About Warren
Warren is Co-Chair of the firm’s Automotive Group and practices in the Business section, focusing on economic development, state and local taxation, governmental affairs, nonprofit entities, partnership taxation, probate disputes and tax dispute counseling and advocacy. He has worked extensively with domestic and foreign companies, such as IPSCO Steel and Kronospan, to secure economic and tax incentives for facilities locating in the Southeastern United States. In addition, Warren assisted with the negotiation of the incentives packages with the State for the recent Mercedes-Benz and Honda plant expansions in Alabama. To date, Warren has worked on new economic development projects and expansions representing over $12 billion of capital investment and the creation of over 20,000 new jobs. Most recently, Warren and his partner, Lee Thuston, assisted with the site selection process for KIA Motors Corporation for a new automotive manufacturing plant to be located in West Point, Georgia, and ThyssenKrupp Steal and Stainless USA, LLC, for facilities to be located in Mobile County, Alabama.
In 2000, Warren and his family moved to Greenville, Alabama, and he opened the Montgomery, Alabama office for Burr & Forman. The Montgomery office serves as the center of the firm’s governmental relations and regulatory practices. It provides Burr & Forman’s clients with valuable access to the state government and its many functions.
Warren is listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the Nonprofit Law category. Warren is co-author, with partner Bruce Rawls, of “Proposed Amendment to the Alabama Qualification and Franchise Taxes: Promoting Horizontal Equity for Domestic and Foreign Taxpayers” (43 Alabama Law Review 683, 1992). He is co-author, with partners Louis Anders and Lee Thuston, of Alabama Limited Liability Company Forms and Practice Manual. He authored Chapter 17 “Nonprofit Corporations of Contemporary Corporation Forms” (Second Edition) and “Alabama Laws Concerning Nonprofit Organizations” in the Exempt Organizations Tax Review (1998). Warren frequently lectures on topics involving state and local taxation, economic development, nonprofit entity issues, charitable planned giving and estate administration.
Warren received his B.S. from the University of Alabama. He received his J.D. from Vanderbilt University, where he was the Student Authorities Editor of the Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law I. He also received his LL.M. degree in Taxation from New York University.
Warren Cross-Examined
![[Image] Warren C. Matthews](../ppics/4432.jpg)
Warren has served and continues to serve as General Counsel for several nonprofit organizations, including the Birmingham Zoo, the Birmingham Bar Foundation, the Alabama Basketball Foundation, and the Alabama Prep Football Foundation. Warren presently serves as a President-Elect of the Greenville YMCA. Warren was also selected in 1999 as one of Birmingham’s “Top 40 Under 40,” an award given to dynamic men and women who have distinguished themselves as outstanding young achievers in business, civic and social accomplishments.
What is your favorite thing about the law?
One particular area of my practice, economic development, has allowed me to see that the work we do on the front-end leads to substantial transformations to affected communities through increased employment, new or upgraded infrastructure, and all the positive ripple effects that go with an economic development project. The difference can be as simple as a new job enabling someone to own a home versus renting one. We are part of the positive change and that is really rewarding.
What community projects are you involved in?
I was fortunate to be part of and volunteered to do the legal work for two (2) groups that brought the state high school boys and girls basketball (AHSAA Final Four) and football (Super Six) state championships to Birmingham. The state championship in any high school sport is a huge event but these organizations, in conjunction with the Alabama High School Athletic Association have taken it to a higher level and the positive impact for the schools and their athletes has been very exciting to witness first hand. I am presently the President-ELect of the Greenville YMCA and we are about to undertake a substantial capital campaign. I also assist the Greenville community with various economic development projects.
What was your first job?
My first job was as a route salesperson for my mother’s family business, M.O. Carroll-Newton Company in Ozark, Alabama. I would drive throughout South Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and Southwest Georgia and pick up orders from small groceries and convenience stores for goods such as candy, canned goods, tobacco products and sport drinks. This job instilled in me that customer satisfaction is a top priority.
What are your hobbies?
Golf, basketball and tennis are the recreational sports that I continue to play. However, my favorite sport to play is squash which I infrequently play with my partner, Ben Johnson. I really enjoy coaching my kids’ basketball teams with my wife (who was a strong high school basketball player in her day). A recent golf trip to Western Ireland was my ultimate golf experience.
What advice would you give to a young law student?
When I interview law students at Vanderbilt, I always tell my interviewees the truth - law school gives you very little practical experience for practicing law; you will learn the most important aspects of the legal profession in the first three years of practice, so hang in there.