Taxation Provides tax advice and planning to a number of business and non-profit corporations, professional corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and trusts. Provided tax and other legal advice to several local and Southwest Alabama-based foundations, including the formation of foundations, providing advice relating to charitable gifts and donations, and regular advice as counsel to a foundation having assets of approximately $40 million. Obtained tax-exempt status for many healthcare organizations and other institutions. Represented taxpayers in tax litigation in the U.S. Tax Court and Federal District Court. Corporation Law Handled a number of mergers and acquisitions, including transactions ranging from $20 million to $50 million. Advised tax-exempt organizations with respect to the issuance of tax-exempt bonds, including bond issues up to $100 million. Served as outside general counsel for a number of local corporations. Employee Benefits (ERISA) Drafts qualified retirement plans (pension, profit-sharing, 401(k) and 403(b) plans), cafeteria plans, and other welfare benefit plans. Provides ongoing advice as to the operation and administration of these plans. Obtains tax-exempt determination letters for many qualified retirement plans. Healthcare and Hospital Law Acts as counsel for a number of hospitals and other healthcare organizations, including serving as in-house general counsel for a large integrated healthcare system. Provides ongoing advice in numerous areas relating to hospital and tax law for these healthcare organizations. Provided advice in connection with the acquisition of a large number of physician practices.

Professional and Community Involvement

Member, Alabama Law Institute Member, Alabama State Bar Member, American Bar Association Member, American Health Lawyers Association Member, Board of Trustees of the American Institution on Federal Taxation, 1977 to 2007 Member, Mobile County Bar Association

Attorney E. Watson Smith – Mobile, AL

E. Watson Smith

Mr. E. Russell March III — Mobile, AL — Johnston Adams, LLC

Partner

ews@johnstoneadams.com

Direct: (251) 441-9244

Fax: (251) 432-2800

P.O. Box 1988

Mobile, AL 36633

REQUEST INFORMATION

Attorney Assistant

Brenda Stapleton

Phone : (251) 441-9297

bgs@johnstoneadams.com

Paralegal

Candy Knickerbocker

Phone : (251) 441-9256

cgk@johnstoneadams.com

Related Practices:

Business and Corporate
Healthcare
Tax, Trusts, and Estate Planning

Education:

LL.M., Taxation, New York University, 1962
LL.B., Duke University, 1965
B.S., Auburn University, 1962

Mr. E. Watson Smith

Watson Smith primarily works with non-profit healthcare organizations on tax exemption, tax planning, ERISA, regulatory, transactional, and contract matters. He also represents physicians in recruitment, tax, and corporate matters. Having spent four years as an in-house general counsel at a large healthcare system, Watson is a savvy advisor for his healthcare clients.

Watson’s experience includes drafting and advising qualified retirement plans (pension, profit sharing 401(k) and 403(b) plans), cafeteria plans, and other welfare benefit plans. He provides ongoing advice as to the operation and administration of these plans.

Watson also represents individuals on estates and trust matters. He has been recognized as a Best Lawyer in Tax. He is a former trustee of the American Tax Institute, meaning clients can be assured that Watson is committed to remaining abreast of the latest tax laws and regulations.

Watson is committed to delivering quality legal work on a timely basis to his clients. He operates by the Golden Rule and treats people the way he wants to be treated. His competitive nature keeps him ahead of the game, and his non-profit, healthcare, corporate, and individual clients appreciate his straightforward manner.

Admissions

1965, Alabama State Bar

Court Admissions

1970, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
1971, U.S. Supreme Court
1975, U.S. Tax Court
1981, U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

Honors + Awards

Selected for Inclusion in Best Lawyers of America in the Field of Tax Law, 1987-Present; Healthcare Law 1991–2007

AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating From Martindale-Hubbell, Since 1983

Experience
Taxation

Provides tax advice and planning to a number of business and non-profit corporations, professional corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), partnerships, and trusts.
Provided tax and other legal advice to several local and Southwest Alabama-based foundations, including the formation of foundations, providing advice relating to charitable gifts and donations, and regular advice as counsel to a foundation having assets of approximately $40 million.
Obtained tax-exempt status for many healthcare organizations and other institutions.
Represented taxpayers in tax litigation in the U.S. Tax Court and Federal District Court.

Corporation Law

Handled a number of mergers and acquisitions, including transactions ranging from $20 million to $50 million.
Advised tax-exempt organizations with respect to the issuance of tax-exempt bonds, including bond issues up to $100 million.
Served as outside general counsel for a number of local corporations.

Employee Benefits (ERISA)

Drafts qualified retirement plans (pension, profit-sharing, 401(k) and 403(b) plans), cafeteria plans, and other welfare benefit plans.
Provides ongoing advice as to the operation and administration of these plans.
Obtains tax-exempt determination letters for many qualified retirement plans.

Healthcare and Hospital Law

Acts as counsel for a number of hospitals and other healthcare organizations, including serving as in-house general counsel for a large integrated healthcare system.
Provides ongoing advice in numerous areas relating to hospital and tax law for these healthcare organizations.
Provided advice in connection with the acquisition of a large number of physician practices.
Professional and Community Involvement
Member, Alabama Law Institute
Member, Alabama State Bar
Member, American Bar Association
Member, American Health Lawyers Association
Member, Board of Trustees of the American Institution on Federal
Taxation, 1977 to 2007
Member, Mobile County Bar Association

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.

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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.