Balch & Bingham Elevates Six Attorneys to Partner

Balch & Bingham is pleased to announce the elevation of six attorneys to the firm’s partnership, effective January 1, 2026. The new partners include Sara Alexander from the firm’s Jackson, Miss. office, Alison Geter from the firm’s Gulfport, Miss. office, James Dawkins, Claire Johnson and Sloane Phillips from the firm’s Birmingham, Ala. office, and Jena Lombard from the firm’s Augusta, Ga. office. 

“The elevation to partnership for Sara, James, Alison, Claire, Jena, and Sloane each represents years of dedication, professional growth and outstanding service to clients,” said Stan Blanton, managing partner of Balch & Bingham. “They embody the values and culture that define our firm, and each has demonstrated the judgment and work ethic required to lead at the highest level. We look forward to their continued contributions and leadership.”

Learn More About Our Newest Attorneys Elevated to Partner:

Sara Alexander | Corporate & Commercial, Jackson
Sara focuses on the development and financing of complex real estate transactions, primarily affordable housing and economic development. As counsel to the state’s housing finance agency, she works frequently with developers utilizing low-income housing tax credits in addition to other funding sources such as HOME Funds, HTF Funds, and other subsidies. Sara also has extensive experience in administering and assisting clients with the administration of complex grant programs. 

Sara is a member of the Jackson Young Lawyers Association and the International Legal Honor Society of Phi Delta Phi. 

James T. Dawkins IV | Litigation, Birmingham
James is a versatile litigator who represents clients in complex commercial disputes, construction defect matters and intellectual property cases. He combines technical knowledge with the trial experience of a former federal prosecutor, providing strategic guidance in both the courtroom and the boardroom. His construction practice includes representing owners and contractors in large-scale disputes, including securing an eight figure arbitration award, while his IP practice focuses on patent strategy and enforcement, including defending clients against non-practicing entities and advising on licensing and assignments. He is a registered patent attorney before the USPTO.

James began his legal career as an active-duty JAG in the U.S. Air Force, prosecuting complex criminal cases and serving as primary legal officer. He continues to serve in the Air Force Reserve as Deputy Staff Judge Advocate for the 908th Flying Training Wing and is a member of DRI, the American Bar Association, and the Birmingham Bar Association.

Alison Geter | Litigation, Gulfport
Alison represents a wide variety of clients in all aspects of civil litigation, ranging from simple tort disputes, complicated breach of contract matters, statutory violations, nationwide environmental claims, and everything in between. She has extensive experience with the procedural and discovery aspects of litigation, as well as significant experience in complex e-discovery matters, and she excels in persuasively presenting clients’ arguments to the Court. From the initial demand letter through the conclusion of the appellate process, Alison focuses on clients' business goals.

An active member of the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Division, Alison is Vice Chair of the Business Litigation and Litigation and Trial Practice Committees. She is also a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, Harrison County Bar Association and Mississippi Bar Young Lawyers Division. 

Claire Johnson | Environmental & Natural Resources, Birmingham
Claire counsels clients navigating environmental regulatory compliance issues, environmental permitting, and environmental litigation on both the state and federal level. She routinely works with power cooperatives and large power companies, and their trade groups, on nationwide on Clean Air Act (CAA) matters, including rulemaking comments and appellate rulemaking challenges, and New Source Review and Title V issues. She has experience representing clients on CAA matters in front of the D.C. Circuit, Fifth Circuit, and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals. She also has significant experience working on Clean Water Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, CERCLA, and PFAS-related issues.

Claire serves as Chair of the Environmental Law Section of the Alabama State Bar and has helped plan, and spoken at, the Section’s annual conference for several years. She is also an active member of the Birmingham Environmental Professionals Association. She has served her community through the Junior League of Birmingham and is the Past President of the Freshwater Land Trust Junior Board, which conserves land and builds accessible trails throughout Central Alabama.

Jena Lombard | Litigation, Augusta
Jena has a diverse litigation practice, with particular experience in casualty and personal injury claims, including medical malpractice, products liability, and electrical contact cases. Jena also represents companies in complex commercial disputes. Jena is also an experienced appellate lawyer having argued cases before the Supreme Court of Georgia and Georgia Court of Appeals. 

Jena is an active member of the Georgia Bar Association, and of the Women’s Energy Network, previously serving as Director at Large. 

Sloane Phillips | Litigation, Birmingham
Sloane has a diverse civil litigation practice focusing on construction, commercial, and spent nuclear fuel matters. She represents public utilities, private corporations, and higher education institutions in complex disputes, including multi-million-dollar claims against the federal government, wrongful death actions, and construction payment disputes. Sloane also serves as outside counsel for universities on a wide range of business, constitutional, and governmental litigation.

Sloane is an active member of the Alabama Bar Association; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, including its Women in the Law Committee; and the Birmingham Bar Association. She serves her community through volunteer work with The Service Guild of Birmingham, which supports The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs.