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 of title and ownership of real estate, and issues involving deeds, mortgages, and other instruments. His litigation background includes commercial claims, contested property rights, and appellate proceedings involving both private disputes and governmental regulation.
David’s client experience spans retail businesses, petroleum distributors, manufacturers, automotive businesses, financial institutions, education, utilities, and nonprofit organizations.
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, curative title matters, quiet title actions, and questions concerning the ownership and transfer of property. He also handles closings for banks and other lenders and addresses title and mortgage issues, including problems involving property descriptions and conveyances.
Commercial and real property litigation
David’s litigation experience includes boundary line and easement disputes, quiet title actions, actions to set aside conveyances, and reformation of instruments. His work also includes enforcement of restrictive covenants, ejectment and evictions, breach of contract, interference with business relations, non-competition agreements, and dissolutions.
Probate and family property matters
David advises individuals and families on probate matters. His related litigation experience includes disputes involving guardianships, conservatorships, decedents’ estates, and will contests.
Criminal law
David also represents clients in criminal matters in local and state courts.
Public service
David serves as chairman of the Alabama Ethics Commission and secretary of the Cherokee DeKalb Drug Court. He is a former secretary of the DeKalb County Bar 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 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
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, 1991