Attorneys
With over 40 years of experience, Mark Lee is a trusted legal advocate for hospitals, physicians, and medical staff across Alabama. Mark is a graduate with honors from the Cumberland School of Law. He is admitted to practice by the Alabama State Bar and before the U.S. Supreme Court. His practice areas include Medical Malpractice, Products Liability, and Personal Injury.
Beyond our firm, Mark writes educational articles and lectures organizations for legal and medical professionals and students. Outside work, he enjoys gardening, cooking, family time, and attending Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church with his wife, Emily.
Mark’s honors include the Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent rating and the Alabama Super Lawyers® designation (2014–2019, 2021–2022). By 1985, he had tried 50+ jury trials as lead counsel, earning membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates as its youngest ever inductee at the time. The American Bar Association, Alabama State Bar, and the Birmingham Bar Association are among his many other professional memberships.
Practice Areas
Healthcare Law
Insurance Coverage
Medical Malpractice
Products Liability
Education
B.S., University of Alabama, 1974
J.D., Cumberland Law School of Samford University, cum laude, 1977
Admissions
Alabama Bar
U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Honors
Mr. Lee has been awarded an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Memberships
American Bar Association
Alabama State Bar
Birmingham Bar Association
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
American Board of Trial Advocates
American Academy of Hospital Attorneys
11th Circuit Historical Society
A founding member of PLJ, Jay Juliano, has over 40 years of experience in civil litigation and medical malpractice defense including defending physicians, hospitals, and other healthcare providers throughout Alabama. Jay attended the University of Alabama School of Law where he served as Alabama Editor of the Alabama Law Review and graduated with honors.
In addition to representing the Alabama medical community Jay is a frequent lecturer and educator of risk management and other medical issues. He is also a mentor and resource for attorneys, healthcare professionals, and industry leaders. Outside of his practice, Jay and his wife of 52 years, Marietta, enjoy quality time with their two children Paul and Carrie, and four grandchildren Paul, Karoline, Luke, and Lena. When time allows Jay also enjoys cooking for his Family and keeping alive the traditions of his Grandmothers’ Italian recipes.
Jay’s honors include the Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent rating, being named Best Lawyers in America® Birmingham 2020 Lawyer of the Year (practice area categories: Medical Malpractice – Defense; Personal Injury – Defense; Product Liability- Defense awards), and Alabama Super Lawyers® designation (2008-Present, both Alabama and Southeast Super Lawyers®), among many others. He was inducted into the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and served as ABOTA’s 2005 Alabama Chapter President. He’s also a member of the American Bar Association, Alabama State Bar, Birmingham Bar Association, among numerous others.
Practice Areas
Medical Malpractice
Healthcare Law
Products Liability
Professional Liability
Education
B.A., University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1974
J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 1977
Alabama Editor, Alabama Law Review
Omicron Delta Kappa National Honor Society
Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society
Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity
Admissions
Alabama Bar
U.S. District Court, Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama
U.S. District Court Northern District of Indiana
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh, Seventh, and Fifth Circuits
U.S. Supreme Court
Honors
Mr. Juliano has been awarded the AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Best Lawyers in America in the practice specialties of medical malpractice – defense, products liability – defense, and personal injury – defense.
Named Lawyer of the year 2020 in the Birmingham area by Best Lawyers in America on the practice areas of medical malpractice – defense and personal injury – defense
Alabama SuperLawyers, 2008-present
America’s Premier Lawyers, 2008
(featured on Sky Radio Network and in BusinessWeek Magazine)
America’s Most Honored Professionals, 2016
Memberships
American Bar Association
Alabama State Bar
Birmingham Bar Association
The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC)
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
American Board of Trial Advocates (President, Alabama Chapter, 2005) (ABOTA)
Former member, Advisory Board, Continuing Legal Education for Cumberland School of Law
Defense Research Institute (DRI)
The Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
Marda Walters Sydnor grew up in Jacksonville, Alabama. She graduated from Auburn University in 1975 and from Cumberland School of Law of Samford University in 1980. While in law school, Ms. Sydnor was Articles Editor of The American Journal of Trial Advocacy and was an Associate Justice of the Moot Court Board. She was the winner of the Gordon T. Saad Moot Court Competition her junior year of law school. She was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alabama from 1980 to 1983.
