Better Together

Better

Above: MCBA members volunteered at the “Women Under Construction” clinic.

Together

By President Sidney Jackson

As some of you may have seen over the course of this year, our Magic City Bar Association’s 2021 theme is “Onward. Upward. Together.” I cannot emphasize “Together” more. Indeed, many of us began to slowly get back together, in-person, after being vaccinated. More people were out and about without masks. It seemed — dare I say — almost normal. It was wonderful to see the faces of friends, family and colleagues who, in some instances, we had not seen in over a year. It was wonderful to see peoples’ mask-less faces in general. However, there were still many people who refused (and still refuse) to get vaccinated.

Because of the concern in our community about the vaccinations, the Magic City Bar Association (“MCBA”) organized a panel of brilliant young doctors for a virtual Town Hall to discuss the importance of taking the COVID-19 vaccine and to directly answer any questions our community members may have about the vaccinations. The Town Hall was a success. The doctors spoke candidly. Many questions were answered, and several of our audience members signed up to

Above: MCBA Town Hall on COVID-19.

be vaccinated immediately following the program. Because more people were being vaccinated across the country, we saw mask mandates and social restrictions slowly being lifted for those who received “the shots.”

The MCBA was thrilled to begin scheduling more in-person events for our membership and events to help our community. In June, the MCBA teamed up with “Women Under Construction” to provide free wills and POAs to members of our community. Our MCBA volunteer attorneys drafted well over 50 wills and POAs for Birmingham residents at the Oxmoor Valley Community Center. We accomplished this awesome day of service together.

Additionally, the MCBA and Birmingham Bar Association teamed up with District Attorney Carr and the Jefferson County DA’s Office for the back-to-school School Supplies Drive to help local families. We were excited to co-host a happy hour social with the BBA to further support the backto-school drive. The afternoon was filled with laughter, cheer, fellowship, excellent live music (thank you, Ed Berry and bandmates!) and, most importantly, raising funds and supplies for the local families. Together, we made the event a success.

As the summer comes to an end, we must also say our goodbyes to our summer law clerks as they begin returning to campus. Each year, the MCBA holds its Annual Law Clerk Reception for all summer law clerks in the Birmingham area. It is one of our most popular events. Although we could not have it last year, we had it this year on the rooftop of Wiggins Childs Pantazis Fisher & Goldfarb LLC during the first week of August. The event is an excellent way to show our law students that we support them. It is also perfect for networking and getting to know future colleagues of the Bar. We enjoyed seeing many of you there to greet and celebrate our summer law clerks together!

We realize that it still has not returned to “normal” as it relates to COVID-19 and social guidelines. In fact, the COVID19 variants, including Delta, have been causing renewed fear. We encourage our colleagues to get vaccinated unless their individual health condition will not allow it. The few times we have been able to get out and be social were all for good causes. Sure, we can contribute to good causes from home and/or virtually, but being able to do so in person just feels so much better. I cannot wait to see each and every one of you, in person, sometime soon.

Onward. Upward. Together.

Sidney Jackson is the 2021 President of the Magic City Bar Association

If you are not a member of the MCBA, I invite you to join us! Please visit our website at magiccitybarassociation.org.

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