Commercial and Construction Litigation Successfully represented the owner of a regional shopping mall in Mississippi, which was sued by a subcontractor asserting lien claims. Successfully represented a general contractor in a suit for delay damages arising from the construction and renovation of a city-owned historical building. Represented a marine contractor whose workers’ compensation insurer sued for a retrospective premium; during the trial, a $327,000 settlement was obtained for a client on its counterclaim. Successfully represented shipyard and contractor in claims arising out of the construction of two 16,000-ton chemical tankers owned by a Danish shipping company. Successfully represented a marine contractor in claims arising out of the construction of a tug/barge unit. Successfully represented a general contractor sued by a municipality for alleged defects in the construction of a sewer system and was joined in by more than 100 residents of the municipality who alleged claims for personal injury and property damage. Successfully represented the owner of a high-rise office building in claims against the general contractor who damaged the building while conducting repairs to the building envelope. Successfully represented a curtain-wall subcontractor in claims against the general contractor arising out of the construction of a 35-story office/hotel project. Successfully represented a mechanical contractor as outside general counsel, including preparation and prosecution of a Miller Act claim against a national defense contractor and defense of delay damages counterclaim arising out of a $80 million Navy project. Successfully represented a commercial general contractor as outside general counsel, including contract review and windup of business following economic downturn; played a major role in enabling this client to complete a municipal project through negotiation of change orders and completion issues with the municipality and performance bond surety; also successfully pursued delay damage claim against project design professional. Successfully represented several subcontractors involved in construction by a German company of a multi-billion dollar stainless and carbon steel processing facility, including advising and assisting with payment issues, reviewing contracts, and negotiating the same with the owner and other contractors. Successfully represented a healthcare company in derivative action by minority shareholders and related spin-off litigation. Product Liability Represented an industrial equipment company in separate lawsuits by two workers injured in the collapse of marine scaffolding; settled favorably for the client in the face of motions for summary judgment. Represented a hospital sued for the implantation of an allegedly defective pacemaker; the case was settled with the client contributing nothing toward settlement. Represented a major cookware manufacturer sued for personal injuries as a result of the alleged explosion of its product; the case settled favorably for the client in the face of a motion to dismiss. Represented a national restaurant chain sued for personal injuries allegedly as a result of food-borne illness; the case settled favorably for the client in the face of motions for summary judgment and to exclude expert testimony. Successfully provided regional representation for the manufacturer of building material in connection with claims by building owners (in multiple lawsuits) for damage due to alleged moisture entrapment in walls of a building. First-Party Insurance Defense Represented a life insurance company sued for the wrongful death of an insured under a life insurance policy allegedly killed by a beneficiary; received summary judgment in favor of client that was affirmed on appeal to Alabama Supreme Court. Represented a life insurance company sued for intentional infliction of emotional distress by the mother of the insured under a life insurance policy allegedly killed by the beneficiary; received summary judgment in favor of the client at the trial level, which the intermediate appellate court reversed after successful petition for certiorari, the Alabama Supreme Court reinstated and affirmed trial court’s summary judgment. Represented a life insurance company sued in separate actions for fraud by two sisters in connection with the alleged misrepresentations of coverage of an insured infant with a genetic defect; obtained verdict in the first case for substantially less than last settlement demand; second case then settled favorably for client prior to trial. Represented a life insurance company sued for fraud and bad faith by the husband of the deceased insured; after the court entered partial summary judgment in the client’s favor, the case was settled on the eve of trial for nuisance value. Represented several life insurance companies in many other lawsuits alleging fraud and bad faith with successful results. Personal Injury Defense Represented a major hotel chain sued for personal injuries by its guest; the case settled favorably for the client. Represented a general contractor sued for personal injuries by an invitee of the hospital during the construction of a major addition to the hospital; the case settled favorably for the client, with a third-party defendant paying the entire settlement amount. Represented a major U.S. shipping company that Jones Act seaman sued; the claims were dismissed during trial on a motion for judgment as a matter of law. Represented a major U.S. shipping company that was sued by a longshoreman under §905(b) of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act; after trial and verdict in favor of the longshoreman, a judgment notwithstanding the verdict was entered in favor of the client. Represented a major U.S. shipping company that alleged a Jones Act seaman sued; a jury verdict in favor of the client was obtained on all claims. Represented a major hotel chain sued by guests claiming damages for fear of AIDS; summary judgment was granted in favor of the hotel. Successfully provided statewide representation.

