Rachel M. Lary, Partner

Rachel Lary is a national litigator who brings focus, strategy and trusted advocacy to every case.

There is a reason why Rachel serves as trusted national litigation counsel for several Fortune 500 companies. An engaging communicator, she immediately commands attention in any venue and is a tireless advocate for her clients and their goals. 

Rachel focuses on defending high-stakes product liability and medical malpractice cases, as well as handling trust and estate matters and business disputes. She has litigated cases in courts nationwide. Rachel serves as national counsel for a global commercial truck manufacturer, a multinational automotive manufacturing company, a national rental equipment company and lead counsel for medical professionals. 

Rachel’s successes include:

• Serving as lead counsel in securing a favorable trial result in Washington, D.C., in a multimillion-dollar personal injury case for a national rental equipment company that admitted liability, with the jury ultimately awarding just ten percent of the plaintiff’s demand after siding with the defense on causation and damages. 
• Serving as lead counsel in the successful defense of a cardiologist in Alabama against wrongful death claims. At the close of the plaintiff’s case before the jury, the trial court granted the team’s motion for judgment as a matter of law and dismissed the claims against the cardiologist.
• Obtaining summary judgment on behalf of a Fortune 500 company in a multi-million dollar business dispute alleging claims of fraud and breach of contract.
• Representing a beneficiary in claims seeking millions of dollars against fiduciaries for breach of their duties. Rachel obtained a favorable settlement on behalf of the client.

Rachel takes a tailored approach to each matter she handles and is always up for a challenge. Understanding what it takes to bring a case through to trial, she focuses on developing a persuasive story for each stage of litigation. She enjoys uncovering key details, crafting a narrative rooted in the truth, addressing the hard facts and persuading a court or jury to find in her client’s favor.

A leader within Lightfoot, Rachel chaired the firm’s Associate Committee for several years and currently leads its Marketing and Business Development Committee. She was named one of the Top Birmingham Women by the Birmingham Business Journal in 2024 and named a Future Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation, also in 2024. Rachel has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2018 for her work in product liability, personal injury, commercial litigation and trusts and estates.

Rachel is committed to instilling confidence in young girls and serves as Chair of the Board of Girls, Inc. of Central Alabama, an organization whose mission is to teach all girls to be strong, smart and bold. Rachel is also an active and committed member of her community in Homewood, Alabama, where she grew up and lives with her husband, their strong son, bold teenage daughter and smart German Shorthaired Pointer.

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