About Us

In 1926, a young man named Harvey Deramus graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law and came to Birmingham to establish a practice. Reared in an atmosphere of Southern gentility in Verbena, Alabama, Deramus knew the value of education, the wisdom of surrounding himself with quality people, and the duty of community service, lessons he proceeded to pour into his fledgling firm. Today, that firm is known as Johnston Barton Proctor & Rose LLP, and nearly 85 years later, those same basic tenets still apply.

Johnston Barton Proctor & Rose LLP has steadily grown and diversified to meet the needs of a growing and changing city. Today, with over 50 lawyers, the areas of legal services performed by Johnston Barton include all of the areas typically associated with full-service, national law firms.  The firm is particularly recognized within the State of Alabama and Southeast region for its extensive practice in business and tax-related matters, litigation, health care, and labor and employment law. Its clients range from major public corporations to closely held businesses and individuals.

Although Johnston Barton works on both a national and international scale, its lawyers remain committed to the local area. Throughout its long history, Johnston Barton has maintained a strong commitment to the Birmingham community, legal and otherwise. The firm's attorneys are leaders of the local and state bar associations (three have served as President of the Birmingham Bar Association) and are active participants in local charitable and community organizations, churches, and public institutions and agencies.