Professional and Community Involvement

Member, Alabama Bar Association Member, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association Member, Associated General Contractors (Mobile, Alabama Chapter) Member, Committees on Products Liability, Insurance Law and Workers’ Compensation, Defense Research Institute Member, Committees on Products Liability, Workers’ Compensation & Employers Liability Law, Forum on Construction, American Bar Association Member, Mobile County Bar Association President, School Board, St. Ignatius Catholic School (2008–09) Vice President, Municipal Park Baseball Inc., (2009–2012) Member, McGill-Toolen High School Stadium Board (2014) Youth Sports Coach, YMCA, Municipal Park Baseball, Catholic Youth Organization (1998–2013)

Seminars + Presentations

Speaker, Liens and Alabama Prompt Payment Act (Alabama Chapter, American Subcontractors Association, September 2007) Speaker, Workers Compensation Update, Johnstone Adams Annual Employment Law Seminar, 2012, 2013 Publications Liability of the Design Professional, RCCI Perspectives, Winter 2003 Speaker, Liens and Alabama Prompt Payment Act (Alabama Chapter, American Subcontractors Association, September 2007) Speaker, Workers Compensation Update, Johnstone Adams Annual Employment Law Seminar, 2012, 2013

Attorney Lawrence Seiter – Mobile, AL

Lawrence Seiter

Mr. Lawrence J. Seiter — Mobile, AL — Johnston Adams, LLC

Partner

ljs@johnstoneadams.com

Direct: (251) 441-9224

Fax: (251) 432-2800

P.O. Box 1988

Mobile, AL 36633

REQUEST INFORMATION

Attorney Assistant

Cathy Hearn

Phone : (251) 441-9271

ceh@johnstoneadams.com

Paralegal

Candy Knickerbocker

Phone : (251) 441-9256

cgk@johnstoneadams.com

Related Practices

Construction
Employment, Labor, and Workers’ Compensation
Insurance Defense
Real Estate Litigation & Conveyance, Lien Priorities, Titles

Education:

J.D., Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, 1991
B.A., Louisiana State University, 1987

Mr. Lawrence J. Seiter

Larry Seiter delivers responsive, value-conscious client service to his workers’ compensation, construction, commercial litigation, and insurance defense clients. He has handled hundreds of workers’ compensation cases. He has an in-depth understanding of the medical issues typically related to on-the-job injuries, such as the anatomy of the spine, shoulder, and knees. His experience has given him an in-depth understanding of diagnostic medical testing, such as MRIs, EMG/NCVs, X-rays, myelograms, and CT scans. Once the results of these tests are received, Larry’s proficiency allows him to quickly determine the impact they will have on the outcome of a case.

Larry has tried more than 25 cases before a jury in a number of matters for employers, property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, surety bondholders, and marine contractors. His winning commercial litigation and construction practice involves establishing, removing, and enforcing liens, prosecuting and defending claims for delay damages, defending claims for construction defects, contractor defaults, and regulatory issues.

Larry also assists clients in achieving their objectives by serving as an outside general counsel. His clients value his easygoing personality, clear and concise work product, affordable rates, and ability to deliver the advice they need to hear rather than just telling them what they want to hear.

