Jim Vann, the president, board member and shareholder with Dentons Sirote in Birmingham, was honored for his leadership at a time when most lawyers are slowing down.

"In 2022, Jim's law partners asked him to consider serving as the firm's next president—and much to the surprise of his wife, Robyn, and even to himself, he agreed," according to his nominator essay. "Jim never 'wanted' to be or ever considered being president. However, the firm's nominating committee felt strongly that Jim's intelligence, perspective and leadership made him the right person for the job, especially with the Dentons combination. After thinking about it for a few days, Jim accepted the role and the opportunity to further contribute his leadership skills to the firm."