Jonathan A. Griffith's Profile

Jonathan Griffith’s practice is varied, and includes litigation in various fields of law such as construction, insurance defense, and corporations. Additionally, Jonathan specializes in representing and advising churches and nonprofits, and maintains Alabama Nonprofit Law.com as a resource for organizations.  He provides outside general counsel for many businesses and nonprofits, and enjoys assisting them with formation, corporate governance documents, conflict resolution and reconciliation, contract drafting/review, religious liberties issues, and much more.

Jonathan graduated summa cum laude the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, where he was a member of the Jere F. White, Jr., Fellows Program. He also served as Associate Editor of the Cumberland Law Review; a Caruthers Fellow teaching assistant for legal research and writing; and team leader for the Center for Children, Law, and Ethics. He was awarded the M. Alan Stevens Award for excellence in business law, and was co-recipient of the Daniel Austin Brewer Professionalism Award.

After law school, Jonathan worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Karon O. Bowdre, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.

Jonathan lives in Vestavia Hills with his wife and three children. Before law school, Jonathan and his family served as cross-cultural ministers in India and Costa Rica, where they had the privilege of serving at-risk children for nearly 10 years. He and his wife continue to serve on the board of directors of a non-profit that helps send indigenous missionaries to remote parts of Southeast Asia. They are actively involved in their local church and are licensed foster care parents.

Testimonials

“It is my sincere honor to recommend Jonathan Griffith, who has faithfully and skillfully provided Big Oak Ranch with legal counsel for many years. His partnership with our ministry has been far more than professional counsel; it has been a true alignment of heart, conviction, and purpose. He has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of, and a genuine compassion for, our mission to provide Christian homes for children needing a chance.

From the beginning, Jonathan has stood as an advocate for our mission, not only advising us but walking with us in a way that moves our vision forward while guarding the best interests of our children, our teams, and our donors. He brings a rare ability to see through our lens with clarity and conviction, while also seeing what we cannot see—offering wisdom, foresight, and protection in the areas that matter most.

His impact at Big Oak Ranch is woven into our organizational handbooks, media releases, nondisclosure agreements, and a wide range of essential tools that shape how we serve and safeguard others. At every step, he has kept our faith-based mindset at the forefront of his counsel. His recommendations and legal insight are always grounded in a respect for the values that guide us and the calling that anchors us.

Big Oak Ranch’s ability to scale toward the growth we are positioned for has been greatly increased because of Jonathan’s commitment to excellence and his heart for what God is doing here.

Jonathan’s integrity, skill, discernment, and mission-minded approach make him an invaluable partner to any organization seeking counsel marked by both legal expertise and deep conviction.”

—Brodie Croyle, CEO, Big Oak Ranch

“Jonathan is more than an attorney—he is a trusted partner in ministry. He combines deep legal expertise with a heart for the gospel and for protecting religious liberty. His wisdom, experience on the mission field, and Christlike concern for his clients make him an invaluable advocate for our organization. We are grateful for his skillful counsel and the way he consistently represents us with excellence and integrity.”

—Herbert M. Newell IV, President & Executive Director, Lifeline Children’s Services

“As the leader of a global non-profit, I live with a constant awareness of the fact that I can never be too prepared for the myriad problems that can arise from any direction in the unstable, litigious world that we operate in. I had the good fortune of meeting Jonathan Griffith several years ago, and when I learned that he specialized in legal work for non-profits, I flooded him with complex questions about issues in our organization that kept me up at night. Jonathan patiently and aptly brought rock solid resolution to each issue. In an era where it is hard to find both competence and character in the same professional package, Jonathan has proven to have both…in spades. He responds promptly and charges fairly. His ability to listen and understand the issue at hand, combined with his legal acumen and affable nature has made working with him a highly enjoyable process and I could not give a higher recommendation.”

—Matt Letourneau, CEO of neverthirst

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