EDUCATION
• UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL OF LAW, Columbia, South Carolina
Juris Doctor (JD) (August '08 - May '11)
Mock Trial Bar, Alumni Ambassador, Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity, Highest Course Grade for Russian Law & Legal System, James L. Petigru Public Interest Law Society Grant recipient, Figg Award finalist for Best Individual Trial Advocate
• HULT INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL, London, United Kingdom
Master of International Business Courses (September '11 – December '11)
North American Innovation Scholarship recipient, Finance Club, Consulting Club
• UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, Columbia, South Carolina
Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (BA), Cum Laude (August '04 - May '08)
President of Student Body, Vice-President of Student Body, Justice of Constitutional Council, President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Greek Man of the Year, Most Outstanding Senior
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
• JAMES T. LAURA, JR. LAW, PC, Fairhope, Alabama
President & CEO (June '19 – Present)
Engage in the practice law as a solo-practitioner representing Plaintiffs in civil litigation matters including single-events, mass torts and contract claims. Cases handled include but are not limited to motor-vehicle collisions, construction defects, products liability, bad-faith insurance claims and medical malpractice actions.
• ALEXANDER SHUNNARAH GULF COAST, LLP, Southeast, United States
Managing Partner (June '14 – June '19)
Charged with expanding the law practice of attorney Alexander Shunnarah outside of Alabama and across the Southeast region of the United States. Opened firm offices in all states contiguous to Alabama including Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Responsible for all operations of the firm including but not limited to, case- and client-management, marketing, human-resources, compliance, and subordinate attorney oversight. Built and operated the firm to generate approximately $3.8 Million in fees during its first full year in operation and approximately $8.2 Million in its second. Thereafter, led the firm to generate approximately $1 Million in fees per month.
• SHUNNARAH INJURY LAWYERS, PC, Mobile, Alabama
Attorney in Charge of South Alabama Operations (January '14 – June '14)
Charged with expanding the firm’s practice into South Alabama by opening, staffing, and managing a firm office in Mobile, Alabama.
• SHUNNARAH INJURY LAWYERS, PC, Birmingham, Alabama
Associate Attorney (September '12 – January '14)
Represented plaintiffs in insurance claims and civil-litigation matters primarily involving single-events such as but not limited to motor-vehicle collisions, premises liability and workers’ compensation. Generated approximately $900,000 in fees for the firm in my first full year of practicing law.
• SHUNNARAH INJURY LAWYERS, PC, Birmingham, Alabama
Clerk to Alexander Shunnarah (May '11 - July '11)
Worked under the direction of Owner and Chief Executive Officer, Alexander Shunnarah. Assisted Mr. Shunnarah with client- and claim-management as well as litigation preparation.
• SOUTH CAROLINA BAR, Columbia, South Carolina
Inaugural Public Interest Fellow (August '10 - April '11)
Placed by the South Carolina Bar to work with the South Carolina Center for Fathers and Families to modify South Carolina’s workforce development system in order to increase access, efficiency, and job creation for low-income noncustodial parents.
• OFFICE OF ANGELA B. COREY, STATE ATTORNEY FOR THE FOURTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA, Jacksonville, Florida
Clerk (May '10 - August '10)
Supported prosecution of accused criminals by assisting State Attorney with case preparations, legal research, memorandum drafting, witness interviews, pre-trial communications, and jury selections.
• LAW OFFICES OF MITCHELL K. BYRD, Greenville, South Carolina
Special Assignment Assistant (May '10)
Drafted legal memorandum regarding potential liability of a firm for its role in a specific land transaction.
• RICHLAND COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER, Columbia, South Carolina
Clerk (September '09 – April '10)
Assisted Public Defender with case preparations, client interviews and legal research.
• BARRETT AND MCNAGNY, LLP, Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Summer Associate (May '09 - August '09)
Worked on a variety of projects for partners and associates of the firm including civil litigation preparation and healthcare client advisement.
• MIDWEST ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH EDUCATION, Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Fellow (May '09 - August '09)
Authored the published work, HIPAA Privacy Rule and Security Standards as Modified by the HITECH Act, after conducting an eight-week study which examined the impact of new legislation on healthcare professionals.
• SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, Columbia, South Carolina
Clerk to General Counsel (January '06 - May '06)
Developed a new dairy production tax incentive for South Carolina dairy farmers and aided in redrafting a proposed South Carolina grain code.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
• TOP 40 UNDER 40 CIVIL PLAINTIFF LAWYERS (2019 & 2020)
Awarded by The National Trial Lawyers
• 10 BEST ATTORNEYS - ALABAMA (2017-2018)
Awarded by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
• BEST ATTORNEYS OF AMERICA (2018, 2019 & 2020)
Awarded for proven excellence in the legal profession
• FACULTY MEMBER & PRESENTER at MASS TORTS MADE PERFECT CONFERENCE (April '17)
Mass Torts Made Perfect is a biannual legal conference held in Las Vegas, Nevada. I was asked to be 1 of approximately 50 speakers during the three-day event at which 450 law firms were represented.