Admitted to the Alabama Bar in 1980 and the Virginia Bar in 1981, Ms. Sydnor is a member of the American Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar, the Birmingham Bar Association, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, the Virginia Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, and the National Association of Women Lawyers. She is admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Alabama as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. She served as President of the Birmingham Bar Association in 2005-2006. Other leadership positions with the Birmingham Bar Association include: President-Elect 2004-2005; Secretary-Treasurer 2003-2004; Executive Committee 1999-2002; Grievance Committee Chairman; Membership Committee Chairman; and Executive Committee of the Young Lawyers Section. She previously served on the Board of the Birmingham Bar Foundation Trust, the charitable arm of the Birmingham Bar Association, and the Board of Trustees of the Legal Aid Society. She is a former regional vice president of the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association. She currently serves as a trustee for the Birmingham Bar Aid Trust and is on the Cumberland School of Law Advisory Board.
Ms. Sydnor has tried over 100 jury trials in state and federal courts, and specializes in the defense of premises liability, pharmacy malpractice and products liability. She has been awarded an AV peer review rating by Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in the Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers. She is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel, the American Board of Trial Advocates, and the National Association of Women Lawyers. She was named to the inaugural class of Birmingham Bar Foundation Fellows in 2012. She is an Alabama Chapter Representative to the National Board of Directors for the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Ms. Sydnor is married to a trial attorney, Allen Sydnor, but she and her husband agree that the best debaters in their family are their two sons.
The Sydnors are members of Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham.
Practice Areas
Medical Malpractice
Products Liability
Premises Liability
Education
B.A., Auburn University, 1975
J.D., Cumberland Law School of Samford University, 1980
Winner Gordon T. Saad Moot Court Competition, 1979
Articles Editor, The American Journal of Trial Advocacy, 1978-1980
Associate Justice Moot Court Board
Delta Theta Phi Legal Fraternity
Admissions
Alabama Bar
Virginia Bar
U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Honors
Ms. Sydnor has been awarded an AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Public Offices
Assistant Attorney General, State of Alabama, 1980-1983
Memberships
American Bar Association
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
Alabama State Bar
Virginia State Bar
Birmingham Bar Association Previous Leadership Positions:
President (2005-2006)
President-Elect (2004-2005)
Secretary/Treasurer, 2003-2004
Executive Committee 1999-2002
Chairman, Grievance Committee
Chairman, Membership Committee
Board, Birmingham Bar Foundation Trust
Board, Legal Aid Society
Executive Committee, Young Lawyers Section
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, Former Regional Vice President
National Association of Women Lawyers
International Association of Defense Counsel
ABOTA
Defense Research Institute
Deborah Ann Wakefield was born on January 28, 1966 in Danville, Virginia. Following high school, Ms. Wakefield attended Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, where she was awarded a Special Achievement Scholarship. She was a member of the Women’s Varsity Basketball team from 1988 to 1990, a Rhodes College Ambassador, and Vice President of the Chi Omega Sorority. After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in History, Ms. Wakefield returned to her high school alma mater, The Darlington School in Rome, Georgia, where she taught high school history and was a track and basketball coach.
Ms. Wakefield received her Juris Doctorate from The Cumberland School of Law of Samford University in 1993. While at Cumberland, she participated in the Trial Advocacy Program winning the James O. Haley Federal Court Competition as a first year law student and was selected to the ATLA National Trial Team for both her second and third years of law school. In addition, she successfully wrote and was accepted for the American Journal of Trial Advocacy and served as the Associate Articles Editor from 1991 to 1993. She was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1993. She is also admitted to the United States District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Alabama.
