About J. David Dodd
David Dodd is a partner and president of Scruggs, Dodd & Brisendine, P.A. Since joining the firm in 1991, he has developed a practice spanning business organization, acquisitions, real estate, probate, and civil litigation. He advises business owners, property owners, families, and institutions on transactions and the disputes that can arise from them.
His practice brings together corporate, property, and financial questions that often overlap in a single matter. He works on the organization and acquisition of businesses, the transfer and ownership of real estate, and issues involving deeds, mortgages, and title. His litigation background includes commercial claims, contested property rights, and appellate proceedings involving both private disputes and governmental regulation.
David’s client experience spans manufacturing, automotive businesses, financial institutions, education, utilities, and nonprofit organizations. That breadth informs his work with clients whose legal needs may extend from organizing a business or completing a transaction to addressing a contract dispute, a title problem, or a question about governmental authority.
Practice and experience
Business organization and acquisitions
David advises on the formation and organization of businesses, corporate matters, and acquisitions. His work addresses the agreements, ownership arrangements, and property interests involved in operating and transferring a business, with attention to how those arrangements will function after the transaction.
Real estate closings and title matters
His real estate practice includes closings, deeds, and questions concerning the ownership and transfer of property. He also addresses title and mortgage issues, including problems involving property descriptions, conveyances, and the authority of a business entity to transfer real estate.
Commercial litigation and appellate proceedings
David’s reported matters include contract disputes, claims of interference with business relationships, and contested post-trial discovery. His experience also includes garnishment litigation and appellate review of issues arising from commercial disputes. This work complements his transactional practice with experience examining how agreements and financial obligations are enforced in court.
Property boundaries and ownership disputes
His litigation experience includes boundary and adverse possession disputes, including Gilbreath v. Harbour. These matters require close attention to deeds, surveys, the history of possession, and the use of disputed land. He also has experience in litigation challenging the validity of property transfers.
Probate and family property matters
David advises individuals and families on probate matters. His related litigation experience includes disputes over family property transfers, challenged deeds, and questions about a property owner’s intent and capacity. That experience brings a practical understanding of how property documents and the circumstances of their execution may become important in a later dispute.
Municipal and regulatory matters
His work has included advice on municipal business licensing and tax questions. His reported appellate experience also includes representation of a public water authority in litigation involving environmental enforcement, injunctive relief, and the continued operation of a community water system.
Judicial and public service
David serves as chair of the Alabama Ethics Commission. He has also served as municipal judge for the Town of Crossville, and his professional involvement has included the Alabama Municipal Judges Association.
Community and background
David serves on the advisory board of Northeast Alabama Community College. His community service has also included board and leadership roles with the college’s foundation, the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce, and the Mary C. Weatherly Memorial Foundation supporting the DeKalb County Library.
Before law school, David attended the University of Tennessee on a football scholarship. He was a member of the 1984 Sun Bowl team, the 1985 SEC championship team that won the Sugar Bowl, and the 1986 Liberty Bowl championship team. He earned his undergraduate degree in 1988 before graduating from Cumberland School of Law in 1991.
Education
- J.D., Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, 1991
- B.A., University of Tennessee, 1988
Bar and court admissions
- Alabama State Bar, 1991