Royal C. Dumas

Mr. Dumas recently joined Rushton, Stakely, Johnston & Garrett, P.A. after practicing in a Montgomery firm focused primarily on corporate representation. Mr. Dumas graduated the Hartt School of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance, from Southern Methodist University with a Master of Music in Classical Guitar, and from the University of Alabama School of Law where he served on the Alabama Law Review and as the Co-Chair of the Campbell Moot Court Board. He has litigated a wide variety of civil cases with an emphasis in defending complex commercial, funded and unfunded pension plans, aviation, and professional malpractice claims. His experience in this area includes litigation of individual cases, multi-district and class action litigation, both at the local and national level.

Mr. Dumas defends attorneys against claims of professional negligence, and numerous corporations in state and federal court against a variety of legal theories including breach of contract, fraud, regulatory violations, and bankruptcy stay/discharge.

Mr. Dumas has handled complex litigation for clients nationwide. He has directly handled complex litigation as counsel in federal or state cases in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Tennessee.

Mr. Dumas has served on numerous boards and organizations as a member and in leadership positions, including:

• President, Montgomery County Bar Association
• Officer/Director, Federal Bar Association (M.D. Alabama)
• Chair; Alabama State Bar Long Range Task Force (appointed by the Alabama State Bar)
• Chair; Alabama State Pro Bono Task Force (appointed by the Alabama State Bar)
• Member, Indigent Defense Committee, Montgomery County, Alabama
• Board Member; Montgomery County Volunteer Foundation
• Member, Bench & Bar Relations Task Force 2019-2020 (appointed by the Alabama State Bar)
• Fellow, Alabama Law Foundation

Recent Practice Highlights

Obtained a dismissal of all claims in favor of a client in a multi-million dollar medical management, fraud claim.

Obtained summary judgment in multi-million dollar first party bad faith claim

Secured the release of multi-millions of dollars in federal claim brought by the Department of Labor regarding unsecured pension plan

Served as lead counsel for international client in multi-million dollar merger and acquisition of domestic software company

Handled numerous appeals over the previous 10 years, including all Alabama state appellate courts, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Mississippi Supreme Court

Handled litigation in several states, including Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Tennessee

Publications

The Muddled Mettle of Jurisprudence: Race and Procedure in Alabama’s Appellate Courts, 1901-1930, 58 Ala. L. Rev.417 (2006)
My Son and My Money Go to the University of Alabama? The Students at the University of Alabama in 1845 and the Families that Sent Them. Alabama Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Law Review, Volume 1 (2011)

Presentations

Lectured on ethical issues for lawyers in communications and as to conflict representation

Lectured on ethical and legal issues in navigating corporate agreement

Honors and Awards

Presidents Award given by the Alabama State Bar

Elected as a Fellow to the Alabama Law Foundation

Winner of the Alabama State Bar Al Vreeland Award

Elected as Fellow of the American Bar Association

A Member of the Alabama Law Review, and Co-Chair of the John Campbell Moot Court Board at the University of Alabama School of Law.

Community Involvement

Mr. Dumas served as a faculty member at Auburn University Montgomery, teaching classes in civil litigation, business organization, and technology.

Mr. Dumas is a member of St. Peter’s Church in Montgomery.

He is also a board member of the Montgomery Zoo.

He has also served as a board member of Clef Works Chamber Music Society

• Automotive Dealers
• Appellate Practice
• Commercial, Complex, and Class Action Litigation
• Construction Law
• Insurance Defense and Coverage Law
• Labor and Employment Law
• Products Liability
• Professional Liability and Licensure Matters

• Hartt School of Music
• Southern Methodist University
• University of Alabama School of Law

• Alabama State Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association
• Federal Bar Association (M.D. Alabama)
• Alabama State Bar Long Range Task Force
• Alabama State Pro Bono Task Force
• Indigent Defense Committee, Montgomery County, Alabama
• Montgomery County Volunteer Foundation
• Alabama Law Foundation
• American Bar Association