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Attorneys Ins urance Mutual

01 Alabama, Inc.路 22 In verness C6<1ter Parkway Su ite 340 BO,mingham, Alabama 35242-4820

Telephone (205) 980 -0009

Toll Fr .... (SOO) 526路1246 FAX (205) 980 -9009

'CHARTER MEMBER: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BAR路RELATED INSURANC E COMPANIES.

Tn!ir [P[j'@Uilil~@[j'@ [P[j'@@]llil©\.t§ g@[j' @ .J:CoI. SOLID b\~@[Q)@Uilil@ [p[j'@©m©@ Automobile Insurance law by Oavenport Cl 1989

Criminal Offenses & Defenses in Alabama by Chl8rkas, Chiarkas, & Ve/gas Cl1 982

Criminal Trial Practice 2nd Ed. by Chlarkas " 1988 Criminal Trial Practice Form s 2nd Ed. by Chlarkas Cl 1988

Divorce, Alimony & Child Custody w / Forms 2nd Ed. by McCurley & Davis

" 1988 Evidence by Schroeder, Hoffman & Thigpen " 1987

Equity 2nd Ed. TII/ey's by Hansford c '985 Law of Damages 2nd Ed. by Gamble 1> 1988 Limitations of Actions & Notice Pro vi sions by Hoff " 1984 Workmen ' s Compensation EXPANDED!

w i Forms 2nd Ed. b y Hood, Hardy & Saad Cl 1990

• Including Current Supplement, if applicable.

BONUS OFFER Buy any 2 of the above t it les and receive 7 % OFF the TOTAL RETAIL

PRICE ,orany3 - 9 % OFF ,orany 4 orany6 - 20 % OFF

12 % OFF. or any 5 -

THE:W HARRISON COMPANY, PUBLISHERS I t .0 C'''''''''l p.,. ,p 0 80 . 'WO ' _

TIte

"'Idbam~ L~wyer

""", GA 300., -'wo

15 % OFF ,

The Alabama

awyer

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE - - - - - - - - - - --

Modifying Child Custod y Decisions Because of Indisc reet Se~ ual Behavior-(hanging Times ilnd an Elusive Standard -by Randall W. Nichols .......... . .. ... ............ . . . The cletetmi.... rlon of awarding of chIld custody irwolYO!S d,lflCUll dedsiont. What ,....

~ ~Id

indiscreet se.;u;al

~havk>r

Il.Jve on IhlS dKisiQn.mak,ng

~51

Bank Customer Privacy in Alabama -by Bradley R. Byrne .................. , .. . ........... The in~1 risl>l ;n many beli~.

01 privacyoi a cuSlOmef's banking uan~om; may no! be as s.acred

Medicare as a Secoodary Payer Where Sel'\lices Are Reimbu rsable Under

AU~;~~i~e ~~~~a~,. ~~f.a.u.lt. ~~ .a.n.r. ~i~~~I~t.r.l.n.s~~~~~~ .. .. ..

Medic~re hao; ~in

loUbn:>g.J!ion and equi'~ble rights of reimbulWmen! lor medial benefits provio:led by il. These righls of Medicare should be considered before scnlemenl1 are reacl>ed with insu re".

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Preoi<ienl's ~

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About

Amons

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Rem¥b'Adm;""",, Cetemony

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" - " , , , Send Dl"'" ~ 10 1M AI.oob.o ..... Lo...,..r, P.O. Box ~156,

Montgomery, AL 361 01.

Memorial'

IS III 19

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LAWYERS LAWYERS

President's Page prog .. ms. Ot~!eel that this should be consodered a ~uiremen1 0/ a I~s ~mi.,ion 10 pr..:rice .nd tNI delr.ery he pn:Mdingolfnee IepJ se<Vicn 01 free 1e$o11 se<V"=",, 10 the poor should be mandatory lor those who are gi ..", to the poor h.H long been referred to as OUr profession's highest calllhe pri~ilege 0/ earning a li~in8 bv pracing. The AI;abama St<Ire e.r is bunching tieing law. Your stale OOr ~ 13ken" di~ an elIcit;ng new program thai will anow IierenI ;apprwch, iInd that brings US kim.. AUb;lm.o su~ liar \bIunteer ~ us to f:>.INOO such seMces In an oosani~ manne<, 0<'1 a statewide basis. It ii Program. called the \tIiunlee, lawytIr Pmgram, Our Comminee on "'cess klleg.ll Serand I Wilnl to sh,;,te some thoughts about vices belie'\'eS that when lhe ~ 01 this ~e are roYde ....are 01 the great il with }OlI. Fit\l, " lillie OOckground. needs in lIl.s ...... "nd gi>ef'l an nppot~ ~ than a"", other prof& sioo, hM! always been In the forefront tunily to help !hey will wholehe.nedly of giving 'hem~lves 10 community ser~pond. List lummer the boord of OOr commiss.iooers .ppro.eo:t the comminees vice. Look al civic du~ United Fund dri-es, munic:ipooi bo.a,ds, lillie lNIue lKOIrImen<blion lor a coon:Iin.>11!(i ;,po pm.ct. 10 mi. problfolll, based on ..... 1'51and SeouIinS progr.IffiS. ;md IlUme<OUS OIhe. civic ended'.Qf'l and )'OU will see ins ..oIun_ I~ throughout lhe Iawyet'§, gIving freely of their spare lime stale. and endOlled an applical ion lor to help make life better for otn.n. IOlTA funds to hire" Ila~ coon:iin.otO/. The fi~ slep in """'ing lh" import.1n1 MosC I~ are alloO sene<oos w ith ALBRITTON !heir profe)ionallime in ~ of need. new program " n!:ilily ~ oow been f_lq.JllflIv~ to IIQn1.IfI.Ifit CO<poQo !.aken. I am haPl1!' to announce that with lions of various types are a common occurrence, .nd il IOlTA funding. I>leHnda Walers 0/ MonlgOmery. a member is .are for a lawyer 10 practice IIf:ty long ... 111101.11 develop0/ lhe s!.ate bar, ~ ~ hired al m.. (oordinil1O/ 0/ lhe ing a ntlmboe< aI"peIS" who UMOI iIffo<d a l.....,..,.er but \t>lunleer ~ f'mSrMn. Her initi.lll u.t will be 10 o.pnize 1he poogr;lI'lI on a statewide OOs.is. woolting w,th existwho know w ....... c;on go lor lepl ~ce. withou! charge and withou! fanfare. ,ng local pro bono organinlions and ~ng a l.eg31 Services Corporation p.ovides a nelworl< of free structure for of needed se",ices where 00 local ;ittO<"eys 10. lhe poor Ihroughoot the coumry, in<;ludi"3 org<lnil.tions cur_tJy exi!.!. N""t will come recruitment many ... rd""OO'ing "homeys in ... Iaba ..... , paid lor by led01 \OIumeers.. er,l11.3~ dollars and 8fMlIS. Pro bor1o PfOS,;wns ~n!: in eds.This ~ is ~n ~Ienr eoomple 01 how difMrent seg. ments 01 ou, organized bar wor1t together lor the public lena lhrouw> Ioal I»r ~hip in Mobiif" Morl1· good: several yea..s of h~rrl V>Ork by it dediuted commilgomery, HUnfiVil le, Birmingham, ~nd TlJsulO<N . 11 might surprise many 0/ you to know.~. th~t a tee reSl.rlling in ~ plan, consideration .nd 3J.lPflJ"i1! 0/ the statewide Sl.rM!y rondOX11!(i in 1989 bv" ~ion;1l ne-. pI~n bv m.. br;>arrl 01 commi.'>ione<t. .nd funding nwde possibif, boy !he dineclO<S 0Im.. AI~ Yw for.ond.>1ion SNrdlllrm on behalf 0/ the AI.bam.o SI;I~ O.r Comml1. ~nd 1.JWY<!f'5 who ha;.e nwde then tru51 XCQIlnts • pan 01 tee on Ac<:ess to t.esal Servlces concluded tNt there e<;s.!S In Alolbam •• VOIst amount 0/ ~I ~s 0/ lhe poor not the ba(1 IOLTA program. being ;odequ~tely met boy our (U""01 1'(51""". The sur.oey The SllCcess 01 this new progr.m, 01 c"."se, will ul.Iso found lhal m.ony of lhe poor do noI ewn necosnize timately dEpeod on 'fOIl. E><ciIinSIn oooocepl, the \t>Iunleer l..JWyef i'ms"m ~ now ~ into m.. Of&Jni~tional pooblemllhey;ore experiencing to be ~ problems"" which 1here m..,. be solUlion. stlJIe. 'Ibu will br!; kept fully infonned 01 deYiI. as the pros ram .re....10pI. When the time comes for recruilment 01 Certainly, the poor will alWilj'S be with ~, bul th.1 doo!s 1X>t mean Ihat ~ should dose OUr eyes to Iheir ~~ >oluntee..s I believe thaI you will want to be it pan. And. Some /eel that....,.ung ~ .-Is is priowily • re$ponthrough I,.;ng. p;on. 'fOIl will be x($ing m.. opponunily 10 m.oklt i penoNl conlribulion to OUr profession's highs.ibilily 0I1he fIoder.tl gcM!nImenl .nd tNt this should be esl alling_pro bono publico. • done bv a sre.>1 new influx 01 iede<aJ monev into exis.ling

Pro bono publico:

For the public good

m..v

de"""'' '

Executive Director's

Report

let's Do It! "The bM (~n and mU51 rende! more and jmproved ",rvic .., (0 the practicing a/totneys and!O the public.'-

-s"m W. PipeS, 1963 Buolding

C~mpaign

Chairman

"The Alab.1ma Stale Ba. has mack greal progress in recent years, II more and

mare Alabama aUorneys la ke a gtealer and greater ;merest in ;15 affairs, bur W<' have now reached a point where a<Je.Q<.Iale fxililies are imperative jf anything like our full poIenrial is 10 be reached. " _I. Edward Thormon, 1963 P,...jden~ Alabama 5!a!e Bar beli ....... both of the above Slalem<!O~ to beas true in 1991 a5 when spoken 28 years 3go. Through the last 28 YNrs the bar ha, lIeen dedicated 10 ....... derin8 improve:! ser'\lices to the public and the profession. It has justified the faith of those viSionaries who delermir>ed the b.lr would have a permanent horne. likewi .... it'; our membership has increa~ by some 7.800 new lawroo in mis rime

Ifame, the legal profession has seemingly be<:n undergoing perpetual change, and both those ... asooed lawyers", well as OUr newer aMorneys continue to exhibit a ongoing inle~t in the aHaif'! 01 the bar. Again, adeqLJate facilities are imperative to OUr continu ing growth aoo ach ievement of OU r ful l potential. The Alabama Stole Bar had no penna. neflt he.Jdquartef'l for its first 68 ¥E'i''' 01 existence. tt operated with a pan·~me sec· retary who coordinated a network 01 voluntl'E'f'l. I m.1rvel that this was done witflout Xerox, WATS lines, FAX rnadlines. OIIl'ffIight mail and inlerstote ~ A pfOpetly fUr<;tioning bar 'SlO<:iation is a maner of vital concern to every prac· ticing lawyer whether he or $he reali!es it. No one could _sibly maimain that

a building it!O;'lI can ~\le any 01 the prob. 11'm! that face us. 00 the other h.nd, without a headqu.rters suitable to aur needs, we will continue to find OUrselV6 fru51r.ued and handkapped in bringing aboot tl\o!O;' things which should be accomplir.hed if the Alaba m:. State 6ar is to continue to come to full usefulness to OUr members and to irs poblic. Tne la""""" of this state have been far· sighted in times past-they ooilt.nd paid for OUr oogina i lle.ldquaners. They. again in 1%8, ra ised the funds to ooild the annex to theongina l building. In t979, the la""""" of Alabama gave of their resou rces to por<:hase OUr Cent<'< for Professiona l Responsibility on Perry St reel wllm 00 more space was available in our original building and no land waS .v.il· ab'" upon wh ich to expaoo the original bu ilding. In 1966, Judge Scott ooted, "II wauld not "ave been thought possible in 1%1. when plans were instituted for a state bar headquane .. , that in the span of """'" year. facilities which seemed ~ U>mmodious would become cramped"', when he alened the b;!r to the need for the annex to the original structure. Wnen 1 succeeded to the position which John Scott held. he.oo I knew the bar would cont inue to grow; how""er, I do not think we were alone in failing to anticipate the pace.t which we would do ~. I remember Judge Scott's 5O<Ilew"at bewilOOred comments when 59 of uS sat for the first ex~m given in the new building in February I%S-the greatest number 01 examinees ever-he did not know what we would all do. We were last able to use the "'original" examining room becau!O;' of space lim i ta~ons in FebN.:try 1971, 6,QOO.jllus new la""""" ago, I woukl r.::rt presume to equate my own with John Scott's vision, for thi' bar. I do

