Chad Pilcher and Martha Thompson Named “Best of the Bar” by Birmingham Business Journal

Balch & Bingham is pleased to announce that Chad Pilcher, partner and member of the Public Policy & Government Relations Practice, and Martha Thompson, partner and member of the Litigation Practice and chair of the firm’s Women’s Initiative, have received Birmingham Business Journal’s “2020 Best of the Bar Award for Excellence in the Legal Profession”. This recognition honors Birmingham’s brightest legal minds, who not only excel within their practice area and firm but who also give back to their community.  

As a member of Balch’s Public Policy & Government Relations Practice, Chad Pilcher has built an outstanding reputation as a leader in federal and state ethics and campaign finance law issues. He is also active in legislative matters, routinely working with state and local officials to craft and implement policies that help move the state forward and create economic opportunities for our citizens. 

Chad is an influential voice across Alabama in workforce development. He worked closely with the governor’s office to develop the state’s Success Plus Plan, which set a goal of adding 500,000 skilled workers to the state’s labor force by 2025. In addition, Chad was critical to the establishment and codification of the Alabama Workforce Council and served on the Steering Committee for the Statewide Educational Attainment Committee. In 2019, he was selected to work with the Alabama Committee on Credentialing and Career Pathways in order to develop a collection of in-demand credentials for Alabama students. Chad has also been recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America^®, a Mid-South Super Lawyers Rising Star (2018-present) and Birmingham Magazine Top Attorney. He serves on the Board of Directors for Red Mountain Grace and YouthServe, Inc.

Martha Thompson is a veteran litigator and avid supporter of initiatives that empower and encourage women to excel personally and professionally. A sixth-generation lawyer and member of Balch’s Litigation Practice, Martha has more than 20 years of experience representing healthcare entities in medical malpractice cases before state and federal courts across Alabama. She regularly provides her clients with insight on industry topics and trends and offers risk management counseling, deposition training and mock trials. Additionally, Martha represents clients in complex personal injury, property damage, product liability, and wrongful death cases.

In 2018, she was named chair of Balch’s Women’s Initiative, which focuses on creating networking, mentoring and educational opportunities for women attorneys. In 2019, Martha was integral to the success of Balch’s inaugural “Women Who Create & Innovate Birmingham” – an event that brought together women from across the community to discuss and find solutions to the most pressing challenges women face today. Martha is also an alumni of Momentum, Alabama’s premier women’s leadership program, and is recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America^® (2014-present) and a B-Metro Magazine Top Lawyer.