Bulletin BIRMINGHAM BAR ASSOCIATION
Vol. 44, Issue 4 | Winter 2023
Homecoming Welcoming BBA members to a new home. 14
BBF Bocce Ball Tournament Everyone had fun at this year’s event . 26
Message from the
Executive Director
Published for the Birmingham Bar Association by Starnes Media
2023 Officers of the BBA Marcus M. Maples, President Sharon D. Stuart, President-Elect Ashley R. Peinhardt, Secretary/Treasurer Allison O. Skinner, Immediate Past President Jennifer B. Bates, Executive Director
2023 BBA Executive Committee
New BBA Office Front Lobby - we are pleased to share space with our sister organizations. I hope that 2023 has been a successful and enjoyable year for you and that you have plans for a restorative holiday season. As you think about winding down the year, please be sure to catch 2 not-tomiss BBA events on Dec. 8: ► Annual Meeting: Again this year, the meeting will only last 1 hour and will be in Presiding Judge Elisabeth French’s courtroom. Be on the lookout for the agenda by email — we promise it will be interesting and enjoyable. ► Year-End Party: Join us at the Kelley Ingram VFW to feast on all of the familiar favorites. And don’t forget the famous eggnog, as well as many other festive spirits. Looking ahead to 2024, I hope you will become involved and remain engaged in the BBA. There are so many opportunities to be a leader, network, and have a good time! See you soon! Jennifer Bates Executive Director
Robert E. Battle Susan N. Han Rebecca A. Beers Tina Lam Anna M. Carroll Virginia E. Miller Pooja Chawla Ryan P. Robichaux A. David Fawal Janine L. Smith Tripp Watson Judge John E. Ott, ADR Section Andrew J. Shaver, Bankruptcy/Commercial Law Section Katie M. Kimbrell, Business Law Section Paige West, Criminal Justice Section Robin B. Mark, Federal Practice Section C. Burton Dunn Jr., Probate Section Leslie W. Rubio, Solo/Small Firm Section Sylvion S. Moss, Women Lawyers Section William Hassinger, Workers Compensation Section Stanley Blackmon, Young Lawyers Section Christopher Burrell, Magic City Bar Association Sigfredo Rubio, ASB Commissioner
Birmingham Bar Association P.O. Box 37 Birmingham, AL 35201 205-251-8006 birminghambar.org jbuettner@birminghambar.org To advertise in the Bulletin, contact Dan Starnes at dan@starnesmedia.com. For information about this publication and/or advertising rates, call 205-313-1780. Starnes Media produces six monthly newspapers in the Birmingham metro area: 280 Living, Cahaba Sun (Trussville), Homewood Star, Hoover Sun, Vestavia Voice and Village Living (Mountain Brook). Starnes Media also produces chamber membership directories, quality-of-life magazines and business marketing materials. Starnes Media. All rights reserved.
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In This Issue 08 President’s Message
18 Magic City Bar Association 20 My Favorite Thing about Birmingham
It has been a true honor to lead the Birmingham Bar Association this year, and I appreciate that you have trusted me to represent the legal community in this capacity.
12 Executive Director Retirement Announcement 14 New Office Open House
26 Birmingham Bar Foundation Bocce Ball Tournament
A bocce battle in the court of play.
30 Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham We check in with members to see what they like most about Birmingham.
22 Coffee with the Judges 32 Miscellaneous events So many events and opportunities for our members!
36 Memorial Scholarship Donations Celebrating the BBA’s new home.
Coffee and breakfast with the judges — always a great time.
38 Attorneys in the News
On the cover: George Washington Carver High School in Birmingham. Photo by Erin Nelson Sweeney.
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From the President It has been a true honor to lead the Birmingham Bar Association this year, and I appreciate that you have trusted me to represent the legal community in this capacity. As my tenure as BBA President winds down, I want to thank you for keeping our Bar a strong and vibrant part of the legal profession and greater Birmingham community.
