Thomas DeBray | Large Headshot | Balch & Bingham
Education
  • The University of Alabama School of Law
    J.D., 2010, John A. Campbell Moot Court Board
  • University of Mississippi
    B.A., History, 2007, cum laude
Bar Admissions
  • Alabama, 2010
About Thomas
Q&A
  • What type of matters do you work on most often?

    I work most often on property damage or dispute and Fair Debt Collection Practices Act cases.

  • What do you find most exciting about your work?

    I love the competition inherent in litigation.  Although many cases eventually settle by mutual agreement, the underlying premise remains—you will beat them, or they will beat you.  I very much prefer the former.

  • Which Courts or agencies do you most often appear before on behalf of your clients?
  • How are you involved in your community?

Select Matters

  • Property damage litigation: Obtained verdict at trial in favor of the client in an action concerning a single motor vehicle accident that caused damage to the client’s utility pole and related equipment. (2011, Alabama Power Company v. Stanfield; et al.)
  • Breach of contract and agency liability lawsuit: Secured summary judgment in favor of the client in an action concerning the financing of a residential heating and cooling unit. (2012, Lanier v. Alabama Power Company)
  • Breach of contract lawsuit: Obtained verdict at trial in favor of the client in a case arising out of the unsuccessful purchase of a vintage American muscle car, a 1970 Ford Mustang Mach I. (2012, Bedgood v. McCary)
  • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act litigation: Secured dismissal of the plaintiff’s lawsuit alleging that the client violated the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.  (2013, Bandy v. Midland Funding, LLC)
  • Personal injury lawsuit: Secured summary judgment in favor of the client in a personal injury case arising out of an alleged incident involving a utility pole guy wire.  (2014, Meloni v. Alabama Power Company)
  • Property damage litigation: Obtained summary judgment in favor of the plaintiff-client in an action stemming from an incident that damaged the client’s underground power line. (2014, Alabama Power Company v. Pinpoint Locating, Inc.)  
  • Federal Copyright Act lawsuit: Secured summary judgment, and affirmance on appeal, in favor of the clients in a copyright infringement case concerning artistic renderings of home plans. (2015, Karlson v. Red Door Homes, LLC; et al.)
  • Property damage litigation: Obtained verdict at trial in favor of the plaintiff-client in an action seeking the entry of a permanent injunction against the defendant regarding his unauthorized encroachments on the client’s real property. (2016, Alabama Power Company v. Mims)
  • Fair Debt Collection Practices Act litigation: Secured summary judgment in favor of the client in a lawsuit alleging federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and related state law claims. (2017, Hamilton v. Midland Funding, LLC)
  • Breach of contract lawsuit: Obtained verdict at trial in favor of the client in a case arising out of the lease of a commercial moving truck. (2019, Autow NationaLease of Alabama, LLC v. American Eagle Moving and Transport, LLC)

News

    Speaking Engagements

      Credentials

      Education
      • The University of Alabama School of Law, J.D., 2010, John A. Campbell Moot Court Board
      • University of Mississippi, B.A., History, 2007, cum laude
      Courts
      • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 2012
      • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama, 2012
      • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama, 2012
      • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama, 2011
      Bar Admissions
      • Alabama, 2010
      Professional Affiliations
      • American Bar Association
      • Alabama State Bar
      • Birmingham Bar Association
      • Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
      Awards & Accolades
      • Benchmark Litigation, Under 40 Hot List, 2018 -present
      • The Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch
      • Mid-South Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2016 - present
      • Birmingham Business Journal, Rising Star Lawyer, 2015
      • Birmingham Project Corporate Leadership, class of 2015 - 2016
      Community Involvement
      • Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders’ and Exhibitors’ Association
      • Walking Horse Association of Alabama