Bulletin BIRMINGHAM BAR ASSOCIATION
Members Who Motivate Us See how Councilwomen Yolanda Lawson and Crystal Smitherman are serving their communities. 26
Vol. 42, Issue 2 | Summer 2021
Make Your Next CLE a Vacation Chuck Guerrier shares tips on how to turn CLE courses into interactive outings. 32
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Message from the
Executive Director
Published for the Birmingham Bar Association by Starnes Media
2021 Officers of the BBA H. Lanier Brown II, President Allison O’Neal Skinner, President-Elect Marcus M. Maples, Secretary/Treasurer Andrew S. Nix, Immediate Past President Jennifer M. Buettner, Executive Director
2021 BBA Executive Committee Robert E. Battle Rebecca A. Beers Pooja Chawla Starr T. Drum J. Price Evans IV
Jennifer with Rebecca Beers I am enthusiastically welcoming the summer months as we move ever closer to a more normal Birmingham Bar year. Throughout the spring, we have been developing plans for hosting some of the traditional in-person events that our members have grown to love and expect — with some modifications for safety. Please be alert for announcements about upcoming opportunities to gather in person. In this issue of the magazine, we are celebrating our Committees because, despite the pandemic, they
have accomplished tremendous work and provided countless benefits to our membership. Check out what they’ve been doing on pages 12-18. Thank you to our creative and high-functioning Committees! If you want to be involved in the great work they are doing, please let me know which Committee you’d like to join: jbuettner@birminghambar.org. See you soon! Jennifer M. Buettner Executive Director
Hope S. Marshall D.G. Pantazis Jr. Ryan P. Robichaux Sharon D. Stuart Leslie A. Wright
Frances Ross Nolan, ADR Section Mary Frances Fallaw, Bankruptcy/Commercial Law Section Norman M. Orr, Business Law Section G. Lauren Breland, Criminal Justice Section Michael F. Walker, Federal Practice Section Joi L. Travis, Probate Section W. Alan Duke Jr., Solo Practice/Small Firm Section Tina Lam, Women Lawyers Section Edward J. Berry, Workers Compensation Section Al F. Teel, Young Lawyers Section Ruby B. Jackson, Magic City Bar James M. Terrell, ASB Commissioner
Birmingham Bar Association 2021 Second Avenue North Birmingham, AL 35203 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 205-617-9609. Starnes Media produces seven monthly newspapers in the Birmingham metro area: 280 Living, Cahaba Sun (Trussville), Homewood Star, Hoover Sun, Iron City Ink (downtown Birmingham), 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.
Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content without prior permission is prohibited.
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In This Issue 08 President’s Message
24 Selfie Selections
30 ‘GUILTY’ Magic City Bar Association President Sidney Jackson reflects on the Derek Chauvin verdict.
32 Make Your Next CLE a Vacation
With each vaccine, we are all moving ever closer to returning to safe, healthy, and normal lives.
12 Our Amazing Committees Thank you to all of the chairs of our Committees. With their great work, we have accomplished so much already this year.
BBA members share their idea of the ultimate selfie. They have some interesting and engaging responses!
28 Members Who Motivate Us
38 Pandemic Lessons When Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham adapted services for the COVID-19 world, our volunteers were there.
40 Hailing a Hero
22 Meet the Birmingham Bar Foundation Fellows Class of 2021
With the support of all of our Fellows, we are able to award grants to entities that provide legal-related programs throughout Jefferson County.
Chuck Guerrier shares tips on how to turn CLEs into interactive outings.
Archie Creech’s passionate work continues to benefit the Legal Aid Society of Birmingham. See how Councilwomen Yolanda Lawson and Crystal Smitherman are serving their communities.
43 Upcoming CLEs 44 Attorneys in the News
On the cover: The Hospital District of Birmingham is seen through the budding trees at Railroad Park. Photo by Erin Nelson.
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BIRMINGHAM BAR BULLETIN
From the President For the past several months, I have enjoyed swapping vaccine stories with colleagues, family and friends because I know that, with each vaccine, we are all moving ever closer to returning to safe, healthy, and normal lives. This return to normal will include the return of traditional Birmingham Bar in-person events like the Picnic, Coffee with the Judges and Courtyard Socials and, of course, the Holiday Party. We are working on plans for the return of in-person events, even if we have to modify them a bit to ensure all of our members feel comfortable attending them. So please stay tuned for what’s to come. Despite the continuing pandemic, the 2021 Birmingham Bar year has been filled with activities to keep you engaged with the legal community and connected to your fellow attorneys. We have provided benefits to our members in the following ways:
Above: ASB President Bob Methvin, BBA President Lanier Brown and BBA Past President Leila Watson. Below: Lanier with Pooja Chawla and Leila.
► Our Committees have been extremely active in organizing and implementing programs and events. ► The leaders of our 10 Sections are coordinating events that meet the needs of Section members. ► We have hosted a couple of virtual social events. ► Our 27 free virtual CLE programs have been well attended and received very positive reviews. ► This is our second issue of the Bulletin magazine for the year, one of the many ways we help you get to know one another. ► Through our weekly email newsletters, the Birmingham Bar connects our members to a variety of opportunities through the Bar and throughout the community.
As you will see on pages 12-18 of this issue of the Bulletin, we are highlighting the work of our many active Committees in the work they have done so far this
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BIRMINGHAM BAR BULLETIN
Above: Virtual Coffee with the Judges, hosted by the Court Liaison Committee. Right: Birmingham Connection Committee CLE event. year. I hope you have taken advantage of the opportunity to participate on a Committee — Committee service is a way to
meet other attorneys, develop leadership skills, put your creativity to work for others, and work on a high-functioning
team to achieve common goals. I want to highlight some of the work of our hard-working Committees: ► Our Court Liaison Committee presented “Insights from Tenth Judicial Circuit Judges” with Judge Agnes Chappell, Judge Shera Grant, Judge Jim Hughey and Judge Stephen Wallace sharing their experiences with conducting trials during COVID-19. ► Also, the Court Liaison Committee hosted a virtual Coffee with the Judges with guests Judge Anne Durward, Judge Shera Grant, Judge Andra Sparks and Judge Pat Ballard. We were pleased to also have Judge Chuck Price, Judge Patricia Stephens, Judge Carnella Greene-Norman, Judge Jameria Moore, Judge Marshell Hatcher, Judge Brendette Green and Judge Kechia Davis join us and help make it a successful event. ► The In-House/Corporate Committee presented “Birmingham Companies Advancing Social Justice and Racial Equity” with Erica Sheffield from Honda Manufacturing, Houston Smith from Alabama Power, Courtney Richardson from
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Above left: Law Day 2021 , hosted by the Community Education Committee. Below left: Business Development for Every Law Practice, hosted by the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Above: Lanier in the BBA Courtyard with members of the Executive Committee.
Shipt, Brandon Wolfe from UAB, and moderated by Al Vance of Altec. ► Our Birmingham Connection Committee educated members about “Project Development in Birmingham” with speakers Cornell Wesley from the City of Birmingham, David Fleming from REV Birmingham and John Pickering from Balch & Bingham discussing the projects being built in Birmingham and opportunities for our city’s continued growth.
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► In addition, the Birmingham Connection Committee hosted a day of service at the local Bush Hills Community Garden and Urban Farm, cleaning up the farm to prepare it for spring planting. ► Our Family Law Committee presented “Legal Issues and Perspectives Concerning DHR Cases” with speakers Referee Alisha Ruffin, GAL Christy Millsap and Greg Varner. ► For Law Day 2021, the Community Education Committee hosted “A Conversation with Legendary Attorney Fred Gray,” featuring Mr. Gray being interviewed by BBA Past President Bill Clark. ► Our Diversity and Inclusion Committee invited Heather Fann of Fann Law / Five Points Law Group to speak to a capacity audience on the “History and Evolution of Marriage Law” along with moderator Christen Butler. ► The Diversity and Inclusion Committee also coordinated a program on “Business Development for Every Law Practice” featuring Marcus Maples of Baker Donelson and Kimberly Perkins of Lloyd & Hogan and moderated by Angela Kennedy of AKennedy Law. ► In March, the Nominating Committee began its series of regular meetings to develop a slate of candidates for the 2022
Executive Committee, which our members will have the opportunity to vote on in December. ► On a continual basis, the Grievance Committee members conduct investigations into allegations of attorney misconduct and meet regularly to make a recommendation as to whether there is probable cause to find a violation of any of the Rules of Professional Responsibility. ► The Fee Arbitration Committee, which receives and hears complaints filed by clients regarding the fees charged by their attorneys, has adjudicated several cases in the past few years. Our Committees are busy!
Looking ahead, I am optimistic that we will be able to gather for Coffee with the Judges in the fall, that our Sections will host in-person events throughout the second half of the year and that we will have our traditional Holiday Party to celebrate a successful year. I look forward to seeing you at all of these events. In the meantime, please contact me if there is anything the Birmingham Bar can do for you.
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SUMMER 2021
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BIRMINGHAM BAR BULLETIN
Congratulations, Birmingham School of Law Class of 2020-2021! Astrid Thomas Craig** Angela Faith Allen* Lauren Kathryn Cross Sandor V. Augustus Rhonda Lyn Davie** Candace Celeste Avery April Horton Davis** Kawanes Nicole Bellamy** MAJ (R) Patrick L. Bishop Sr.* Christopher Lamar Davis** Rita M. Davis Erin Ann Blalock* Samantha Jean Dawson Julie M. Borrelli Felicia Channell Eady* Holly Carbine Bridges** Yesennia Esparza Victoria Renea Brown** Mia McVay Eubanks** Chelsea Michelle Burchfield** Terika Nicole Farmer* Christine Ivie Bussey Kelvin M. Fawaz** Thomas Matthew Butts Truman Tracy Fitzgerald* Erica Marie Cagle* Carmen Luz Flowers* Loganne Elise Canady* Steven Lee Ford* Doryan Holt Carlton** Manuel Jesus Gallardo* Jessica June Carmichael** James Lloyd Golden, III Nicole Michelle Carter** Shelia West Goodwin Reginald Chapple* Henry Carris Grayson, II** Morgan Nicole Chisowsky* Cortney Renee Hawkins Howard Lea Cockerham IV Shardae Rionna Hendon* Tiffany Ann Colburn Olivia Hill* Mary McDonald Cowgill Kevin H. Holbrook*
Robert Mitchell Hooks Reginald Antwon Quarles* Michelle Lee Hunter** Amanda M. Ramirez Kim-Quyen T. Huynh* Christian Joshua Region* Carol Ann Johnson Christy Dawn Reid James Daniel Johnstone** Henrietta M. Relf-Alexander** Reginald DeAndre Jones Deona Nicole Rushing** Matthew Todd Kellum** Ramona Clarece Garner Russell** Ryan Ashley Koski Thomas Wade Russell Dora Lajosbanyai** Julius Nyerere Shanks** Marcus Fredric Lee Janel Rhodes Shestak** John Thomas Marks** Ashley Lanette Smith** Gerald Maxwell** Johnathon Hugh Smith Glen A. McCord* Kimberly Hudson Smith** Jebrenna Delorean McDaniel** Vannessa Stuckey Smith Erika E. Mejia* Jamaine D. Stanton** Sharon Kaye Moore* Malia Danielle Tartt Joy Elizabeth Morris Cruz Alan Vazquez** Eugene Austin Moseley, Jr.** Maria Victoria Warner** Patrick Skyler Murphy Chastity Stevenson Westry** Raquel Anna Nelson** Catherine Whitley William Jacob Nelson Sharon Willis Lauren Elizabeth Overstreet** Jasmine Alexandria Young** Jessica McAlpine Pinder**
*August 15, 2020 Graduates -- **December 12, 2020 Graduates -- May 16, 2021 Graduates
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Judge Kechia Davis Jefferson County Circuit Court, Criminal Division
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SUMMER 2021
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If you could take a selfie with anyone — living or deceased —
Who would it be?
Most of us take dozens of selfies each year with family members, friends and people we admire. But if you were able to capture yourself in a photo with anyone at all, who would it be? These BBA members share their idea of the ultimate selfie. They have some interesting and engaging responses! Amaobi Enyinnia
SHARED INTERESTS
I rarely take selfies, but if I could take a selfie with anyone, it would have to be Barack Obama. As a history enthusiast, politics and the role of the American presidency have always been of special interest to me — in fact, one of my favorite classes in college was a seminar on the American presidency and leadership. Aside from being the first Black American to win a major party’s presidential nomination, becoming the first Black president, and his unique campaign strategies, Obama also was of particular interest to me because of other affinities. From our African parent(s) and love for basketball to our techniques and approaches as attorneys, his temperament and decision-making process speak volumes to me. Even from a distance, I’ve learned many lessons from Obama. Also, I would unapologetically submit that the man is just downright cool with his interests in sports, music, literature, etc., so even I would jump at the chance to take a selfie with him.
Sara Beth DeLisle
THE BONDING POWER OF GRANDMOTHERS My ultimate selfie would be with Barack Obama, his grandmother, “Mama Sarah,” and my grandmother, “Mama Sara.” After the photograph, we would discuss how our grandmothers were both strong and virtuous women — icons of family values — who focused on educating children, and how they influenced us. Then, I would challenge him to a game of H-O-R-S-E.
