JAMES F. HUGHEY, JR. is Of Counsel to the firm.  His practice relates primarily to corporate and securities transactions and general representation of business entities, including wealth preservation planning for business owners and executives.  He has extensive experience advising both private and publicly held companies regarding corporate governance matters, business planning, mergers and acquisitions, compliance with federal and state securities laws and general corporate matters. 

Representative Experience

• • Representation of Compass Bancshares, Inc., in connection with $9.6 billion 2007 sale of Compass to Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. for a combination of cash and stock.
  • Representation of Board of Directors of Compass Bancshares, Inc. (NASDQ) on a continuing basis, including proxy fight with former executive and acquisition of banks in Florida, Alabama and Texas.
  • Representation of State of Alabama and various state agencies in negotiations with Mercedes Benz resulting in location of first automotive manufacturing plant in Alabama.
  • Representation of Vesta Insurance Group (NYSE) in connection with its acquisition of American Founders Financial Corporation.
  • Representation of a Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Winslow Furniture (NASDQ) in leverage management buy-out valued at approximately $280,000,000.
  • Representation of Stockham Valves & Fittings in the sale of its valve business to Crane Corporation involving approximately $60,000,000 in transferred assets located in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
  • Representation of Birmingham Steel Corporation (NYSE) in connection with the formation of a production joint venture with Ivaco and the subsequent acquisition of over $100,000,000 of mini-mill and melt shop facilities.
  • Representation of Birmingham Steel Corporation (NYSE) in connection with the formation of a production joint venture with Ivaco and the subsequent acquisition of over $100,000,000 of mini-mill and melt shop facilities.
  • Representation of Vesta Insurance Group (NYSE) in initial public offering of shares of subsidiary Affirmative Holdings, Inc. in July of 2004.
  • Representation of Vesta Insurance Group (NYSE) in connection with contested election of Board of Directors at 2005 annual meeting.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business and in Alabama Super Lawyers
  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • Alabama Law Foundation, Fellow
  • Former Member, Alabama Board of Bar Examiners, Business Organization
  • Alabama Law Institute, Member, Business Entities Committee

NEWS

RECENT PUBLICATIONS