HAM NER share I>!"Oe rom"..", belief with him. I believe as firmly in 1991, as ne did in 1% I, that OU r lawye-rs Care sufficiently about our chosen professiO/l to rnecI its need,. O\Jr goa l of 1.5 mil lion dollars ;s lar greater than that first campaign to raise $85,000 because the number of mernbe<! is now almost eight limes lI""ter and lawyef'l' ir<;omes are many times great<'< than in 1961. Construaion costs are ,ignificantly higher tool All fAClOr5 in pe-rspective. it is still ~ very reachable goal. I believe we can aoo muSt succeed. Please pledge generous ly and early. Our campaign is one of volunteers. We oplCd for an lawyc<-Io- Iawyer appeal to save tne cost 01 professional fuoo raisers, I am dedicating my tOlal perwnal ef· fort for the """t few months to th i' cam1)i1ign. I believe in you tne lawyef'l and judges of our 'I.lte There is much wor1< yet to be done on behalf of OUr profes.sion and tne publ ic we "'rve. Lei', do il together. •

;

Bar Briefs Myerson and

Ma~

e lected 10

ser~e

Of'ganiZ<ltions

The lIirmingh¥n form 01 Najjar, ~"" bu ... P.C. ....:emly h;>d !WI> mMlbers ~

A nali .... 01 Eutaw, Alab.lma, Roebuck hokk memberYrips in ,he B"mingh.;lm II<or AMoci,uion, Alab.:rm~ Slate 11<0. and Americ~n Bar AMocia.lon.

in dl~! Otpn'Zi>-

to _

riom.

Edward P. M!'e1'loOO was " I""red by 1he Board 01 Ga.rox!r$ of the Amefic.11l Col. lese 01 Cor>sm.octtOtl law as ilS first mE'I'I'>00 I....... A1.>bJ,m~ . Duri"ll its i....usura' meoe1rng lar.! month, the College elected 41 allomeyJ from 17 Slates as lIS fir§! group of fellCM'S. AI1Offi1'Y' mu,t be oomillated /0, fell<Jw. ship j" the C<>IIese. 10 qualify lor eI«. lion they must ~ p<Xliced 0< I<JUghI ' - lor. ""'" 01 IS 01 mo<e ~'" ~ >CImg the \"<I" immediately prio< to

'efl

their fI()I'J1inalion 10 conWUC1ion I.....,

made signifocant contribution! to the p<~l(:e

conr.lructlon LIw IhfOOlP'

N'xhin&. publish,,,, Of industry it'.... r.t"p; and demolUu31ed the hi~ ed'Ii-

cal and professional .,.nd.,ds of ~' ice.

Rodney M;!x was

~""lly

ele<::ted co-

chooirpeNlfl 01 the Communiry Aff;,illi Committee d Opeo-altOtl New Birming-

' - ' lor 1990-91. eN:. is the oklllst "",;"ing bi·~i.1 committe... in ,he Birmingham are.. 11 i$ (ie(licaled to promoIing raci. 1 harmony through r.oc~1 jUr.li<:e.

Roebud<

by first Alab.Jma

B~nk

William E. Jordan, chairman and ch~ lll<OCul i-e offic ... of f irst "'Iilbama II<onk in Birmlngh.;lm. announced lhe promoIion 01 Sid""", Q Roebuclr. Jr.• 10 vi~ oem and senior trw. offoce<. RoI!bud; is a ~ 0Im.. Un~1'( 01 Alab.:rma, the Birmingham School 01 t- and the Southetn TruSI School. He ioined the b.:rnk in 19i' 7; and has been ... i!h the 1N....·s tMC depa<!mt'flt since

,,..

A/.lb.lm.l fn~ironrmml.l/ L.lw H.lndbook published The Blfmingham firm 01 ~flilrd. Coope<. fti~ & ~Ie. P.C. ~Iy publi~ """ lILW..ma fnvllOnmet>lill t..w Handbook. w.ineo as a .-rum! lor I~rs alld nonl~rs who ronfron, environmenL;lI issues in .hen ",~Tice 01 busi~ The .... ndboolc Iocuses 1Ifim;wily on Al.lbamts renvilOllfMlltaliaws as chey ~T lhe !Wiv.lle 1«101 ..00 ....11 propeny owners. foutnier J. Gale. III, H. Thoma s Wells. Jr.• Jat~ a T"IIIOI, II. J~mes l. Priesler, AIf~ f. Smi!h, If., and K.;a.hryn Q Pugh ioimly aUlhored "'" haodbooIt. which was published in OcIOber 1990 by Go.emmenl In>liTures. Inc. The aUThors include ;I p;!SI chairperson oIlhe Ala· hama SLl,e Ba~s s..ctlon on Environmemal Uw, and """ (u"em eo<haifperson 01 """ AM LiClplion Seaion"s £nwironmental ti.igaOOn COfnminee The au,hor! a... all<> r"l""""""OO in the AMs Natural Resources and Environmental liIw Section alld Standing Comm inee on EnvironmenL;lI liIw.

Smith ele<:led pre'lidenl of UNA National Alumni Assod~lion Florence (il'( council member .IJld altomey Robef1 f . Smilh is,he 199().9' president 01 the Unl>ef)Ol'( 01 Nonh AI.lrI:>ama National Alumni As~iation. Smilh, ,he 0Iher offlC~ and board 01 di....::,ors were elected to lheir postl during the recenll-ro<n«omlns .>eIi"ities. Smi.h has ser...d as president-elecllor lhe ~ r..o ~ars. He is a gr<ldu.lte 01 Cumberland School 01 Uw.

DIALUP a llows ac cess 10 re<:ord~ The Office oIlhe 01 Slale ;onnounces .he e>.IWMion 01 an oo-line computer l'eMce pi"" program. The ....... ice is known as DIALUP (direc1 inlormalion acces5 using pcnof\iIl computers), and allows u5erJ quick access to public recon:k in lhe corporate ..nd Uniform Commercial Code files. DIALUP """ice allows ..,.,one wIth iI pl'fWNl compute!; iI 1200 to24001¥& per-second modem and .. communicalions soh .... '" j»Cbge wilh VT·IOO emulation capacity to dial di....::tly into the Office of the Sec ....... 'Y 01 St.lte c0mputer system. Subsoibef'l nn access lICC filIngs by filing number or deblor flilme to obi.;!in the dale and lillie of the filing. se(ured IWny, additiona l debtort, (OOlinWltion 01 a filing. assignments, number 01 pages filed. aod lhe filings expiration dolte. The COfpo<ale ~s will dispt.r,o a ((lfpo<~tion's 1"8"1 flilme, cQUnl'( and d,lIe of incOIjlOr.lIlOO, registered asent, princip;!1 add",", capital amount and lhe

Sec""",.,.

names 01 inrorpor;rrto<s. An,one ;r>IeneS\ed in llegi51eo"ll b the free pilot prug<¥n lohoold con1Xl RQb,,,,, jenkins. Office of "'" Secretary 01 Slate. IJusiness division, .11 (205) 242·5231.

WESTLAW and DI AlOG work toge ther ~ Publ~"lI Company and Dialog Infonna'ion Services. Inc. announce iI new w<ff 10 access inlorm~lIoo Irom DIALOG. 6eginni"ll earty !his 1""". i1 . - . ."'..,.. ~. interUce ~iw-t by me IWO companies WIlt enable WESTtAV ~ scribe<' 10 locate individual DIAJ.{X; databases through the WESTlA'N d,....::· lory and access 1M'S<! dalaba5eS usmS lamili .... WESTUW logic and comm;Ind!. WESTtAV subK,ibef'l will ne«t 10 k........ only lamllia. WESTLAV com.-

m~",h 10 se~rch DIAlOG. They wil l

"""n be ~ble 10 use Wesl's EZ ACCESS, a menu..!ri""n approach Ihal wi ll help lhem se leo::l lhe righl DIAlOG datilMse and to formu lale a query that wil l run in boIh WESTlAW and DIALOG dJlaM~. Under the new arrangement, ,-"",r 140 DIALOG databases wi ll be "", ilab le "" WESTlAW e.:>rly this \",3r. These rries wil l contain business and financial data, sdentinc and teo::hnical m.nerial, intellec· tual property registrat ion datil, and genera l news and information. Mdiliona l DIALOG databases will be ~dded fOOIlthly. The existing gateway between WESTLA" and DIALOG, ""'ilable since 1967, will be maintained. Through this gatew~, al l 360 DIALOG databa .... Can be accessed using DIALOG search language. For more informati"" on WESTLAV; call 1-.600-WESTLAV 11-.600-937-8529J. For more informalion on D IALOG, call 1·800-3·DIAlOG (1..fIOO.l34·2564) Or (41 5) 656-3785, or FAX (415) 656-7069.

Phil ip Morris Companies, Inc. \0 sponsor natiOflilI tour of original Bill of Rig hts To commemorate the 20Clth anniver' sary oflhe adoption of the Bil l 01 Righ ~ Philip Morris Compan i"" Inc. will spon· 5<)r a national tour of one 0( the original copies 01 the document. II is scheduled to be In "'-"onlg<.>me<y January 21.23. 1991. The historic parchment and multi· media exhibit w;ll tr~lto all 50 states as pan 0( the iY><J-year bicentennial celebraliOll 01 the ratification 0( the B,I I 01 Rights. Begun in Barre, Ikrmont, OIl October 10. 1990, the 16--month tour wil l conclude in Ric hmond, Virginia, OIl Febnrary 9, 1992. The Comm~allh 0( \i1rginiil's copf 0( the Bill 01 Rights. which has been recently restored and is on loan from lhe \i1rginia Stale library and Ar· c hives. will be featured in the exhibit. The exhib it will be open 10 the public 1"",01 charge. A StI(lO.square-fool pavilion has been

specially designed to hoose the exhibit. The architeclure oIlhe pavi lion is a mix between aerospace-Inspired high technology Slructu",I'\'$Tems and t.-..clitiONI gallel)'-like display space. \i1sitot'; will be greeted by a collection of video images and graphk dispjays prov iding historica l background on the Bill 0( Rights. As vis ilOrJ rn<:>ve into a large, hexagonallyshaped avriio-isual theater, they w ill be surrounded by d i310sue that explores holh p.m and contemporary c1villibe,· lies issues. Then visi"", will enter the Bill 04 Righls viewing room and be as dose as two feet Jrom the ell\lironmental cap. sule proteCT ing the 200-ycar·old doc~menl.

The 200lh anniversary tour is being

Sj)Onsored by Philip Morris ComPilnies. Inc .. the world'slargl'Sl producer 01 e<J<>. s~mer packaged goods. Its major domestic operati ng comPilnies Include Kraft General Foods. Mi ll er Brewing Compall)' and Ph ilip Morris U.S .....

Gathered at the 1990 $outhern Con-leret>Ce 01 Sar Prt!Sidents in While Sulphur Springs, West \i1rginia, WO're Weezie HairJlon, wile of Alaba"", Stale Bar PaSI President Bi ll HairJtOll; louise Allen, wife 01 ASB P~st President Bibb Allen; and cu,,,,,,t ASB President Harold Albrinon and his wife, ,ane. Leaders lrom 19 bar a<ganizations g<lthered (or social eventS, break-out ses. sions and such keynore speakers as \M:>sl \i1rgin ia Supreme Coun Chief Justice Richatd F. Neely and Uni""rsity 04 Texas 1_ profes5<)r Michael E. ligar.

ber and chairperson 01 the Alabama Commiuee 00 HumanWes and Public

Policy. 8.lIce< is a SQdwte of (:Omell Uni_· .ny School of Uw and a 19415 ;t(iminee to

8a~er

re<::eives NIMLO award Birmingham's City Attorney jMnes K, fI.aket recenlly ~~ the N~t~lln ~ltUN! of Munici~1 Uw Off~ ~ b< Outstanding N~tiONoI Public Servia by a Municipal AltOlney at the Ins!ltu!<1's

the Alal».m Slate Bar.