Admissions

1991, Alabama State Bar

Court admissions

1992, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama
1994, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
1995, U.S. Supreme Court
1999, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama
2003, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama

Honors + Awards

BV Distinguished Peer Review Rating From Martindale-Hubbell, Since 2000

Listed in the Best Lawyers in America, Workers Compensation and Construction Litigation, Since 2012

LSU Law Center Hall of Fame, 1991

Order of the Coif, 1991

Professional and Community Involvement

Member, Alabama Bar Association

Member, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association

Member, Associated General Contractors (Mobile, Alabama Chapter)

Member, Committees on Products Liability, Insurance Law and Workers’ Compensation, Defense Research Institute

Member, Committees on Products Liability, Workers’ Compensation & Employers Liability Law, Forum on Construction, American Bar Association

Member, Mobile County Bar Association

President, School Board, St. Ignatius Catholic School (2008–09)

Vice President, Municipal Park Baseball Inc., (2009–2012)

Member, McGill-Toolen High School Stadium Board (2014)

Youth Sports Coach, YMCA, Municipal Park Baseball, Catholic Youth Organization (1998–2013)

Experience
Commercial and Construction Litigation
Successfully represented the owner of a regional shopping mall in Mississippi, which was sued by a subcontractor asserting lien claims.

Successfully represented a general contractor in a suit for delay damages arising from the construction and renovation of a city-owned historical building.

Represented a marine contractor whose workers’ compensation insurer sued for a retrospective premium; during the trial, a $327,000 settlement was obtained for a client on its counterclaim.

Successfully represented shipyard and contractor in claims arising out of the construction of two 16,000-ton chemical tankers owned by a Danish shipping company.

Successfully represented a marine contractor in claims arising out of the construction of a tug/barge unit.

Successfully represented a general contractor sued by a municipality for alleged defects in the construction of a sewer system and was joined in by more than 100 residents of the municipality who alleged claims for personal injury and property damage.

Successfully represented the owner of a high-rise office building in claims against the general contractor who damaged the building while conducting repairs to the building envelope.

Successfully represented a curtain-wall subcontractor in claims against the general contractor arising out of the construction of a 35-story office/hotel project.

Successfully represented a mechanical contractor as outside general counsel, including preparation and prosecution of a Miller Act claim against a national defense contractor and defense of delay damages counterclaim arising out of a $80 million Navy project.

Successfully represented a commercial general contractor as outside general counsel, including contract review and windup of business following economic downturn; played a major role in enabling this client to complete a municipal project through negotiation of change orders and completion issues with the municipality and performance bond surety; also successfully pursued delay damage claim against project design professional.

Successfully represented several subcontractors involved in construction by a German company of a multi-billion dollar stainless and carbon steel processing facility, including advising and assisting with payment issues, reviewing contracts, and negotiating the same with the owner and other contractors.

Successfully represented a healthcare company in derivative action by minority shareholders and related spin-off litigation.

Product Liability
Represented an industrial equipment company in separate lawsuits by two workers injured in the collapse of marine scaffolding; settled favorably for the client in the face of motions for summary judgment.

Represented a hospital sued for the implantation of an allegedly defective pacemaker; the case was settled with the client contributing nothing toward settlement.

Represented a major cookware manufacturer sued for personal injuries as a result of the alleged explosion of its product; the case settled favorably for the client in the face of a motion to dismiss.

Represented a national restaurant chain sued for personal injuries allegedly as a result of food-borne illness; the case settled favorably for the client in the face of motions for summary judgment and to exclude expert testimony.

Successfully provided regional representation for the manufacturer of building material in connection with claims by building owners (in multiple lawsuits) for damage due to alleged moisture entrapment in walls of a building.

First-Party Insurance Defense
Represented a life insurance company sued for the wrongful death of an insured under a life insurance policy allegedly killed by a beneficiary; received summary judgment in favor of client that was affirmed on appeal to Alabama Supreme Court.

Represented a life insurance company sued for intentional infliction of emotional distress by the mother of the insured under a life insurance policy allegedly killed by the beneficiary; received summary judgment in favor of the client at the trial level, which the intermediate appellate court reversed after successful petition for certiorari, the Alabama Supreme Court reinstated and affirmed trial court’s summary judgment.

Represented a life insurance company sued in separate actions for fraud by two sisters in connection with the alleged misrepresentations of coverage of an insured infant with a genetic defect; obtained verdict in the first case for substantially less than last settlement demand; second case then settled favorably for client prior to trial.

