About the Firm

Robert D. Cornelius and R. Matthew Talley have the combined knowledge, experience, and dedication to give your case the attention it deserves. Your case will be personally addressed by one of these experienced attorneys. We will not take your case unless we believe we can help. We serve clients statewide and are fully prepared to help you with your legal concerns. Please contact us to ask questions or schedule an initial consultation about your individual concerns and goals.

Robert D. Cornelius, Esq. “Bob”

Partner

Bob graduated from Auburn University School of Business in 1976. He worked in the field of trust investments until 2000 when he graduated from Auburn University with his Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He decided to make a career change and enrolled at the Birmingham School of Law in Birmingham, Alabama. Bob graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree in 2005.

Bob started his law practice as The Law Office of Robert D. Cornelius, PC in 2006 specializing in Elder Law and Special Needs Planning. In July 2017, Bob and Matt Talley joined together to form Cornelius & Talley, PC.

Bob has experience throughout the State of Alabama and focuses on the unique legal issues involving senior citizens and citizens with all kinds of special needs. Bob is often asked to speak at various venues throughout Alabama on issues facing families who have special needs children and adults. He is a member in good standing with the Alabama and Birmingham Bar Associations.

Bob has been married to Lana Hopkins Cornelius for 30 years. They have four adult children one of which is a special needs adult. Lana is a graduate of the University of Alabama Birmingham. She is a retired teacher of 43 years.

R. Matthew Talley, Esq. “Matt”

Partner

Matt graduated from the University of Alabama with a Psychology Degree in 1994. He immediately entered graduate school and earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a concentration in Mental Health. Matt began working in a hospital setting and in 1998 met requirements to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Matt worked in direct practice with mentally ill adult and geriatric clients and ultimately became Program Coordinator of Mental Health Services.

While still working in the mental health field, Matt enrolled in law school at Birmingham School of Law in 2002 and graduated in 2005. He left the hospital setting and began practicing law primarily in the areas of probate and family law. He joined the firm of Nolan Stewart in 2011 and became a partner in 2013. He left the firm in March 2016, to serve as Provisional Chief Clerk of Probate Court in Jefferson County. Matt returned to private practice in October of 2016 and became a member of Dempsey, Steed, Stewart, Ritchy & Gache’.  Matt is a founding partner of Cornelius & Talley, PC.

Matt has practice experience in many counties throughout Alabama and focuses on Probate Law and Estate Planning. He is asked to speak at many different venues on various legal topics. He is a member in good standing with the Alabama and Birmingham Bar Associations.

Matt has been married to Michele Holland Talley for 20 plus years and they have three daughters. Michele has a Doctorate degree in Nursing and teaches in the School of Nursing at the University of Alabama in Birmingham.

Shannon Daniel

Legal Assistant & Medicaid Specialist

Shannon is the Legal Assistant and Office Manager for Cornelius & Talley, PC. Ms. Daniel is the initial contact in the law office. Ms. Daniel manages all aspects of the day to day operations for the office. She helps prospects and clients with setting appointments, changing contact information, and billing. Ms. Daniel, while not an attorney, is knowledgeable about the paperwork and filings for most legal issues concerning Probate, Estate Planning (Wills, Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, and Health Care Directives), Elder Law, Social Security Disability, Guardianships/Conservatorships, Personal Injury, Contracts, Adoptions, and Commitments.

As a dedicated professional, Ms. Daniel, is also a licensed real estate agent with The Real Estate Group, Inc. where she provides our office with invaluable knowledge about issues surrounding real property.

Ms. Daniel is from Birmingham, Alabama, and is a 1993 graduate of Cathedral Christian High School.

She is a single mother of three, which keeps her very busy when not providing excellent services to our legal clients.

Starr Culpepper, Esq. 

Of Counsel

Starr Culpepper is a conscientious Attorney who exudes credibility, commitment, and compassion.
Born as a military brat, Starr grew up in the Adger and Birmingham, AL area. She commands an expansive worldview that allows her to better legally analyze the needs of, and possibilities for, her clients.

Attorney Culpepper has a Psychology Degree from The University of Alabama and Law degree from Birmingham School of Law.
Starr loves working with her clients with a commitment to providing outstanding legal representation and professionalism to each client. Treating each client as if they were her only client.

Attorney Culpepper is Licensed to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, a Member of the Alabama State Bar, the Birmingham Bar Association, and the Magic City Bar Association.

Attorney Culpepper’s professional skills have been refined over a lifetime of service to clientele and friends alike, and her knowledge of the law is growing by the hour. She understands that navigating complex legal issues can be overwhelming and pushes herself and her team to ensure that all clients are taken care of in an efficient and effective manner.

In today’s unpredictable and ever-changing climate, Starr remains resourceful and knowledgeable, educating her clients on common and statutory law and providing them with solutions to overcome seen and unforeseen obstacles.
With an incredible reputation, fueled by her loyal clients and their referrals, it is no wonder that Attorney Culpepper consistently exceeds expectations and makes friends with her customers along the way.

Eric E. Young

Of Counsel

Mr. Young graduated from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in December of 1999 and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2001.

In the time since, Mr. Young has worked in various capacities with clients, ranging from single owner companies, such as the sole physician practitioner, to large, multi-owner companies doing business in a variety of fields.  Mr. Young has worked extensively in the medical field, and all the accompanying, related businesses.

The relationships Mr. Young has cultivated over the years led him to realize that many young professionals lacked estate planning, as most feel that it can be put off until later in their life and career.  This erroneous assumption can lead to many unnecessary hardships that can easily be avoided.  Mr. Young can work with you and your partner to ensure you have the best possible plans in place for you and your family.

Mr. Young will provide you with an initial consultation to see if and how we can serve your interests. Legal affairs (and even just the language) can be complicated and intimidating. He looks forward to guiding you through every step of your matter, keeping you up to date, making sure you understand exactly what is going on, and advising you on every decision that needs to be made. He will keep you involved and at the very center of his attention. He is here to serve you with your legal affairs.