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BIRMINGHAM BAR BULLETIN
Kameron Buckner
THE ENDURING LEGACY OF MY GRANDMOTHER When I first read the question, I didn’t realize how hard it would be to answer. What really got me stuck was the “living or deceased.” Then it hit me: I’d love to take a selfie with my grandmother, Minnie Martin. My grandmother passed away when I was really young, but her legacy lives forever in my heart and soul. She was the first Black female to own a trucking company in Flint, Michigan. Her fearlessness, ambition, and passion behind her entrepreneurship journey has inspired me my entire life. I have a printed image from a magazine article my grandmother was featured in and she stated, “The road to success is paved with people.” I completely agree and try to live by this, and so much more of her wisdom, through my life and career.
Twala Grant
A MEMENTO OF MY FATHER’S IMPACT ON MY LIFE Most people would respond to the question of who they would take a selfie with and why with the name of a famous person, but my response is different. If I could take a selfie with anyone, it would be my Dad. My Dad was a very important part of my life. He was an amazing and supportive Dad and Grandfather, a masterful mathematics teacher, an inspiring educator and an amazing coach. He was extremely impactful and instrumental in me becoming the lawyer, wife and mother that I am today. He taught me to appreciate all that life has to offer and to use all of my God-given talents in the service of others. He transitioned in 2014, and I miss him more every day. I would take a selfie with him as another memento to document and preserve his presence and impact on my life.
Lawrence (“Andy”) D'Entremont
A VISIONARY WHO CHANGES LIVES If I could take a selfie with anyone, I would choose Elon Musk. To me, Musk is arguably one of the greatest visionaries at present. Not only does Elon have the vision, but he can bring that vision to market. In Musk’s own words, he describes how he believes Thomas Edison was the more remarkable scientist than Nikola Tesla because of his ability to bring to market ideas that change people's lives.
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Members Who Motivate Us Get to know City Councilwomen Yolanda Lawson and Crystal Smitherman and learn about their service to their communities. Yolanda Lawson
Members Who Motivate Us
Q. Congratulations on your recent election to the Pleasant Grove City Council. Tell us about that race, and give us some insights into your role on the City Council.
Yolanda Lawson and husband, Theo, with their sons, Theo III (Big Tre’), Virgil (Little Trey), Reggie, and Jayden.
A. For me, running for Pleasant Grove
City Council was about what I could do to make a positive difference in the community that I have been a part of for so long. It was about what type of impact I can have and the background and qualifications that I bring to the table. The bonus — not the focus — of being elected is that I am the first African American woman to be elected to the Pleasant Grove City Council. As a City Council member, I am able to draw upon my many years of experience as an attorney for the Birmingham City Council. I understand council business and can provide input in ways that will benefit our city. The work of the Pleasant Grove City Council is different from the work of the Birmingham City Council because Pleasant Grove is smaller than Birmingham, so some things are easier to get done, but some are not as easy because the access to resources may be limited.
Q. What’s the best team you’ve ever been a part of and why? A. My sorority, Delta Sigma Beta Sorority
Inc., is an exceptional, high-functioning team. We are able to accomplish a lot of projects in the community and help a lot of people — we are not limited in the types of projects we do. We have done a wide range of things, from helping the homeless to working on legislative agendas and assisting with presidential elections. I serve on the Health and Human Services Committee, where some of our recent service includes helping out at The
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Lovelady Center, collecting socks and shoes for underserved youth and collecting pop tabs for community grants.
16). My parents are always my “go-to” for advice and feedback. Anything I need, they are a good resource.
Q. Tell us about a person or organization that you admire. Why do you think they have made an important impact?
Q. Thinking back to when you were a young lawyer or a law student, what advice would you give yourself? A. I would tell myself to be patient,
A. I greatly admire and appreciate my
parents, Jimmy and Vonnie Lawson. Throughout my life, my mom and dad instilled in me the importance of a strong family and prayer life. The values and foundations they established for my life have truly helped my husband and me in raising our four sons (ages 30, 23, 19 and
forgive myself and understand that I am entering the practice of law.
Q. What book are you currently reading? A. I don’t have much time to read because, BIRMINGHAM BAR BULLETIN
the chance to totally turn off lawyer mode and turn on self-evaluation and re-evaluation mode. When I’m there, I consider my future plans, review how I recovered from mistakes and think about how I celebrated victories. Being at Martha’s Vineyard gives me the time to stop and just be.
Left: Yolanda and Theo take a family selfie with their cousins. Right: Yolanda with her youngest son, Jayden. like most lawyers, I read all day at work. However, I just finished “The Sun Does Shine” by Anthony Ray Hinton, and it was incredible. I would highly recommend it.
Q. Who is your role model and why? A. My husband, Theo Lawson, is abso-
lutely my role model. In his job as the Jefferson County Attorney, he takes the time to evaluate and understand the impact of decisions before he makes them. He has
the ability to give thought to the possible outcomes those decisions might have. He really cares about the people he serves and makes a practice of working to avoid unintended consequences of his decisions. I will say that he truly loves to go to work every day.
Q. What is your favorite vacation spot and why? A. Martha’s Vineyard, because it gives me
Q. What is your “go-to” comfort food? A. Ever since I had COVID-19 in December,
I can’t say that I have any comfort foods because COVID destroyed my sense of smell and taste. So unfortunately, I do not currently have a comfort food, and it’s becoming hard to remember what things taste like.
Q. If you could have dinner with any celebrity, past or present, who would it be? A. Without a doubt, I would have dinner
with Michelle Obama. I want to talk with her about how she has been able to turn off the everyday noise and make an impact on our country with such presence and poise.
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Crystal Smitherman
Members Who Motivate Us Q. Please tell us about your role on the Birmingham City Council. What does your service in that capacity entail? A. As Birmingham City Councilor,
customer service is a high requirement of the job. It is about meeting people where they are and listening to their concerns and needs. My job is all about serving people first. My primary focus is continuing to improve neighborhoods for good, protecting citizens by removing dilapidated houses, reducing crime, increasing affordable housing, and renovating public housing. Working hard, being prepared and creating meaningful partnerships has always been the cornerstone of this administration. I also serve as an advocate and policy changer.
Above: Crystal was sworn into her Birmingham City Council role by her mother, Judge Carole Smitherman. Right: Crystal and her family celebrate her admittance into the State Bar.
Q. What’s the best team you’ve ever been a part of and why? A. The best team I have ever been a part
of was my college golf team at Hampton. I really developed lifelong friendships with them. They taught me how to push myself past my comfort zone and reminded me that it’s always good to have a good laugh.
Q. Tell us about a person or organization that you admire. Why do you think they have made an important impact? A. I admire my mother Judge Carole
Smitherman so much. I admire her because she is my mother, and she has accomplished so much while remaining humble. She believes that as a Black woman you can achieve it all while still having a successful career. She also believes the goal is to break glass ceilings and bring other women along with you in the process of breaking those ceilings.
