Outgoing Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield will be joining law firm Burr & Forman at the start of the year.
Canfield’s plan to leave state government was announced by Gov. Kay Ivey in October. Ellen McNair, an economic developer for the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, will take the helm of Commerce at the start of 2024.
Canfield, who led the Department of Commerce for 12 years, will join the law firm Jan. 2, 2024, as managing director of economic development. Though not a lawyer himself, he will work with the firm’s team of lawyers devoted to attracting businesses over the firm’s five-state Southeastern region.
“Economic expansion is good for communities and good for families,” Canfield said. “I am proud of what we achieved during my time in the public sector and look forward to continuing those efforts across the Southeast in my new role at Burr & Forman.”
Burr & Forman Partner Lee Thuston said, “Secretary Canfield and I have worked together for over a decade. He knows economic development — and particularly the automotive sector — inside and out. That knowledge and his leadership will be a great benefit to our clients going forward.”
Burr & Forman CEO Ed Christian added, “Our law firm has long enjoyed a reputation for results in the economic development industry. We are thrilled to have Secretary Canfield joining us to build on that success and ensure seamless, knowledgeable service to our clients.”
Canfield holds a finance degree from UAB and owned his own insurance firm in Vestavia Hills. Later he served in the Alabama House of Representatives.
During his time as secretary of commerce, he is credited with bringing in $70 billion in investment and creating 180,000 jobs.