STUDENTS TODAY | LAWYERS TOMORROW: SHAPING THE FUTURE OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION
At the outset of my tenure as President, I announced that I wanted the BBA to provide a vehicle for students at Birmingham City Schools to realize that they could pursue a legal education. We know that the skills and ideas that we instill in our youth is our legacy. And we know that the demographic of our profession does not reflect that of our community. If we want the profession to better represent and advocate for our communities, we need to start at an early age by showing children that being a lawyer is well within their reach. The BBA’s new Students Today | Lawyers Tomorrow program does precisely that. It is a pipeline program to give Birmingham City School students encouragement and the vision to pursue a legal education. The initiative is a collaboration with local attorneys and judges who interact with the students and introduce them to the legal profession. By partnering with law firms, the BBA sent lawyers into schools to teach students about the court system, the elements of a trial, and careers as lawyers. In mid-October, the attorney coaches accompanied their student teams to the courthouse for a day of mock trial competitions. At the mock trial competition, the future lawyers (i.e., the competing students) were 100% committed to the process, dedicated defenders of the rule of law, and fierce advocates for their position. It was incredibly rewarding to see the level of preparation that they had put in and to witness their ability to think on their feet when pressed with difficult questions from the bench or opposing counsel. They embraced the significance of their surroundings at the courthouse and were highly respectful of the legal process. They were transformed into lawyers for the
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President Maples addresses the students at the Students Today | Lawyers Tomorrow Mock Trial Competition.
day and demonstrated that they are fully capable of being lawyers in the future. I was overwhelmed by their performance but not surprised. Our students are extremely talented. They just need assistance with removing barriers and ensuring that the appropriate resources are in place for them to succeed. There are so many people to thank for helping make Students Today | Lawyers Tomorrow a reality, including the following judges: Judge Elisabeth French, Judge Javan Patton, Judge Alisha Ruffin-May, Judge Jim Hughey, Judge Marshell Hatcher, Judge Carole Smitherman, Judge Martha Cook, and Referee Stephanie Hunter; attorneys from Bradley, Baker Donelson, Christian & Small, Cory Watson, and Lightfoot Franklin & White; the YMCA’s
Youth in Government program; the Birmingham City School Board; Chris Burrell, Kaitlyn Puzzitiello; Brittany Wilkes; Rolanda Tina Turner; Don Mosley and his team; and of course, my family. I am proud that so many of you are on this journey to enable a wider range of students to realize the goal of becoming a lawyer. It’s going to make our profession stronger and better.
PROFESSIONALISM
The professionalism among the attorneys and judges of our Bar is one of the things that makes me most proud to have had the honor of serving as President. Our attorneys are strong advocates for their clients and our judges are devoted to the administration of justice. Members of the BBA
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have a passion for the rule of law, and they are trustworthy, reliable, and honest. Thank you for your commitment to this high level of professionalism and civility in our legal community. Thank you also for your service outside of the legal profession to make our area a great place to live and have a fun time. So many of BBA’s members have a deep heart for service. You perform countless hours of pro bono service, participate in civic leadership roles, hold local office positions, and support a wide variety of philanthropic efforts that make our region stronger. I am grateful to each of you for reflecting the best of our profession.
AN ACTIVE YEAR
We kicked off 2023 with plans to move to a new office home and in May we realized those plans. With the move to new office space, I am pleased to say that we have a significantly greater amount of money to spend on member activities. All of the funds saved by the move have been directly channeled into programs and events for you. To celebrate our new office, we hosted a well-attended Open House in August. Photos from that event are featured on pages 14-15. We also spent time outside of the office getting to know a variety of organizations and locations around town. In our Get to Know BHM series,
Leila Watson (Cory Watson) and Daniel Fortune (Bradley) led the winning teams to victory in the Students Today | Lawyers Tomorrow mock trial competition.
