“My practice is built on a belief that there’s no such thing as being over prepared for my clients.”
Overview
Al Teel litigates a variety of disputes including those involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death, commercial motor vehicle accidents, products liability, premises liability, Carmack Amendment claims, property damage, insurance coverage, and employment-related claims. He represents Class I and short-line railroads in suits brought under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act, FRSA whistleblower claims, trespasser injuries, property damage claims, and other third-party injuries. He is also experienced in regulatory compliance for trucking companies under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and for issues affecting the rapidly evolving logistics industry.
A perfectionist day in and day out, Al makes a living pursuing what will place his clients in the most favorable position possible. With a passion for defending others’ interests, Al leaves no doubt to the effort being made on behalf of his clients who deal with a broad range of legal issues within the transportation, maritime, logistics, and manufacturing industries. Al enjoys being out in the field and getting to know the people that make up the companies he has the privilege to represent in court. Al’s friendliness and naturally collaborative approach allow him to successfully serve his clients on a basis of mutual respect.
When away from work, Al and his wife Elizabeth are passionate college football fans and love to spend time exploring Birmingham with their two young sons, James and George. Al is also extremely active in the Birmingham Bar Association, where his peers voted and elected him as President of the Young Lawyers Section in 2021.
Al earned his J.D. from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and his B.A. from the University of Alabama.
Experience
- Obtained defense verdict for Class I railroad in jury trial in Colbert County, Alabama on FELA hearing loss claim
- Obtained major victory in winning summary judgment in favor of transportation client and driver on claims for wantonness (dismissing punitive damages), negligent hiring and training, and negligent entrustment
- Drafted appellate and amicus briefs for the Supreme Court of Alabama and Alabama Court of Civil Appeals on FELA claims
- Obtained defense verdict in bench trial in favor of premises owner on negligence, wantonness, and AEMLD claims
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of premises owner on sealed package doctrine
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of premises owner in slip and fall case
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of Class I railroad on borrowed servant doctrine
- Obtained dismissal for parent company of major short-line railroad company
- Litigated numerous cases on behalf of employers and co-employees facing negligence, wantonness, AEMLD, anti-retaliation whistleblower, and workers' compensation claims
Honors & Recognitions
- Mid-South Super Lawyers "Rising Star," Transportation/Maritime since 2019
Newsroom
News
Speaking Engagements
Events
Articles
Professional & Community
Civic Activities
- Birmingham Rotaract Club
- Parishioner, St. Francis Xavier
- Birmingham Business Alliance’s “On Board Birmingham," Inaugural Member
Professional Activities
- Birmingham Bar Association, Young Lawyers Section, Executive Committee Member (2017-2018); Vice President, Social (2019); President-Elect (2020); President (2021)
- National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
- Transportation Lawyers Association
Paralegal/Assistant
Legal Practice Assistant
Teresa Shell
(205) 458-5104
tshell@burr.com