William (“Judge”) T. McGowin, IV has joined the firm as a partner and Lauren Rouse has joined as a first-year associate

Mr. McGowin has more than 30 years of legal experience specializing in tax, estate planning, probate, corporate, business and non-profit law. He also represents taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service and the Alabama Department of Revenue. Mr. McGowin earned his B.A. from the University of the South at Sewanee, his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law, and his LL.M. in Taxation from New York University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in the State of Alabama and the U.S. Tax Court. He is also a member of the Mobile Estate Planning Council and has served on its Executive Committee.

Ms. Rouse earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Alabama in 2022, her J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2025, and she was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in September of 2025. While in law school, Ms. Rouse served as the Executive Articles Editor of the Law and Psychology Review and represented clients in the Domestic Violence Law Clinic. Ms. Rouse was also a finalist in the 2L Moot Court competition, placed third in the National Criminal Procedure Moot Court competition, and was named to The National Order of the Barristers for her outstanding performance in moot court. Ms. Rouse recently received the Judge Thomas Admiralty Award for writing the best paper in the Admiralty Law Course. Ms. Rouse will focus on litigation for the firm.