About Dent
Dent practices in the Labor & Employment Law and Litigation sections, with an emphasis in complex litigation. In the Labor and Employment area, Dent specializes in advising and representing employers regarding a broad range of issues, including compliance with:
• Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
• The Civil Rights Act of 1866
• The Age Discrimination in Employment Act
• The Family & Medical Leave Act
• The Fair Labor Standards Act
• The Alabama Age Discrimination Act
• The National Labor Relations Act
• The Labor Management Relations Act
Dent has extensive experience in representing employers in state and federal courts, including in class and collective actions, and before agencies such as the Equal Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, and the National Labor Relations Board, and in advising employers with respect to hiring, discipline, termination, handbook and policy matters.
In the Litigation area, Dent specializes in complex commercial cases, especially those involving franchisee or distributor rights. One particular area of specialization is disputes between automobile dealers and their manufacturers with respect to vehicle allocation issues and the addition or relocation of dealers within a market. Dent has handled such cases before courts and agencies across the country. He also has extensive experience in representing corporate clients before the Georgia Office of Consumer Affairs in connection with advertising and consumer matters.
Dent received his B.S. from Samford University and his J.D., summa cum laude, from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University where he was Articles Editor for the Cumberland Law Review. He is currently listed in Alabama Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in Alabama, and Best Lawyers in America.
What is your favorite thing about the law?
I enjoy interacting with my clients the most. Educating clients and helping them avoid or address problems is very satisfying, as is obtaining a good result for people you have grown to know and like. I also enjoy legal writing — marshalling arguments and determining how best to express them is both challenging and rewarding.
What was your first job?
My first job was as a short-order cook at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor, flipping burgers and making sandwiches while wearing a ridiculous styrofoam hat. With culinary talent like me in the kitchen, it’s no wonder the place went under.
What are your hobbies?
I really enjoy fishing. My mother always said I’d rather fish than eat, and she was right. I also enjoy running, lifting weights, and watching football.