Blanchard ~ Clarenc:e Darrow Awond recipient MontaomerY n~tl'oe and atlOfney 8ill Blanchard. Jr., was Pf"I'I'Ilted with the Alabama Slate Ba"'" Clarence Oar""" .'",,<,,d. This award recognizes lhe conl,i. ootioos of;tll anOlney in ,II ~JNS of indigenl reptes<'lltation w.oering capital defense. including ui.1l, ~lIate. and pOSHonvictioo...ot1<..s well i'S O<&<Ini· zaliooal The award's re<:i~enl is " nflOUnced al the Slate bar's annual meeting. Nominees lor lhe aw.rrd an! recommended by member! of the SUN! boor's Indigeol Deiemo! Comminee 10 the sule Ws I:roa<d of commIssioners 10 apprIM' 01 disapp''''''' the ~Ieclion.

""'n:.

SSth annu.1 ronfe~e held inBolroo. Baker beame 8irmingham's fil5l black (ity a!to",ey in 1978. He ..... .ened as ~ \ImN!e of NIMLO since 1980. He is ~ membet- of the AI~b.om~ LNp>e of Mun ici palities. and 15 a founding mem-

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The Richard L. Taylor who

was reported in the November issue of Th e Alabama Lawyer as being suspended from the practice of law for ten days should not be confused with Richard Harrell Taylor, who practices in Mobile, Alabama, with the fi rm of Jackson & Taylor.

BnlCo.

For a """' .... qUOl."or'l and policy <Iac"",_ ocnd YOU' dal. 01 brr.h.nd ."..,.,", 01 c......._ _ red 10:

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Mobrle, Alabama 3ti68..'>-0517 (2(IS) 34 1,5 168

............

Blanchard is a 19n graduale 01 the of Alab.lma and a 1977 graduale of Jones law IMiitUIe. He worked lor Alabama l.egil Services systMl from 198G-32; wi'S in priVolole pI"<>CIice with MIlle< & P;a~"'05 from 19B2.{1S; was a ~Ie practitioner from 198>-90; and now is a member of the firm of Blanchard, Cal~ & Campbell. In describing BI....m.rd·s ~ribu lions, 8ry.rn Slewnson, eIeCIlti'oe dill!<:' lOf 01 the Alabama Dpital ~\ao tion Resource Cenl..,. in Monlgomery. said. "'Bill Blanchard has provided com· mined and ~i'oe '~t.o!ion to -..1 people KCUsed of c~tal caloes ~ ..... wilh'>lOOd cornider.rble IlPIlOlilioo. His work in Brown v. State. which recently fI1'$ulted in ~I of. caprlal conviction by the cou rt of criminal appeals; hi' " S''>Iance to J.>mes Marti". Pf"I'I'Illly un.r:Ier i«l.1!I"\Cl! 01 death; ~ hi~ 'MIft. 00 - . a l pretrial cases ... v.ould 1 mink make him ~n eliCellenl Uni'oe~ity

The Di sciplina ry Commission Alabama State Bar Montgomery, Alabama January 11, 199 1

•

Letters to the Editor V~{dne

Injury Compen..-.tion

Progr~m

I am writing 10 update some amendments to the 'l.K:cine Injury Com~n\.a lion Program, a no-fault compensation system for indivOduals who h~ been i .... ju~ ~ §!,lecif.ed childhood vacdnes.' 42 USc. §30(1a.rlQ, eI .seq. In ""rlicular, I Cilil attef1tion to the amendment which

e.tends unlit Janual)' )1, 1991, the filing

deadline for a p;lnicular dass 01 ca5e!o. This is discu.-! more fully be""". N. noted in my letter of last January. the program, etfuctive asci Oc1ober I, 1%8, permits individua ls who beli""" they are eligible lor compensatioo to file a pelihon with the United States Claims Coon. The Secre\3ryof Health and Human Ser. vice is named as the Re.por.denl, and is ~sible for proyidingan allS~ to the Court ,o>gardinS the allega1000s of e<och pclition. The Secret!lry has delegated his re5fIOIlsibilities under the pr0gram to the Sweau 01 Health plOfessions, a component of the Public Heallt> Service. The....., im~ an ethical obligation on any anomey who is co05ulted I>; an individual regarding a V3CCioe-relaled inj .."y 01 death 10 inform such individual thai compens.ation may be a\\Iitable under the \laccine Injury CompenS<ltion Program. See 42 U.s.c. §}(l()a.).IQ1b). I..... di\lidual$ inju...:! prior to October 1, 1988, m",' withdr""," ~ny pending civil su its if they choose to pursue a claim Ihrough the program. The p"",ious "".-sion d the ltatute ""1"ried petitions lor 1I.....e injuries 10 be filed ~ OcIober t 1990. See 42 U.s.c. §)(l()u.16(a)(1). On NQ>Oember 3. 1990, ,he ~ident I-igned Public I.irw 101-502, which amended the ItiIlule in a number of reIjX'Cts. See 198 Con. R«. S 15196 (Oclober 12, 19901 lor the text of these amendments. Of note among these amendments is a klur..nonth e<\en$ion of the deadline for filing petitions based on vaccines administeted before OcIober I, 1986. TI-oJse individuals alleging injuries

deaths resu lting from such vaccines will be pe<mined to fi le cla ims unt il January 31, 1991. The deadline lor filing claims oosed on vaccines administeted aher Octr.>ber I, 1988, dep. ""h on the date of varrine ad. mininstr.nion and is gc..erned ~ 42 U.s.c. ~16. !w:oordingly, we think it is crucial that all attorneyS be made aware d the pr0gram, the e<teffiOoo of the deadline lor foling petitions relating 10 ","ines which were administered p<io. to O<:toI.>er I , 1968, and the slatutory proYision defi ..... ing attorneys' ethical obl igations. In addition, because the amendments include sewral technical o:;hanges to the Act. at· ~ who plan to foIecla ims under the program should consult the recent amendments prior to r'ling a petition for compensation. Specifoc inquiries as to foIing requi ..... rnents and Claims Cour1 prOCEdUI'I'S should be addl'l'Ssed to the United Slates Claims Court,. n7 Madison Place, NW, Waw,ington, D.C. 20005. If)'lU h ..... any suggestions -.egarding how to make this information widely kn<M'll, 0, if)'lU hiM' any qvestOoos, ptease contac\ David 8efIor a1 (301) 443-2006.

.. _ _ .. rIM _

.........

Michael J. Aslrue, General Counsel, Dept, of H""lth & Hum.on Senices Washington, D.C. ... _

......... ....

a....w. ......... ....-. __ ......... .....w... .........

Valid bolllo!> This I.tt •• is probably out d tirne sequence since elections to the i:Jo.lrd of oor commissioner-; will not occur again until next spring, but it seemed to me that the prOOIem in submitting valid ballots for the ba, commission races ought to be noted.

It is an odd cirrumstance that p<adic· ing I~rs. who ought to be most alert of all members d society 10 the technical requirements for castins valid bai IOls, ,hould ma ke as many strange and u..... """"'S<lry e 'rtm as app"a,. As I am >ure members of the ba, kno.v, the ballots are >ul.>mitted to the "' Iaooma State Sar, and are checked ~ a committee 01 cu, ...... t commissiOllel$. In order to as>ure both the validity d mailed ballots and confodentiality of the \<lIing, the instructions for casting a ballot and sisning the .... ""lope contain ing the 001101 are set out clearly on the lace of the """""lope itself. These instructions are not diffICUlt but ..... cent eteaions have demonstrated that there are repeated inuances d ballots submined wl>ete the certif,cation is rIOt signed, is signed in an illegible """I (and wilh the printed name not being foiled in) so as not to be able to ascertain whether the \OIt'I' is a member in good standinS of the ba., etc. In electionS during the la-.l two )"lars. the outcome of more than one contested commissioner's race v>ouid hao.e been changed had all d the oollots receiYed been capable of being counted. Becau", ballots could not be counted, due to tfle certification not being si8'>ed, or because the \OIt'I' could not be identified, eIC.,lhe actual outcome 01 the .Iection could ......, been different for attorneys to go to the trouble of casting a 001101, assembling inne, and outt'! """",,,lopes, and mailing them to the ba~ but then not taking the trouble 10 execute the cer1ifocation PfOI"",ly, is a peculia. contradiClion. The purpOSe of this len ... is simr>iy to remind all of the adi"" members d the ba, who desire to \<lie for commissionero;' seats in their cirruits 10 carefully folkw the straighdOoward instructions lor casting valid oollots. The number d ~igible ....,t....; in all circuits is such thai ~ baliOl is pOtent,ally dedsi"", and it is a shame lor the decision 10 be made without being able 10 count all 01 the \()\e>.

Richard H. Gill, Commissioner Flftffnlh ludicial Circuit Montgomery, Alabama

Hit the beaches. • • at the Alabama State Bar's

1991 Annual Meeting! • July 18-20, 1991 • Perdido Beach Hilton • Orange Beach, Alabama Look for more information on social and educational events in the May issue of The Alabama Lawyer.

By James S. Liebman "n Is IlanlIo ImllllllM! how WIt manavecI wilhoul this un iqui and comprehenslYe rl$Gun:e. Of why anyone In tile Held WQltld remain wnlIOut II now tha1111s Mllablt. tl is limply Invaluablel"

_Michael G. Millmon. &a.live Director Califomill Appe/La. Project Federal Habeas Corpus Practice t(} l3ke the attorney step-by""Step through the legal. policy. strategic, tactical and ethic.al concerns encountered in poet-<:onviction litigation. Regarded as the "bible" for any lawyer imvlved in habeas corpus litigation. it off"", detailed analysis of critical issues such as exhaustion of stale remedies, appointment of counsel, procedural default. and successive petitions. With authoritative case citations and insightful discussion. this comprehensive book eliminates the need for costly online search and retrieval services.

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Cal ton.-free 1-800-562-1215

u.. ViN. or M.....cud .. 0.<1,,, by FAX (_1972路76601

About Members, Among Firms ABOUT MfMBERS Jan R. loomis announces Ih.l Ile is ~ in the JnCtia d I.lw with of. fices at 1275 eft>!"" PoInt P;o""""'r,

Birmingham.... Iaha"", J521H341. Phone 1205) 853·3911.

•

Morris l- PTi"dolt.. , Jr~ announces the ~ion d h~ office lot It.! pr3C' Ike of 1_ to II I~ Cet>te< Pari<""'Y. Suite 360. Birmingham, Alabama 35242. Pholl\' (20S) 9910838).

S-~.

•

Jr., ann()UflCfl the ~ """"I of his I..... office to 203 South Edwards Street. En1e,,}fj~. Alai>ama 36330. Phone (205) 347_6447. Will~m

•

E. 8riJ;1tt. I,,, announces the openinS 01 his new offie," at The Cole Cenler. 1100 East Park Dri..... , Suite 409, Birmingham, ... Iaoom. lS21s.. Phone (205) 83)..4242.

•

joel f. O.nlq' annour>ees!he ",10. cation 01 hi. office 10 2970 Cona!!" Hill Ro.xI. effecti .... Octobe< I, 1990. The new mailing address is 2WO Col· Iage HIII~. 5o.Jite 149, Mobile. A1r bam .. 3&606. Phone (205) 413-3&(1().

•

Be" P. T.~lor, formerly Ii Smill' & T.ylor, announces the opening 01 his 000«' lor me, PfXIi<:to oIl.lw under !he !\lime of ~ Ofro«:s of IIe<t 1'. T..,.Io<. OIf,ces are localed at SUIte 710. Ti lle Building. 300 21st Sl!!.'eI. Nonh, Birmingham, AlWma 35201 Phone(205) 252·noo. Willi~m

•

F, Prosch, Ir" announces lhe opening of his ofr.ce ~I Ci~ic Ce,," let Ueculive Suiles, Su'ie 201, 1117 211-1 Sln!oeI, Nonh, gormonglwm, AI~ b.:Im~. Phone (205) 322·5800.

•

Lorry IL Hoose and Eliss.o H. G......, aollOUOCe the neiocation of their independent pt'Yale pt3CIices of I.Jw 10 92J.t1 Mf:n;hanlS \v..lk,

HunlWil~,

Alabama 35801. Phone l2<)5> 5397539.

