Simms & Associates is widely regarded as one of the top personal injury law firms in the State of Alabama. The firm was founded in 1999 by lead attorney Derek Simms after gaining years of insight as an insurance industry insider. Simms & Associates will provide you with firsthand knowledge of how auto insurance companies operate. Insurers have specific methods of evaluating cases to determine their worth. Some insurance companies fear litigation – others do not. Simms & Associates can help guide you through the complex legal landscape to arrive at the best possible outcome in your personal injury case. Even if you have received a letter from an insurance company denying your claim on the basis of “contributory negligence,” Simms & Associates may be able to recover money damages on your behalf. Simms & Associates has also earned a reputation as an aggressive criminal defense firm that tries bench and jury trials in state and federal courts throughout Alabama. Simms & Associates is well-known for fighting hard and going to trial if needed to achieve the client's goals. Success in criminal defense requires persistence in the discovery phase and a detail-oriented approach. Simms & Associates works diligently to protect the rights of clients. The firm handles a wide range of criminal cases, including DUI and drug offenses The lawyers at Simms & Associates take personal pride in achieving the best possible outcome in the cases they handle. Their track record speaks for itself, with countless dismissals and jury acquittals.

My name is James M. Byrd and I'm a Mobile, Alabama criminal defense attorney. I was born in Mobile and graduated from Jefferson Davis High School in Montgomery. Following that, I attended Duke University and graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in Political Science and History. I come from a family of criminal defense lawyers and I always had a desire to become a criminal defense attorney. After my college graduation, I decided to attend The University of Alabama School of Law. In 1979 I graduated and passed the Alabama State Bar. I moved immediately to Mobile to begin my criminal practice with experienced criminal defense attorneys. I have continued that practice every day since October 1979.