JD, 1977) and University of Oxford (MA, 1975). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Banking and Finance Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Financial Services Regulation Law (2026). Serands clients in Birmingham, AL and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Michael Waters is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group
  • He focuses on issues facing banks, financial institutions, and other financial-services entities
  • Mike has practiced corporate and securities law, primarily in the financial institutions area, for more than 30 years
  • He routinely represents banks, bank holding companies, and other financial entities in acquisitions, capital raising transactions, SEC and shareholder issues, new bank formations, and board fiduciary duty issues
  • He has advised buyers and sellers in approximately 110 bank mergers and acquisitions, ranging from small community banks to the acquisition of a $34 billion holding company
  • Mike also advises banks regarding regulatory issues, examinations, compliance, and enforcement proceedings
  • Since 1994, Mike has served as an adjunct professor of law at The University of Alabama School of Law, where he taught banking law for 20 years and currently teaches corporate mergers and acquisitions
  • He speaks frequently at seminars and has written numerous law review articles on banking and securities
  • He is the author of Proxy Regulation, published in 1992 by the Practising Law Institute
  • Mike served as legal advisor to Governor Fob James of Alabama from January 1979 to July 1980

Practice Areas Explained

Michael D. "Mike" Waters's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael D. "Mike" Waters handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Michael D. "Mike" Waters is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business 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 andnue, 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.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Michael D. "Mike" Waters

Where is Michael D. "Mike" Waters's law office located?
Michael D. "Mike" Waters's law practice is located in Birmingham, Alabama. The firm is Jones Walker Llp. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Michael D. "Mike" Waters handle?
Michael D. "Mike" Waters focuses on business. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Alabama.
Where did Michael D. "Mike" Waters go to law school?
Michael D. "Mike" Waters earned their education at (JD, 1977); (MA, 1975); (BA, 1972).
How can I contact Michael D. "Mike" Waters for a consultation?
You can contact Michael D. "Mike" Waters directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Michael D. "Mike" Waters received?
Michael D. "Mike" Waters's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Banking and Finance Law; Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law; Best Lawyers in America — Financial Services Regulation Law; Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:; Best Lawyers in America — Secured Transactions.

Education

JD
The University of Alabama
- 1977
MA
University of Oxford
- 1975
BA
Duke University
- 1972

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Banking and Finance Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Corporate Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Financial Services Regulation Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Secured Transactions
- 2026

Bar Admissions

Alabama, Alabama
District of Columbia, District of Columbia

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