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Students Today Lawyers Tomorrow Team Coaches we visited 7 locations around town to learn more about them: ► Abroms-Engel Institute for the Visual Arts to view Donte K. Hayes’ Objects of Tomorrow and Kwame Brathwaite’s Black is Beautiful exhibits ► Innovation Depot ► The Women’s Foundation of Alabama ► The Morgan Project at Arlington House ► Birmingham AIDS Outreach ► City Hall for the Chris McNair Exhibit ► The YWCA to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month You can see pictures of some of these events on pages 32-34 of this issue. I am grateful to Immediate Past President Allison Skinner for her vision in starting this series. In addition to these smaller, curated events, we hosted several signature events this year including: ► A Law Day Luncheon at the Florentine and a Law Day Social at Continental Drift ► A luncheon at Baker Donelson to celebrate our 50-year members ► A luncheon at the City Club of Birmingham to celebrate our Sustaining members ► A luncheon at Maynard Nexsen to celebrate our Veteran and Active Duty Military members ► A reunion party for our over 200 Future
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Leaders Forum alumni on the rooftop of Michael’s Restaurant ► The annual Skeet Shoot organized by Price Evans with over 30 participants ► The annual Picnic with close to 600 attendees ► The annual Holiday Party — I hope to see you there on Dec. 8! We also carried on with our traditional Coffee with the Judges events where we enjoyed breakfast, coffee, and networking with lawyers and judges at these locations: ► January: Jefferson County Main Courthouse sponsored by the ADLA Young Lawyers Section and the BBA Workers Compensation Section ► February: Domestic Relations Courthouse, sponsored by America’s First and Veritext ► April: hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ► May: Jefferson County Main Courthouse sponsored by Baker Donelson, Phelps Dunbar, and Schreiber ADR ► August: hosted by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama ► September: Jefferson County Main Courthouse sponsored by ABODA and Battle & Winn ► October: Criminal Justice Center ► November: Jefferson County Main
Courthouse sponsored by Hare Wynn Newell & Newton, Marsh Rickard & Bryan, and Petway, French & Ford These great Coffee with the Judges events are highlighted in the photos on pages 22-24. The BBA has had an active and successful year filled with events and programs. I hope you joined us for many of these events and that you are planning to attend many more as you continue your legal career in Birmingham.
THE PAST AND THE FUTURE
I have enjoyed my time as President and am grateful to have had so many role models in the legal profession who have helped me become who I am. I am eternally grateful to these legal mentors for their continued support: Gaile Pugh Gratton Greene, J. Mason Davis, Kenneth M. Perry, James S. Williams, Kristen S. Cross, Joey K. James, Robert L. Potts and Tim Lupinacci. As I turn the reins over to incoming President Sharon Stuart, I assure you that the BBA has an exciting year ahead. Sharon is a dynamic leader with a clear vision. With Sharon at the helm, I am confident about the future of our Bar. I ask that you remain committed to, supportive of, and engaged with the BBA throughout your career. I wish you all the best in 2024 and beyond.
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Marcus with Judge Scott Coogler.
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Celebrating the BBA’s New Home As you’ve heard, the Birmingham Bar Association moved to a new office over the summer, and we hosted a party to welcome you — our members — to your new home. We were pleased that so many of you came to visit. The BBA is happy to share space with our sister organizations, the Birmingham Bar Foundation, the Legal Aid Society of Birmingham, and Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham. Please come see all of us any time for anything you need or just to say hello.
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A look back at 2023 Reflecting on Magic City Bar Association’s busy year of events Hello once again,
Marcus Maples and Joel Caldwell.
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As the year draws to an end, it has been the Magic City Bar Association’s pleasure to serve the profession and the community. We’ve had a busy fall. We hosted the Will & Estate Planning Legal Clinic at Zion Star Missionary Baptist Church. There was a seminar provided concerning the importance of wills, and afterwards, MCBA members drafted and finalized wills on behalf of the elderly. Also, the MCBA hosted the third expungement clinic of the year at Zion Star Missionary Baptist Church. We were able to serve thirty-nine (39) people to help expunge their criminal records. MCBA co-sponsored a mixer at Continental Drift with other Birmingham professional organizations
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which included physicians, accountants, journalists, dentists and engineers. This was a unique opportunity because it is very rare to have so many professionals fellowship together under one roof. It was a tremendous time! Last, but certainly not least, MCBA hosted its Annual Scholarship Banquet in November at the Harbert Center. This was an opportunity to not only offer encouragement and advice to minority law students, but also help offset the cost of law school. We awarded $25,000 in scholarships to deserving law students. MCBA is so thankful for all our sponsors who helped make the Scholarship Banquet a success! Sincerely, Joel Caldwell President, Magic City Bar Association
MCBA President Joel Caldwell with Samuel Ford and Judge Jim Hughey.
