About Verna Gates

Verna Gates Articles written 1

Articles written by Verna Gates

The 24-hour Rule

What do Exxon, R.J. Reynolds and Auburn University have in common? Sam Franklin        

There's a simple mantra behind Sam Franklin's calm exterior: the 24-hour rule. If the heat rises to boil, you forget it for 24 hours and let the emotions cool to room temperature. "If it's real bad, you make it a 48-hour rule," jokes Don Thornton, former general counsel for Vesta Insurance, a client. "The temptation is to pick up a phone and fire back. Sam will never do that." In the high-stakes world of corporate defense, Franklin and his Birmingham firm Lightfoot Franklin & White …

Find top lawyers with confidence

The Super Lawyers patented selection process is peer influenced and research driven, selecting the top 5% of attorneys to the Super Lawyers lists each year. We know lawyers and make it easy to connect with them.

Find a lawyer near you