•

I..ondolph P. R _ announces II", re1ocalioo of his M001gOmery oIfoce 10 400 South Union Street, Su,le 295. MontgOmery. Alab.oma 36104. The mailing address is P.o. Bo:. 4389. Mon~. Alabarnio 361Ol-4389. Phone (2051 8)4·2415-

•

Waller f. ScOIl, III, announces tfle opening of The Off;,;e of w..hH f.

5<:o(t, III , P.c. 31 Sui", 200 Missey 8uilding. 2025 Third ,Iooenue. N<><Ih. Birmingham, Alab.oma 35201 Phone (205) 251-6500.

•

An .... M. Willi"rns ""nounces the opening of he. office for !he pt3CIice 01 law, Offices are located al 12671 Hwy, 90, Suite 2, Grand Bay. ,0.13' b,orna, The mailing ilddress is PO Bo:. 208, Gmnd Bay, AUbam.o l6S4J.0208. Phone (lOS) 865-3665.

AMONG FIRM S Ch.lrles S. OostH "nd ~nd.l1l M. YoQodrow announce !he Iorm,1I,OO 0/ a partnel\h,p fot the Jl"'Ctke 01 law, wiln offices at 303 SoUlhTruSl Ban k Bui(d ing. Anniston, Alabama. The mailing address <s PO Bo:. 2286. ........ n,lIOn. AlaNma l6202. Phone (2051 2l6--600!i

•

Wesley L. Loird announces that OW"" Dukes become ~ cialtd wi'" h,s form. The firm will be known ~ Laird & Moe. , w,rn offices al 100·B SOuIh College Stree1, Opp, Alabama 3(,4(,7. Phone (205) 49J.9716.

Moe. na.

•

H. WMri"oeid, ' •.,......t FrN-

erick T. EtI'Slen announ~ lhe telOG>tion of their offices to 414 5 Wall Street. MontgOmery. Alabama 36106. The mailing address <s P.O. Bo:. 231207. ~ l612J-1207. Phone (2051 244·7333.

•

C<lPOU<'no, w..mpoId, I'rt!.twood & s..f"I§OfW, P.A. .onnounces Thom.K

m..t

IL Ktinnet. 1om>e<1y ~sist.lnt auomey geoe.al. Slate of Alabam~, has be-come ~n associ~te with Ihc fi.m, Of· flces .'" locatf.'d at 350 Adams !wenue, P:O. Bo:. 1910. MOntsomerv. A~ bama 36102. Phone (lOS) 26-4-O4{ll,

•

Roby & T....ro,. annou ncE'S th~1 Pol· Iy H~U C.... , .... m is now " ss.ociatf.'d w,rn the firm. OfficP'i ....... ,n at Wal· green f'mIessoon.olll<J,k!ing. Su,1e 203. 207 Johnston Street, Soulheast, P.O. Bo:. 2925. Decatu •. AI.b,ma 35602. Phone (205) 353·5212.

•

I. Michaft ~n.lSCO and Ronald W. WISe announce tl\(> formalion o/lhelf p.:Irtnet'Ship, ~""KO & Wi~. Offices a'" located ~I 2QOO InlefSt.1le Park O.i~. Suite 201. Mon1gOmery. AlaNma 31>109. Phone (lOS) 21O-ilOO.

•

M.rk E. TiJlllitl'S and

J~h

St rickl" nd ~Mounce the foonalion of a p.:Irtnersllip lor the prl>C1ice of l.>w undet the nat'I"Ie 01 TiJlllins & Strick· land. Offices a", lOCale<! aIlS Office Park Orde, Suit~ 202, Bltrnongham, Alabama 35223. Phone (205) 6104343.

•

Ralph G. HoIbt1-s.lr., and Ralph G. Holberg. III, announce lhe formalion 01 Holbe<t & HoIlJer&, PL Offices a", located al 506 Commerce Building. U8 Nonh ~I Slreet, MOble. A~ bama. Phone (205) 4]2--6%1

•

Robert E. Smet and Dorothy w.tls lil!~ton announct lhe /orma!lon of s.os- & littlelon. and !hal Gret" Otf D. Crosslin hu become as§O-

p.c..

ciated with lhe form , OfficI'S are locale<! al One Commerc~ Street, Suiie WI. Monlgomery. Al,ob.,om. 36104. Phone (205) 834---7800.

•

&arlee. " j.ln«ky, P.c. announces that Lily M. ArnQld aoo F. Page Gamble have OOcome associateS with the firm . The firm also aMOUnr.:es the open ing a/ itl F~rida office at 316 South Baylen, Suite 2BO, ~"'cola. FlorOda 325m.

•

The firm a/ Copeland, F.anco, Scre-os '" Gill, P.A. announces that T..... man M. Hobbs, I•. , f>as become a memre- a/ the firm. and GTegO<)' L Davis, )ames f. Vdery, I•. , and G<1orge w: Walker, III, na.... become assodated with the firm. Offices are located at 444 South Perry Stroot, MOntgomery, Alab.lma 36104. The mailing add~ is IP. Box 347, Montgo."ery. Alabama 36101.(1).47. Phone (205) 8).4·1180.

•

Robern,. [).willson, Woggins " Crow-

o:Ier annouflCeS th<ot William B. ,\kGuire, Ir., ,..., Iooger is with the firm. ~ Doug Fields, I•., fotmerIy an =ociilte a/ l.o<ant & Hollings'MXth, Birmingham, is fKM" an associate with the firm. Off,ces are located at 2625 8th Street. IP. Box 1939, TUKatoosa. Alabama 3'i403. Phone (2051 759--sm.

•

To.bert '" Tomer!, P.A. announces that l;,c k tee Roberts. I •. , has become an associate with the firm. Offices are located at 1024 forrest iWenue. Gad .. den. Alabama 35901. Phone (2051547-7551.

•

The firm of Se Mel, Ogle, Bentoo, Gentle" Centeno announces that Carolyn Lmdon has become aso;ociated with the firm. Landon nx:eiw!l her law degree from Cumre-Iand School of l1rw in 1989. The firm is 10cat..d at 600 Financia l Center. 505 North 20th Street, Birm ingham. Ala-bama 35203. Phone (205) 521-70011

•

D.1vis" Nea) announces the opening a/ "'" offices. The Opelika office is locat..d at nQO.D Hamilton Road, 36801. Phone (20S) 745-2779. The Dothan office i$ located al 215 West Main Street, 36301. Phone (205) 6n399Q The f,rm's main office is located at 4144 Ca.michael Road, Mont-

The Alaruma L11-V)'O'f

goone<\'. Alabama 36106 (ma iling ad-dres" PO Box 4008, MontgOmery, Alabama 3610J..4008). Phone (205) 244·2097.

•

The firm a/ Z....""h, Hust, Sum ........ 1onI, Davis" Frazi... armounr.:es that Christopher !ones f>as become assodated with the firm . Offices a", located 3t Se-enth Floor. AmSouth Bank Building. PO 80< 1310, T<.JSC3I00sa. Alab.lma 3540). Phone (205) 349--1383.

•

The firm of Webb, Cru"",ton, MeGreso-r, S-asser, O<wis '" Alley annourlCeS that lhe firm name has been changed 10 Webb, Crumplon, MeG.-..go., Oavis & Alley, and that E. Wr.>y Sm i!h has become aSSOCiated wilh lhe firm. Offices a", 100ated a! One Commerce Slreet Soite 700, PO Box 238, Montgomery, Alabama 361m· 0238. Phone (105) 834·3176.

•

The firm a/ Watson, Gammons '" Fees, P.c. annOOrlCeS that Geo'lle K. Williams f>as become of coonse! to the firm, and that I. Barton Warren and William f. Pal1y have joined the firm as associates. Offices are localed at AmSouth Center, 200 Clinton Avenue Wes" Su ite 800. Hunlwi lle. Alabama 15801. Phone 1205) 536--7423.

•

Due 10 the wi~~ a/ Jim De8ardeIaben OS a parw.t in the firm <J McPhillips,. Oo>&ard..!aben" H.1Y.1horro>.

and the addition a/ Kennelh Shinl»um as a name partner, !he firm name has been changed to McPhillips,. H.Jw. thorne '" Shi""-n, with offices located al 516 South ~ Street. Mon~ Alabama. Phone 1205) 262-191t.

•

Gathings '" Oa>is announr.:es Ihat John 0. So,"", f>as joi.-.ed the firm, a.-.d J. Marie Shaw hos become associated w ith the firm. Office.; a", located at 600 Rlfley Building. 1929 Third Ao.en...e. Nonh, Birmingham. Alabama 35203.

•

e. ~ and OIi...,. ~ L1tour. J••• ""oounee the IOrmarion ri M.unenee " I.l!tb; P.C. Ofoc:es ate l0cated at 23 N. Section Stroot ""irhope. ~min

Alabama 36532. Phone (205) 928.1492

•

The firm a/ Armstrong. Vaughn" Stein announces lhe relocalion of ill offices at 29000 Highw.ry 98, The Summit. Building A. Su ite 305, Daphne. Alaooma. The ma iling ad-dress is IP. Box 2370. Oaphne, AI... bama 36526. Phone (lOS) 626--2688.

•

The form a/ Green '" Pino, P.e. announces Ihat Howard Y. Oowney became associated wilh the firm. elfecti~ September I. 1990. Offices are located al 644 2nd Sireet. Northealt, Shelby Medical Building. Su ite 205. PO Box 766. Alabaster. Alabama 35007. Phone (205) 663-1581.

•

Paul M. Harden and Anthony J. Bi~ announce lhe relocation of their offices to 417 Rural Sireet. E~r· green, Alaooma. and the firm's new name is Harden " Bishop. Pho"" (205) 57S--4746 or 578-4219.

•

RO§en, Har\OOOd. Coole '" Sledge, PA anoouflCe5 that Milton Brown. J•• , is an associate w ith the firm. Bf<MIn is a 1990 adm iMoo to the state bar. Of· fices are 100ated at 1020 Lurleen Wallace Boulevard. North, IP. Box 2n7, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35403. Phone 12051 34505440.

•

The form of Berlcowit ~, u-iko>-ils, 110m " anoounce5 that Ffilnic s. ).ames, 111, Ioonerly as.ociate proIes. SOl a/ law and assistanl dean 01 the Uni..ersi1y of AI.bama School of l1rw. has become" partner in the firm. aoo And""" J. Potts and Me lissa M. )ones t - become associated with the firm. Offices are k>cated at 1\00 Financial Cenl .... Birmingham. Alaixlma 35201. Phone aOS) 326--0480.

Ku\.h"",

•

Gordon, Sil berman , Wiggins & Childs, P.c •• ~nr'l()unces Ih~1 Naomi Hilton A •.,......, I~ H. Cal~in, III. Timott". 0. Davis, and linda I. ",,~. (O(k t - become associated with the Arm. Offices are located at 1400 SouthTrust b.er. Birmingham. Alabama • 35203. Phone 1205) 328.(1640.

Building Alabama's Courthouses by

The following conlinuell ~ hj~tory 01 A~

ba....-s county

COUr1~lhoir

&ins ~nd _

on-

of It.. pMpIe .. t,o con"iblUed 10 IMi. growth. rlr. AI~b.o"",

Llw"... "laM 10 run one county'J story

in e.och iHue of lhe ~zilM'. If you IuYe ."t' pho4osr~ 01 N fly Ot p~ _

S.mll~1

A. Rumo .... Jr.

regular term of me orcuil court WiI~ held al C. ,roti sville on June 5. 1820. like lhe home of Major Kelly. Ihis courthouse 31 ~rrollsville WilS /I log cobin. The firsllorrNl building 10 serw as a eourthouse of lefferson County WilS localed at £Iyron. near preseIll-dil'Y Cente< Stree1 lind TlnCllloo!.l

falhen of Elyron hoped that the rail~ would eross in their tlM'n JUSt as the preWilr sugecOllCh roulCS did. but a ~.I e.LiI!(' syndk.1te purchased land r..o mHe. ea~ of Elyloo. and mrough iii ir>fluenee. Ille erossingome the~. A new town. Birmingham. was incorporated al mis .tte in 18n.