Q. Thinking back to when you were a young lawyer or a law student, what advice would you give yourself? A. I would tell myself to stay focused on
your own journey and to make the most
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I love how she was able to support Barack Obama in his presidency while making a significant and profound impact on the country as our then First Lady.
Q. What is your favorite vacation spot and why? A. My favorite vacation spot is the beach
Left: Alongside Rep. Merika Coleman, left, and Mayor Randall Woodfin, right, Crystal presents a resolution declaring Birmingham a Trafficking Free Zone. Right: Crystal passes out hot dinners and face masks at a District 6 community event in West End. out of law school. I would emphasize that it is important to seize as many opportunities as possible and that not everything is about grades but study better, not longer.
Q. What book are you reading/ what TV show are you watching currently? A. I am currently watching “This is
Us” and “All American.” I am currently
reading “A Promised Land” by Barack Obama.
Q. Who is your role model and why? A. My role model is Michelle Obama.
Despite any adversity and negativity, she has experienced over the years, she still chooses the high road. My favorite quote of hers is “when they go low we go high.”
because the water brings me clarity and peace. I feel like I can be present in the moment while listening to the waves.
Q. What is your “go to” comfort food? A. My “go to” comfort food is Cold Stone
Sweet Cream Ice Cream.
Q. If you could have dinner with any celebrity, past or present, who would it be? A. I would have dinner with Beyoncé.
She is one of my favorite artists. I usually listen to her every day, especially to motivate myself in the mornings.
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‘GUILTY’ By President Sidney Jackson
Just as I began writing this article with every intention of discussing Magic City Bar events planned for the rest of the year, a news flash came across my computer screen: “Derek Chauvin found GUILTY of ALL charges in the death of George Floyd.” Almost immediately, I picked up my phone and sent a text message to my close family and friends that simply said “GUILTY” in all caps. I received celebratory responsive messages and not one responsive message questioned the meaning of the one-word text. I then checked my social media and saw the word “GUILTY” as the status for the majority of my family, friends and acquaintances. To me and many people like me, today is a day to be rejoiced; not simply because a man was found guilty of murder, but because a white police officer who callously killed an unarmed Black man has been held accountable — criminally. Over the last few years, there has been what feels to be never-ending news coverage concerning Black men and Black boys being killed by members of law enforcement. All too often, those law enforcement officers escape with no criminal charges and after the dust settles, so to speak, freely go about living their lives — a privilege their victims could never enjoy. Think about it: Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Breonna Taylor, Tamir Rice, and Philando Castille are just a few victims who come to mind whose killers were never brought to justice. Sure, most of their families received wrongful death settlement proceeds, but no true justice. Indeed, it continually seemed to Black Americans that we were still getting the short end of the stick when it came to real justice in our own country. As a result, Black Americans and their allies took to the streets together and staged massive protests screaming at the top of their lungs for justice, “Black Lives Matter!” Many people questioned and attempted to degrade the phrase that was being used. Many people questioned and attempted to degrade the manner of the protests that were taking place. But, the shouts of “Black Lives Matter” only grew stronger. Even in the face of continual “not guilty” verdicts and the persistent naysayers, protesters of all races, nationalities and ages remained undeterred and never gave up the fight for justice no matter how dark or gloomy the outcome appeared to be at times. Then, today happened. Derek Chauvin, a clean-cut white male police officer, was found guilty for causing the death of George Floyd, a large
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Black man with an unflattering criminal background. Perhaps the archaic wheels of justice that for far too long decided cases based on optics, including what the parties looked like or did for a living, is changing to that which it was intended. More specifically, justice is and should always be blind. Sadly, that is not always the case as a Black man in America. Perhaps that change has finally begun and has been brought about, at least in part, by civil unrest caused by protests. Of course, this is but one instance of justice and time will tell what the future holds, but for me as a Black man and father of a young Black boy, today I celebrate and I hope that you will celebrate with me. Onward. Upward. Together.
Sidney Jackson is the 2021 President of the Magic City Bar Association
To receive information on our upcoming events and programs we have throughout the year, please join the Magic City Bar Association by visiting our website at magiccitybarassociation.org and completing the membership application. Also, please “like” our Facebook page!
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SUMMER 2021
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Make your CLEs a Holiday By Charles E. Guerrier1
Getting ready for the evening’s dinner and discussion in the courtyard in Loudon, France.
Charles Guerrier is a graduate of Western Reserve University and Case Western Reserve School of Law, both in Cleveland, Ohio. His interests, other than the practice of employment law, include art, art history, international rights and law, and literature. Since retiring from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in 2012, he has been Of Counsel to the Birmingham firm of Haynes & Haynes, P.C., where he is required to sit and think all day.
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2 I trace my condition to Professor Peter Junger, who taught Water Law at Case Western Reserve University. Part of the class involved a half-day canoe trip on the Cuyahoga River, where we learned about water pollution (the Cuyahoga River notoriously caught fire in 1969, the year I started law school), riparian rights, and the common law right of portage. During the trip we discussed various topics such as whether or not we had the right to stop along the banks of a navigable
I have an unusual obsession: I enjoy continuing legal education courses. I look forward to attending them. I relish presenting at them. And I obsess over planning them. But not just ordinary CLE programs. No. I prefer structuring unique programs that not only contribute to the understanding of the law, but also expose me to how knowledge of the law can enhance even the smallest details of daily life.2 Let me give you an example that, I hope, will inspire you to think about structuring your own CLE program.3 In 2016, fellow Birmingham Bar Association member Alicia Haynes held the winning bid for a week in the restored Maison Cornay4 in Loudon, France. Because the house could accommodate 16, Alicia wanted to maximize this opportunity, for herself and others. She decided to work with an organization of employment lawyers with which she is affiliated5 and combine a vacation to France with a CLE program. My job was to figure out what that program would be. The travel agenda I was working with entailed a flight to Paris, a train to Tours, a car to Loudon, one week in the Loire River valley, a return trip to Paris for three days and a flight back to Alabama. Loudon is located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region of France. Aside from being in the heart of the châteaux region of the Loire Valley, Loudon is where, in the 17th
The Maison Cornay dates to the Middle Ages. It was the home of the missionary Jean-Charles Cornay, who was martyred in Vietnam in the early 19th Century. Father Cornay was later beatified by the Catholic church.
river and build a fire from estovers.
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While getting a CLE program approved by the Alabama Bar is not difficult, there are certain requirements which must be met. See How a Sponsor May Apply for Course Credit, at https://www.alabar.org/membership/ mcle/sponsor-information/. Individuals who work in the MCLE section of the Alabama State Bar can be particularly helpful in guiding you through the certification process.
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Ms. Haynes worked with NELA-AL, the Alabama affiliate of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA), an association of attorneys who represent employees in disputes with their employers.
