Carmen Chambers

Carmen is an Associate in the Firm's Litigation, Product Liability, and Environmental practice groups.

Carmen has a diverse practice in the area of general commercial litigation with a particular focus and experience in environmental toxic torts and product liability defense litigation. Carmen's recent work includes representing automotive, specialty-metal manufacturers, utility service providers, landfill owners, and heavy equipment rental companies throughout the United States. While she concentrates her practice on defense work, Carmen has also had the opportunity to litigate complex disputes for plaintiffs.

Carmen’s recent jury trial experience includes a multi-million dollar recovery for a corporate client in a federal court commercial dispute in 2020 and a favorable verdict for the defendants in a landmark state court suit involving per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in December of 2021. The latter trial concerned alleged PFAS discharges in groundwater and storm water runoff. It was the first of its kind to reach a jury in Alabama, if not the Southeast. Plaintiffs sought 95 million dollars in compensatory damages, along with punitive damages. Carmen was responsible for a handful of witnesses, including one of defendants’ experts. The jury rejected one plaintiff’s claim in its entirety and awarded the other plaintiff less than 3.5 million dollars. Carmen is slated to participate in another PFAS-related trial in 2023.

In addition, Carmen is dedicated to providing pro bono legal services. She serves as Vice-Chair of the Firm’s LGBTQ pro bono clinic and plays a key role in the direct provision of services, as well as in outreach and training for the project.

Carmen received her J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center, where she served as the Senior Development Editor of the Georgetown Law Journal. During her last year at Georgetown, she worked full-time as a student attorney in the Georgetown Law Juvenile Justice Clinic, representing youth charged with delinquency. She received the Dean's Certificate for her outstanding service to the Georgetown Law Community, along with a Certificate of Distinction for her contributions to the LGBTQ community. Prior to Georgetown, she worked as a paralegal in the New York office of an international law firm. She received her B.A. in Psychology from Yale University, where she competed in spoken word and ballroom dance - two of her passions outside of the legal profession.

Community & Professional

• Serves on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
• Co-Founder of The Birmingham Bevy, an LGBTQ social and professional network

Recognition

• Listed in Best Lawyers, "Ones to Watch" for Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2022-present)
• NextGenBHM Rising Star Lawyers for 2020