William Ely of Hanford. Con"""licul. __ !he .nt of i school lor the handicapped v.1lictl had ~\'td II Congres'i-ional land grant tn ~rson County. Alallama. Hi! offered land from this 8"'nt to tile county lor the con~rUCIion of a courthouse ..-.d JIIil. The rounry OJI'Mliss-ioners gladly a«ep(ed this gIft. and the ~ il l.se which sr~'W from Ihi s beginning was nimed Ely ton. in his hor>o<. Ely!oo became the county seal in 1820. E.1Irly ~ sh:.ow !hat the circuIt court heald U~ at Ely ton IS urly as Septem ller 11. 1820. This first formal courthouse building _ probably II small YoOOden stnK· tllte ~ by Stephen Hall. In in artkle published in TfH. SirmjnSham N~ on December 13. \949. R.B. fiend"lI. II member of the Birmingham Historical 5oc~. WfOlfl that a l"o<oO-S1ory brick courthouse was conW\lCted '1 ElytOn in 1841. The location of thIS building was difI!CIly behind !he ~t-day Elyton 5<:0001. Following the War IletY.ftn the Stotet, plans """" made to complele the con~fUCtion of two railroads in AI3oom<!. One would e<tend north ~ soolh. the othe<. "'"' and west. Somewhefe in Ihis miJ"let;lI ri<."t. ~ion of north Alallama. the railroads would inlersect. The tlM'n

In April IBn. ""coIding to HEmCk"II. the Elyton Courthouse burned. This ~ '""'5 """-'Ilion !he e<''''ng f0un.dation using the floor plan Ol lhe lonner

......,ue..

courlhou1.es, plNse forwud IIwm

10:

s..muel A. Rumore. Jr, Mi,honico & Rumore 1230 Brown Mane Tower E\i,m,ngham, Alabama 35203

Jeffel'§Of1 County II is a linle k~n W:t that me firlol rounhou!.e in )f:flenon County _ ~ the /effe<fon County Counhoose. The rea50fl is Ih~llhe firll COIJ rthouse physiully iox;l!ed In wll.Jl is now Jeffefwn County ~ ~ !he 810unl County Coufltl<Me. Bloonl County w.JS ntJb. lished F1!b<u.'Y 7, 1818, t.; the Alabam. Territorial Lesislalure. The ;oct (.eating !he couoty provided INI coon !ohould be ~ at the home 01 ~jo< Moses KeI .... in I""", ¥.III...,.. This k>8 hili waslQC.Jll!d a' • place probably wilhin a few miles 01 the ~t )efferson County COUllhouse. v..,.;ou. accwnlS ""Ie ~ tho:home _located nNI the old W)nhington PI<IoCe. In Ihe ~jcinity of preseol<i;oy 6th Awnue mil Jl!.1 StJeef,. South, in 8irmingllam. The fitS! coun ~ It-. on the third ~ in ~ 1819. Jeffeoon County waS created by the "I.ba"", legi,laMe on De<:embe. 13, 1819, from ~toty in la'll"' p.orl C1~ 110m 81our1C County. The county ONt __ tempoQrily Ioated at C,woUsville. ~ the Powderly §l'(1ion of Birmingham. II vas ~ tha1 !he Honorable ClemI'm C. a".. AL1b..n(s fi ... dIief ~ COfM!ned (ourt 3t Cano/lwil'" on the second Monday in March 1820. The first

s.amue/ A. RufllOtl'. Ir.• is I p~dwle of the UniVE"lSily of NOlte D.ame Jnd lhc Umvenitv 01 AJab.lma S<:/tool 01 Uw He wrwd as ioundi"ff cNirpenon of/he .... laIuma St.ite 8.ir"s r~m i/Y Law Sect"'" and is in pr.Ictice ,n Birmingham w,th the firm of MjS"onico & IWmotl'. IWrIICIre '""'s IKf'flIIy elected 10 _ ~ !he b.ilr commOSJOIet lor !he 1(lrh Cir· cuil. place numbet IQur.

courthouse as much as J,XlSsible. App<O:<' imately 75 percent 01 the funds lor rebuilding this courthouse _ raised from priv.:lle subs.criptions by the dti~ens 01 Elyton. Mea""",hile. the promoter,; of the new city 01 Birmingham be<:ame ambili~ lor Iheir town. and lhey influenced lhe Alabama Legislalure to call an elec!ion SO lhat the cili~ens of Jeffe,son County could VOle on whelhe, Elyton 0 ' Bi"", ingham should be the coun ty seal . The election was held on the fo"l Monday in May 1873. Allhis Time the Circuit court had only held one teml in the newly reconStrlx;ted Elyton Courthouse. The 1873 county seat ek-aion in /effef. son Co<Jnty has gone down in history as one of lhe "dassOcs" in Alabama politics. The promoTe" of Sirmingham staged a gigamic barbecue on election day. They brought in special trains 10 ca,ry VOlers to the polls. They had a band. It was "'POrted tha1 "Jeflerwn County" residents from as far ;may as INa Ike, and 810<lnl count ies voled in thiS eleclion. Many of the newly enfranchised blacks in the area voted in lhe eleclion and then feasled al the Birmingham boosters' barbecue. Also in this elec!ion, VOlers were not required to cast their ballol in thei, home box 0, beal. To ~ Ihal com,ols...ere la. is an unde"laTemem. Needless to say, Birmingham received a majOtity of the voles. While the forst (O<lrthous.e in Bi"", in gham W'iI'i being built on land donated by the founding ~I ['5tale firm of the city. ironically named lhe [Iyton land Company, the work 01 the county lOOk place in ~ral existing Birmingham buildings. The county commission rented two roomS in a building owned by B.E. C,ace for the use of lhe sheriff and ci ,cuit de"". The probate court was hoosed in a build ing owned by Wr:.. Oli"",. Aoo the circuit and chanc"')' (O<lrls _re conducrro al Sublett Hall, a theater Hx:ated al 2013 Second Avenue, North. The residents 01 Elyton became outraged, Why ,hould lhey be required 10 pay for an extravagant new courthouse when they had just paid lor a newly rebuilt Elyton courthouse! A court banle enwed a5 Elyton attempled to fight lor "its courthouse,· But Elyton lost the war, and a contract lor the Birmingham facil· ity was awarded to Frank Sugh and Com-

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/effrmcn County Counhouse

parry on May 11. 1874. lor a conside<ation 01 $30,soo. The architect for lhe first Sirmin~m Coorthouse was WK. Ball. The building wa, completed by Frank P. O'Brien and ComP'lny. succe5so11 10 Bugh. O'B,ien later was • "....,.,. 01 Birmingham.

The building was con>lructed at the oorthea>l COlOC" 01 Thin:! """"ue and 21st SU~, North, on property deede.J 10 Jefferson Coonty by Ihe Elyton land Company 10, $5 con,ideralion. The propeny 150 feet was legally described as the 01 Siock 75. The Calhol ic Bishop 01

""*

Mobile _ned lhe east 250 /ieet d the Sol ..... block. This roorthOUM !ll~ is presenlly the D_nt_n YMCA property. The roorthouse WolS deKtlbed as being ~ ~0tY red brid buildins with dimensions d 64 bI' 86 /ieet. II ~ ~ dome which contained. dod with iour f<tal. On lhe (tOOt pediment facing Th im JWen\>e SolI a zinc eagle atop. globe II WitS reponl'd thol the fiN Hoor ceilings _ 15 feel high, the second f1oo<ceilIngs v.ere 14.fee1 high. and lhe circuit courtroom chaml>et ceilinll'l WOlfe 22 /eel high. The fiN session heard ~ lhe firsc of.. flCial 8inninst>- Courtholne WitS held Morwby, ~ 17. 1875. The building was accepted as complele bI' the roonty on June 7, 1875. a"d as n",,1 looc:hei lhe county purchHed 21 spittoom and 200 feel d ~lCtIins rxb, This roorthouse served lhe county 12 ~~ unlila committee oIarchill!ClS .nd businessmen appointed bI' Ifle probale judge d«klred the iountbtion uns* and condemned the buildina. On Oc"" bH 14, 1887, lhe county I"'rch3sed loom the flishop d Mobile a SO-fool srrip of land adjoining ttw, COUrthou§Il sile 10 build .. ~ courthouse. This purch.He of 50 feel COS! the counly SSO,OOO The Irans.JoCtion lei! the county and the chuJl:h each _nlng 200 feel of 810ck

Foom 188710 1889, in lhe intefim bedomolition of the old Court· ~ and the COtI'ln.ICrion of " new one on the same Site. courts wen!! held in whal WitS kr\CM'n as lhe Jones 8uilding on the eaSl side of 20th SI~ bI"rv,een Third and Fourth - ....... North. ~Ie. they v.ere held in the Willi"m Hood Building Iocaled ~ 300 10th Street,. North. lhe old sile d 8lach's Department 5totf,. Ttw, flltTI()IK multiple muttler Ifial d Richard H~ who _ corwkted aI murOerins his wile and two daughters, WolS held at the Hood 8uilding in Ap<il 1889. The corners«>ne for lhe new court· house wasl.id M.y 17, 1888, f!:QCIly 1) ~~ to the <.by IoIlowing the /lrsc court session in lhe Ofiginal B"mingham Courthou§ll. The second Birmingham Courthouse COSIIe.I times '" much as the firs!, ill appn»:.i...-ly S)(l(I,OO(l. Owleoi \NbeeIock "nd Sons of Birmifl3h;lm and H. v.tHlers aI Louisville drew the plans. and Charles i"earch of Indianapolis was tween the

chosen as 00rt11KlO<. On June 16, 1889. lhe county commissioro acCl!P'ed lhe new courthouse. This brick building WitS iour stories higII wi\h ~ ~ clock _ rising 18O Iftt. Photogr.o1lM of this building show th~t il WolS a fining complement 10 Ihoe Gothic Sr. P~ul'i Church which occupied the other portion aiRlock 75. This court· house S<'I'\'ed the county from 1889 until 1931. The ~~.njful old building was ,....«1 in 1937. This property rermined ~ !I.lrking Io! unlillhe Downt"",n YMCA WolS built Ihere In 1984. The ~I )ftIenon County Court_ houie M a unique h~OIY itself. A d« .. slon _ made ~s early," 1923 d"'llhe gtlMingJefferson County would need a new cOUrthou§ll and th<otthe site should be al W:>od<ow \V.I~ P~rI<. In 1927 a )efIerson COUnty Courthouse Commission WolS cn!ated bI' Ihoe Alabama legislalure. The first hurdle th<ol lhe new court· house commission had to face was a challenge 10 the gener~1 loulion §IlleCled. The original act of 11113 calling lor an election to determine 1M location of the Jefferson County COUrtnou1l! had specified that if the >OIefS appro.oed ~ _ to Birminsh.am.1hen the buildins ...ould be COOWUcted wimin the cotp(). "ne limilS of lhe I_n. A portion of the WoodtIM Wilson Pilrk sile selected bI' lhe Commission WolS outside the 1873 corpor.;Ile limi!!; d Birminglwn. The At;,.. barn;, Supremf!Court held tNl noCOUrt· hou§ll could be built outside lhe 1873 r-n limits. The legislalu.e then 1Y$.Sl"d a bill ilUlhorizing an election on the question of ,,-ingthe cou~ ,ile. This eIec· lion _ held June S. 1928, The proposi. lion piI~ and now a cOUrthou§ll could be built oulSide the lB73 r-n limits. Next. the coun:hoose commission modifi«l ilS plam "nd sought a specific location at 'AbodrtM' w,hon Pari< wherf!. bti the new courthouse 'o\OO1d face down 20th Slreet. I'ropetty on the east .ode of !he pari< ~ been pun:ha!ed previously for lhe courthouse. But !he courthouse commi»ion asked lhe 8irmingham CiIV Commissioners 10 L1Ike this property on lhe eaSI side In exchange lor the desired kind al the head of :roth SCreet. The city commission ...ould not consenI to the swap. and a court ruling derennined thol the desired property could not be con-

