Michael P. Taunton

Prior to joining Balch, I was given the opportunity to serve as legislative counsel for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. In that capacity, I worked closely with both industry players and legislators on a wide spectrum of issues affecting areas such as the pharmaceutical and technology industries, the music and entertainment industry, bankruptcy courts, and a host of other business and judicial issues.

I also gained an appreciation for and insights into the inner workings of the judicial branch, and I have been able to regularly apply those insights and experiences in my work with Balch.

I have been pleased to successfully represent numerous financial, business, and municipal clients before the Alabama Supreme Court and the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals in matters ranging from mortgage loan disputes to defending state tax legislation against constitutional challenges to protecting client interests involving Alabama’s recreational use statutes. I handle a wide range of matters for clients at both the trial and appellate levels, including challenges to loan foreclosures; allegations under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Truth in Lending Act (TILA), and Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA); commercial and banking contract disputes; complex shareholder disputes; municipal tax and bond issues; intellectual property matters and disputes; and general commercial disputes, including antitrust, restrictive covenant, and unfair competition claims.

I have also been pleased to occasionally represent start-ups – particularly tech start-ups – in their general business needs.   

Growing up in Birmingham, I've been involved in the community here for my entire life. Church and non-profit work have been particularly important to my life and family, and I have served as general counsel for local non-profit Fixed Point Foundation on a volunteer basis. In that capacity, I handled legal needs in fields ranging from intellectual property to employment and contracts to business and non-profit law.

I've also been pleased to begin taking a more active role in several legal organizations, including the Alabama Bar Association as a member of the Appellate, Litigation, and Young Lawyer sections, the Birmingham Bar Association, and the Federalist Society.