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century, a convent of Ursuline nuns claimed to be visited and possessed by demons.6 A local priest, Father Urbain Grandier, was accused of summoning the evil spirits. The trial that followed is one of the most notorious witchcraft trials in Europe. Grandier was convicted of sorcery and burned at the stake.7 Historians now believe8 that the case was less the result of demonic possession and more likely the result of an anonymous libelous satire of Cardinal Richelieu, attributed to Grandier. Loudon was also the home of Théophraste Renaudot, publisher of the first French newspaper, La Gazette (1631)9. Important to both events — the trial and the newspaper — was the development that enhanced the ability to distribute information inexpensively and broadly: the Gutenberg Press. While that information is interesting, it is hardly the stuff of a proper CLE program. But a kernel of a theme was developing in my mind. I just needed a few more pieces of information before it would sprout. The first piece came from the then-current U.S. president who was making accusations about being subjected to a “witch hunt” and was calling to overturn New York Times v. Sullivan.10 The next two pieces also came from current events. First, the president was attempting to revitalize the debate over the Johnson Amendment11, which prohibits all 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
Walking the streets of Loudon in search of Theophraste Renaudot and Father Urbain Grandier.
(including churches) from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Also, as a result of two movies, “The Monuments Men” (2014)12 and “Woman In Gold” (2015)13, interest in stolen and repatriated art was in the news. All of these pieces made me think about our Constitution and the freedom of expression.14 Where does the right to “express oneself” come from? What
Sluhovsky, Moshe (2002), “The Devil in the Convent.” The American Historical Review 107(5):1379-411.
French literary prize awarded annually to the author of an outstanding original novel published that year.
The Devils of Loudon is a 1952 non-fiction historical narrative by Aldous Huxley which examines the unexplained events that led to Father Grandier’s execution. The story was adopted into a stage play and then a film, The Devils, starring Vanessa Redgrave and Oliver Reed.
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Rapley, Robert (1998). A Case of Witchcraft: The Trial of Urbain Grandier, Montreal:McGill-Queen’s University Press; Calmet, Augustin. Treatise on the Apparitions of Spirits and on Vampires or Revenants of Hungary, Moravia, et al., The Complete Volumes I & II (2016).
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The Prix Théophaste-Renaudot is a
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376 U.S. 254 (1964). New York Times v. Sullivan establishes the actual malice standard that must be met in order for public officials to prevail in a libel suit arising out of press reports. 26 U.S.C. §501(c)(3)
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The Monuments Men is loosely based on The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History, by Robert M. Edsel and Bret Witter. It follows a group of men from the Monuments, Fine Arts and Archives program, created by the British in 1942, who were given the task of finding and securing art and other culturally important
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does it mean to “express oneself”? What governmental limitations on expression concerned the founders? What concerns us today? How aggressive should governments be in protecting and securing “freedom of expression”? Thus was born “Freedom of Expression: From ‘La Gazette de France’ to the Johnson Amendment,” a four-part, four-hour CLE program. Each part involved a one-hour
items before they could be destroyed. Woman in Gold describes Maria Altmann’s successful effort to reclaim Gustav Klimt’s painting of her aunt, Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I, which was stolen from her relatives by the Nazis in Vienna prior to World War II. The movie was inspired by a 2007 documentary, Stealing Klimt. The legal issues surrounding Ms. Altmann’s efforts are discussed in Republic of Austria v. Altmann, 541 U.S. 677 (2004), in which the Supreme Court held that the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act applies retroactively, including to acts which arose prior to the enactment of the Act in 1978.
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“Freedom of expression” is the phrase that is commonly used to refer, collectively, to the rights protected by
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the First Amendment. Fundamental to an understanding of those “freedoms” is an appreciation of the evil inherent in a licensing system. “The power of the licensor against which John Milton directed his assault by his ‘Appeal for the Liberty of Unlicensed Printing’ is pernicious not merely by reason of the censure of particular comments but by reason of the threat to censure comments on matters of public concern. It is not merely the sporadic abuse of power by the censor but the pervasive threat inherent in its very existence that constitutes the danger to freedom of discussion.” Thornhill v. State of Alabama, 310 U.S. 88, 97 (1940). Milton’s famous “speech” to Parliament was actually a pamphlet published under the title “Areopagitica.”
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presentation (with written materials) coming either before or after an excursion.15 Part one, “From ‘Areopagitica’ to Seditious Libel,” covered the history of expression and governmental attempts to regulate it, from Socrates through seditious libel to the publication of “fake news.” This session followed our visit to the building where Renaudot first published his newspaper. After visiting the church where Grandier was convicted and executed, we returned to the Maison to learn about “Of Witches and Witch Hunts.” Did you know that there was a sharp distinction between witches and those possessed by demons? Possession, unlike witchcraft, was an involuntary condition and was not considered sinful or criminal. Demoniacs, unlike witches, were not held legally or morally responsible for their actions. They could, therefore, violate cultural norms with impunity.16 Also, witch hunts, from Salem to McCarthyism, share some common traits: The accused is adjudged guilty before any evidence is established; incriminating evidence is acceptable as final; it is assumed that the allegations are only the tip of the iceberg; and suspension of basic rights of citizens are justified by appeals to national security, protection of society, and the fight against evil.17 Finally, guilt by association and fear of the unknown are powerful movers.18 The discussion following this presentation lasted late into the evening and required more than the usual bottle of wine. We all learned that, as lawyers, we have an obligation to speak out against witch hunts and not to contribute to them. The struggle between Henry II and Thomas á Becket is well known19 and, of
While each presentation elicited a lively discussion, that discussion was not part of the CLE. Rather, it was an opportunity for the participants, as well as non-lawyers who listened to the presentation, to consider and discuss (over a glass of wine, some cheese and pastries) what they had seen or would see that day and the legal context surrounding it.
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Brian P. Levack, Possession, Witchcraft, and the Law in Jacobean England, 52 Wash. & Lee L. Rev. 1613, 1614-15 (1995).
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In Paris, having dinner on the Seine and discussing the process for returning appropriated art.
course, did not end well for Becket. After visiting the Abbaye de Fontevraud and seeing the effigies of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, our discussion focused on the church-state relationship. Should a church enjoy preferential treatment under the tax code? If so, should that church (or any 501(c)(3) organization that enjoys that preferential treatment) be required to choose between keeping the favorable tax treatment or endorsing political candidates, i.e. should the Johnson Amendment be repealed?20 Should clergy, who violate their vows in ways that also violate secular laws, be tried in ecclesiastical or secular courts? How do we advise clients who have claims against churches? How does the Religious Freedom Restoration Act21 affect our clients’ rights or duties? Again, a lively discussion followed. The group then said “Adieu” to Loudon and traveled to Paris. Visiting the art
Robert Rapley, Witch Hunts: From Salem to Guantanamo Bay (London McGill-Queen’s University Press 2007), 30-31.