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What is my favorite thing about Birmingham Each issue we get some of our members’ thoughts on a topic that we can all relate to. For this Winter issue of the Bulletin, we check in with members about what they like about Birmingham. We are sure that their responses will resonate with your own experience in the city.
Aaliyah Locke
Baker Donelson
Birmingham is an underrated haven of the South. Its proximity to larger cities is ideal for a getaway without the hassle of planning a big trip. My son and I love to spend our free days exploring parks (there is no shortage) and taking family to try the endless restaurants around. When it comes to work, there is enough diversity in the practice of law while still being personable enough to get to know the people in the Bar. As a young attorney, that is an invaluable asset so early in my career.
Scott Holmes Burgess Roberts
As the father of four middle school/high school kids, my favorite thing about living in the Birmingham area is the plethora of excellent schools. Having had children attend Gardendale, Spain Park, and Thompson, I speak from experience with multiple systems. I also have many friends that brag about other schools in the area. If you’re looking for top-notch schools, both academically and athletically, you won’t find a better collection than the ones in the Birmingham area.
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Carthenia Jefferson Jefferson Law Firm LLC
My favorite thing about living and working in Birmingham is the people and the love they have shown me. My only child, my son who was 29 years of age, came home from Seton Hall University to take care of me because I was diagnosed with breast cancer. But he unexpectedly passed in 2015. I am an attorney and a nurse but I was severely depressed. The love and support shown from Mayor Randall Woodfin, Birmingham Bar Association colleagues standing in for me on cases, the judges’ and Presiding Judge Elisabeth French’s support and kindness, Alabama State Bar Association members, Birmingham Black Nurses Association members, Alabama Lawyers Association members, his high school friend Principal Ronald Steele and his alma mater John Carroll Catholic High School family, my Sixth Avenue Baptist Church family, my family and the many friends and loved ones who made a big difference in me moving forward with my life to continue to serve clients to the best of my ability. My prayer is that God will continue to use me to have a positive impact on the lives of those I know and those who I have yet to encounter as was stated by my son in his last social media post.
Jennifer Tombrello Tombrello Law Firm LLC
My favorite thing about Birmingham is the food! Downtown has everything from James Beard award-winning restaurants and chefs (5 awards, countless nominations) to BBQ and hot dog establishments that have been in our city for generations. There is never a shortage of amazing lunches and happy hours!
Patrick Evans
The Evans Law Firm, P.C. I love Birmingham. The city has a big city feel without the stress of actually living in a large city. We have a great theater district with the Alabama and Lyric Theaters, incredible food options, and plenty of things to do as a family. When you need to escape, you can explore all of the great parks and outdoor venues we have. From an attorney’s standpoint, I have found the Birmingham Bar Association is filled with a diverse group of capable attorneys who work well professionally to resolve the issues their clients face.
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Coffee & Breakfast with the Judges is always a great time The BBA hosted seven Coffee with the Judges events this year and each of them was well-attended, lively, and fun. We are so grateful to all of the Judges who attended and made these events special. If you were not able to make it to some of the Coffees this year, don’t worry . . . there will be opportunities in 2024 for you to attend and socialize with your colleagues and the Judges.
August’s Coffee with the Judges at Federal Court.
Alicia Haynes, Charles Guerrier, Marcus Maples.
Above:
Attorneys enjoy our Coffee event at the Federal Courthouse. Left: Marcus Maples and Bob Battle. Rhonda Chambers and Justice Jay Mitchell.
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Riley McDaniel, Stanley Blackmon, Jack Tucker. Wendy Crew, John Bolus, Bob Fowlkes.
October’s Coffee with the Judges at the Criminal Justice Center. Judge Katrina Ross, Judge Brian Huff, Gustavo Heudebert, Don Mosley.
Attorneys and Judges enjoy October’s Coffee with the Judges. Judge Elisabeth French (right) with her JA, Brittany Wilkes (left) and her law clerk, Kaitlyn Puzzitiello (center).
Judge Michael Streety and Tiara Hudson.
