From the President It is an honor to be president of the Birmingham Bar Association this year, and I appreciate your entrusting this role to me. When I started practicing law almost three decades ago, I never dreamed that I would have the privilege of leading this prestigious and extraordinary legal organization. Despite the hardships of the past two years, together we are moving ahead into the future with resiliency and optimism. Our Bar Association is beginning “The Next Chapter” in our history, and this next phase is bright for all Birmingham Bar members and also for all attorneys and Judges in our geographic footprint. Let me tell you what I see as hallmarks of “The Next Chapter” in the Birmingham Bar’s lifespan:
RELATIONSHIPS, COLLABORATION TO FOSTER INCLUSION AND EQUITY
Above: 2022 Birmingham Bar Association President Allison O. Skinner with her family at the 2021 Annual Meeting. Below left: Allison and David Skinner. Below right: Allison with 2020 BBA President Andrew Nix.
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As the sixth woman President in the Birmingham Bar Association’s 137-year history, one of my goals is to take advantage of any opportunities that I may have to break down institutional and structural barriers to access for all attorneys. One way that I believe that I can accomplish this is by continuing to foster the collaborations and build the relationships that recent presidents have established and by expanding the BBA’s collaborations with new and different organizations. For example, partnering with the Magic City Bar Association, the Bessemer Bar Association, our Sections, local bar associations across the state, and the Alabama State Bar, we will offer benefits and engage with attorneys who might not know about all that the Birmingham Bar has to offer. We can be better and stronger together with others. Continuing our partnerships with the Birmingham Bar Foundation, Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham and the Legal Aid Society of Birmingham is also important. Our deep respect and gratitude for
BIRMINGHAM BAR BULLETIN
