Aaron Dettling

Partner


Aaron Dettling is an Alabama attorney with more than 25 years of experience practicing law across the state. Born in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and raised in Atmore, Alabama, Aaron's legal career began with a federal clerkship in Mobile and has since taken him through a partnership at a major southeastern law firm, a solo practice, and now to Fortif Law Partners.

Over the course of his career, Aaron has handled a wide array of complex litigation in both trial and appellate courts across Alabama. Today, his practice is focused on administrative law, government relations, and ethics, three areas where his depth of experience and seasoned judgment give clients a genuine advantage. Aaron serves as outside general counsel to various Alabama state regulatory boards and also serves as an administrative law judge, a combination that gives him an inside understanding of how regulatory and governmental processes actually work.

As a seasoned litigator, Aaron excels at helping clients position themselves to avoid legal disputes altogether, but if necessary, he knows how to win them.


Education

  • Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D., 1997

  • Vanderbilt University, B.E., cum laude, 1994

Community Involvement

  • Aaron and his numerically large family live in the Ross Bridge neighborhood and are members of Faith Presbyterian Church.

Recognitions

  • Best Lawyers in America, Education Law (2018 to 2025)

  • Best Lawyers in America, Labor & Employment (2023 to 2025)

  • Mid-South Super Lawyers, Administrative Law (2023 to 2024)

  • Martindale-AVVO Peer Review Rating of “AV-Preeminent”

  • Alabama SuperLawyers “Rising Star” (2012)

Licenses

  • Alabama



“The attorney-client relationship is at the heart of all we do. I enjoy being able to stand back and be proud of the work that we’ve delivered, the problems that we’ve solved, and the fact that we’ve brought real value to the table. There’s nothing more satisfying in professional life than that.”