Represented a life insurance company sued for fraud and bad faith by the husband of the deceased insured; after the court entered partial summary judgment in the client’s favor, the case was settled on the eve of trial for nuisance value.

Represented several life insurance companies in many other lawsuits alleging fraud and bad faith with successful results.

Personal Injury Defense
Represented a major hotel chain sued for personal injuries by its guest; the case settled favorably for the client.

Represented a general contractor sued for personal injuries by an invitee of the hospital during the construction of a major addition to the hospital; the case settled favorably for the client, with a third-party defendant paying the entire settlement amount.

Represented a major U.S. shipping company that Jones Act seaman sued; the claims were dismissed during trial on a motion for judgment as a matter of law.

Represented a major U.S. shipping company that was sued by a longshoreman under §905(b) of the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act; after trial and verdict in favor of the longshoreman, a judgment notwithstanding the verdict was entered in favor of the client.

Represented a major U.S. shipping company that alleged a Jones Act seaman sued; a jury verdict in favor of the client was obtained on all claims.

Represented a major hotel chain sued by guests claiming damages for fear of AIDS; summary judgment was granted in favor of the hotel.

Successfully provided statewide representation.
Professional and Community Involvement
Member, Alabama Bar Association
Member, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association
Member, Associated General Contractors (Mobile, Alabama Chapter)
Member, Committees on Products Liability, Insurance Law and Workers’ Compensation, Defense Research Institute
Member, Committees on Products Liability, Workers’ Compensation & Employers Liability Law, Forum on Construction, American Bar Association
Member, Mobile County Bar Association
President, School Board, St. Ignatius Catholic School (2008–09)
Vice President, Municipal Park Baseball Inc., (2009–2012)
Member, McGill-Toolen High School Stadium Board (2014)
Youth Sports Coach, YMCA, Municipal Park Baseball, Catholic Youth Organization (1998–2013)
Seminars + Presentations
Speaker, Liens and Alabama Prompt Payment Act (Alabama Chapter, American Subcontractors Association, September 2007)
Speaker, Workers Compensation Update, Johnstone Adams Annual Employment Law Seminar, 2012, 2013

Publications
Liability of the Design Professional, RCCI Perspectives, Winter 2003
Speaker, Liens and Alabama Prompt Payment Act (Alabama Chapter, American Subcontractors Association, September 2007)
Speaker, Workers Compensation Update, Johnstone Adams Annual Employment Law Seminar, 2012, 2013

FROM OUR CLIENTS

Slide Title

My husband and I were referred to Johnstone Adams in the spring of last year. We are working very closely with Jessica Welch and Greg Watts on an ongoing and unwanted family estate matter. Ms. Welch and Mr. Watts have been so professional and knowledgeable. In addition, considering the nature of the suit, Jessica has provided my husband and me with peace of mind we didn’t think was possible during this extremely stressful time of our lives. She is an amazing trial attorney. They have gone above and beyond. To sum it up, I have nothing but the utmost respect and appreciation for them. I would strongly recommend either of them to my dearest friends and family members. I’m so thankful that we stumbled upon them. I’m actually going to miss Jessica Welch when this is all over.”

I am currently using this law firm and they are informative, keep me up to date with my case, and return your calls/emails immediately. I am very satisfied. My wife and I approached Johnstone Adams to help us make a better-informed decision regarding her immigration. They have been a truly invaluable asset. They brought their knowledge, experience, confidence, and calm demeanor to the process, which put our minds at ease. The worry and anxiety that we were facing melted away, and we have been, literally, hand-held during this daunting process. We can’t thank or recommend Johnstone Adams enough and look forward to continuing to use their services in the future.

Johnstone Adams was a great help when it came to drawing up our family’s will and advanced directives prior to the birth of our first son. These are certainly things that no one wants to think about, but the process was easy. They were professional and knowledgeable, answering all of our questions along the way with compassion and sensitivity. Johnstone Adams responded quickly to any questions and was easy to get in touch with! We would highly recommend them for any legal work!! Jessica’s advice and assistance with our family’s interests in a probate matter was exceptional from beginning to end– always thoughtful, responsive and efficient, and focused and timely.

