Roderick Jariel Evans

Evans is an experienced advocate and litigator who represents persons and businesses from all walks of life. His practice primarily focuses on civil litigation and includes business law, construction law, employment law, landlord/tenant law, estate planning, Christian conciliation, municipal law, real estate transactions (commercial), affordable housing, and risk management.

Roderick’s municipal law expertise includes civil defense, drafting of local legislation, election law, revenue/taxation, zoning compliance and litigation, annexation, inter-municipal agreements, economic development incentives and programs, finance, contracts, procurement of services, bid compliance and protest, employee benefits, navigating labor and employment issues including ADA and EEOC related claims, administrative law practice, licensing, redevelopment, telecommunications including small cell (5G) and fiber optics, and providing day-to-day legal advice and support to city administration, city council, and other governmental boards.

Roderick received a B.A. in Political Science cum laude in 2007 from Samford University where he was selected for membership in Omicron Delta Kappa honorary society, Pi Sigma Alpha political honor society, and recognized as Who’s Who Among Colleges and Universities. Roderick is a 2010 graduate of Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. He was elected Student Bar Association President and represented Cumberland in the ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition earning an appellate brief score in the top ten percent of competitors and recognition for excellence in oral advocacy. While at Cumberland, Roderick was also recognized as Who’s Who Among Colleges and Universities and awarded the Spirit of Service award after completing over a hundred hours of community service at various local organization such as Jimmie Hale, Hands On Birmingham, Christian Service Mission, and with the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. In 2018, he received the Audrey Gaston Howard Award, an honor given to significant African American alumni from Samford University for exemplary professional achievement and civic and community service.

Roderick clerked with the Honorable Caryl P. Privett of the 10th Judicial Circuit and was a law clerk with Davenport, Lavette & Cleckler. He then worked as an Associate at Paden & Paden P.C., including serving as assistant city attorney for the City of Bessemer; assistant general counsel for Bessemer Electric & Water Service; assistant general counsel for Government Utility Services Corporation (water filtration and distribution plant); assistant board attorney for the Industrial Development Board of the City of Bessemer; and city prosecutor for thousands of criminal cases in municipal court including their appeals to Circuit court.

Roderick is a member of Mountaintop Church and serves as an elder and on the worship team. He is passionate about community, locally and abroad, serving participating in various service projects, as former Board Treasurer for the Legacy YMCA in Bessemer, as editor of the 2015 Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce magazine, as City of Hoover representative for the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority, participating in Leadership Hoover, speaking at various events including as a commencement speaker for his alma mater: Samford University, and going on short term missions to places like the Philippines and Nepal. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Cornesha Terry and their two daughters.