In Memoriam
Michael Dwayne ‘Mike’ Ermert It is with great sadness that the Birmingham Bar Foundation acknowledges the passing of our 2015 President Michael Dwayne “Mike” Ermert on Jan. 12, 2022. Born on June 17, 1961, in Fort Worth, Texas, Mike was a renowned lawyer throughout the state of Alabama, respected and admired for his brilliance in the courtroom, his countless legal achievements and his compassionate heart. Raised in Athens, Alabama, Mike earned his undergraduate degree in communications from the University of Alabama in 1983. After serving the United States as an Army officer for four years, he returned to The University of Alabama for law school, graduating from the School of Law in 1990 and becoming the first lawyer in his family. Mike has been recognized as one of the most highly decorated students in the history of The University of Alabama School of Law, serving as a member of the Alabama Law Review, the National Trial Advocacy team and the John A. Campbell Moot Court Board — all at the same time. He was selected for membership in the Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society, as well as the Order of Barristers and the Farrah Law Society. In addition to these accomplishments, Mike was a Hugo Black Scholar and earned admission to the Order of the Coif — an honor reserved for those who graduate in the top 10% of their class. He also received the Neal C. Newell Scholarship during his third year of law school, gaining him an introduction to the firm which led him to his career path after graduation. In 1990, Mike joined the Birmingham law firm of Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton, LLP and was a practicing attorney there for more than 30 years. During his career, he was widely known for his dedication to his clients and his diligence in his work. He served in leadership roles for numerous organizations including the Alabama State Bar Board of Bar Commissioners, the Jefferson County Judicial Commission, the Birmingham Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Jefferson County
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Left: 2015 Birmingham Bar Foundation President Mike Ermert with 2016 BBF President Debbie Smith. Below: Beth McElroy, Leslie Barineau and Mike Ermert.
Differential Case Management Committee, the Alabama Association for Justice, the American Association for Justice, the Alabama Civil Justice Foundation and Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham. The Birmingham Bar Foundation was proud that Mike was our President in 2015. It is well known that Mike loved being a lawyer, and he loved helping people throughout his legal career, but also through his faith. While he was respected and admired for his many outstanding legal achievements, he was enthusiastic about his many interests outside of his legal career, especially those that involved his church family.
For more than 38 years, Mike enjoyed a happy marriage with his high school sweetheart, Lori Ann Gordon Ermert. He is the proud father of two beautiful daughters, Margaret Alice and Anne Lauren. For many years, Mike was active in various community and civic organizations, including the Monday Morning Quarterback Club and the Downtown YMCA, where he served on the Board of Management. As a faithful Christian, Mike was a member of the Homewood Church of Christ for more than 30 years. For over a decade, he served on the Missions Committee. He taught Bible classes and served as leader of a major capital campaign. For more than 27 years, Mike met on Friday mornings with a close group of men for Bible study, prayer and encouragement. We will all miss Mike, and we will remember him for his humanity, honor and faithfulness, leadership, knowledge, legal expertise and compassion. He was a legend of our Bar and a true servant leader of his community. – Andrew R. Salser, Birmingham Bar Foundation President
BIRMINGHAM BAR BULLETIN
