Waldrep, Stewart & Kendrick, LLC

K. Mark Parnell

K. Mark Parnell has over 24 years of experience in civil litigation, corporate transactional law, employment law, public utility law, and municipal law. As one of the primary attorneys for Alabama's largest water utility, he has been extensively involved in all major corporate activities undertaken by this utility since 1988. These activities have included: prosecuting or defending all forms of civil or regulatory actions on behalf of this utility; numerous acquisitions or mergers of public water and/or waste water utilities; the sale and transfer of a public waste water collection and treatment system; the acquisition and sale of real estate, serving as issuer's counsel for numerous bond issues; providing day-to-day advice regarding corporate governance; and providing day-to-day advice regarding all aspects of employment related issues.

Mr. Parnell also has extensive experience in representing municipalities, public agencies and instrumentalities, public officials, private individuals and private companies.

Litigation

Defense of Class Actions

During his career, Mr. Parnell has successfully defended numerous class action lawsuits. These cases were eventually dismissed after motions for class certification were successfully defended. These cases involved: challenges to procedures to collect water and waste water bills; challenges regarding implementing rate increases; challenges concerning the performance of a utility's duties as the collection agent for a waste water entity; and challenges to charitable contributions and the effect those contributions had on rate increases.

General Liability Actions

During Mr. Parnell's career, he has successfully defended numerous premises liability cases involving meter boxes, flood damage cases from broken or ruptured water mains, automobile accidents, workers' compensation claims and complaints seeking injunctive relief. Mr. Parnell has also successfully prosecuted a number collection actions as well as actions seeking injunctive relief. Successful verdicts were reached in these cases through motions for summary judgment and trial verdicts, both jury and non-jury.

Education
Mr. Parnell received his undergraduate degree from Jacksonville State University in 1983 where he graduated with Special Honors and his law degree from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University in 1987 where he was an Associate Editor for The Cumberland Law Review.

Bar Admissions
Mr. Parnell is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, United States Court of Appeals Federal Circuit, the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama, as well as Alabama state courts.

Professional Associations, Memberships and Community Involvement
Mr. Parnell is a member of the American Bar Association, Alabama Bar Association, and Birmingham Bar Association. He is also a member of Alabama Association of Municipal Attorneys and the American Water Works Association, where he has previously served as Chairman of the Legislative Affairs Committee, Alabama Section. In addition to these professional associations, Mr. Parnell volunteers for the American Diabetes Association and served as the 2011 President/Chairman of the Alabama Leadership Council.