Ralph D. Gaines III

Education

B.A., Stetson University (1976) M.S., Florida State University (1977) J.D., University of Alabama School of Law (1983)

Practice Areas

Automobile litigation, general civil litigation, insurance defense, insurance fraud & bad faith, nursing home litigation, premises liability, professional liability, trucking litigation

Bar Admissions

Alabama 1983

Courts

Admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Alabama

Professional Associations

American Bar Association
Alabama State Bar Association
Talladega County Bar Association
Birmingham Bar Association
Shelby County Bar Association
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
Farrah Law Society
Atlanta Claims Association
Defense Research Institute

Honors and Awards

Rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
Recognized in Alabama Super Lawyers Magazine, 2008-present
Listed in The Best Lawyers In America, 2001-2002, 2008-2009
Recognized as Alabama Super Lawyer, 2005-2010
Recognized by Outstanding Lawyers in America, 2003, 2004
Recognized as second most prolific trial attorney in Alabama, 2003, 2004, 2006
Recognized as most prolific trial attorney in Alabama, 2002, 2005, 2007
Member of University of Alabama School of Law Trial Advocacy Team

Speeches and Publications

Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Law in Alabama, National Business Institute, 2003-2006
Nursing Home Litigation from the Plaintiff's and Defendant's Perspective, Birmingham Bar Association, 2000
Automobile Insurance Law, Frank Harris & Associates, 1999
A Hodge Podge of Information, Professional Independent Adjusters of Alabama 1999
More than Football Will Happen This New Year, Montgomery Claims Association, 1999

Notable Civil Trials

Each year, Rad tries an average of 8 to 14 cases. During his career, he has tried in excess of 135 cases to a verdict, in both state and federal courts throughout Alabama. Some of his more notable trials include:

Associated Mechanical Contractors, Inc. v. Phoenix Coatings, Inc., CV 98-T-0005-N, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
Massey v. Bruno’s Supermarkets, Inc., CV 01-3473, Circuit Court of Jefferson County
Waites v. Malone, CV 91-418, Circuit Court of Talladega County
Coosa Valley Electrical Co-Op, Inc. v. Save Our Co-Op Committee, Circuit Court of Talladega County
Haisten v. Kubuta, Ltd., CV 91-389, Circuit Court of Talladega County

Reported Cases

Bruno’s Supermarkets, Inc. v. Massey, 914 So. 2d 862 (Ala. Civ. App. 2005)
Davidson v. Highland United Methodist Church, 673 So. 2d 765 (Ala. Civ. App. 1995)
Waites v. Malone, 658 So. 2d 396 (Ala. 1995)
Hambright v. First Baptist Church – Eastwood, 638 So. 2d 865 (Ala. 1994)
Coosa Valley Electrical Co-Op, Inc. v. Save Our Co-Op Committee, 518 So. 2d 691 (Ala. 1987)

More About Rad

Rad comes from a true “legal family” – his father, two brothers and father-in-law also are members of the Alabama Bar. Following law school, Rad practiced for a number of years with his father and brothers at the family’s law firm in Talladega. Rad, his wife and two sons eventually moved to Birmingham, where he later founded Gaines Wolter Kinney. Rad and his family enjoy snow skiing and traveling to new places when their schedules allow. He is a committed patron of the arts in the Birmingham area, and he tries never to miss an Alabama football or basketball game.