Roderick J. Evans's Profile

Roderick Evans is an experienced litigator and advocate who represents persons and businesses from all walks of life.  His practice is primarily civil litigation and includes protecting creditor’s rights in bankruptcy court; business law; construction law; employment law; estate planning, wills and trusts, stock transfers and probate; landlord/tenant law; lender liability including debt collection, foreclosures and forfeitures; municipal law; real estate transactions; and risk management.

Roderick’s municipal law expertise includes drafting of local legislation, election law, revenue/taxation, zoning compliance and litigation, annexation, inter-municipal agreements, economic development incentives and programs, finance, contracts, procurement of services, bid compliance and protest, employee benefits, navigating labor and employment issues including ADA and EEOC related claims, administrative law practice, licensing, redevelopment, telecommunications, and day-to-day legal advice and support to city administration and city council.

Roderick received a B.A. in Political Science cum laude in 2007 from Samford University where he was selected for membership in Omicron Delta Kappa honorary society, Pi Sigma Alpha political honor society, and recognized as Who’s Who Among Colleges and Universities. Roderick is a 2010 graduate of Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He was elected Student Bar Association President and represented Cumberland in the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition earning an appellate brief score in the top ten percent of competitors and recognition for excellence in oral advocacy. While at Cumberland, Roderick was also recognized as Who’s Who Among Colleges and Universities and awarded the Spirit of Service award after completing over a hundred hours of community service at various local organization such as Jimmie Hale, Hands On Birmingham, Christian Service Mission, and with the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. In 2018, he received the Audrey Gaston Howard Award, an honor given to significant African American alumni from Samford University.

Roderick clerked with the Honorable Carly Privet of the 10th Judicial Circuit and was a law clerk with Davenport, Lavette & Cleckler. He then worked as an Associate at Paden & Paden P.C., including serving as assistant city attorney for the City of Bessemer; assistant general counsel for Bessemer Electric & Water Service; assistant general counsel for Government Utility Services Corporation (water filtration and distribution plant); assistant board attorney for the Industrial Development Board of the City of Bessemer; and city prosecutor for thousands of criminal cases in municipal court including their appeals to Circuit court.

Roderick is a member of Tapestry Church. He is passionate about community, locally and abroad, serving participating in various service projects, as Board Treasurer for the Legacy YMCA in Bessemer, as editor of the 2015 Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce magazine, and going on short term missions to places like the Philippines and Nepal.  He enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife, Cornesha Terry.

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