From his office on Third Street Southeast, attorney Finis “Fess” St. John, IV wields an authority that extends well past Cullman.

St. John was recently included on Yellowhammer Power & Influence 50’s list of key players in Alabama politics and business. Considered by many as the most influential member of the University of Alabama Board of Trustees, St. John currently serves as the System’s Athletic Chair and has been a fierce proponent of the UA System’s multi-campus setup.

“Most recently he has been the driving force behind the UA System getting more involved in federal and state governmental affairs, an initiative that could change the state’s political landscape in profound ways,” according to the Yellowhammer report. “He has carved out an influential space for himself, in spite of not being based in the traditional power centers of Birmingham or Montgomery.”

He and his wife, Gaynor, run Cullman’s preeminent law firm St. John & St. John that specializes in plaintiff’s litigation, business law and insurance defense. Together, they are the only couple who are members of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers, a highly selective, invitation-only fellowship for exceptional trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds from the United States and Canada.

St. John was modest about making the list of powerful and influential.

“I’m honored and humbled by it,” he said. “I’m glad someone from Cullman was included on the list. I think it speaks well for Cullman, but I’m sure they’re a lot more people from Cullman more deserving.”

St. John has been practicing law throughout North Alabama since 1983 and selected as an Alabama Superlaywer for the last five years. He is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts and has handled hundreds of cases over his career that spans three decades. He is a certified mediator who has handled civil and domestic cases for North Alabama.

St. John also serves as chairman of the Board of Directors for Southern Community Bankshares and First Community Bank and chairman of the Board of Directors and co-founder of Cullman Environmental. He’s currently a member of the Cullman County Bar Association, Alabama Bar Association, Alabama Defense Lawyers Association and Association of Defense Trial Attorneys.