dftnned lor UIO! as " cou~ without an authorizing ~Iec!ion. So the court· nouse commilSion relurned 10 its oriS' iMI plan and decided to h.Jye the court· houie built on the property already "",ned on the eaSl side d the ~. HokIblm .nd Root d ChiagO and Harry 8. W!elock of 8irmingl>am ""'" selected al aJl:hi!ects. The project w.os Slaned in Apfil 1929. Site prep;lr.olion "nd ~ one ....,.. compleuod bti August 19~ but WO<I< was Stopped due 10 a lack aI funds in p.1rt caused bI' the [)eptesion. and there was _ queslion of whe!her the court· house ...ould be /lnislK!d . On.-...arch 10, 1931, an additional bond issue WitS appro.oed bI' lhe \OIC<i of Jef· ferson County. On M<oJl:h 11. 1931. lhe c~ WitS klid. thlOi symbolizins the op!imi~ tNl this building 'o\OO1d be completed. It is inte<esling 10 note that Ifle date on lhe cornerstone reilds 1929. allhough lhe Slone w,tS not aclually klid unlil 1931. The present Jeffenon County Court· house _ dedicated Frid...,.. Oecembe< 3. 1931. and it WitS form ally a(tepleol bI' the county as complete on January 28, 1932. The building itself is of granite and limestone and described '" rn<><IemiSlic in design. Similar 10 the second Rirmingham Courthouse. this Ihlrd Slruct ure C@len times,"muchasits predeces5Ol, 0( approximately U.ooo.ooo. In 1%4" wnolle< anner WitS added 10 the main building. It also COS! apptOl<Im aleiy S3,000.000. Ch arles H. McCau ley and Associates se<Ved as _hite<:, lor d", annex. and the D.1.niel Consuuction COmpa .... of Alab.ioma WitS the 00rt11KlO<. Other Imprt:JYements have lak"" place al the courthouse """'" lhe ~~IS. In 1974. i pasking deck WolS complecro. The caIete<ioo openftIln Sep4embe< 1914. The church propenydirecrly aclOH from the courthouse \OIlS purchased bI' the county and. for a short lime. se"<'f~1 judges neld court in lhe (huJl:h build in&$In 1986, !he j(fIenon County Crimi~ IUIIice Uontef \OIlS COOi opkled. The center consists d a jaiTlowe< and a roorts l<M'eI located at 11th JWenue and 21s1 Sl~ North. The ~ter _ dedicated Tues!by, October 21. 1986. CiMti .... fisher and CompiIJ'fy seMd as a.doiIects br this project and Btwoeld and~. Inc. was Ifle general conlractor. •

Speech at the Dedication of the

"Robert S. Vance Federal Building" as

Oclober 8, 19')0

b<r Hon. Fr..... M. IOIInson. ,••

lit",

We come today to dedicate this fonne, ieder.ll courthouse In honor of United $Utes CilCUi, Judge IIober1 Smilh ""nee \-.t. do so 1>0110 rnM>(Iri;Ilile mis 1"'.aI ;uris.!. 1Q!e5man, and frieod. ~ in naming and dedica.ing mis building the - Robert S. .... nce Feder.1 Building; _ ,,,lebAlf! rh" coo.fibutloos Judge Viloce mode 10 OUr .nd allow his lile 10 ~ before ... ~ .. symbol .nd ~indef of.he epitome of e:.a:llence

"",ion

wnkh th(;s.e cont,ibulions rejltl'Sent Those conlrioolions beg;ln eilr1y in the hie of Roben '4nc,"- NIM!I' one to o;er,k

the II-'ial'l1, jf!t .. Ie~ ;woong hil ~ he seMd as Sludef\t body president at the University of Alabama where Jle gr;>duated in 1950. He I'o('nl on 10 eam .. I.... desnee from the Uni"oef\ily aI At;

United Stares Circuil Judge. Judge appointed 10 sil on the f ifth Circuil Coon of Appeals on Dec:embet IS, 1971, and entered duty on January 1, 1978. He ~rved as a circuil judge fi~1 on the Fifth Circuit and then on the EIeYooth Con:uil when It _oeated In 198(1 o.e. the 12 I"M$ lhal he "".-;I his country as a circuit judge he c~me to represent e)<Cl'lIence. demonst"'tins reason, COUr· age. and inlegrity. He --. as Chief JudBe rjO/la1 has often wid of him, "" judge's judge.~ II Is his ~Iities as " judge I ..oold like kif US IOfocuson today uwe dedic.te Ih is old counnoose now reIer"'<110 lIS lhe federal 8uildin3- For in Jti.ing Judge v..oce·s n~me 10 this suuc· ru~ we ause illO become imbued with

v,nce _

ho.... ~ School in 1952 and an lLM. degree from George ~inglon t..w

School in 1955Raben \l;ulCe

his COUn1ry duro

ing the Kornn conHict as a membe< of the lOOse Ad...x• •e Geneal's Corps of , .... United Stales Army. He rontinued serving his coullIry I I a member oOIM! Arm( Rese~ retiring at the r.ln~ of lieu"","nt coionoe'I. He prXticed ' - ~ In the ciIV 01' Birmingham for 21 "",a~ O\I.ing pan of 11m rime he served as chairperson of the Alabama ~,alk Party,leading th~t pony Ihrough ~ troubled time caLiinS that poIitial body to mow bP,<>nd the ~t and to build bfidges into the futu.e. Robert ..... rlCe _ a dedkah!d h<&>ar<l to his wife. Helen Rain..,. ..... nce. and a kwi"l! fathe< 10 hi,...a iOOf, Robert,. Jr., and ~rIes. and he..oold "-. I know, been a p<OUd and "",ing sr~ndfathef 10 rhe newest member of the ..... nce family. Roben Smith V~nce. III, botn jU~lthls last Se!~e",be. 14. 10 Robert. Jr.• and ~ White v..oc.e. While Roben ..... nce practiced ~ me when I was a district judge he was • very good lawyer, 001 1 knew him Desl

"te<

~ ~litieJ; ...... cause It 10 symbolize the excellence which Judge Vonc:e_ lor in his work and in hlsille; "'" cause it to become a Constant .eminder oIlhe S\.Indm:ls 10 which WI! should all;upire in our work in the judicialy 100 the Jeg..I prolession ~nd in oor set\lice to OUr country. Because 01 the work of individu~1 1 such lIS Judse Viw1ce, the ~ of ""-k;;a ~ learned 10 hM. faith in their cooou and pride in their judges. Most I...,. ci~zens do 001 undersrand juri~ dictional problems or lepl procedures. N..... nhe~ the individual cilizen has confidence in the ' -. The individwl cilizen knows thai oppresior) h:;.s ilS iimil5, tNl 00 agency or ~ un tran~ &reSS upon individually owt\ed P<O.,eny

~ by jOOsment oIa duly oonstil\lle(j coun applyln, the J_ 01 1.... land, that kif ¥IY wrons then. is ~ mnftlv undeo It.e ConllilU!ion and laws 01 this cou ... Iry. Judges are e lected or "1lPOi nted and lheir lenures come 10 an end . One sen. eration ~Iy SUCU!f!ds But regamie» of the individ""J who 00:. cup;es the bench, the couns-borh Il<lIe and ledetal-.and the law lhey dis.,ell~ remain §<lpretne. Siron, 1faditions. con_",led by memorie!., fortified wiTfl the Sl~~Sl support 01 the P<O~ that surrounds them. the couns h_ ""' isled independenlly of the men and v.omen who ~ Iof'IWd upon rI>em. In this ......... ner, the courts hM. mainu ined the precious SUpt'er"NoCy 01 the ' - withoul wllkll our COUnlry could not survive. WIlile it may be possible. as Sir Thomas Moll!! opi ned in descri bing lIis concepI 01 UIOP;~ !(I Ii .... without I~' it Is not possible lor .ociety 10 &eI along without judges. Judges SWIm the gate bet>o.oon order and anarchy. They are the preservers 01 OUr system 01 Ofdefed liI!Mies. Each judge sinin, In this counlry, whether in ~ Slate coun or a federal court. whether In ~ trial coun or 3n appellate coun, hos 'lfiI"e responsii)ility to maintain OUr system of ~ liberties by rNOinuini". supn!macy 01 the 1_ SO t~-IO par.>j)hr_ Theodore Roo§e....h-no perwn is ;obot.oe the ' and no .,erson is below it. On his walch, IS keeper 01 that gate ~n order and ~. Robert v,nce ne....< nodded off. but n!fnained ....". .... I would lih to locus IOdJy on """'" qualilies ecemplifying Joo ge \/lince's work on the bench, though the ... are, 01 COUIW, O!hers. three qualities in which he ecceIled and in which he S\.Ind, ... ;til e><anlple 10 uS aU: .. ~, coo"'3", and integrity. I. Reason In keepi". his walch. JOOse ..... nce_ • man of ~rong~ . As ChieiluSlice 01 the Uniled States Supmne Coun john Ma~t.all staled in 1803 In M~rb<;ry v. Madison.' ··11 is emph alically lhe 1"0"

anomer.

virooe and duly 01 the judicial ~ toS¥j' what the law is. Those who apply the rule [of lawllo particular u~ mUSI of necessity ... pound and inlerp<ellhat rule." Such ~I requi .... a deaf hNd and ~ logic. II mquire a mind ~ble of sil\oog and I;Uliing Ihrough a'lluments and precedenlS to a.· .I.e . , principles which mil'( be applied 10 the ase Of ronl~ presenled 10

JudII'! Vance __ ....eiJ.Mown for his intolerance of poorly rea!oOfled, ""uil. Ofi~led (\e(isionmak ing. He belie-ed lhal if an appell<lle COUt'I could noI formulate clN~ logical sundards thai trial judge5 and Iili!!"nlS could easily apply 10 conduct. lhen lhe appellale coort was doing more ha.m lhan good. The mombers 0I1he legal po"sJioo ~ IOCby will reme~ as OM 01 ......"1. marrr e<lImpies, Judge \!;Ina's ~ bane opinion in lMuhingum v. SrrkklancP in 1982. an opinion dealing with lhe adequ«y of counsel in a criminal proceeding. In Ihal opinion. ludge Vanee allMl~ to seI OIl! de",,sur.. dards in a complicated area of the law so thai the diWkl courts might h""" a ~ Of a basis lrom which to work. Thlugh tIw! Supreme CouI1 eooeniUally IeWIOle OU< circuli's decision in ~ case. il spe<:if,cally prai..,.j Jooge Vance's re.. soning in miving to arri.e at "particularized sun<brds" which. io lhe words 01 JlIStice Thursood ~II, would '"enWR! lhal .11 defendanl'!i recl!'i.e flfecti"., legal assi.tance."· 2. Cou'oIge NO! only did Jooge \I;lnce e.hibit a kll!en mind. but lie also set\Ies as an example 10 us of cou.age. II the law i. to remain supreme a jooge m.... t ....... rout· age. 8y courase, I mean nOl physical m-ry. bul lhe moral cou'lge to do what is right 10 the lace of cer\.ilin unpop.IlarilV "nd public crilichm. Jooges m"'t.....t,.,- thei. decisions "nd personal conduct-keep our courts ~ from tile passions 01 the moment, from politics, from part~nshi~ from pte-

poxtk.,

judices,. from

pentJNt Ioal

()f

secIiorlal

Inle<ests and from undue InAuences. Courts. in our federaliSI system, do not reach oul and lake upon thermel_ the tantalizi"ll i»uH 0( the d;ry which they might see fil to ~ judgment upon. R.lttoe.; litigants musc corne to d-.e courts. file wi~ and presetltlhose issues.