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Rebecca Beers, Adam Plant, Marcus Maples. Grant Reese and Dylan Angeline.
Enjoying September's Coffee with the Judges.
Lanier Brown and Judge Bill Cole.
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Judge Michael Streety thanks everyone for attending Coffee with the Judges.
Marcus Maples, Judge Brian Huff, Adam Danneman, Judge Alaric May, Max Panter.
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Legally Rolling: A Bocce Battle in the Court of Play The 14th Annual Michael D. Freeman Bocce Ball Tournament and Fundraiser was a big success. A special thank you to our Bocce Tournament Judges: Judge Pulliam, Judge John Ott, Judge Michael Putnam, Judge John England, Judge Madeline Haikala, and Judge David Hobdy. The Foundation is grateful for their commitment of time and their enthusiasm for this event. Hand Arendall Harrison & Sale team fielded two teams as did Cory Watson. Teams from the law firms of Morgan & Morgan, Balch & Bingham, Burr & Forman, Burton Dunn, Schrieber ADR, and the Foundation’s executive director’s personal team kept the competition fierce. The tournament’s Gold Sponsor, Attorneys Insurance Mutual, and Regions Bank’s legal squad represented the corporate world. The Birmingham Bar Association was well represented with a
team from the Entertainment Committee, the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section, the Women’s Lawyers Section, and the Solo/Small Firm Section. The final team came from the Foundation’s wonderful hosts and sponsors, Wiggins Childs Pantazis Fisher and Goldfarb. They paid for the venue and contributed toward the costs of the event as well as generously covered the cost of food and beverage. The Foundation appreciates their continued and generous support for
Judge Pulliam, Curt Tanner, Hunter Phares, Andy Jones, Adam Pittman and Judge Hobdy.
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this annual event. The Bocce Ball Tournament play began at 3 p.m. For those unfamiliar with the sport, it is a game of skill, strategy, and precision. It typically consists of eight large balls, four of one color and four of another, and a smaller target ball called the “pallino.” One team member throws the pallino past the midpoint of the playing area. A member of the other team throws their bocce ball trying to end up as close to the pallino as possible. Teams
The winning team, Cory Watson.
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BBA President-Elect Sharon Stuart tosses the bocce ball while other players watch.
alternate until all bocce balls have been thrown. The team with a ball closest to the pallino scores one point for each ball closer than the opposing team’s closest ball. The Wheelbarrow of Liquor made a return appearance and was coupled with a new event, the Wine Pull. For the latter, participants paid $20 to pull a random cork from a jar. Corks were numbered
and the donor received whichever bottle corresponded to the numbered cork they pulled. Unfortunately, no one claimed the grand prize. So, if you bought a cork and forgot to stop by the wine table to collect your wine, please contact the Foundation. Amanda Lewis, a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society won the Wheelbarrow of Liquor. Upon learning of the victory, LAS’s director, Jequette Edmonson
Regions attorney Shayla Fletcher plays as fellow team member Past President Andrew Nix looks on.
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Noland, could be heard saying, “The LAS holiday party is going to be lit!” Thanks to donations from Leslie Rubio, Burton Dunn, and the Vintage Wine Shoppe, guests enjoyed delicious beverages while playing and watching the tournament. The food catered by Saws BBQ and Gus’s Hotdogs was mouth-watering good, especially when paired with the crowd-favorite banana pudding.
Nick Callahan plays alongside other members of the BBA Entertainment Committee team Candis McGowan and Lacey Danley.
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Attorneys from Hand Arendall and Cory Watson battled it out in the final round.
In the final round of the tournament, Cory Watson Team A (Hunter Phares, Curt Tanner, Adam Pittman, and Andy Jones) tossed and rolled against Hand Arendall Harrison & Sale Team A (John Johnson, John Rollins, Ben Thomas, and Sylvion Moss with Shelby Morris serving as honorary team captain). Cory Watson’s team pulled out the win to the cheer of many onlookers. Judge Pulliam made the trophy presentation.
Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all who participated and helped in any way. Due to your generous gifts and the sponsorships from AIM, Wiggins Childs, Kress Birmingham, First Bank, Veritext, Lou’s Pub & Package Store, The Vintage Wine Shoppe, and Servis1st Bank, the Birmingham Bar Foundation was able to present the Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham and the Legal Aid Society each with a check for $6,250!
Leslie Rubio, Alicia Jett and Candis McGowan.
Bocce!!
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Craig Lowell, Debbie McCune and Phillip McCallum.
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Leila Watson, taking home her special bottle of wine from the Cork Pull, with Ben Goldman (left) and Christi Graha m (right). Judge Teresa Pulliam, Lacey Danley and Adam Pittman checking out the bracket.
Always a beautiful sunset from the top of the Kress Building where the tournament is held.
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A New Generation of Young Professionals are Finding Their Voices In Pro Bono Service The legal community annually celebrates October as Pro Bono Month. This year the ABA, along with the Alabama State Bar Association celebrated Pro Bono Month the week of Oct. 22-28. This year’s ABA theme is “Voices of Democracy: Ensuring Justice For All.” ABA President Mary Smith stated that “without legal representation individuals have no voice. They are denied the promise of justice for all.”’ Every day at Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham [hereinafter VLB] is a day to celebrate Pro Bono services. A resounding source of pride shared by the staff of VLB is the dedicated commitment of our volunteer attorneys to providing access to justice for our clients who represent the underserved and low-income residents of Jefferson County, Alabama. Our volunteer attorneys graciously and enthusiastically commit their time via our monthly remote Help Desks, and/or our specialty Legal Clinics (Expungement or Wills and Estates). We also have a group of dedicated young associates, young professionals, and law students who have a desire to not only promote the mission of VLB, but also a passion for introducing their peers to Pro Bono service and Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham. This introduction allows young people to tap into the time, talent, fresh perspectives and networks of younger people and build a pipeline of future leaders for the organization. It also includes volunteer opportunities, networking, fundraising events, and ways to grow their network. Young professionals also bring a diverse membership who are equally committed to not only volunteering their services, but also providing PR and Marketing for the organization they entrust with their time. In honor of Pro Bono Month, Volunteer
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Attorney Destinee Small, Attorney Robin Rene Keys and VLB attorney Lisa Singer.
Lawyers Birmingham is proud to announce the formation of our Junior Board. Membership on the VLB Junior Board provides a front row seat to the highest levels of operations including everything from board governance to project management, budgeting and fundraising. Bradley attorneys Kaylie Becker,
Robin-Rene Keys and Ashley Robinson are three of our regular volunteers who have led the way in forming the new Junior Board. What greater way to highlight and honor this year’s American Bar Association 2023 Pro Bono theme of “Voices of Democracy: Ensuring Justice For All” than the announcement of our Junior Board and
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Attorney Ashley Robinson and attorney Hope Marshall.
providing insight into the “Why” of one of the founding volunteer attorneys, Ashley M. Robinson. Ashley is an associate with the Birmingham office of Bradley. She has volunteered with VLB for the last two years at our Virtual Civil Help Desks, Homeless Help Desk, Wills Clinic and Expungement Clinics. Ashley gives us an insight into what drives her passion to serve the community and why she believes it is important for others to participate in Pro Bono services. Ashley is extremely proud to be a charter member of our new Junior Board. The following is an excerpt from an interview with Ashley: When did you realize you had a passion for serving the community? “Growing up my parents always showed me that it was important to support your community. It’s always stuck with me that, regardless of where you are in life, you can always serve your community in some way. It’s a give and take, sometimes you are on the receiving end of service and sometimes you are providing a service for your community. The benefit of a diverse community is that everyone has something of their own to share. In my case, I can share my legal skills and knowledge to help those requiring low-cost or pro bono legal services.” When your peers and colleagues question you about Pro Bono service, what is
