Leia Leonard
AttorneyBrief Biography
Leia Leonard is an attorney at Farris Riley Injury Law in Birmingham, Alabama, focusing on car accident, slip and fall, and dog bite cases. She has practiced law since earning her J.D. from Birmingham School of Law in 2014, bringing more than a decade of experience to clients across Alabama.
Leia represents clients injured in car accidents throughout the Birmingham area and across Alabama. Because Alabama is one of the few remaining contributory negligence states, even a small share of fault assigned to an injured driver can bar recovery entirely — which makes early, careful case-building essential from the first phone call.
Leia also handles slip and fall and other premises liability claims, where proving a property owner knew or should have known about a dangerous condition — and failed to fix it or warn visitors — is central to the case. As with car accidents, Alabama’s contributory negligence rule makes it critical to establish early that the injured person did nothing to cause their own fall.
Leia’s dog bite practice draws on a part of Alabama law that surprises a lot of people: Alabama applies a hybrid standard depending on where the bite happened. If a bite occurs while the victim is lawfully on the dog owner’s property, Alabama Code § 3-6-1 imposes strict liability — the owner is responsible regardless of whether the dog ever bit anyone before. Off the owner’s property, Alabama instead follows a common-law “one-bite” negligence rule, requiring proof that the owner knew or should have known the dog was dangerous. Alabama’s contributory negligence doctrine applies to dog bite cases as well, which makes where the bite happened and what the victim was doing beforehand two of the most important early facts in any claim.
Leia has built a reputation as a fierce advocate who leads with empathy, treating every client like family. Her approach is rooted in genuine connection: she listens with care, speaks with compassion, and fights tirelessly for the people who need her most. What drives her isn’t just winning cases — it’s building real relationships with the people behind them, making sure every client feels heard, supported, and empowered throughout a process that can otherwise feel overwhelming.
Leia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of Montevallo and her law degree from Birmingham School of Law, graduating in 2014. Born and raised in Odenville, Alabama, and a graduate of St. Clair County High School, Leia brings the same small-town directness to a courtroom that she was raised with — she treats every client like family because that’s genuinely how she was raised to treat people.
Outside the courtroom, Leia’s world revolves around faith, family, and community. She and her husband Andrew are proud parents to three kids and are deeply involved at their children’s school, where Leia is known as the “school mom” — planning teacher appreciation surprises and adding her signature touch to school events. Her faith has anchored her for more than 15 years as a devoted member of Church of the Highlands.
When she’s not working or volunteering, Leia’s making memories cheering on the Auburn Tigers, hosting backyard BBQs, or throwing themed parties for friends and family. Her favorite escape is sunny days in Orange Beach.
Educational Background
- Communications degree, University of Montevallo
- Juris Doctor, Birmingham School of Law, 2014
Courts Admitted
- Alabama State Courts
Awards