Ms. Wakefield joined Parsons, Lee and Juliano, P.C. in 1993 as an associate and became a shareholder with the firm in 2000. Ms. Wakefield is a member of the Alabama State Bar, the American Bar Association, the Birmingham Bar Association, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, the Defense Research Institute, and the National Association of Women Lawyers. She has served on the Executive Committee of the Young Lawyers Section of the Birmingham Bar for four years.
Deborah Ann Wakefield has tried more than 45 cases to conclusion. She has presented oral argument on behalf of her clients before the Eleventh Circuit. She defends numerous premises liability lawsuits as well as medical malpractice lawsuits and mental health center defense work. Recently, she was inducted into the Alabama Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA).
Deborah Ann is married to Bill Wakefield. They live in Anniston, Alabama. Deborah Ann and Bill have two girls, Maggie and Samantha.
Practice Areas
Medical Malpractice
Premises Liability
Education
B.A., Rhodes College, 1988
J.D., Cumberland Law School of Samford University, 1993
Associate Articles Editor, The American Journal of Trial Advocacy, 1991-1993
Director: Trial Advocacy Board, 1992-1993
Regional Finalist ATLA National Trial Team, 1992, 1993
Winner, James O. Haley Federal Court Competition, 1991
Admissions
Alabama Bar
U.S. District Courts, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Memberships
American Bar Association
Alabama State Bar
Birmingham Bar Association
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
Defense Research Institute
Executive Director, Birmingham Young Lawyers, 1995-1999
Inducted as an Associate into the Alabama Chapter of The American Board of Trial Advocates
An essential part of our firm since 1992 and a shareholder since 2002, John focuses his practice on civil litigation in every county and district in Alabama, with extensive experience in construction defect, product liability, trucking, and insurance defense matters.
John is a Cumberland School of Law graduate and once served as the Cumberland Law Review’s Executive Editor. He is admitted to practice in Alabama, before the U.S. Supreme Court, and all the Federal District Courts in Alabama. He has tried numerous jury cases in state and federal courts, defending clients in arbitration and presented oral arguments before the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the Alabama Supreme Court.
He’s also successfully handled over 100 construction defect cases and resolved over a hundred disputes through mediation. John’s honors include the Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent rating, and he is an active member of multiple professional organizations, including the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, The CLM and the Defense Research Institute.
Practice Areas
Construction Litigation
Premises Liability
Products Liability
Education
B.S., Samford University, 1981
J.D., Cumberland Law School of Samford University, 1992
Executive Editor, Cumberland Law Review, 1991-1992
Author, “Surviving the Death of a Party: Alabama’s Survival Statues,” 22 Cumberland Law Review, P. 711, 1992
Member: Henry Upson Sims Moot Court Board, 1990-1992
Member: Trial Advocacy Board, 1991-1992
Admissions
Alabama Bar
U.S. District Court, Middle and Northern Districts of Alabama
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Memberships
American Bar Association
Alabama State Bar
Birmingham Bar Association
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
Defense Research Institute
Paul DeMarco was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1993. A native of Birmingham, Mr. DeMarco graduated from Auburn University in 1990 cum laude with a B.A. in journalism. He then attended the University of Alabama School of Law where he served as Editor in Chief of the Alabama Law Review. Upon graduation in 1993, he returned to Birmingham and began work with Parsons, Lee & Juliano.
Mr. DeMarco served as president of the Young Lawyers Section of the Birmingham Bar Association in 2000. He served as president of the Birmingham Bar Foundation. In 2005, he was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives where he served for nine years. He was Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee from 2010 to 2014. He also served as Chairman of the Joint Alabama Legislature Committee on Homeland Security.
Mr. DeMarco was appointed to the Uniform Law Commission by Alabama Governor Robert Bentley in 2015. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute and the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association. He is admitted to the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
He has served as counsel for numerous businesses in the hospitality industry across the state of Alabama and is a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, Transportation Lawyers Associations and Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys. He serves as the general counsel for the Alabama Grocers Association. Mr. DeMarco’s experience includes the representation of both retail and hospitality owners, operators and franchisees for premises liability and worker’s compensation litigation. He has also advised as to operational and risk management issues for those in the retail and hospitality industry.
