About Vic
Vic is chair of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice Group. His practice focuses on commercial, securities and complex business litigation. Vic’s experience includes representing financial services clients, officers and directors in class actions, including cases under the 1933 and 1934 Acts, breach of fiduciary duty, derivative claims, shareholder disagreements, injunctive relief actions and non-compete agreements. Additionally, Vic frequently conducts broker-dealer training sessions focused on best practices, red flag identification and claims avoidance. Vic has practiced in numerous state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Vic serves as an arbitrator for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and he has arbitrated all types of shareholder, intra-industry and customer disputes. He also serves as a mediator for civil cases.
Representative Experience
- Defended a financial services client in a nationwide class action alleging violation of federal securities laws, including TARP and fraudulent financial reporting
- Represented officers and directors in shareholder derivative suits
- Represented a number of employers and employees in connection with non-compete agreements and obtaining and opposing injunctive relief claims
- Represented financial institutions in conjunction with state and federal securities laws related to allegations of mismanagement and misrepresentations
- Defended numerous bank trust departments against allegations of breach of fiduciary duty
- Defended a number of companies in connection with alleged violations of Section 43(a) of the Lanham Act
Professional Awards and Honors
- Alabama Super Lawyers, Business Litigation (2009-2012)
- Best Lawyers, Arbitration (2010-2012)
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent
Memberships
- Alabama State Bar; Bench and Bar Committee, Member; Character and Fitness Committee, Member; Citizenship Education Committee, Member; Ethics Committee, Member; and Grievance Committee, Member
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), Member
Speaking Engagements
Vic has given several presentations on internet use and research for attorneys and legal staff and regularly speaks to financial institutions and securities firms on a variety of current topics. Additionally, he has been quoted in numerous publications and recently was the focus of “Friends’ Christmas Card Keeps on Coming,” an article in Tuscaloosa News that highlighted a friendship and its special tradition that has lasted decades.
Court Admissions
- 4th Circuit Court of Appeals
- 11th Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
- United States Supreme Court
What is your favorite thing about the law?
Learning about businesses, products and people. Every matter is an education of sorts. I love the fact that my profession allows me to interact in other industries and continue to learn. Some of my best friends today started as clients years ago.
What community projects are you involved in?
I serve on the Board of Directors and as General Counsel for the Interfaith House for the Homeless. This is a great and unique organization serving homeless families.
What was your first job?
Usher at the ABC Theatre remains to this day one of the most fun jobs I ever had. I was able to see lots of classic (and not so classic) movies and worked with great people.
What are your hobbies?
Scuba diving, hiking and playing cards. Love them all. Being underwater is a universe unto itself. It’s a sense of solitude, adventure and beauty all in one. It’s exhilarating and something I love to share with my boys.
What advice would you give to a young student in law school?
Make and maintain relationships with your classmates. They will be mutually beneficial and enjoyable over the years.
How do you define a “good day?”
I look at our time on earth as limited and precious. I swap every day of my life for whatever it is I do that day…and want, at the end of the day, to think…that was a good swap.
How do you spend your weekend?
I like to spend as much of it as possible outside. In the fall, nothing beats watching a great college football game.