THE SCOOP
Burr & Forman LLP is a Birmingham based firm with century
old roots in the Southeast. Over the past 100 years, this
full-service firm has grown to almost 300 attorneys with offices in
five states--Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and
Tennessee--and nine cities. Burr's footprint extends beyond its
office location. Its attorneys are licensed in 20 states and the
District of Columbia, and the firm has representation in all 50
states.
Taking a Stand
At the turn of the 20th Century, Birmingham, Alabama was earning
the nickname "Magic City," and Walker Percy and Augustus Benners
were making some magic of their own. In 1905, the attorneys formed
the partnership of Percy and Benners. The two would soon be joined
by Borden Burr, in 1909, lending his much needed trial expertise to
the firm.
Burr proved to be a formidable trial lawyer, defending the
Alabama Power Company against accusations that the company was
responsible for malaria in Shelby County. Burr dismantled one of
the plaintiff's star witnesses, finding the experience to be one of
his most thrilling in the court room.
Members of the firm continued to speak their mind. In 1949,
Benner drafted "The Great Papers," criticizing print media's use of
paper mills because the mills polluted the Coosa River. Burr &
Forman proved to be ahead of its time on other issues as well.
During the 1950's, the firm advised the University of Alabama that
the school would not be able to maintain segregation.
Although the name of the firm has changed over the past century,
adopting its current moniker in 1986, its commitment to quality
legal service has not wavered.
Health is Wealth
In addition to flexing its muscle in the healthcare, life,
health & disability, and ERISA arenas and representing big name
healthcare providers like Behavioral Health Systems, Inc.,
BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama, and CareSouth Health System, Inc.,
Burr takes pride in the health of its employees as well.
In 2013, for the second year in a row, Burr's flagship office
was named "Healthiest Employer" by the Birmingham Business
Journal. The Orlando Business Journal also took note
of the firm's Sunshine State office, naming Burr "Healthiest
Employer" for 2013 in the Orlando area.
The firm began a wellness initiative in 2008, and has been
working hard ever since to encourage its employees to live a
healthy lifestyle. The firm boasts a wellness committee that puts
together several wellness initiatives each year such as biometric
health screenings, online health coaching, smoking cessation
programs, and flu shots for employees and their spouses. The firm
also offers its employees healthy lunch and snack options as well
as access to fitness equipment. Burr's efforts are not going
unnoticed, over 80 percent of the firm's workforce participates in
at least one initiative.