A Birmingham Attorney Who Puts Your Legacy First

Meet Kristin R. Waters, Founding Attorney of Waters Sullivan, LLC

"I believe in leaving a legacy, and I believe in the importance of preserving the legacy of the people you love." — Kristin R. Waters

Kristin R. Waters is a true Birmingham native who loves everything about her city, and especially its people. That deep sense of community and connection is at the heart of everything she does, in her law practice and beyond.

As the founding attorney of Waters Sullivan, LLC, Kristin has built her career around one purpose: helping individuals and families protect what matters most. She works with clients at every stage of life, from those just starting out and building their futures, to those in retirement who want to ensure their legacy is secure for the generations that follow.

Kristin brings decades of focused experience in estate planning and probate law to every client relationship. She has seen these matters from every angle, representing families, fiduciaries, and individuals navigating some of the most personal legal situations there are. That breadth of perspective shapes how she approaches every case, with precision, care, and a genuine investment in her clients' outcomes.

Education

Kristin's academic credentials reflect the same commitment to excellence she brings to her clients every day. A National Merit Scholar, she attended the University of Alabama, graduating from the Honors College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science before going on to earn both her Juris Doctor and her Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation with a concentration in Estate Planning from the University of Alabama School of Law.

That LL.M. in Taxation is a distinction that sets Kristin apart. Very few estate planning attorneys hold an advanced degree in tax law, and it directly benefits every client she serves by bringing a sophisticated understanding of the tax implications of estate transfers, trust structures, and legacy planning strategies.

  • University of Alabama School of Law, LL.M., Taxation, 2013

  • University of Alabama School of Law, Juris Doctor, 2006

  • University of Alabama, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, 2002

Bar Admissions

  • Alabama, 2006

  • United States Tax Court, 2014

  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, 2020

Awards & Recognitions

Kristin's work has been recognized consistently by her peers and by the Birmingham legal community over the course of her career.

  • Birmingham's Top Attorneys, B-Metro Magazine, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023

  • Top Women Attorneys, B-Metro Magazine, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

  • Birmingham Bar Future Leaders Forum, 2013

  • Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum, Class 13

Professional & Community Involvement

Kristin is deeply engaged in the Birmingham legal community and civic life. Her involvement reflects a genuine commitment to the profession, to her colleagues, and to the city she calls home.

Birmingham Bar Association

  • Solo & Small Firm Section, Chair

  • Grievance Committee

  • Entertainment Committee

  • Probate Section; Women's Section

  • Past: Probate Section CLE Chair, Diversity & Inclusivity Committee, Bench & Bar Committee, Public Service Committee, Elder Law Committee

American Bar Association

Alabama State Bar

  • Solo & Small Firm Section; Women's Section; Real Property, Probate and Trust Section

  • Diversity & Inclusion in the Profession Section

  • Leadership Forum Alumni Section

Community

  • Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Board of Directors

  • Sidewalk Film Festival, Screening Committee

  • The Other Foundation, Trustee

Speaking Engagements & Publications

Kristin is a recognized voice in the Alabama legal community on estate planning and probate matters. She has been invited to speak at both the Birmingham Bar Association and the Alabama State Bar on a range of topics, reflecting her depth of expertise and her commitment to elevating the profession.

  • Estate Administration Basics, Birmingham Bar Association

  • Common Pitfalls in Estate Planning, Birmingham Bar Association

  • Who's My Client? Representing Fiduciaries in Probate Matters, Birmingham Bar Association

  • How to Grow Old Gracefully: Gray Divorce and Estate Planning, Alabama State Bar

  • Accountings in Estates, Trusts, and Probate Court, Birmingham Bar Association

  • Divorce and Dying: How to Rest Peacefully, Birmingham Bar Association

  • Who's My Client? Ethical Landmines in Representing Fiduciaries, the Elderly, and their Families, Alabama State Bar

Ready to Work with Kristin?

Whether you are creating your first estate plan or navigating a complex probate matter, Kristin R. Waters and the team at Waters Sullivan are here to help. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.

Call us: 205.855.5020

Email us: hello@waterssullivan.com

Visit: waterssullivan.com

2 20th Street North, Suite 1350 | Birmingham, Alabama 35203