D. Leon Ashford

As a young man, Leon Ashford had no intention of becoming an attorney. A first-generation college student, he was thrilled to work as a student trainer at the University of Alabama, where he was lettered by the legendary Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. His plan was to become a trainer for the New Orleans Saints. But Coach Bryant saw something different in him, and encouraged him to go to law school.

From the moment Leon stepped into the courtroom for his first case, he knew he would never look back. His first professional experience was with the Attorney General's office, handling high-stakes criminal investigations. From there, he joined a plaintiff's firm, which introduced him to his calling: fighting for individuals and families dealing with life-changing injuries.

Over the decades, he has built a reputation as a relentless advocate, taking on powerful corporations and institutions to secure justice. He handles complex cases, from catastrophic injuries to medical malpractice, and has spent the last 45 years at Hare Wynn, where he has served as managing partner since 1996. Under his leadership, the firm has achieved record-breaking multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements, from single-event trials to class-action lawsuits.