Our Team Members

Johnathan F. Austin

President

Johnathan brings more than two decades of experience as a business owner and entrepreneur. He is a former Executive Director at the Center for Urban Missions, Chief Executive Officer at New City Center, former owner of RAMP Industries, and current CEO of Fitz, LLC, a management consulting firm.

Clinton Richardson

President-Elect

Clinton has received numerous accolades. He has been a regular on the Mid-South Super Lawyers Rising Stars list, received the Alabama State Bar’s President’s Award for his work on a virtual summit about implicit bias in the criminal justice system in 2022, and was a finalist for the Montgomery Volunteer Lawyers Program Lawyer of the Year Award in 2014.

Law is personal for Clinton. His great-grandmother passed away at the age of 104. Years previously, she had paid for a pre-burial contract, believing it would cover all her burial needs when the time came. However, the day before her funeral, the funeral home called his grandmother, demanding a substantial additional payment or they wouldn’t proceed with the funeral. With many family members flying in, his grandmother quickly sent the payment and then called Clinton. He immediately prepared a demand letter, threatening legal action for breach of contract, and sent it to the funeral home that afternoon. The next morning, the funeral home director showed up at his grandmother’s house with a full refund and an apology. It turned out they had been scamming other families in similar ways, taking advantage of people during their time of grief.

He is an active member of the Alabama State Bar, Birmingham Bar Association, Magic City Bar Association and Alabama Lawyers Association.

Clinton enjoys cheering on the Alabama Crimson Tide and is an active member of The Worship Center Christian Church. He is also passionate about education and believes that all doors can be opened with God’s grace and educational advancement. 

Devan L. Byrd

Vice President

Devan’s track record of success in the courtroom is truly impressive:

Served as first chair in multiple trials, securing verdicts in favor of her clients of $450,000 and $1,500,000.

Involved in the prosecution of numerous medical malpractice cases, resulting in a total recovery of over $49,000,000 for clients.

Over the last seven years, Devan has assisted in recovering over $63,000,000 for clients across all practice areas.

These results demonstrate Devan’s skill, dedication, and effectiveness as an advocate for her clients.

Devan is deeply committed to empowering female and minority lawyers in the legal profession. She not only serves as a mentor but also as a vital connector, helping the next generation of minority professionals forge relationships with the right mentors to achieve their dreams. Her dedication to diversity and inclusion is reflected in her work within the firm and her extensive community involvement.

Sidni Smith

Treasurer

Sidni has most recently managed caseloads for two attorneys comprising 75+ active cases mainly in the areas of personal injury—motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, medical malpractice, etc., probate, and employment discrimination. Created physical and digital files to keep cases organized, monitored and updated calendars and deadlines, analyzed medical records and billing records, documented actions and input information into database and case management software, and confirmed case statuses with attorneys.

Jordan Cade

Recording Secretary

Jordan completed a double major in Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Oregon. He went on to earn his law degree from Michigan State University College of Law, where he specialized in Environmental Health. While at MSU, Jordan served as Secretary of the Environmental and Agricultural Law Society, demonstrating his commitment to environmental advocacy.

As one of the youngest attorneys in the country working on the Camp Lejeune Justice cases following the legislation's passage, Jordan has already made significant contributions to his industry. He was voted 2024 Charleston's Best and Brightest Under 35, recognizing his exceptional talent and impact in the community.

Denzel Okinedo

Corresponding Secretary

Denzel is licensed in Alabama and he earned his J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. While obtaining his law degree, Denzel was elected as President of the Student Bar Association, served as a board member of the Black Law Students Association, was a Judge Abraham Caruthers Teaching Fellow, and clerked as a legal extern for the Honorable Abdul K. Kallon in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Additionally, Denzel was a member of Cumberland’s U.S. News top-ranked National Trial Team and the winner of the Judge James O. Haley Federal Trial Competition.

Prior to attending law school, Denzel earned his undergraduate degree from Birmingham-Southern College where he majored in political science with minors in religious studies and human rights & conflict studies. At Birmingham-Southern, Denzel was elected as President of the Student Government Association, was a Ronald & Donne C. Hess Fellow, and was the recipient of the David J. Vann Award in Political Science.

BJ Savage

Parliamentarian

I love public service and serving my community with an air of excellence, professionalism, and kindness. My desire to serve those around me, my legal knowledge and experience, and my willingness and ability to learn new information are my spotlight qualities.

Chris Burrell

Birmingham Bar Foundation Representative

Over the past ten-plus years, Chris built a thriving law practice, primarily handling criminal cases and representing clients in almost half of the state’s 67 counties. He gained invaluable experience in law practice management, negotiations, and trials, winning over 85% of his cases. When he had the opportunity to join Serious Injury Law Group, he knew that his skill set would be a great asset.

Richard Rice

Magic City Bar Representative for the Birmingham Bar Association

Richard joined a political consulting firm as a Canvass Director. In this capacity, he worked to promote democratic and progressive principles by organizing individuals, groups, civic organizations, and other affiliates. In 2009, he founded The Rice Firm, LLC.

Attorney Rice is admitted to practice in the Municipal and State courts of Alabama and U. S. District Federal Court for the Northern District of Alabama. U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Judge Chuck Price

Judicial Relations Committee Chair

Birmingham Municipal Court judge; in private practice; litigation associate/shareholder, Haskell Slaughter Young & Rediker LLC, 2005-2014; law clerk, Alabama Securities Commission, 2004-2005; law clerk, Alabama Supreme Court Justice Bernard Harwood, 2003-2004; member, executive board, Magic City Bar Association, 2014-present; Alabama Super Lawyers Rising Star in Civil Litigation, 2013-present; member, executive board, Alabama Lawyers Association, 2009-present; secretary, National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, 2012-2015; member, Birmingham Bar Association Executive Committee, 2014.