In vantingthe ieo:\eQl judiciary power to decide cases and contro-ersies arising under our COI"lstilution and law.. lhe frameB of the Con~itu\ion lully recosn,zed lhal the exen:ise of JUCh ~ voould inevitably thrust the courts into the poIilol ~fl'N. In fact, as the w.itings <i lhe founders of OUT gCMlrnmenl ill ust.ate. Ihis g.anl of pot.'I'e. was a mandate to the lede<al (oun< 10 chedc and 10 IeSoI",in a"Y inhinsemer>! by the legislali>e and e.«uti", blanches on lhe Wp<l!'mat:'! of the Conl1llulion. James Madison. in cautioning his colleagues that the proIeCTions aflonled by the Bill d Rights would be hollow wilhout a jooiciary to uphold tt-.em, wrote that the ieo:\eQl joo ~ ciary mu~ serve as an "'impenetrable 001· _rt" steeled "to ""iSI e'o'efY encroachment upon (Ihe 8ill of) rights."' Thus. judiclaty's ill of the gill 0( Rights and ilS occ.niona llntnlsion in lhe afbiB of lhe ~iSlati'" and exf!CUI'''' branches 0( gcMlrnrnetll resull noI from an atrog.>lion of power but 110m compliance With a wnsrirutioNl mandale. Those who critic:i«' the federal courts b Ihis occasional Inlnolion fail to recosnize thaI. in lhe words 01 lhe Frendl histo.ian, Alec;, de TiXqueville: "The Aml!fican Judge is brougt:t inlo the poIllal "ten;) independen, 01 his ~n will. He only judges the law because he is obliged 10 judge a case. The polilical QuesUon which he is called upon 10 resoj", is conneded with the in!eteSI 0( lile p;lflOes and he cannot refuse to decide i, without al>diealing lhe duti", of his poll .... I would like 10 ~ em~' upon lhatlasi p/Kase of de 'bcquevillt's .tatement, that: ii, lhal a judge "cannot refuse to decide (the case presentedl wilhovi abdicaling lhe dUlies of his post." As JUl1iee HUIlO Bladt once wOO«!. OUT "courts s.I.1Ind asa''''' any winds that bIoov. as haYens 0( refuge b ,hose wt.o mighl OIhel'Wise suffer be<:ause they are hel.,I",s. weak. outnumbered, o. because they are non-con/ormlng victims 0( prejooice and public ex<:OtemenL"' If _ abdico:\e responsibility 10 add..... the difficult ql.leStioos of OUT firM. those in need of refuse from the torrents of polil' lcal. economic, and religious Ion:es will find no ~ in the law and !he law will no longer be SUpmne. The I"", itself will become subj@CIlO ~ winds of which Justice Bla<:k spoke,

role ' ' ' '.n.dt;o''

times, il ~ lremendous cou.~

br a jooge 10 accep!ihal responsibility. TOose of.,ou he.e l<>day in the Itgill prOIessIon may recailiudge Vilncfl en blnc Opinioo in O'H.1lr " W,,~ in 1982.' In ,hal Opinion he cautioned apinst !he /eo:Ier.I1 courts" "shirting" of their resp0nsibility. as he faid. to "g""rd. enforce. and prote<:t ....ery right van1ed Of secured by tIw! constiMicwl:'" He _ spea!<inII 0I1he courage requi~ 01 tho5e wt.o ", on the bench to decide the question placed before the COUrt. Then! _s an era through which Judge \t.Ince li>ed. Ihrough which I al.., and rroany Ilene IOCby Ii....... in which i, became lhe poIitiul ploy of lhe d;ry lor polilician, 10 punllhe difficullissues and questions 10 the murts. especially lhe ~I courts. lor resolution. KnowinS what was righ~ what _the law. but not _ntinglO take responsibility for what needed to be done.. elected l<'gisla!OfS and ..-,uti_ refU5ed 10 take llClion _So. they _ited ~ ~n outraged minority 01 cirileO'S 10 pte! the ~ inlO tIw! muns as a last re!(M1-<eeking refuge in lhe courts for vindication 0( hasic righlS. The courts d id not ;obdicare their responsibili. ty. but upheld the ...... and will'Klood the unpopularily. .ludge \IarI«l w~ a jud(lf! who __ willing to and did accepI his ""POIl,ibility heold on. no malle. how gr..-.e the consequences. 3. Int~ily Finally. Joo(lf! \I;lnc.. was a person and a judse of ~ intesrilY_ "In!egrit(." in the common p'lflan<;~. des<;.ibeJ a man Of """"an who II honest. ~.aI8htfO(wald. and upright. \\Ie. 01 course. e.pe<:i ()f a INSl hope for such q:alities not only from tho5e in public service, but from all cilizen. in Ihil COUntry. Obviously. '"' li~ in an impe:fect """Id and we a ll fall short of this des<;riplion In one WiIf Of ;IfIOIher. Jud!l'l'f> ill" as lhe:es.l 01 hu ....... kind, may f,lI .t.orI 0( this des<;rip!ion. As JUSCice 81ad wrote, judges, hl;e e.et)'one ,.I~. mil'(''be affected from time 10 lime by Jll'ide and paSSion, by pettiness and bruised feelings, by improper under· s.I.1Inding ()f eocessi.e :tN1 .. .• But when Is~ak of jooi(ial integrity. I mean ..:>melhing quit,. differenl from the integrity of which IUSlice Black wrote. The _ i a l allribuW! 01 !he judic~1 irr lewilY of which I speak is a $Milian for j .... lk.. il:/o: me<! by a deep and aOOlins compa5sion that propels lhe judge

IOwam no1 on ly lhe klgical condusionbu t also Ihe iU$1 conclusion. When I spoke a momenl ago of lhe morage which Judge v..nce .... hiOited in hi s v.ork. I spoke 01 his abi lity 10 fuifililhe duty 01 his olike in Ihe lace 01 public oulcry. When I speak ofhis integr ity as a judge, I speak ci his carrying 001 01 !hose ~ sibililies free of lhe need 10 plea$e, need to ple a$e nO! only whal may be a lace less public, bul lhe need 10 plea>e ?lrticular individuals in po.veriul posi. lions. ludge Robert Vance never app<OOChed a jud icia l decis ion wilh a conce", as to how that decision mighl aflect his repylalion in lhe eyes oIlhose wflo wield inAuence in weiety, oIlhose wflo ....erd$e po.ver in grMlmment, 01 lhose wflo hokllhe inAuer.ce and power to elevate judges 10 higher courts. Rather. Judge v..nce addressed his decisions wilh judicial honesty. wilh judicial S1fa ighlforwardness. wilh judicial uprighlnes. Though as members ci lhe h uman race we may lall short 01 inlegrity allimes. a judge in his or her vuo,k on the bench cannot. A judge must always be consumed by a ?lssion lor justice which pr0pels judgment towam lhe jusl conclusion. It was Judge v..nce's wong opinion th~t when lhe judge dons tt.e black robe, the judge puts aside personal ambition and aspires only 10 justice. This quality in a judge, I sui:Jmil to \00, is es$enli.1 to Ihe preserv.llion 01 our weiety. Looking ba<;k ""'" my 35 joear5 on the federal bench, and the changes that have been wroughl in OUr weiery through the cou rts during that lime, I ~ come 10 the f,rm condlffion thatlhe American pe<:tple belilM!, fuoo.meotally and absolutely. in lhe rule of law. They may disag_ wilh lhe law; Ih/!'y may seek to change lhe law through Ihe pOlilical processes-their right to do SO is absolule. Bul we as Americans revere the concept 01 justice and the ru le of law. Once we undefstand whal the law is and kllCM' thallhe law is just, we obey it. This fact unde,lies the stability 0( OUr polity; without justice we cross Ihrough lhe gate Ih.1 sla nds bel'"-'!en ome' and anarchy, As I Slated al Ihe out~, it is the role of the judiciary to guamlh.1 g~le by saying what lhe law is. If lhe rule of law is to emanate justice, then the judge must hiM! integrity. Robert Smith vance per· sonified such integrity.

1m.

In conclusion, as we dedicale Ihis beautiful old building-a building li~led on oor National HislOnC Reg istry-as we n~me it the "Robert S. v..nce Federal Build in g"'-Iel us ?luse. each of us, to contemplate the life of Ihis great jurist, statesman, and friend. leI us remembe, Ihat wilh hi~ lile and energy he strl"l\oe to contribute to his community and his country. He was a man of reason, a man of morage, and a man of integrity. Through his contribution, this vuond was made a bener place; through his e><lmpie. he continues 10 lead us. As)OO wflo vuorlc in Ihis b<li tding tabor, as)OO wflo P<'ss il by on this city's sidew.:o lks and S1reelS glance up at it. remember lhe man

wflo ha~ given his name \0 Ihis building and his lile in $eIYice 10 his cou nlry-Iet him stand before us as an e><ample 10 which we mighl all aspire in oor v.ork and in OU' lives, May we nO! ~r forget Robert v..nce. • 'OOfNOl"f S

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Remarks by Alabama Supreme Court Justice Hugh Maddox October 23, 1990, Admissions Ceremony, Montgomery, Alabama (TM bllowi"1l' ~r4 ~~ lot jp«e, ~ ,~sS«l 10 one 01 !he Wife$! gro<Jpt 01 ~miuees e>e' SWOt" in In • sln,le sitting in AI.bom •. ) "... 'Ibu 1>_ f,;Iken a mQ!.I ~I~n G;1I1> l00..y. 11 lhon. 001 il is """","ui. tt i~ so~l. in fX!, tha1 villually all

04 !he Rules 01

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Condoct

COtlId be wm~ up in mal 5hon, limpie 0011> which )00 just took. II is lhe same oath which each 01. u5 lOOk. It is the s;ome ooth 0It>er I.lw~ before you lOOk. What ~ it meml "11bfgino: 1 will demeoon myself lIS ato attomev. 3Ccon:IinS 10 !he best of ""I' learning ar>d abll ir;: Demeanor me;lns be/1;wio< toward other$. 11 meanS appear· ance and it mNnS conduct. In !hot1, II ITINftS 10 be civil in ~I )OlM """lingS. ~ ins ato allomo.y mNni sorneming. NIOf!\eyS are supposed 10 act like they are al1ornevs-a1 all ,imes-!(Ilhe.",.,. best oI1ho.ir learn ing and ability. "Civility in the prlICIia: oIl~ is n'OOlI

Impo"""ll. II ~at 19th Century ~,

a.n

D.c.

Inns 01 Court In Wa!hinston. Gathered there fo< !hat meeting were judges 3r1d I~rs from throughout lhe United Slates and Iormer Chiellu~lce W.1r~ Burger ..d present ChielJu-stia Wllliim ReMquiSl, - ' .........1 01 the Justices _ ~ The s.ubject 01 !he oonfenonce wn; law; Business or f'roies.. sionl One of rhe spea kers on Ihal oa: ... slon ...as a hi8n.r.ank in8 English juri~, The li: ight Honorable Lon:I Golf 01 ~al:ing 01 the ..... Iue 01 the rule 01 l;aw, he .. id, ·Tle«\oI .. in the \\Orld depends upon rhe dispensing 01 pr.acIical justice ind the belief in the rule 0I1.w.

"'Tod;I)', you NY!! $OIemnly IJ'Omised ~)OU will iCf like. ~ i0oi< like

a lawyer 300 be like a lawyer.

Ensli~

"",. 10 defend Ihem!;('l-.es, ~U~ joJ.ie'i who ~Iy did !heir dilly, and INt fonnerly, too. courMI bullied the wjlnes6eS and pe<'o'ef1ed wf\a1 the'( s.Jid. "He !hen nored 1hat rhe anitwde JOO tempe. 01 the jooges tow;ud pilrti~, wit· neues, and I'risoners completely ch;Insed, ~OO lh~t the Sa< ~ to be" - like ~Il _ .... ~ to

"This piI'>! """moe<. I w,", privilesed to .nerd ~n ~n ...1 meeting 01 !he Ameli·

Chiewley.

Odsers. writ;"lI ~ me end 01

that Cftllury .1x>u1 me Engli .... judicial 5'($1""'. said thai forme.rly Eng/iill jodges bn:oNbeat the prisooet'l,. jeered 311he<. ~

.....

"Writi", about It.. -.Irs 01 this ch;Inged behMor 0tI the pilrt 01 It.. judges and I~ OdIje'S pervIed: The mor~1 tone 01 the Ba. i. wholly differ· em ... they no longer seek to obtain" lemporary victor( bv unl~i. means; they ...member Nil ;s their dury 10 ~ the Court in eliciting !he truth: in the second part of the oath 100 promi§e(i th3~ 'With.1I good fidellry, 35

well 10 the <:DUrt as to the diem, Ih31 I wililliO! no flol~ or del;!)' ant per. ~s cause for IIICn! o. rNli~ In N ponion of the ~ 100 " - promi~ to be l.1ithfulto the cotJrts ~ to 100' clients, th.l)OU will be honest,.oo that neither money no. the Oo!sin!IO gel ""'erI wHi gel be!Y.een )OU .nd the pi 01_ ing N ju~ice is done. Justice will .1..ays " - priofiry. That i1 • ~Iemn un6ertaking.