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David Cole, The New McCarthyism: Repeating History in the War on Terrorism, 38 Harv. Civ. Rights-Civ. Liberties L. Rev. 1 (Winter 2003).
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Henry II appointed Becket as Archbishop of Canterbury, believing that his old friend would help Henry reassert his rights over the church in England. That did not happen. One of
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museums was high on our list of stops during our stay in Paris, and these visits inevitably raised interesting questions: How did this art get here? Why doesn’t it ever come to the United States? Who “owns” it? It is not possible to visit any of the museums in Paris without confronting expropriated art of one type or another. One of our CLE programs entitled, “Appropriation, Expropriation, and Repatriation of Stolen Art,” focused on the legal issues surrounding the display and ownership of “stolen” art. The number of works of art looted by the Third Reich, for example, is astounding. Over 516,000 individual art pieces were looted from Poland alone. Fourteen Russian museums and libraries lost over 1,148,000 items of art, most famously, perhaps, being the Amber Room.22 Ownership of early European works was
the main sources of conflict between Henry II and Becket concerned the treatment of clergy who committed secular crimes: Henry argued for his right, as king, to enforce justice over those clerics, while Becket argued only church courts could try those cases. This dispute led to the Constitutions of Clarendon, which attempted to deal with “criminous clerks” (clergy who were accused of secular crimes) by subjecting clergy who were tried in ecclesiastical courts to a second trial in the secular courts.
The Johnson Amendment has been in the tax code since 1954. Named after then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, the amendment was uncontroversial when enacted. It has been the subject of numerous unsuccessful repeal attempts. The amendment survives primarily because removal would make political contributions tax-deductible and exempt from other campaign-financing laws.
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42 U.S.C. §§ 2000bb through 2000bb-4.
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Our discussions about what we had seen that day and the legal context surrounding it were enhanced with a glass of wine, some cheese and pastries.
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typically vested in the state, the monarchy, or the church. But, with the advent of the private art market in the 18th century, more and more art was gathered in private collections. Identifying expropriated art and returning it to the rightful “owners” can truly be a monumental task for museums. Museums that learn that their collections include unclaimed objects that may have been unlawfully appropriated without subsequent restitution are expected to acknowledge that fact in the object’s history, on labels and in publications.23 Consequently, our visits to the Louvre, the Centre Pompidou, and the Musée d’Orsay were enhanced knowing about the challenges facing museums who may possess looted art. The labels took on new meaning. And our appreciation of the art, itself, was enhanced by the knowledge of the art’s provenance and the mere fact that it had survived. The label accompanying a piece of art could provide some indication as to why that item could not travel to other countries without facing possible attachment or liens by heirs of the rightful owners.24 We ended our trip to France with four hours of CLE credit and an enhanced awareness about the scope of the “freedom of expression” guaranteed by our First Amendment. One of the great side-benefits
The Amber Room is a particularly fascinating case of “expropriation.” The room was begun in Germany in 1701 and was installed in the Berlin City Palace. After Peter the Great of Russia admired it, Frederick William I presented the room to Peter as a gift, who moved it to St. Petersburg (Leningrad). During World War II, German soldiers disassembled the room and shipped it to Konigsberg. The room has not been seen since the end of the war and most likely was destroyed in
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Above: A French tapestry depicting the fable of the Fox and the Stork, which the U.S. Supreme Court referenced in Griggs v. Duke Power. of our plan was that the non-lawyers who traveled with us got a deeper appreciation of the law and how the law affects everything we do on a daily basis. Of course, not everyone can take a trip to France. But, there are other things you can do to make your CLE a vacation. Here are some ideas; I am certain you can think of many others: ► Plan a group outing to one of the minor league baseball parks in Alabama. Arrive early and have someone prepare a presentation on one of these legal topics: ○ The legal challenges facing the desegregation of baseball in 1947 and the lingering legacy of segregation in athletics; ○ The anti-trust exemption enjoyed by Major League Baseball; ○ Estate planning for professionals whose careers are “front loaded”; ○ Sports-injuries and worker’s compensation; ○ The tax issues facing athletes who work in various states; ○ Application of the Fair Labor Standards Act to college and minor league athletes.
the Battle of Konigsberg. Regardless, did the Germans expropriate Russian art or merely re-appropriate what was originally German art? See, American Alliance of Museums, Ethics, Standards, and Professional Practices, “Unlawful Appropriation of Objects During the Nazi Era.” https://www.aam-us.org/programs/ ethics-standards-and-professional-practices/unlawful-appropriation-of-objects-during-the-nazi-era/ (as last visited
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► Plan a Section barbecue and set aside one hour to learn about: ○ Food labeling and inspection rules and regulations; ○ Issues related to animal cruelty; ○ Liability for distribution of tainted foods; ○ Municipal legislation banning soft-drinks. ► Plan a trip to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and use one hour to learn about: ○ The relationship between admiralty law and space law; ○ Laws and treaties governing ownership of planets, moons, and stars; ○ The weaponization of space and efforts to denuclearize the planet; ○ The Warsaw Convention and the liability of air carriers. And, if you still can’t think of a topic, check out Georgia L. Stevens, “Laws That Impact Our Lives” (1990). Historical Materials from University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, 368. So, next time you are facing that dreaded CLE deadline, be creative. Find a sponsoring organization and an attorney who is knowledgeable (or willing to become knowledgeable) about a topic and put together your own vacation CLE. I promise, you will love it.
Charles E. Guerrier, Of Counsel to the Birmingham firm of Haynes & Haynes, P.C.
on April 16, 2019). The Museum of Fine Arts Boston has one example of these “Ownership Resolutions.” https:// www.mfa.org/collections/provenance/ ownership-resolutions (as last visited on April 16, 2019). For an interesting discussion of the legal and ethical obligations facing museums, see, The Conflicting Obligations of Museums Possessing Nazi-Looted Art, 50 Bost. Coll. L. Rev. 473 (2010). Article 151(2) of the European
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Community Treaty encourages Member States to engage in non-commercial cultural exchanges, including art loans to museums. Nevertheless, art that travels outside the EU may well be subject to attachment. Further, the law draws a distinction between general works of art and “national cultural property.” See Mark F. Lindsay, The Recovery of Cultural Artifacts: The Legacy of Our Archeological Heritage, 22 Case W. Res. J. Int’l. L. 165 (1990).
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Lessons from a Pandemic When Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham adapted services for the COVID-19 world, our volunteers were there.
Beth Graham, a volunteer for Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham (VLB) and attorney for Bressler, Amery, & Ross.