It was a genuine pleasure for the doubtless incorrigibly demanding old lawyer that I am to have a professional of her outstanding caliber assisting me on this matter—both generally and in my role as executor in particular—in a jurisdiction unfamiliar to me and on a matter completely outside of my own experience and expertise. I might also point out that she was really excellent in interfacing, always in a timely and solution-oriented manner, with other parties involved in our matter to help keep our initiatives on track—including attorneys dealing with the disposition of residential real estate and financial assets. Jessica and her excellent assistant, Shelly Perrone, also offered and provided pragmatic and efficient solutions to logistical and execution issues made it significantly more challenging than usual given the COVID-19 crisis and my own location far from Mobile– in Paris, France.

I highly recommend attorney Rick La Trace. Aside from being professional, polite, and yet firm, Rick is a combination of knowledge, detail, and responsiveness. (In my opinion, there are very few professionals who have ALL three qualities. Rick is one of the very few.) What makes him stand apart from the rest, is that he takes the time to listen to his client’s concerns (no matter how “trivial”). He educates client’s on how the law works, shares his opinions, including the pros and cons of each. We would definitely use Rick’s services again, and highly recommend him for anyone who wants a lawyer that they can trust to thoroughly handle their case from start to finish, even down to the small details. You can tell from working with Rick that he’s not just about getting paid for his services, but that he enjoys working through problems and finding creative solutions for his clients. Also, I highly recommend the Johnstone Adams, LLC systems and processes. Shelly and Cathy were on top of things. I give Rick and Johnstone Adams more than five stars.

Slide Title

WHY CHOOSE OUR FIRM

Dedicated Quality & Commitment

Only a few special law firms in the U.S. have provided exceptional representation to businesses for more than a century. Johnstone Adams, LLC is one of these rare, distinguished firms. Since 1897, the firm has successfully advanced from a local firm serving South Alabama into a dynamic regional powerhouse equipped to fulfill most legal needs of its diverse client base.

Legacy Of Excellence

Each attorney takes great pride in continuing the firm’s legacy of excellence. By consistently providing sophisticated, aggressive, and innovative legal solutions to every client in each service area, Johnstone Adams attorneys personally ensure that their firm’s long, storied past is only the beginning.

Exemplary Client Service & Efficiency

With a focus on exemplary client service and efficiency, Johnstone Adams attorneys guide clients through legal matters from the first conversation about strategy to successful completion in the following critical service areas: Health Care, Employment, Labor & Workers’ Compensation, Insurance Defense Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Transactions, Real Estate Litigation & Transactions, Construction, Oil & Gas, Tax, Trusts & Estate Planning, Banking & Finance, Immigration, and Forest Use.

