Meet Our Attorneys
We’re proud to be your lawyers through life’s transitions.
Burton Dunn
Burton Dunn earned his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and his law degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in 2005. Prior to attending law school, Burton worked in Media Relations and Marketing for the Auburn University Athletics Department and the Atlanta Hawks. He also served as the Campaign Coordinator for Alabama Supreme Court Justice Ralph Cook’s 2000 re-election campaign. Burton currently advises clients on their probate law, elder law and estate planning needs, including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans’ Affairs, estate and trust litigation matters, mental health issues, guardianships/conservatorships, and adoptions.
Prior to founding Dunn & Associates, Burton was a senior associate at White Arnold & Dowd, P.C. in their Probate Practice Group, where he was an integral part of the Office of Jefferson County’s General Conservator and Guardian handling the financial affairs and medical care decisions of over 500 wards. Burton is a member of the Alabama State Bar, American Bar and Birmingham Bar Associations. He is an active member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the National Guardianship Association as well as many different sections of the Alabama and Birmingham Bar Association. Additionally, Burton is the President Elect of the Birmingham Bar Association’s Probate Section and a member of the Board of Directors of Holy Family Cristo Rey Catholic High School.
Tara Leahy
Tara Leahy is an Associate Attorney based in Birmingham, Alabama, specializing in probate law, including estate administration and litigation, guardianships and conservatorships, and estate planning.
A native of Madison, Alabama, Tara graduated summa cum laude from Auburn University with a B.A in Political Science with a minor in English. She earned her Juris Doctor from Samford University, Cumberland School of Law, where Tara was also a member Alabama Student Bar Association, Cumberland’s Women in Law, and completed the Cumberland Externship Program. Tara also was a student member of the Birmingham Bar Association. During law school, Tara gained invaluable experience as a law clerk at Dunn & Associates, where she honed her skills in drafting estate planning documents, assisting in guardianship and conservatorship matters, and estate administrations.
Tara joined Dunn & Associates as an Associate Attorney in 2024, after being admitted to the Alabama State Bar and United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. In her role, she supports client throughout the probate process and helps them achieve their estate planning objectives, while also collaborating with Burton on estate/trust litigation and guardianship/conservatorship matters.
Tara is a proud member of both the Alabama State Bar and Birmingham Bar Association. Outside of her legal practice, she enjoys playing tennis, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.