2023 so far: Reflecting on Magic City Bar Association’s signature events

As we’re halfway through this year, it’s a great opportunity to reflect on some of the Magic City Bar Association’s signature events that we have already held. Thanks to the vision of Judge Annetta Verin, interviews of past Magic City Bar Association (MCBA) presidents revisited and celebrated major accomplishments of their administrations. This oral history project will help preserve the rich history of the organization, and MCBA thanks Judge Katrina Ross for allowing the video interviews to take place in her courtroom.

The MCBA is also pleased to have hosted its first Expungement Clinic on February 24 at Faith Chapel Church located in the Wylam and Ensley Communities. MCBA partnered with Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham (VLB) and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) for this event. In our first clinic, 17 clients were registered and were able to submit a total of 10 applications to ALEA for review and processing.

We were thrilled that foot soldiers from the Civil Rights Movements of the 1960s learned of the Clinic and also applied for expungement of frivolous charges against them during the Civil Rights Movement. As an example, one applicant has never been allowed to vote due to his lingering criminal records, despite fighting for the Black vote during that time.

Finally, we were able to come together and fellowship for our first mixer at Cassanova Bar. It was an all-around good time had by all. The Magic City Bar Association plans on making the second half of 2023 better than the first!

Stay tuned!

Sincerely,

Joel Caldwell President Magic City Bar Association