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D. Leon Ashford

As a young man, Leon Ashford had no intention of becoming an attorney. A first-generation college student, he was thrilled to work as a student trainer at the University of Alabama, where he was lettered by the legendary Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. His plan was to become a trainer for the New Orleans Saints.

But Coach Bryant saw something different in him, and encouraged him to go to law school.

From the moment Leon stepped into the courtroom for his very first case, he knew that he would never look back.

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Leon is a skilled trial lawyer whose career spans five decades of advocacy for injured clients and their families.

His first professional experience was with the Attorney General’s office, handling high-stakes criminal investigations. From there, he joined a plaintiff’s firm, which introduced him to his true calling: fighting for individuals and families who are grappling with life-changing injuries.

One of his earliest cases involved a young child who had suffered a catastrophic injury due to corporate negligence. Seeing the impact of both the injury and the resulting settlement on the child’s family helped Leon to understand the power that personal injury lawyers have to transform people’s lives for the better.

Over the decades, he has built a reputation as a relentless advocate for his clients, taking on powerful corporations and institutions to secure justice. He handles complex cases, from catastrophic injuries to medical malpractice, and has spent the last 45 years at Hare Wynn, where he has served as managing partner since 1996. Under his leadership, the firm has achieved record-breaking multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, from single-event trials to class-action lawsuits.

Leon’s philosophy is simple: law is personal. He believes in meeting clients where they are, understanding their pain, and building trust. A fierce advocate in the courtroom, Leon also values mentorship, ensuring the next generation of trial lawyers upholds the same high standards.

Leon and his wife Barbara have been married for over 50 years. They have three children and six grandchildren.

An avid Alabama fan, Leon has remained close to the school’s athletic department, representing two former head football coaches and the former women’s gymnastics coach. He still carries the lessons from his days under Coach Bryant—hard work, integrity, and the belief that true success comes from uplifting others.

EDUCATION
  • University of Alabama, B.S. (1970)
  • University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. (1973)
BAR ADMISSIONS
  • Alabama (1973)
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
  • U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama
  • United States Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
HONORS & AWARDS
  • Alabama Super Lawyers (since its inception)
  • Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” (2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015)
  • 2017 CEO Awards Finalist by The Birmingham Business Journal
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers® (2018, 2020)
  • Top Attorneys by Super Lawyers Magazine (2008-2019)
  • “Tier 1” Trial Lawyer by Chambers USA
  • Litigation Star by Benchmark Plaintiff
  • 2019 Benchmark State Litigation Stars
  • B-Metro Top Flight Attorney Hall of Fame (2019)
  • “Best Lawyer” by Best Lawyers in America (1990-2020)
  • “Top 100 Trial Lawyer” by The National Trial Lawyers
  • “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” by Lawdragon
  • AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
  • Alabama Association for Justice
  • Alabama Bar Association
  • Alabama Law Foundation
  • American Association for Justice
  • American Bar Association
  • American Board of Trial Advocates
  • American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Birmingham Bar Association
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers
FEATURED RESULTS
  • Represented two former head Alabama football coaches and the former women’s gymnastics coach
  • Selected by the Alabama University administration and Office of General Counsel in 1994 to represent the faculty athletics representative before the NCAA Infractions Appeals Committee
  • Achieved the first successful appeal in NCAA history, clearing the faculty athletics representative’s name and overturning many sanctions against the athletic department
  • Represented the current Alabama head coach and members of his staff