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Beth Graham, a volunteer for Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham (VLB) and attorney for Bressler, Amery, & Ross, has experienced frustrations familiar to anyone who has survived working through the COVID-19 pandemic. “I miss the face-to-face contact with the clients,” she says. “I think the pandemic has made us all miss that personal touch.” When the pandemic began, VLB switched nearly overnight from an in-person Help Desk program to an all-virtual format. The mission was the same: to help low-income residents of Jefferson County by providing free civil legal help. The need also remained the same: for volunteer lawyers to give their time and expertise by signing up to take cases through the new virtual Help Desks. The response was tremendous. Law firms, corporations, solo practitioners and brand-new volunteers signed up to take assignments for the virtual Help Desk, continuing to help clients through phone appointments, delivering documents by email, and often going above and beyond to make sure their civil legal needs were met in spite of complications
presented by the pandemic. And many volunteers found an upside in the process. VLB staff lawyers have always been on site at the Help Desks to answer questions and provide support to the volunteers. Working virtually, the staff instead began preparing detailed case files in advance of appointments and giving volunteer attorneys time to review cases and ask questions as needed. “I have been impressed with how easy the Help Desk has made virtual volunteering,” Graham says. “I receive a client file the day before my scheduled appointment, which gives me time to review it and research any issues I have questions about. The Help Desk also facilitates sending documents to the clients after our appointment, so it could not be easier.” Other volunteers echo that sentiment. “Before the pandemic, you’d walk over to the courthouse and be there for two or three hours, which is fun and you get to see a lot of different people,” says Jade Sipes, an attorney with Baker Donelson and longtime volunteer. “But in some ways, the virtual
I believe it’s a duty for all of us as lawyers to help the community if we can. I’d encourage everybody to do even one small pro bono matter with VLB, and they’ll be hooked.
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JADE SNIPES
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I have been impressed with how easy the Help Desk has made virtual volunteering.
Help Desk can be easier. I’ve done a lot of virtual Help Desks during the pandemic, and multiple times I’ve had questions about rent and the stay on evictions. That’s not my day-to-day practice area. So I can call the VLB staff and ask, ‘Do you think this advice is too aggressive? Do you think we need to do this?’ And the VLB staff is always there to help.” Sipes also compares cases in advance with her colleagues and fellow volunteers. “We call each other and say, ‘I have a rent eviction case, let me tell you about it.’ And they’ll say, ‘That’s interesting, I have a property-damage case.’
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And we can talk together and figure out what we would recommend to the clients. It’s really helpful. “I feel fortunate to be a lawyer, and it’s funny how something I take for granted like knowledge of how the courts work or litigation can really help somebody,” Sipes adds. “I believe it’s a duty for all of us as lawyers to help the community if we can. I’d encourage everybody to do even one small pro bono matter with VLB, and they’ll be hooked.” To volunteer with VLB, please contact Michelle Horn Brown at mbrown@vlbham.org or 205-623-0901.
Jade Sipes, an attorney with Baker Donelson and VLB volunteer.
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Archie Creech: A Legal Aid Society of Birmingham Hero
Archie is always eager to get to work.
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Legal Aid represents children in the Jefferson County family courts in Birmingham and Bessemer. The clients range in age from birth to 21 years old.
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His law office was totally destroyed. He could not get to it for weeks after Hurricane Katrina, a Category 5 hurricane that broke the levees in New Orleans. “When I went to work the Friday before the storm, it was a Category 3 out in the Atlantic. It had to cross over Florida,” Archie Creech recalled that fateful day in August 2005. Hurricanes typically lose strength over land. While in the Gulf of Mexico, Katrina strengthened to a Category 4 and was a Category 5 as it approached the northern Gulf Coast. Because Archie and his wife, Jessie, had survived many hurricanes in the past, they had developed their own strategy for evacuations. They left late. They had done it before and encountered little to no traffic in the past. But this time it was not easy leaving the Big Easy. It took them 19 hours to get to Birmingham. Along the route, they called friends to seek lodging. A friend said his in-laws in Birmingham would help them find a place. So, they loaded their band of Noah’s Ark — two parents, two children, two dogs and two cats — and headed to Birmingham. During their time in Birmingham, what struck them most about the area was the beauty. They would marvel at the scenery as they walked their pets. What sealed the deal and made them want to stay was the friendliness of the people. “We took the kids to school and were greeted with, ‘Are you the refugees from New Orleans?’ I said, ‘Yes, we are,” Archie fondly remembers. The school helped with furniture and other necessities. “They were a life saver.” Six weeks after Hurricane Katrina hit, Archie returned to New Orleans to assess the damage. Their home was situated 3 feet above ground, and the home had been filled with 6 feet of standing water. “The first thing I noticed was the utter
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Archie working in his office on a typical day. After relocating with his family from New Orleans to Birmingham following Hurricane Katrina, Archie passed the Alabama Bar exam and set up shop as a solo practitioner. When a position became available at Legal Aid in the Jefferson County Family Court Division, Archie began his career as a full-time guardian ad litem in abuse and neglect (dependency) cases.
Archie and his wife, Jessie. silence,” Archie says. “There were no sounds of birds chirping, dogs barking or cars driving by.” Due to the swelling in the home from the water, Archie had to chop a hole in the front door to enter. “I walked in and immediately walked out.” Archie was in solo practice in New Orleans. His office was 10 minutes from his home. His house was two blocks from a levy that broke. When he was finally able to get to his office days later, there was nothing to salvage. The verdict was in that Birmingham was going to be their new home. After passing the Alabama Bar exam, Archie set up shop again as a solo practitioner. Initially, he worked at Legal Aid as a contract attorney, filling in for attorneys in the Municipal Court Division. After attending a Legal Aid Christmas Party with his wife, she told him, “You have found your people.” When a position became available at Legal Aid in the Jefferson County Family Court Division, Archie began his career as a full-time guardian ad litem in abuse and neglect (dependency) cases. “A huge portion of the cases involve parents being on drugs,” he explains. “Drugs are a beast and hard to overcome.” Legal Aid represents children in the Jefferson County Family Courts in Birmingham and Bessemer. The clients range in age from birth to 21 years old. Archie says, “When I wake up and go to work, I know that all day long I’ll be representing the good guys.” However, to Archie, the teenagers are the most challenging, not just because of their attitudes,
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When I wake up and go to work, I know that all day long I’ll be representing the good guys.
but because of a lack in resources for that demographic. He says, “Put a lack of resources on top of their life circumstances, and you have a recipe for failure.” There is rarely a perfect situation; he has to advocate for what is in the best interest of his clients.
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To decompress from the stress and demands from the weightiness of the job, Archie enjoys sports and gardening. He said he had to decide at the Alabama state line whether he was for Alabama or Auburn and what church he would attend. No spoiler here. These are great conversation starters for when you meet Archie.
