Kermit Kendrick practices in the firm's Litigation Section where he defends all types of litigation, including insurance defense, personal injury, wrongful death, toxic exposure, and property damage matters.  He serves as the chair of the firm’s Transportation, Insurance, and Product Section and has been recognized by many highly regarded organizations and directories nationwide.

Kermit’s background molded a competitive spirit and commitment to excellence that guides his handling and resolution of complex litigation matters across the Southeast.  As an All-American football player at the University of Alabama, Kermit learned the values of hard work, preparation, perseverance, teamwork, and courage. It is those same values that Kermit applies consistently in handling litigation matters in three primary areas.

While at the University of Alabama, Kermit was a 4-year starter on the football team, was an All-SEC performer in 1987 and, in 1988, was selected as an All-American. Kermit is especially thankful for having been the first winner of the Sylvester Croom Commitment to Excellence Award while at Alabama. Kermit later attended the University of Alabama School of Law. During law school, Kermit received the Jerome Hoffman Leadership Award and was a member of the Farrah Law Society. In addition, he was selected for membership in the Bench & Bar Legal Honor Society.  After receiving his Accounting degree, and before going to Law School, Kermit joined Merrill Lynch, where he secured a Series 7 license and worked as a financial consultant. In addition, Kermit served as a compliance officer for approximately two years for the University of Alabama’s Athletic Department before attending Law School.

William King joined the Southeastern Conference (“SEC) on September 1, 2015 as Associate Commissioner for Legal Affairs and Compliance.  In that role, William is responsible for managing all legal, legislative, contractual and litigation matters.  He advises SEC institutions regarding NCAA compliance issues and rules education and leads the SEC’s governance and rulemaking activities at the Conference and NCAA levels.  He also serves as the Conference liaison to the SEC football head coaches, university general counsel and legislative relations groups.  He has been responsible for the SEC gambling integrity monitoring program since 2018.

Prior to joining the SEC, William was a partner with Lightfoot, Franklin & White, spending more than 25 years with the firm.  While at Lightfoot, William incorporated his passion for college sports into his daily law practice as the firm became a national leader in NCAA infractions work.  In recent years, William handled high profile NCAA matters involving Cam Newton, Johnny Manziel, Todd Gurley and Reggie Bush, and he represented universities across the country, including six SEC institutions and members of the other autonomy conferences.  He also represented college coaches in NCAA compliance matters. William is a graduate of Washington & Lee University and Vanderbilt University School of Law.  He and his wife Dolly have three adult children.
 

William is a partner with Lightfoot, Franklin & White, LLC in Birmingham, Alabama where he has practiced law for over 30 years. His practice has been devoted exclusively to trial and appellate work in a wide variety of civil litigation matters. As a part of his practice, he has represented collegiate athletics departments around the country with investigations involving alleged infractions of NCAA rules, including appearances before the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions. William is a former member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Alabama
School of Law where he taught Trial Advocacy and Appellate Advocacy.  

William is a graduate from the University of Alabama and the Vanderbilt University School of Law. After law school, William clerked for the Hon. Truman M. Hobbs, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama.