Atty. Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton
Tom Dutton is one of the founding partners of the Pittman, Dutton, & Hellums firm. He was born in Birmingham, Alabama and attended college at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1973.
Commercial Litigation & More Attorney · Serving Birmingham, AL · 50+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton at a Glance
Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton is a medical malpractice, personal injury, business, product liability, and litigation attorney based in Birmingham, Alabama, practicing at Pittman, Dutton, Hellums, Bradley & Mann PC. They have 50+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1976. Admitted to practice in Alabama (1976) and Mississippi (1977). Educated at Samford University (J.D., 1976) and University of Alabama - Birmingham (—, 1973). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs (2026). Serves clients in Birmingham, AL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton
- Tom Dutton is one of the founding partners of the Pittman, Dutton, & Hellums firm
- He was born in Birmingham, Alabama and attended college at the University of Alabama at Birmingham where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 1973
- He earned his J.D
- Degree with honors (cum laude) in 1976 from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and was admitted to practice law in the State of Alabama in 1976 and the State of Mississippi in 1977
- Tom is admitted to practice before the Alabama Supreme Court, the 11th Circuit U.S
- Court of Appeals as well as the United States District Courts
- He is a member of the Alabama Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, Birmingham Bar Association, Alabama Association for Justice and American Association for Justice
- His published legal works include Potential Tort Liability of Alabama Law Enforcement Officials 7 Cumberland Law Review 107, 1976 as well as Representing the Victim of Medical Malpractice Alabama Trial Lawyers Association Journal, 1983
- He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for over ten years
- The selection process is based upon an exhaustive, detailed evaluation including peer review surveys
- Best Lawyers has been regarded by both the profession and the public as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States
- Tom has also been selected to Alabama Super Lawyers every year since 2008
- Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement
- The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations
- In May of 2011, Tom was recognized by the American Registry as a Top Attorney in Alabama
- Since May of 2012, he has been named among America’s Most Honored Professionals
- Only ten percent of recognized professionals qualify for the honor
- It is a cross industry recognition, which means he ranked among the top CEO’s, doctors, lawyers, local business owners, and Internet entrepreneurs of America
- He is listed in The Circle of Excellence
- In 2014, he entered the top five percent and in 2015, he was recognized in the top one percent of America’s Most Honored Professionals
- Since 1987, Tom has consistently received the highest possible professional rating from the most knowledgeable critics
- The AV® Preeminent™ rating is the pinnacle of excellence earned through a strenuous Peer Review Rating™ process that is managed and monitored by the world’s most trusted legal resource – Martindale-Hubbell®
- Additionally, he has been listed as one of Birmingham’s Top Lawyers in both The Birmingham Magazine and B-Metro, The Magazine of Birmingham Living
- In 2013, he was selected by Martindale-Hubbell™ as a ‘2013 Top Rated Lawyer in Health Care’
Practice Areas Explained
Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Birmingham.
Medical Malpractice in Birmingham
Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.
Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton is one of 48,593 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in Alabama →
Personal Injury in Birmingham
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Alabama →
Business & Corporate Law in Birmingham
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Alabama →
Product Liability in Birmingham
Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton is one of 65,610 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in Alabama →
Civil Litigation in Birmingham
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Alabama →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Birmingham
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.
Birmingham Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Birmingham-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Alabama attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Birmingham or all attorneys in Alabama.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Birmingham Choose Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton's practice in the field of medical malpractice, personal injury, business, product liability, and litigation.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton brings 50+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Alabama and Mississippi, Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering medical malpractice, personal injury, and business, Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Birmingham
A Birmingham-based practice means Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton Handles in Birmingham
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton has experience with under Alabama law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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Thomas E. "Tom" Dutton's Practice Areas & Specializations
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