Atty. William Acker Ratliff
Bill Ratliff’s law practice has been principally in the area of commercial litigation and insurance defense. He now focuses exclusively on alternative dispute resolution, both as a mediator and an arbitrator.
Alternative Dispute Resolution & More Attorney · Serving Birmingham, AL · 45+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About William Acker Ratliff at a Glance
William Acker Ratliff is a Member based in Birmingham, Alabama, practicing at Wallace Jordan Ratliff Brandt Llc. They have 45+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1981. Their practice focuses on real estate, bankruptcy, commercial re, litigation, and insurance. Admitted to practice in Alabama (1981), U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama (1981), U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama (1981), and U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama (1981). Educated at Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., 1981) and University of Alabama (B.S. Corporate, 1978). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of Birmingham and American Bar Associations Alabama State Bar. Serves clients in Birmingham, AL and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Get Legal Help from William Acker Ratliff in Birmingham
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About William Acker Ratliff
- Bill Ratliff’s law practice has been principally in the area of commercial litigation and insurance defense
- He now focuses exclusively on alternative dispute resolution, both as a mediator and an arbitrator
- Bill was one of the first attorneys in the state of Alabama to be approved for appellate mediation appointments
- Bill is a certified mediator with the American Arbitration Association, and he is on the roster for the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution
- A wide variety of trial experience serves Bill well as a mediator and arbitrator
- He has represented individuals, financial institutions, automobile dealerships, manufacturers, construction companies, insurance companies, and other types of corporate clients, as both plaintiffs and defendants, in both state and federal court
- He also has extensive experience representing creditors in workouts and in bankruptcy proceedings under Chapters 7 and 11 of the Bankruptcy Code
- Bill was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1956
- He attended the University of Alabama, and in 1978, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in corporate finance
- Bill attended Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and graduated in 1981
- He worked with the Birmingham firm of Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas & O’Neal until 1988
- At that time, he joined Dale Wallace and Bert Jordan to practice law
- They have been partners or members of the same firm for over 30 years
- Bill is admitted to practice law before all Alabama federal district courts and all Alabama state courts
- He is a member of the Alabama State Bar, the Birmingham Bar Association, and the American Bar Association
Practice Areas Explained
William Acker Ratliff's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases William Acker Ratliff handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Birmingham.
Real Estate Law in Birmingham
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
William Acker Ratliff is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Alabama →
Bankruptcy & Debt in Birmingham
A bankruptcy attorney can help you eliminate debt, stop creditor harassment, and protect your home through Chapter 7 or Chapter 13.
William Acker Ratliff is one of 104,458 bankruptcy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse bankruptcy attorneys in Alabama →
Commercial Real Estate in Birmingham
William Acker Ratliff is one of 15,821 commercial re attorneys indexed nationally. Browse commercial re attorneys in Alabama →
Civil Litigation in Birmingham
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
William Acker Ratliff is one of 450,750 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Alabama →
Insurance Law in Birmingham
Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.
William Acker Ratliff is one of 120,903 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance 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.
Frequently Asked
Common Questions About William Acker Ratliff
Where is William Acker Ratliff's law office located?
What practice areas does William Acker Ratliff handle?
How long has William Acker Ratliff practiced law?
Where did William Acker Ratliff go to law school?
How can I contact William Acker Ratliff for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has William Acker Ratliff received?
Professional Profile
Why Clients in Birmingham Choose William Acker Ratliff
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 William Acker Ratliff's practice in the field of real estate, bankruptcy, commercial re, litigation, and insurance.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
William Acker Ratliff brings 45+ 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, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama, and U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama, William Acker Ratliff can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering real estate, bankruptcy, and commercial re, William Acker Ratliff 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 William Acker Ratliff 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 William Acker Ratliff Handles in Birmingham
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters William Acker Ratliff 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 William Acker Ratliff directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find William Acker Ratliff Online
Prospective clients searching for legal help in Birmingham commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like William Acker Ratliff.
If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with William Acker Ratliff directly.
William Acker Ratliff's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
Awards & Professional Honors
Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
Client Reviews & Ratings — William Acker Ratliff
No reviews yet.