William "Lee" Thuston

Lee is the former Chairman and Managing Partner of Burr & Forman. He practices in the Corporate/Tax practice group where he focuses on economic development, business, and succession planning, and tax law.

A driving force behind Alabama’s economic development, Lee has played a large role in some of the State’s major manufacturing deals which include serving as Alabama Counsel during the site selection and negotiation processes for Mercedes-Benz U.S. International, Inc.; Mi-Tech Steel, Inc.; Kronospan; IPSCO Steel and ThyssenKrupp when these companies chose to locate their facilities in Alabama. Lee and his partner Warren C. Matthews assisted Kia Motors with the site selection and incentives negotiation for its automobile manufacturing plan in West Point, GA. His experience in the automotive industry also involves assisting Honda Manufacturing of Alabama with the implementation of its incentives package with the State for the development of its plant in Lincoln, AL, as well as assisting Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, LLC with the implementation of its incentive package with the State for the development of its plant in Montgomery, AL. He represented Honda in the establishment of its transmission manufacturing facility in Tallapoosa, GA in 2004. Additionally, Lee was instrumental in boosting the State’s profile in the aerospace industry by working with public and private entities to create a desirable environment – legally, tax-wise, economically, and socially – to attract Airbus to build a manufacturing facility in Mobile, AL.

Lee wanted to become a lawyer after discovering his passion for serving clients. With a long-storied career of representing clients across the Southeast, Lee still finds the variety of each case, and the opportunity to be a trusted business advisor for his long-term manufacturing, automotive, and transportation clients, rewarding. With a focus on the firm’s overall approach, Lee puts much of his effort into leading by example and bringing out the best in others. Considering himself a fixer, he continually strives to solve impossible problems and to show his clients how well the law can work for them through his efforts.

When away from work, Lee enjoys spending time with his five grandchildren, hunting, and fishing.

Lee earned his LL.M. in Taxation from New York University, his J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and his B.A. from University of Virginia. 

• Named, Chambers USA, "Senior Statesperson" in Corporate/Commercial (2024)
• Named, Chambers USA, "Eminent Practitioner" in Corporate/Commercial (2018-2023)
• Named, Chambers USA, Leading Practitioner in Corporate/Commercial (2003-2018)
• Birmingham Business Journal, "CEO of the Year," Large Company Category (2015)
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: Corporate Law since 2006; Economic Development Law since 2011; Mergers and Acquisitions Law since 2022
• Listed in The Best Lawyers in America®: "Lawyer of the Year" in Economic Development Law (2015, 2021, 2025); Corporate Law (2023)
• 2010 Distinguishes Alumnus Award from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University
• Lifetime Achievement Award, Alabama Wildlife Federation Conservation (2015)
• Mid-South Super Lawyers, Business/Corporate (2016-2018)
• Alabama Super Lawyers, Business/Corporate (2008-2015)
• Birmingham Business Journal, "Most Influential Executives," Named to the list for his role in some of Alabama's largest economic development success stories (2014)

• Board of Directors and past Board President, O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center, 
• Board of Directors and past Board President, Alabama Wildlife Federation
• Board of Directors and past Board President, Girls Incorporated of Central Alabama
• National Board Member, Girls Incorporated (2002-2006)
• Leadership Alabama Class of XIX

• American Bar Association
• Alabama State Bar
• Tennessee Bar Association
• Birmingham Bar Association, President - 2005
• Alabama Automotive Manufacturers Association, Board of Directors
• Birmingham Business Alliance, Executive Committee
• Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, Corporate Secretary
• Fellow of the College of Law Practice Management
• Fellows of the American Bar Foundation
• Fellows of the Alabama Law Foundation
• Fellows of the Birmingham Bar Foundation

Legal Practice Assistant

Michele Acton
(205) 458-5156
macton@burr.com