Former Lightfoot Managing Partner Wynn Shuford to Join Drug Enforcement Administration
January 4, 2018
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (January 5, 2018) — Longtime Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC partner Wynn M. Shuford has accepted a position with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration in Arlington, Virginia. Shuford, who was with Lightfoot for nearly 25 years and recently finished out a term as its managing partner, will work in the Civil Litigation Section in the Office of Chief Counsel.
“While I am sad to leave this firm that I love, I am excited about the opportunity to pursue a career in public service,” said Shuford. “Since law school, I have always wanted to serve my country by working in the Department of Justice. I would not trade the time I’ve had at Lightfoot for anything, but I am also very grateful for the opportunity to follow this new path.”
In addition to serving as managing partner, Shuford maintained an active practice at Lightfoot, focusing on toxic tort, complex commercial, class action and mass tort litigation throughout the Southeast. Outside of work, he spends a significant amount of time giving back. In particular, Shuford, his wife and two daughters founded a charitable organization called Huruma International Ministries which works with orphans in the Horn of Africa
“At both Lightfoot and in his personal life, Wynn has always focused on serving others, and we are very happy for him as he takes on this new position where he can continue doing just that,” said Lightfoot managing partner Melody Hurdle Eagan. “While we will all miss him, everyone at the firm wishes Wynn and his family much success as they embark on this new phase of their lives.”
Public service is something of a tradition at Lightfoot. Several of its attorneys have gone on to positions in government, including Madeline Haikala, who now serves as a U.S. district judge; Jim Hughey who is now a Jefferson County circuit judge; and Gray Borden who left the firm to take a position as an assistant U.S. attorney and went on to serve as a U.S. magistrate judge.
Other Lightfoot litigators also served their country before entering private practice. Clint Speegle and Ben Willson were combat helicopter pilots for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps., respectively, before joining the firm. Last year, Brandon Essig, who also served with the Marine Corps., came to Lightfoot after a decade with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Alabama.
The Birmingham Business Journal interviewed Shuford about his new position and his time at Lightfoot (subscription required).
