Bent is a senior partner with Starnes Davis Florie and serves on the firm's Executive Committee. He has been a partner with the firm for over 20 years. Practice His practice is primarily devoted to municipal and products liability litigation. Bent has successfully represented municipalities throughout Alabama as counsel of record in over 100 cases in which the city was granted either summary judgment or involuntary dismissal. Additionally, he has represented product manufacturers in more than 25 state and federal jurisdictions around the country. Bent was also recently selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2012 edition of Best Lawyers in America®. Highlights * Obtained a jury verdict on behalf of an Alabama municipality against claims of retaliation brought by a current employee. * Obtained unanimous affirmance from the Supreme Court of Alabama of a summary judgment entered in favor of Alabama municipality, ending four years of litigation which alleged the city neglected to adequately maintain a creek causing flooding to commercial properties. * Obtained a dismissal and summary judgment on behalf of an Alabama municipality, its police chief, and an officer against a female alleging the police officer maliciously assaulted her while incarcerated, causing physical injuries to her lower back. * Obtained an order of dismissal in favor of an Alabama municipality in an action that had been filed by an out-of-state advertising sign company seeking non-commercial billboards within the city limits. * Obtained a summary judgment in favor of a municipality against several commercial property owners alleging substantial damages caused by the negligent maintenance of a stormwater drainage system. * Successfully represented several Jefferson County municipalities in tobacco tax litigation appealed to the Supreme Court of Alabama. * Participated as amicus curiae on behalf of the Alabama League of Municipalities in an 11th Circuit Court of Appeals en banc unanimous decision upholding the validity of a sign ordinance. * Obtained summary judgment in favor of a municipality against a private landowner seeking injunctive relief, inverse condemnation and property damages in allowing development of a stormwater drainage system. Community Involvement Aside from the practice of law, Bent has devoted himself to participation in organizations involving his faith, family and friends, most prominently serving as former senior warden of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, former president of Pre-School Partners, current president of Sigma Nu (Theta Chapter) House Corporation, former president of Mountain Brook Athletics and former team member of the Monday Morning Quarterback Club. Reported Cases KH Outdoor, LLC v. City of Trussville, 458 F.3d 1261 (11th Cir. 2006). Tanner Adver. Group, L.L.C. v. Fayette County, 451 F.3d 777 (11th Cir. 2006). City of Bessemer v. E.B. McClain, 2006 WL 2089923 (Ala. 2006). Speeches And Publications "Indigency and Probation", 2009 Alabama Association of Municipal Attorneys/ Alabama Municipal Judges Association Fall Law Conference (October 8th - 10th, 2009 - Panama City, Florida) Alabama Municipal Insurance Corporation 2nd Annual Panel Counsel Meeting (June 11, 2008 - Montgomery, Alabama) Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Meeting (May 17, 2008 - Birmingham, Alabama) Scenic Symposium (Sponsored by Citizens for a Scenic Florida, Inc. and Scenic America), April 10, 2008 - Jacksonville, Florida "Railroad Grade Crossings" (presented to ABICLE City and County Governments Seminar) "I Saw the Light! Electronic Billboards and Sign Regulation" (presented to the AAMA 2007 Spring Conference) DRI Aerospace Law Committee: "Compendium of Alabama State Law" Related News 9/1/2011, Sixteen Starnes Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers 2012 8/7/2010, Sixteen Starnes Attorneys Named to Best Lawyers 2011 7/12/2009, Owens & Umbach Obtain Defense Verdict in Federal Court 6/20/2008, Supreme Court of Alabama Affirms Summary Judgment in Favor of Vestavia. 3/21/2008, Starnes Receives Order of Dismissal for Alabama Municipality. |