Earl B. Parsons, III, Named Partner at t|e General Counsel

Earl B. Parsons, III, former Deputy General Counsel - Commercial with Southern Company (NYSE: SO), is the latest high-profile attorney to join the team at t|e General Counsel, Taylor English Duma LLP’s fractional General Counsel practice. Parsons also will be part of Taylor English Decisions, the government relations and business consulting affiliate of Taylor English. 

“With more than 30 years’ experience advising and solving a wide range of energy-related matters, Earl will be a most valued resource to our clients,” Allen W. Nelson, co-founder of t|e General Counsel, said. “We’re thrilled he decided to join our growing practice and we look forward to celebrating his successes in this new role.” 

In addition to his role at t|e General Counsel, where he joins more than a dozen attorneys who have in-house experience with diverse legal and industry skill sets, Parsons will serve as a member of t|e Decisions where he will assist clients providing consultative and governmental affairs services for the utilities and regulated industries sector, and other applicable entities. 

Prior to joining t|e General Counsel, Parsons was the Deputy General Counsel - Commercial at Southern Company. There, he was responsible for systemwide general legal services in the areas of litigation management, system and government contracts and transactions, compliance, and labor and employee relations. Before that, he served as the organization’s Vice President - Chief System Contracts Officer and Associate General Counsel. In this role, Parsons provided legal oversight of contract activities for Southern Company operating companies with annual expenditures of approximately $5 billion. 

One of his most valuable and interesting business experiences was serving as Managing Director of SWEBGAS in Bristol, England. As Chief Executive of a start-up, he was responsible for all aspects of the business in a deregulating gas industry.

“This is an exciting time of growth for the team at t|e General Counsel, and we’re proud that Earl is one of the newest members of the Taylor English family,” said Earl Ehrhart, CEO of Taylor English Decisions. “The practice is made up of top legal talent like Earl, known for a level of business acumen that easily distinguishes them from others. Their experiences allow the team to serve as true counselors to and extensions of our clients’ executive teams, particularly in the areas of strategic growth, compliance, and risk management.” 

Parsons began his career at the Troutman Sanders law firm in Atlanta. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration (Finance) from Auburn University, a master’s degree in business administration (Finance) from Samford University, and a Juris Doctor degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University.