J. Michael Bowling

Mike Bowling’s legal practice has evolved over the years since he was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1996, but is still primarily litigation driven. He defends clients against a variety of claims, including class actions, cases related to the mining of aggregate, coal, and other natural resources, the use of explosives, employment related cases, workers’ compensation claims, premises liability actions and business related torts. In addition to defending his clients against any and all manner of lawsuits, Mr. Bowling also counsels his clients on a wide array of business issues and litigation preventative measures.

He currently represents three of the nations largest providers of explosives products and services. In addition to defending these companies against claims related to the sale, use, and distribution of explosives throughout the Southeast, he counsels them on the day to day operation of their businesses. Mr. Bowling provides similar services to many surface coal mining operations and quarrying operations throughout the State of Alabama. He is a regular speaker at the annual Quarry Academy put on by Dyno Nobel and has spoken at explosives conferences in Birmingham, Alabama, Miami, Florida, and San Antonio, Texas.

Mr. Bowling represents individuals and many small businesses in the State of Alabama, defending them against personal injury litigation, and providing them with counsel regarding the development of litigation preventative measures, federal and state employment regulations, and other general business issues. His practice includes trying multiple cases to verdict each year, which range from million dollar disputes involving the sale of construction materials to personal injury claims arising out of automobile accidents.

Mr. Bowling has tried cases to verdict in Federal Court and throughout the State of Alabama. He has tried cases in Alabama State Court as far North as Morgan County and as far South as Mobile County. He has also obtained several reported decisions from both the Alabama Supreme Court and the Court of Civil Appeals.

Professional Affiliations

• Alabama State Bar Association

• Defense Research Institute

• International Society of Explosives and Engineers

• Quarry Academy faculty member, 2009 – Present

Reported and Notable Current Cases and Representative Clients

Federated Mutual Insurance Company v. Melvin Arthur Vaughan, 961 So. 2d 816 (Ala. 2007)

Mr. Bowling obtained Summary Judgment in favor of Federated Mutual Insurance Company as a result of an employee underinsured motorist exclusion. This was a case of first impression under Alabama law in which the Supreme Court of Alabama upheld the trial court=s grant of Summary Judgment in favor of Federated Mutual Insurance Company.

Birmingham Coal and Coke v. Johnson, 10 So. 3d 993 (Ala. 2008)

Mr. Bowling obtained a reversal of the trial court=s grant of damages for emotional distress and mental anguish awarded to eighteen plaintiffs in a case in which the Supreme Court of Alabama clarified the law or damages in blasting cases.

Lafarge North America Inc. v. Nord, 86 So. 3d 326 (Ala. 2011)

The Supreme Court of Alabama reversed a $200,000 judgment entered by a Perry County Jury based on a finding the plaintiff was contributorily negligent in causing his own injuries, as a matter of law.

Mr. Bowling defended a quarry against one of the largest mass actions filed in the history of Alabama in which allegations of pollution, health concerns, and property damage were raised by over 500 plaintiffs.

Mr. Bowling has litigated on behalf of quarries and blasting companies in cases throughout the country, including cases in Alabama, Buffalo, New York, Lloyd County, Kentucky and Presque Isle, Michigan.

• Mr. Bowling serves as national counsel for one of the largest aggregate providers in the northern hemisphere.

• Mr. Bowling has proudly represented USAA, the primary insurance carrier for military veterans, for over ten years.

Personal Information

When he is not practicing law, Mike likes to spend time with his wife, Lisa, and their children, John Michael and Lucy. He is an active member of Canterbury United Methodist Church. Now that his children are older, he is officially retired from coaching youth sports.

Areas of Practice

Blasting and Explosives Litigation
Mining and Quarry Litigation
Products Liability
Premises Liability
Fraud Litigation
Personal Injury Defense
Fiduciary Duty Litigation
Antitrust Litigation

 mbowling@friedman-lawyers.com

 205.278.7070