John E. Mays
John E. Mays is a criminal defense attorney with decades of courtroom experience, known for handling serious felony and misdemeanor cases across North Alabama. He brings a steady, relentless, practical approach to every case, backed by extensive trial work, respected statewide and national recognition, and multiple published books on criminal law.
For nearly 50 years, John E. Mays has focused his practice exclusively on criminal defense. He has represented clients in a wide range of cases, from misdemeanors to serious felonies, in courts throughout North Alabama. Over the years, he has built a reputation for being prepared, direct, and steady under pressure. John’s work is rooted in the courtroom. He has tried countless cases before judges and juries, and he understands how prosecutors build their files and how judges evaluate evidence. That experience shapes the way John investigates cases, challenges the State’s proof, and advises clients about their options. His peers have recognized his work with honors that reflect both skill and professionalism. In 2006, he received the Roderick Bedow, Sr. Award for lifelong contributions to the field of criminal defense in Alabama. He is also a member of the American Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys, an organization composed of the Top 10 criminal defense attorneys in each state each year. John was honored to serve as writer and editor of the Guardian (the publication of the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association) for twelve years. He also served as co-chair of the Death Penalty Assistance Committee for 14 years, during which time he assisted and advised attorneys handling capital punishment cases in Alabama. In addition to his law practice, John writes and publishes on criminal law topics. His books include Drug Crimes, Drug Searches, and Drug Forfeitures in Alabama; Defending Domestic Violence Cases in Alabama; Self Defense and the Defense of Others in Alabama; The Trial of Death Penalty Cases in Alabama; The Use of Computer Evidence in Criminal Trials; and The Defense of Not Guilty by Reason of Mental Disease or Defect in Alabama. These works reflect the same practical, real-world focus he brings to his cases. Whether a client is facing a first-time charge or a serious felony, John’s goal is the same: to give clear advice, protect his client's rights at every stage, and work toward the best result the facts and law will allow.
Tracy A. Marion
Tracy A. Marion brings more than twenty years of litigation experience to his clients, offering a rare combination of courtroom skill, financial sophistication, and the kind of focused attention that only a boutique practice can provide. His litigation career has been built on business and commercial disputes, where he has spent two decades mastering the art of building cases, challenging evidence, and advocating forcefully for clients in high-stakes proceedings. That same discipline and rigor now informs his criminal defense work, where he currently represents clients facing serious charges including first degree assault. Tracy practices in Alabama and Georgia, and is admitted to the United States Tax Court. In expanding his practice into criminal defense, Tracy has been intentional about doing it right. He has allied himself with John E. Mays, one of Alabama's most preeminent and respected criminal defense attorneys, and the two are actively co-counseling cases together. For John's and Tracy's clients, that means something meaningful: they get tireless advocates who know how to litigate, backed by one of the most experienced criminal defense minds in North Alabama. It is a combination built not for appearances, but for results.