ATTORNEYS

James T. Gullage

B.A. Auburn University, Business
J.D. University of Alabama School of Law
Retired Circuit Judge

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James T. Gullage attended Auburn University receiving his Bachelor’s Degree in 1960 and attended the University of Alabama School of Law where he earned his law degree also in 1960. He served in the United States Army in West Berlin during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Cold War Crisis from 1962-1965 and remained on active duty until 1968; he served in the Army Reserve as Deputy Staff Law Judge Advocate for the Third Army from 1986-1990 and as Commander of the Military Law Center in Atlanta, Georgia until 1990 when he retired as a Full Bird Colonel.

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Mr. Gullage was admitted to practice law in Alabama in 1960 and began his practice with the firm of Walker and Hill in 1968 where he continued until 1977. He was elected and served as the Circuit Court Judge of the 37th Judicial District from January 1977-March 1997 and also served as a Municipal Judge for the City of Opelika until 2001. After his retirement from the bench Mr. Gullage returned to private practice in Lee County in the firm of Gullage & Tickal, LLP. Committed to civic and church affairs, he served in numerous capacities over the years including, but not limited to, being a member of the Opelika Lions Club, Boy Scouts of America Committees, Red Cross Board, member of the Board of Directors of the First Alabama Bank of Lee County, Alabama. He has served the First Baptist Church of Opelika as Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Sunday School teacher, and Trustee.

Jeffrey G. Tickal

B.S. Auburn University, Civil Engineering
J.D. Cumberland School of Law

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Jeff is a graduate Civil Engineer from Auburn University. He obtained his law degree from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. Prior to attending law school, Jeff was a licensed General Contractor in Florida. Mr. Tickal’s practice consists mainly of the representation of design professionals, contractors and sureties on construction related issues. He is admitted to practice in all Alabama District and State Courts, and is also admitted before the United States Supreme Court. Jeff authors and lectures nationally on construction laws issues and professional liability including:

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•  “Understanding How Contracts Can Reduce or Increase Risk”; Halfmoon Education, Inc. (2015)

• “What Do You Do When the Contract is Changed?”; Halfmoom Education, Inc. (2014)

• “What Do You Do When Conditions on the Job Change?”; Halfmoom Education, Inc. (2014)

• “Managing Design Professional Risk”; Halfmoom Education, Inc. (2014)

• “Ethics in Construction”; The Contractor’s Compass (2004)

• “Recent Changes to Alabama’s Competitive Bid Laws”; The Alabama Roadbuilder (1997)

• “Prompt Pay Laws in Alabama”; The Alabama Roadbuilder (1997)

• “Differing Site Conditions”; The Alabama Roadbuilder (1996)

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Mr. Tickal is also a member of the Alabama State Bar’s Construction section. From 2002 to 2006 he was full time faculty at Auburn University in the Department of Building Science where he taught Construction Law, Structures, Soils, OSHA and Safety classes. Jeff has served as both mediator and arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

Katie M. Crow

B.A. Auburn University, Public Relations
J.D. Thomas Goode Jones School of Law

Katie joined the firm in 2011. Katie’s practice focuses primarily in domestic law. This includes among other matters; divorce, custody, paternity, modifications, adoption, wills and juvenile law. Katie earned her Juris Doctorate from Jones School of Law and admitted into practice in 2009. During law school, Katie was a member of the Jones Law Review, served as research assistant for Professor Thurston Reynolds and served as a law clerk for the Honorable Judge Lane in the Lee County Circuit Court; Family Law Division. Katie is admitted to practice in Alabama courts and is a member of the Alabama Bar Association.

Katie is an Auburn University graduate and lives in Auburn, Alabama. She is a member of the Junior Executive Board for the Lee County American Cancer Association and an Executive Board Member of the Child Advocacy Center of East Alabama.