Benton, Centeno & Morris, LLP

Located in the historic Gilbreath Building in downtown Birmingham, the law firm of Benton, Centeno & Morris, LLP handles business litigation matters in all courts, with emphasis on bankruptcy and construction cases.

"It's company versus company litigation," explains founding partner Lee Benton, a graduate of Auburn University and Cumberland School of Law. "It's about the sanctity of the contract, how strong the contract is, and who stands behind it. The challenge is that there's no true plaintiff or defendant because, inevitably, there's a counterclaim involved where both businesses feel like they are right. It revolves around economics rather than emotions."

Since 1982 Benton has practiced with fellow Cumberland graduate Doug Centeno, who also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Florida State University. However, it was not until 1998 that the two decided to branch out on their own. "We had worked in larger firms, but when we decided to form this practice it was as if we were rejuvenated. It started being fun again. That's important when you work 12- to 15-hour days," adds Benton.

Brent Morris, a graduate of the University of Montevallo and the University of Alabama School of Law, joined the firm as an associate in 2001 and became a partner in January 2005. His experience includes representing businesses and business owners in all all types of business and commercial disputes, representing debtors and creditors in litigation and bankruptcy matters, representing Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees, and representing individuals and businesses in civil trials and appeals in state and federal courts.

The partners at Benton, Centeno & Morris view the practice of law as a profession, not a trade. They are members of the American Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar, and the Birmingham Bar Association, and they have all served on various committees of the Birmingham Bar Association. Benton, Centeno & Morris have been listed as Martindale Hubbell "Preeminent Lawyers" since 2000. Centeno has served as Chairman and Co-Chairman on the Grievance Committee of the Birmingham Bar Association and served as Co-Chair of the Alabama Committee on Rules of Professional Conduct. Benton has served as President of the Birmingham Bar Association, Chairman of the Bankruptcy/Commercial Law Section of the Alabama State Bar, two years as treasurer of the Birmingham Bar Foundation, and on the Executive Committee of the Birmingham Bar Foundation. He is a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

They are also active in area churches and have been involved with various community organizations, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Alabama, Alabama Goodwill Industries, Birmingham Downtown YMCA, Habitat for Humanity and Attorney's Insurance Mutual of Alabama.