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Memorial Scholarship Contributions 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 second-year and third-year 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, 2021 Second Avenue North, Birmingham, Alabama 35203. For more information, please contact Jennifer Buettner at 205-251-8006, ext. 3 or jbuettner@ birminghambar.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 Franklin Donnell Ball ○ The Honorable Robert P. Bynon
► In memory of Hugh A. Locke Jr. ○ Dawn I. McDonald
► In memory of Louis B. “L.B.” Feld ○ Massey, Stotser & Nichols, P.C.
► In memory of Jerry O. Lorant ○ John F. Whitaker
► In memory of Judy Bonar ○ Robin L. Burrell
► In memory of William H. Mills ○ The Honorable Quentin Q. Brown
► In memory of The Honorable Joseph L. Boohaker ○ John F. Whitaker
► In memory of Martha Jane Patton ○ The Honorable Quentin Q. Brown ○ William N. Clark
► In memory of George James Bouloukos ○ The Honorable Robert P. Bynon
► In memory of Lee H. Stewart ○ Lee T. Clanton
► In memory of Robert Clair Boyce III ○ The Honorable Quentin Q. Brown
► In memory of William James “Bill” Sullivan Jr. ○ John F. Whitaker
► In memory of Daniel Lee Burgess ○ The Honorable Robert P. Bynon
► In memory of Jon Batton Terry ○ William N. Clark ○ Massey, Stotser & Nichols, P.C.
► In memory of Harlan Hobart Grooms ○ John F. Whitaker
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► In memory of Lanny Sterling Vines ○ The Honorable Tom King Jr.
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Upcoming CLE Opportunities June 4, 2021: Serving as a GAL in Family, Circuit and Probate Courts Noon to 1 p.m. Speaker: John Bodie. MCLE Credit: 1 hour June 25, 2021: How to Win Lawsuits – Part One 3-4:30 p.m. Speaker: John Gleissner. MCLE Credit: 1.5 hours July 9, 2021: How to Win Lawsuits – Part Two 3-4:30 p.m. Speaker: John Gleissner. MCLE Credit: 1.5 hours July 23, 2021: Insider Trading* Flowers are seen at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Photo by Erin Nelson. Aug. 13, 2021: Topics for Later-in-Career Attorneys*
Aug. 27, 2021: Bonding Assessments*
Sept. 10, 2021: Real Estate and Commercial Leasing*
Sept. 24, 2021: Appellate Advocacy*
Oct. 1, 2021: Veterans’ Benefits and Social Security Disability* *Event information tentative
Visit birminghambar.org for information on all programs.
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Attorneys in the News Burr & Forman LLP announces the appointment of April Mason as the new office managing partner of the firm’s Birmingham location, which is the largest of the Mason firm’s 19 offices with nearly 130 attorneys. She succeeds Gary London in this role, who has served in this role for the past eight years. Marcus M. Maples of Baker Donelson has been selected to participate in the 2021 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellows Program, a landmark proMaples gram created by the LCLD to identify, train, and advance the next generation of leaders in the legal profession.
specialize in complex defense, business and commercial litigation. Dominick Feld Hyde, P.C. is pleased to announce that Alexandra O. Priester has joined the firm as an associate. Alex will be working in the areas of Estate Planning, Priester Estate Administration, Litigation and Corporate. Sheffield & Lentine, P.C. is pleased to announce that John C. (J.C.) Lentine has joined the firm as an associate.
Mak
Hoaglund
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Watkins & Eager PLLC is pleased to announce that Ashley C. Scarpetta has joined the Birmingham office as an associate.
C. McCallum
LaBella S. McCallum, Charles A. “Chip” McCallum III and Eric D. Hoaglund announce the formation of McCallum, Hoaglund & McCallum, LLP where they will
Rumberger Kirk & Caldwell PA has launched a new podcast called “Legally
Scarpetta
B ra d l ey A ra n t Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Martha Roby is joining the firm as a senior advisor in the Governmental Affairs and Roby Economic Development practice groups.
Weida
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has awarded its 2021 Diversity Scholarships to law students Gillian Mak from The George Washington University Law School and Jaime Weida from Mississippi College School of Law. Congratulations to these future lawyers. L. McCallum
Qualified,” providing strategic legal insight and analysis for the business community. Each episode will lean on the depth of knowledge and practice areas from the firm’s more than 100 attorneys, sharing personal experiences and advice on trending topics relevant to business leaders.
Russell
Balch & Bingham proudly announces the addition of Brandi Russell, who joins the firm as its chief diversity & inclusion officer and director of talent management. David Warren has been named managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins’ Birmingham office.
Baker Donelson has received a high score on the Warren Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index, the nation’s foremost benchmarking survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ workplace equality. Mann & Potter, P.C. is pleased to announce
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Attorneys in the News that Jerry T. “Chip” Crowell has been named an Equity Principal in the law firm and will continue to practice in the area of plaintiff’s personal injury litigation. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP announces that the firm scored a 90 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2021 Corporate Equality Index.
Lahr
Rhyne
the American Bar Association (ABA) as a recipient of the ABA Free Legal Answers 2020 Pro Bono Leader Award in recognition of the outstanding contribution of service by Bowman the firm’s attorneys to the virtual legal advice clinic. Samuel Bowman is Baker Donelson’s pro bono shareholder.
represents publicly traded companies and closely held businesses in connection with a wide variety of corporate and real estate matters.
Sharman
Enyinnia
Brown
Essig
Sewell
Murphy
Teel
Burr & Forman LLP announces the election of four attorneys to partnership in the firm’s Birmingham office: Hanna Lahr, Laura Murphy, Sims Rhyne, and Al Teel. Baker Donelson has added N. DeWayne Pope to the firm’s Birmingham office as a member of the Business Litigation Group.
Rogers
Baker Donelson is proud to announce that it has joined Out Leadership, the oldest and largest global coalition of companies working to improve LGBTQ+ equality. Baker Donelson has been honored by
Roth
Four Birmingham-based Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP partners have been elected as Fellows of the American Bar Foundation: T. Michael Brown, William C. Byrd, E. Mabry Rogers and David Roth.
Pope
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Byrd
Gordon
Nathan Gordon was recently elected a shareholder in Baker Donelson’s Birmingham office. Mr. Gordon is a member of the firm’s Corporate Group, where he
Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC announces that Jack Sharman has been appointed by the Georgia governor to serve as special counsel to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office in an investigation by the Fulton County District Attorney into certain activities in Georgia by former President Donald Trump during the 2020 election. Joining him on the team for this matter are Amaobi Enyinnia, Brandon Essig and Jay Sewell. Sirote is pleased to announce that Nathan Weinert, in the firm’s Real Estate practice group, has been promoted to shareholder status. Brian O’Dell, a partner in Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP’s Birmingham office, has been accepted as a Fellow in the American College of Mortgage Attorneys.
Weinert
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