ABOUT US

LATEST FROM THE BLOG

Johnstone Adams LLC Ranked by Best Law Firms® in 2025

By David Owens • January 17, 2025

Mobile, AL. United States, January16,2025 ··Johnstone Adams LLC has been recognized in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms*, a testament to its unwavering commitment to legal excellence. Ranked by Best Law Firms regionally in 8 practice areas, Johnstone Adams LLC has distinguished itself in the legal industry, earning this prestigious accolade. Firms included in the 2025 Best Law Finns& list are recognized for professional excellence with impressive ratings from clients and peers. To be considered for this milestone achievement, at least one lawyer in the law firm must be recognized in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Americaf). "At Best lawyers, we are proud to recognize law firms that show an unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction, • said Philip Creer, Chief Executive Officer of Best lawyers. "In the legal arena. Credibility is earned through consistent quality, which has propelled these firms to the forefront of the legal industry. • Achieving a ranking in Best Law Firms signifies high-quality legal practice and a depth of legal proficiency. Recognized firms, categorized into three tiers, receive acclaim on both national and metropolitan levels, reflecting the extent of their practice and geographic reach. Receiving a tier designation represents an elite status, reflecting the integrity and reputation earned by law firms. The 2025 edition of Best Law Firms* includes rankings in 75 national practice areas and127 metropolitan-based practice areas. The highest-rated firm in each national practice area attains the prestigious "Law Firm of the Year" honor. The transparent collaborative research process employs qualitative and quantitative data from peer and client reviews, supported by proprietary algorithmic technology, to produce a tiered system of industry-led rankings of the top 4% of the industry. Johnstone Adams LLC received the following rankings in the 2025 Best Law Firms®: • Regional Tier 1 o Mobile • Employment Law - Management • Labor Law - Management • Litigation - Labor and Employment • Workers• Compensation Law - Employers • Regional Tier 2 o Mobile • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law • Health Care Law • Litigation - Construction • Tax Law ### About Johnstone Adams LLC Johnstone Adams LLC is committed to providing its clients with the full range of services necessary to meet their legal needs. Our lawyers develop and maintain the knowledge and experience to provide top notch legal representation consistent with the needs of our clients, both as to time and expense. Johnstone Adams, LLC specializes in the following practice areas: • Banking, Finance & Creditors• Rights • Business and Corporate including Business Dispute and Shareholder Rights Litigation • Construction Litigation • Employment, Labor and Workers• Compensation Law • ERISA, Tax, Trusts & Estates • Health Care including Mental Health • Immigration including Employment, 1-9 Compliance and Family • Insurance Litigation: (1) Defense: Construction & Completed Operations; Major Claims & Professional Liability; (2) Coverage and Regulatory: Agency, Commercial, Fidelity, Personal lines & Title • Real Estate including Conveyancing, Environmental & Zoning • Real Estate Litigation, including Conveyancing, Lien Priorities & Titles For more than a century Johnstone Adams LLC has strived to improve upon how we deliver legal services to our clients in this ever-changing economic climate.

Johnstone Adams LLC Lawyers Recognized as Best lawyers® Award Recipients

By David Owens • January 17, 2025

Johnstone Adams LLC Lawyers Recognized as Best lawyers® Award Recipients Mobile, AL. United States, January 16, 2025 •• Johnstone Adams LLC is pleased to announce that 7 lawyers have been included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America• Since it was first published in1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Johnstone Adams LLC would like to congratulate the following lawyers named to 2025 The Best Lawyers in America list • Celia J. Collins • Employment Law Management. Labor Law Management. Litigation • Labor and Employment. and Workers' Compensation Law • Employers Rick A. La Trace - Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights I Insolvency and Reorganization Law • E. Russell March Ill - Elder Law • Wade B. Perry Jr. - Employment Law- Management, Health Care Law, and Litigation - Labor and Employment • Elizabeth Darby Rehm - Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management, and Litigation - Labor and Employment • Lawrence J. Seiter - Litigation - Construction and Workers• Compensation Law - Employers • E. Watson Smith - Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law and Tax Law ### About Johnstone Adams LLC Johnstone Adams LLC is committed to providing its clients with the full range of services necessary to meet their legal needs. Our lawyers develop and maintain the knowledge and experience to provide top notch legal representation consistent with the needs of our clients, both as to time and expense. Johnstone Adams, LLC specializes in the following practice areas: • Banking, Finance & Creditors• Rights • Business and Corporate including Business Dispute and Shareholder Rights Litigation • Construction Litigation • Employment Labor and Workers• Compensation Law • ERISA, Tax, Trusts & Estates • Health Care including Mental Health Immigration including Employment, 1-9 Compliance and Family • Insurance Litigation: Defense: Construction & Completed Operations; Major Claims & Professional Liability; Coverage and Regulatory: Agency, Commercial, Fidelity, Personal lines & Title Real Estate including Conveyancing, Environmental & Zoning Real Estate Litigation, including Conveyancing, Lien Priorities & Titles For more than a century Johnstone Adams LLC has strived to improve upon how we deliver legal services to our clients in this ever-changing economic climate.