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your why? “Because with every client you see, through the various clinic offerings, you have the opportunity to be the person that helps change the course of their life. Many times, the clients need assistance with things like a suspended license. That seems like a simple fix, but what you come to realize is that the odds are stacked against them. They can’t pay their fines so their license is suspended; they can’t obtain employment because they have a suspended license; so, now they can’t earn money to pay the fines to reinstate their license. Helping even one person out of this cycle of hardship is one example of the reason I am involved in pro bono work.” What would you tell another young associate on the benefits/advantages of volunteering at VLB and being a member of the Junior Board? “There are the standard benefits of learning to practice law on your own: learning how to problem solve, draft various documents, interview a client, and address questions you have never encountered before. But there are greater opportunities beyond improving your personal legal skills. You can become directly involved with the people that live in your community. VLB, specifically, has various clinics that address specific needs in the community. Through these options you can explore not only different practices
of law, but different types of people that make up the Birmingham community. The diversity of not only legal assistance, but also clients, makes the VLB an interesting and meaningful place to be a place to be a volunteer. The Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham Junior Board will actively work to further the program's mission to provide access to justice and quality free legal assistance to indigent members of our community. In its inaugural year, the Junior Board will engage members of the professional community to achieve this mission. The Junior Board will not only focus on providing aid directly to the indigent members of the community, but it will also work to raise funds to support Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham.” If you are a young professional between the ages of 20 and 40 and wish to join Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham’s Junior Board and assist VLB in our mission of providing the residents of Jefferson County access to equal justice, ensuring justice for all and most importantly “being the change that you wish to see in the world,” please email Ashley Robinson at: JuniorBoard@ volunteerlawyersbham.org for additional information and to request an application. Board membership is limited and applications are due Dec. 31, 2023. The Junior Board will begin its term Jan. 1, 2024.
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Sustaining Members Luncheon.
So Many Events and Opportunities for Our Members! Throughout the year, we hosted a wide range of events and programs so that you, our members, have many opportunities to attend networking events and educational programs. We look forward to seeing you at the next CLE or social hour.
Probate Section CLE featuring Jennifer McEwen, George Gaskin, pictured here with Lindsey Eastwood (left). Future Leaders Forum Reunion.
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A great turnout for our Law Student Shadow Day.
Above: Jeanne Busby, Mayor Randall Woodfin, Patrice Brooks, Carmen Weite, Stanley Blackmon. Left: Get to Know Birmingham event at the Chris McNair Exhibit.
Sydney Everett, Chris Randolph, Nicki Lawson. Jennifer Wheeler and Josh Hornady.
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Stephanie Hunter, Judge Derek Jeter, Charity Davis, Tiara Hudson.
Above: School Supplies Drive at Hemphill Elementary. Right: School Supplies Drive at South Hampton Elementary.
Line Dancing Social with the Women Lawyers Section.
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Ernest Bates, Pooja Chawla, Heather Fann.
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» Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell, listed in Best Lawyers in America and Mid-South Super Lawyers, recognized as a Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation.
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Memorial Scholarship Contributions We invite you to honor the life of a colleague or loved one through a gift to the Birmingham Bar Association Memorial Scholarship Fund. Your tax-deductible gift is used to award scholarships to law students at Birmingham School of Law, Cumberland School of Law, Miles Law School and The University of Alabama School of Law. Donations may be sent to the Birmingham Bar Foundation, 2001 Park Place North, Suite 430, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. For more information, please contact Jennifer Bates at jbuettner@birminghambar.org or Cindy Anderson at cindy.anderson@bbfound.org. We are thankful to the following generous donors for supporting this important scholarship program and carrying on a legacy of justice in future attorneys: In memory of the Honorable John L. Carroll Barineau & Barineau William M. Dawson The Honorable Tom King Jr. In memory of the Honorable Anne L. Durward Majorie Harrison Forney
In memory of Douglas Lyndon Key Barineau & Barineau Robin L. Burrell Massey, Stotser & Nichols In memory of David Richard King Letitia King
In memory of the Honorable John G. “Jack” Lowther George M. Neal Jr. In memory of Daniel H. Markstein III The Honorable Tom King Jr. In memory of Eugene “De” Martenson Robert M. Girardeau
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BIRMINGHAM BAR BULLETIN
Attorneys in the News Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has launched its Artificial Intelligence team, a cross-disciplinary team of attorneys who provide strategic counsel on the creation, regulation and use of various AI technologies.
Jones
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that Managing Principal, Josh Jones, was appointed as CoChair for the Young Lawyer Leadership Program of the American Bar Association's Litigation Section.
Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart, LLP is pleased to announce that Mary Beth Duckett Brown has joined the firm as an associate attorney.
Salow
Langford
practice group of McGlinchey Stafford PLLC. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is happy to announce that partner Bruce P. Ely has been appointed as a Senior Fellow and a special consultant to Bloomberg Tax & Accounting. Ely is the first Senior FelEly low appointed by Bloomberg Tax & Accounting to consult on its state tax publications. Clark, May, Price, Lawley, Duncan & Paul, LLC announces the opening of its Gulf Coast office in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The new office can be reached at 251-943-4000.
Burr & Forman LLP is pleased to announce that Andrea Dorgan has been elevated to partner with the firm.
Marsh, Rickard & Bryan, LLC is pleased to announce Jamie Cory has joined the firm as an associate. Williams
Dorgan
Still
Stephen W. Still, Jr., Chief Strategy Partner and General Counsel at Starnes Davis Florie LLP, has accepted an invitation to join the International Association of Defense Counsel.
Neighbors
Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC welcomes four new talented attorneys to the firm: Jacob Salow joins as a lateral associate, while Nicholas Langford, Kayla Williams and Tyler Yarbrough come aboard as first-year associates. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that partner J. Andrew Robison has been elected to a four-year term on the World Services Group 2023-2024 Board of Directors.
Cory
Robison
Dean
Colin T. Dean has taken an of counsel role with the Financial Services Litigation
Ronnlund
Hall Booth Smith is excited to announce the addition of Partner Robert M. “Robby” Ronnlund, who specializes in the defense of high-exposure personal injury, wrongful death, products liability, and medical malpractice matters.
Brown
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has added Brad Neighbors as a partner in its Banking and Financial Services practice group.
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Yarbrough
Dyess
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Jeff Dyess has been selected as a member of the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel.
BIRMINGHAM BAR BULLETIN
The AHEPA Senior Living Board of Directors reelected attorney Ike Gulas to a second term as chairman. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that partGulas ners Tiffany J. DeGruy and Ethan T. Tidmore have been appointed to leadership roles within the American Bar Association’s Litigation Section for the 2023-2024 bar year. DeGruy was appointed to co-chair of the Women in Litigation Joint CLE Conference and Tidmore has been reappointed to a third term as co-chair of the Trial Evidence and Practice Committee.
Stockham, Cooper & Potts, PC is pleased to announce Robert Cooper has been elevated to of counsel and Samuel Garner has joined the firm as an associate.
Burrell
the interests of business and individuals in civil litigation. Leggett
Wells
Fish Nelson & Holden, LLC is pleased to announce that Triston Leggett has joined the firm as an associate attorney, and Paige Wells has joined as an of counsel attorney. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Carmen Weite has been selected to participate in the 2023 Birmingham Bar Association’s Future Leaders Forum.
Tidmore
Turner
Lightfoot Franklin & White LLC Chief Operations Officer Edgar Harper is taking on additional duties as the firm’s Chief Diversity Officer. He will collaborate with the firm’s human resources, recruiting, executive and marketing personnel to oversee the cultivation and reinforcement of Lightfoot’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
DeGruy
The International Association of Defense Counsel announced that Hillary C. Campbell has accepted an invitation to join the IADC, the preeminent invitation-only global legal organization for attorneys who represent corporate and insurance interests.
Harper
Weite
Warburton
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announces that partner Tom Warburton was elected to the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announces that Birmingham partner Rod Kanter has been elected to serve as a director on the board of directors for the National Association of Bond Lawyers.
Chris Burrell has joined the Serious Injury Law Group, where he will focus his practice exclusively on plaintiff’s law.
Campbell
Garner
Baker Donelson’s Sara M. Turner has been elected Secretary-Treasurer of DRI. DRI is the largest international membership organization of attorneys defending
Kanter
Maitrejean
Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart, LLP welcomes Meredith Maitrejean as she makes a lateral move to the firm as an associate attorney.
HAVE NEWS TO SHARE? Please send the information and a headshot to Alexis Jackson at ajackson@ birminghambar.org
WINTER 2023
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