R. A. "Sonny" Ferguson, Jr.
Christian & Small LLP
Suite 1800, Financial Center, 505 North 20th Street
Birmingham, AL 35203
United States
Personal relationships have always been the backbone of Sonny Ferguson’s law practice. He says parties respond to someone who will listen to their issues and provide them with a truthful evaluation of the facts. Once the parties engage the firm’s services, as a mediator or as a Private Judge, Sonny believes they deserve 100% of his attention to their issues and a timely resolution to their matter.
Sonny joined Christian & Small after serving as a judge for 15 years in the Domestic Relations Division of Alabama’s Tenth Judicial Circuit. His experiences as an attorney and a circuit court judge prepared him to help the firm’s mediation, appellate mediation, and Private Judging clients. Sonny also credits his strong belief system – the way his parents raised him, his teachers taught him and his athletics coaches led him – with having a tremendous impact on his career and ability to serve. His family has always been supportive of his professional decisions.
Professional and Community Involvement
- Alabama Academy of Attorney Mediators (membership by invitation only)
- Alabama Power Rivals Unite for Recovery to benefit the Governor’s Emergency Relief Fund
- Special Appointment to the Alabama Supreme Court (2016-2017)
- Alabama State Bar: Charter Member; Family Law Section; Probate and Real Property Section
- Birmingham Bar Association: Chairperson (2012) and Member; Family, Domestic & Juvenile Court Committee – Chair, 1993-present; Co-Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution CLE Committee, 2012; Entertainment Committee, 2001 – present; Executive Committee, 1995-1998
- American Academy of Adoption Attorneys: Member, 1992-1995
- Birmingham Bar Foundation: Member
- Alabama Circuit Judges Association: Member, Speaker and Chair, Family Law Section, 2000-2010
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes: Adult Member
- John Carroll High School: Booster Club Member; Search Committee, 1992
- St. Francis Xavier Church: Member; Basketball Coach, 1990-2000
- Monday Morning Quarterback Club (1989-present)
- YMCA: Member, Century Club; Board Member
- John Croyle Big Oak Ranch: Patron
- Auburn University Football Letterman Club: Member
- Jefferson County Auburn Club: Member
- Diocesan of Birmingham Review Board Member
- Mutual Savings Credit Union: Board Member
- Pro Bono Mediation for Domestic Relations Division, 10th Judicial Circuit
Awards and Recognition
- Named 2023 Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” in the Birmingham Area
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® in the fields of Family Law, Family Law Arbitration, Family Law Mediation, and Mediation
- Tried the first Private Judging case in Alabama (Aug. 2012)
- 2007 Judge of the Year, Alabama State Bar, Family Law Section
- Birmingham Magazine “Top Lawyers” (2014)
Representative Experience
- Circuit Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit, Domestic Relations Division (1995- 2011)
- 21 years in private practice in Birmingham, Ala.
- Approved Private Judge (2012): Assets, Estate Litigation, Contempt, Contracts, Domestic Relations, Personal Injury, Property, Relocation, Retirement
- Special Supreme Court Judge
Publications and Presentations
- Presenter, “Author’s Day” at Our Lady of Sorrows School (May 2017)
- Author, Your Day in Court – Sooner or Later?, Christian & Small Nonstop Insights Blog (April 2015)
- Author, Private Judging Administrative Directives Rescinded, Christian & Small Nonstop Insights Blog (July 2014)
- Author, Private Judging: New Kid on the Block (May 2012, updated in 2015)
- Author, Are You Ready for Private Judging? (Updated in 2015)
- Author, Things You Want to Know About Your Judge but are Afraid to Ask (April 2013)
- Moderator, Selecting a Mediator… Gamesmanship, Birmingham Bar Association (November 2012)
- Presenter, Private Judging, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (December 2012)
- Presenter, Contempt Issues in Domestic Relations Courts, Alabama Bar Institute for Continuing Legal Education Seminar (March 26, 2010).
- Presenter, Protection from Abuse Act vs. Temporary Restraining Orders, Birmingham Bar Association Domestic Law Update Seminar (2001).
- Presenter, Substantive Legal Issues: A Hodgepodge, Birmingham Bar Association CLE Seminar (2000).
- Presenter, Things that Irritate a Court During a Pending Domestic Case, Birmingham Bar Association New Lawyers Seminar (2006).
- Presenter, Things that Irritate a Court During a Pending Domestic Case, Alabama Bar Institute for Continuing Legal Education Seminar (1998).
- Presenter, Family and Domestic Relations, Birmingham Bench and Bar Retreat Seminar (2003).
- Presenter, Relocation Act: Before and After Divorce, University of Alabama School of Law Seminar on the Fundamentals of Domestic Practice (2006).
- Presenter, Domestic Relations and Family Law Issues, Birmingham Bar Association Seminar (1998).
- Presenter, Practice in Domestic Court: Perspectives of a New Judge, Alabama Bar Institute for Continuing Legal Education Seminar (1996).
- Presenter, Visitation Issues, Birmingham Bar Association Seminar (1996).
Admissions
- Alabama, 1974
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama, Criminal, Civil & Bankruptcy
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama, Criminal, Civil & Bankruptcy
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama, Criminal, Civil & Bankruptcy
Practice Areas
Education
- Auburn University, 1970, B.A. (Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities; Omicron Delta Kappa Honorary; Four-Year Letterman, Auburn University Football Team; National Lineman of the Week and Southeastern Conference Lineman, Sports Illustrated and AP, 1969)
- Samford University Cumberland School of Law, 1973, J.D.
- Judicial Education Certified, 1999, (400 hours)
- Divorce/Domestic Relations Training, (40 hours),
- Alabama Supreme Court Special Appellate Mediation Course, 2011,