Burr & Forman announces the election of eight attorneys to partnership, effective January 1st. The new partners include Rachel Cocciolo, Lindsey Cochran, Robert Neilson, Mike Rich, Adam Smart, Sara Solano, Catherine Spann, and John Wall.

“I am pleased to welcome these outstanding lawyers as Burr & Forman’s newest partner class,” said Ed Christian, CEO. “These individuals are not only excellent lawyers, they are firm-minded professionals and enjoyable colleagues. The future is bright for our firm.”

The new partner class consists of attorneys from Burr's Birmingham, Columbia, Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, and Mobile offices, who specialize in six practice areas: General Commercial Litigation, Creditors' Rights and Bankruptcy, Lending, Government Relations, Financial Services, and Construction.

Birmingham, AL

• Lindsey Cochran is a member of the Lending practice group. Lindsey Cochran centers her practice on real estate lending work, focusing on representing lenders in commercial loan transactions. She has also represented borrowers and real estate developers in loan transactions, and she has been involved in real estate development.

Columbia, SC

• John Wall is a member of the firm’s Government Relations practice group, where he assists a diverse group of domestic and international clients with economic development advice and government affairs representation at the local and state levels.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL

• Sara Solano is a member of the firm's Financial Services Litigation practice group. She represents clients in a broad range of civil litigation in state and federal courts, such as contract disputes, collections, and statutory issues.

Jacksonville, FL

• Rachel Cocciolo is a member of the General Commercial Litigation practice group. She represents individuals and businesses in complex civil litigation cases, including commercial loans, contracts, personal injury, and real estate disputes.

• Robert Neilson is a member of the Creditors' Rights & Bankruptcy practice group. Robert's practice includes representing various financial institutions, creditors, and other parties in all aspects of loan modifications and restructuring, commercial and residential foreclosures, enforcement of security interests, domestic and foreign judgments, and creditors' rights litigation.

• Adam Smart is a member of the General Commercial Litigation practice group. He represents individuals and businesses in complex, high-stakes civil litigation cases, including fraud, RICO, and trade secret claims, as well as contract and real estate disputes.

Mobile, AL

• Mike Rich is a member of the firm's Construction practice group. He helps clients avoid and resolve breaches of contracts, prime and subcontractor disputes, employment disputes, and other conflicts, particularly those relating to government entities and contractors.

• Catherine Spann is a member of the firm's General Commercial Litigation practice group. Catherine focuses on complex personal injury, insurance, construction, transportation, product liability, business tort, and commercial litigation.