Mr. DeMarco primarily practices in the defense of premises liability, products liability, construction law, workers compensation, medical and pharmaceutical malpractice, and automobile and truck liability claims.
Mr. DeMarco is also a registered mediator with the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution.
He has received numerous awards while serving the state including the 2011 Advocate Award by the Business Council of Alabama, in recognition of efforts to promote and protect Alabama Economic and business growth, In 2008, he was named legislator of the year by the Alabama Independent Insurance Agents Association. He received the Alabama Civil Justice Reform Committee 2011 Leadership Award.
Practice Areas
Automobile / Truck Liability
Premises Liability
Workers’ Compensation
Construction Litigation
Restaurant and Hospitality Industry
Education
B.A., Auburn University, cum laude, 1990
J.D., University of Alabama School of Law, 1993
Editor-in-Chief, Alabama Law Review
Admissions
Alabama State Bar
U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Public Offices
Alabama State Representative 2005 – 2014
Memberships
American Bar Association
Alabama State Bar
Birmingham Bar Association
Birmingham Bar Foundation (President, 2005)
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
Defense Research Institute
Uniform Law Commission
After earning his J.D. from Cumberland School of Law, Birmingham native Paul Juliano joined the firm in 2004 and became a shareholder in 2012. His practice focuses on civil litigation and insurance defense, representing clients across Alabama in complex legal matters.
Paul’s honors include the Super Lawyers® Rising Star designation for Medical Malpractice Defense (awarded for multiple years). He is an active member of the Birmingham Bar Association, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association, and several other professional organizations.
Outside of his practice, Paul enjoys coaching youth sports and spending time with his wife, Katherine, and their two children.
Practice Areas
Medical Malpractice
Premises Liability
Toxic Torts/Environmental
Education
B.A., University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2000
J.D., Cumberland School of Law, 2004
Admissions
Alabama Bar
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama
Memberships
American Bar Association
Alabama State Bar
Birmingham Bar Association
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
Community
2014 Board Member for Legal Leaders of Greater Birmingham
Kendall A. Lee was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2015. She received a B.A. degree in Political Science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 2012, and a J.D. degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 2015. In law school, Ms. Lee served as a member of the Cumberland National Trial Team and the Student Bar Association. She was also a recipient of the “Women’s Section of the Birmingham Bar Award” and the “Alabama Chapter of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Serve & Protect the Public Award” in 2015.
Ms. Lee is admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. She has successfully handled appeals in the Supreme Court of Alabama and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Ms. Lee is the proud mother of Addison Lee and a member of Cahaba Park Presbyterian Church in Mountain Brook, Alabama.
Practice Areas
Appellate Litigation
Medical Malpractice
Premises Liability
Automobile / Truck Liability
Education
B.A., University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2012
J.D., Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, 2015
Dean’s List, 2012-2015
Scholar of Merit, Pre-Trial Practice and Procedure
Judge Abraham Caruthers Fellow, 2014-2015
Member, Cumberland National Trial Team, 2013-2015
Member, Student Bar Association, 2012-2014
Admissions
Alabama, 2015
U.S. District Court, Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Honors
Women’s Section of the Birmingham Bar Award, 2015
Alabama Chapter of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Serve & Protect the Public Award, 2015
Memberships
Alabama State Bar
Birmingham Bar Association
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
National Association of Women Lawyers
American Bar Association
In Memoriam
Mr. Parsons was a founding partner of Parsons, Lee & Juliano, P.C., and a pillar of the firm and the broader legal community. His passing marked the loss of a true leader, mentor, and friend.
For 50+ years of law practice, Mr. Parsons served his clients with exceptional skill, unwavering dedication, and a sharp wit that turned colleagues and clients into lifelong friends. His legacy of professionalism, compassion, and integrity continues to guide our firm today.