~If jOU keep that oarh, )'JU. futun! will be secure.. 300 ~ "","",wri1ef,like Od~ will say 01 jOO thatlhe moral 10M 01 tho. AlablirN 83r ;s dilferemthey do no! seek 10 obcain a tempOffl)' victory bv unfi'r means; they an! honelt in their deillings wirh the court 3nd fel· low lawyell, .00 lhey remembered lhe ~rh they took when they beume II

"'-

"'Or maybe "'"'" wrilel like H .. rper Lee will write..boo! jOU as she did In the COUrtroom scene in To Kill. Mockins' bird, as AIIicu-s finch was le.... ing lhe COUrtroom ¥ret hearins the jury ~um II ~ict 01 guilry iSiin'>! his ctient. 10m Robinson, 'Miss ~n loui ..., '>1.000 up. '!bur f.\he(s pilis,,,:" •

Attorneys Admitted to Bar, Fall 1990 Cabell Montgomery Adams ..... . Birmingham, Alabama Russell Wayne Adams ....... , .. Birmingham, Alabama Wayne Kimbrel Alexander.)r. . . Decalur, Alabama liIura Cockrell Alfano .. , .. , .... Birmingham, Alab,ama James ulhey Alison ..... , ....... HUn/sville, Alabama Michael Bradley Almooo . , ........ ,Decatur, Alabama ROOefi MiTChell Ahon, III , . . Montgomery, Alabama M,lIy RiselinS Amos ..... 8irmingham, Alabama Rebecca lean AnThony . . . .... Birmingham, Alabama Naomi Hil10n Arc ..... r, .......... Birmingham, Alabama Lily Margaret Arnold ... . . . Mobil.., Alabama Daniel Hall Aut rey . ..... Crrenv iU", Alabama Drew Penick Baker ...... . . Birmingham, Alabama John Herber' Baker, lit ... Thomasville, Georgia Paula Janine Baker . Pelham, Alabama Christopher Allen Barker . . .......... Mobile, Alabama Mack DeWayne Seesley ...... . MontDeville, Alabama Lewis Ermon 6..11, Ir......... , ... Hun/sville, "'Iabama Edward Franklin Berry ... . Columbus, Georgia Stephen Thorn Slackburn ... ,Sitmingham, Alabama Edward Eugene Bla ir ........ , ... Cleveland, Alabama Em ily Sides Booos ............ . Bitmingham, Alabama Tadeusz Augusta Borowski.)r., .... P"nsacola, florida liIu.a Way Brewer . . Bitmingham. Alabama Will iam Haynes Brooks . , .. , . , Monlgomery, Alabama Millon Brown, )r. . . ... TU.lCaloosa, Alabama Sarah fain Browne ... , ........ Birmingham, Alabama Steve Ray Burford .... Birm,·ngham. Alabama Tonya Frazier Burleson ......... Birmingham, Alab,ama Raymond Douglas Burns. Jr ....... . Be5Sf'm"r, Alabama Jennifer Mana.ICO Busby ....•. , .. HOIl1<'wood, Alabama Charles Glen Bush . . ... , ..... ,Iacks.on. Miu is!ippi Russell Keith Bush . . . . ... ,Opelika, Alabama Eliubeth Anne Ca ll.. n ......... ,fOrI Deposit, Alabama Sandra lones Campbell .. ,Talladega, Alabama Frank Mark Caprio .. , .. HUn/sville, Alab,ama . .... ratran/, Alabama Terry lee Carlisle .,.. Henry lomax Cassady, Jr . ..... , ... , . Mobile, Alabama Frank Merriman Caulhen, Jr ...... Birmingham, Alabama Wi lliam Russell Chambef'!, Jr ..... Birmingham, Alabama Karen Pa lmer Ch~mbless ....... Montgomery, Alabama Jas~r Knight Champion, tit .. florence, Alabama Donald Lee Chris1ian, Jr ...... , , .. Hun/sville, Alabama Bette Lil la Cousins. . ... Wetumpka. Alabama David Morrison Cowan ....... , . Bitmlngham, Alabama Ginamarie Bozkun Co • ......... Birmingham. Alabama William Stanley Cox, III .... . .. . Bitmingham, Alabama Elizabeth Ellen Craft .. . . Bitmingham, Alabama Willie Derrick Crawford ,.Auburn. Alabama Pe1cr Montgomery Crofton . . ,Momgomery. Alabama Jane Emi ly Crmswhite ... .Sitmingham, Alabama

The Alabama

La~r

Michael SleJ*>en D~mpi er . Hoover, Alabama liIJuan~ Sharon"" Davis ........ MOn/gomery, Alabama Timo1ny Donald DaviS .... Birmingham, Alabama Jennifer Perrine Denl A""iston. Alabama Manhew John Doogherty Benemer. Alabama Kevin Martin Doy le ...... , .... , Birmingham. Alabama David Jeffrey Duke ...... , ., .. !iirminsham, Alabama .. Birmingham, Alabama Carter Hu rd Dukes Darlene Upton Eason ............ Haleyville. Alabama Emily Cuby Eberhardt , .. !iirmingham, Alabama .. . O~ark. Alabama Wayne Alan Ehlef'! Martha Wamer Elbert . , .......... HUn/sville. Alabama Michael Dwayne Ennert. ,.. ., ... Hoover, Alabama Elizabeth Anne Evans .. , .. , . , .. Birmingham, Alab,ama )eb Stuart Fannin. . , . , .... Talladega, Alabama Aziz David Fawal .. , .. , . Birmingham, Alabama Panie Perry Finney ....... , , . Birmingham, Alabama Roben Bartlett Folsom, Jr . .......... Annislon, Alabama ScOM Well s FOfd ............ , . Birmingham, Alabama Arnita Brown F()!;ler .. , . B;rmingham, Alabama Victoria leanne franklin ...... ,' B;rmingham, Alabama Terri lynn Fritz ... . "... Birmi"gham, Alabama Wesley Mihon frye ............ ~ , Trussville, Alabama Ben And rew Fuller, .............. Pranville, Alabama . Huntsville. Alabama Darla Tolomei Furman lohn Kennedy Gallagher Bitmingham, Alabama ,Bitmingham, Alabama forrest Page Gamble .. Perryn Godbee Gazaway ....... Monlgomery. Alabama Steven John Giardini. . .... . Hunuville. AIJbama Jeffrey Paul Gilliam ......... , ,Birmingham, Alab,ama lames Robefl Gilli, ......... , .. !iitmingham. AIJbama Christopher Brandon Glass ... , .. Birmingham, Alabama Mary Warner Godoi1ky ,. . . . !iirmingham. Alabama Dela"" Sizemore Gogg.ans ...... Monlgomery, Alabama lames Glenn Cogg.ans, ........ . Montgomery, Alabama Allen Eugene Graham. . .... N .. w Orleans, Louisiana Kevin Darrell Graham .. , .. , . , .. Mooil.., Alabama Stanley Fitzgerald Gray, ..... . Montgomery, Alabama Troy lee Grayson, ............... Alaba"er, Alabama Susan lee Gunnells .. . .... . Montgomery, Alabama Birmingham, Alabama lames Ale. aooer Haggerty. Jr. Howard han Halsey ......... , ,Birmingham, Alabama B""ny Charles Hand, Ir. .. . .. . Opelika, Alabama urla Miller Haooy ............. TU.ICaloosa, Alabama Robert Kevin Hans.on ........ , .. . lI.lbefivilie, Alabama Betsy Martin Harrison . ,Birmingham, Alabama Crysta l Kay Hanley .. , , .. , . . Brent, Alabama Ellen M~rie H~!tinss. . Montgomery. Alabama Jon Brennan Hayden .. ,Clanton, II.labama Debra Ann Heoory .. . .. , . Phoeni., Arizona Robert Daniel Henry .......... . Birmingham, "'Iabama

Kenrk Wood Herren ... . Charles HorlOO Hilimao J~ 8"'ter Hiotoo, Jr. Virgini~ fr~nces HoIliod;ay John RoI:Merl Holliman ... Peggy Chri~~ne Hooker .. Willia m lee Hom Monre ... mold HorlO<l Woodrow Eugrne Howard. III

Birmingham, AI.bama .... Mobile, AI~bama Mon~ry, AI.bama Birmi~m. AI.bam~

Bessemer. AI.bama

Birmmw..m. AI.bam~ Haleyvil!~. Alabama BlrminB"am. AllOOm. . Mob/lr. AI.bdma GIend.J hyr Humon . 1.>>fWi. A/.>.b;Ima . . Auburn. A/.>.b;Ima Chri~ joseph Hughes .Summerv,IIe, ~i. William Byron Hurley ... Michael Frederick Hygh . . Birmingham, AI.bama Dou81a~ Wayne Ingram .... · f/irmingham. Alabam~ 8rian Ca"et Isphording H~. AI.b.",,. s",rah Bruce I«kM)ll Bllming/l.lm. AI.b.r"", Tusc.aJoos.o, AI.!.wma Chri~ Hoy! JarMelissa MOflrgoomery jones 8irmingham, AI.ba"", Rhon Eugene ]ooes •.••••• · Montgomery. AI~ooma RIchard les lie 100I!-§. Birmingham, Aldbama Weir Palm il<>.l(h. F/Ollda ~ichard Joo:lan, Jr. Shelley D.wi~ jordan •. 8irmmgium. AI.booma Richard Kelly Kellh Monrgomety, AI.bam. Wallet Allen Kelley .. Hunuville. AI.bama s..",h Arone KIII,ngsworth · TUKaIooSil. AI~oom~ ,uli. Carol Kimbrough. Helena. AI.bama Mark Edward King · . Tusc~loou. AI.ba"", William Ru!... Kinl MooIgomeIy. Awba"", girmingham. AWN"", Nancy Ann KI..:f\betgef Mat1hew hylo< Knighl B,mrjngham. Aw"""", Tetry Joe Koighl .. . B'mringham.Alab.r"'" Paul Ranson Kn,ghlen . Monrgomery, Alab.rm. Monrgomery, Alabamd Don"" lynn K""rr~ . . · Hunuville. AI.b.rnu George Edward~ K""~. Ir. Hugh G.lloe l;ocy Hunuville. J'J.ah;rnu EIr.abel!! Anne land · TUK.loos.o. AI""ma Ietry 0.1e hwreoce. Ir. ... f.Y""", Alaba",. farl Howard lawson. Ir . ....... . ... . Jasper. AI~bama Cymhia luani!.;l lee Dec.wr. Aldbama Kimbel-Iy R.... a l<!flu . Dec.rur, Alabama BirmIngham. AI.bama 1 _ ""-ris tflWi. NeId.1 Ale~IS lew;s . 8rewior>. AI.bama James Flinl liddon. III ... ... . Mobrle. AI.bam. Aloon Dobbins lipScomb, Ir . ....... Be'sem ..... Alabama Counr>ey Anne Loflin. Montgomery. AI.bam. David Wayne Long Birmingham. Alabam.! Ni"" yF/eu, Luellen ... B;Imir>gham. AWN"", Timothy Randall lyons. MonII/'Offit'lY. Awba"", Pame-ta l""aine Mable . . . . . . . Monrgomery, Alabamd . ..... . 000han. Alab.lm.! john Mark Maddox. ... SuSilO Marie M3rgolies . . . . Hoo.er. A/ab.lm.! Arln Dunagan M.l11h<>11 . BllminB"~m, II/,w.md (vans Ha.-II M.1",,",1I . Mon(gOm<'ry. AI,w.",. Sreveo Troy M.l,wll. BrrminB"am. Abba",. Ruth Ann M,m,n . . Hunl!vj/le.lIl.bama

StC"V<! Eusene Martin .. . ...... Bllmingham, Alab.lm. Wmen Carroll MJllnewS ...... Birminllh~m. Alab.lma ROOM Sidney McAm.ally Mobile. JlJab.rnu TlIonYs G'3r>ville McC<O!l<ey .• Mobil<!, J'J.ah;r"", YlHie Talmage McGriff Bllmi""..m, JIJ.Jb.lma Jeffe<y WdYne McKinooy HUllfmlle. Alabama john David McKinois . . .. . Kin8spotl. Tennenee StC"V<!n Todd McMccl:in Bilm,"gham, AI.bama Rooker A!-he, ~rs BirmIngham. IIlaooma Melame Fetris Metlcle 8!1m'''Ihim. Alaboom. Pamela /.ine MIchIgan tynctrOOf8, Vi'll'"'. 8... r> We$ley MooAl . . . MOIItgOmely. Alaoom. William Kyle Mor,is . . Monrg<>mely. Alabama Mich<>el Douglas Mulvar>ey ... . . . Bilmln8h3m, Alabam~ /I.\en:ede$ Murrell .Bilmir>gham.Alabam.! Elru~h 8,....... Na!h Oneonr... A/.>.b;Im.! I'tril,p Cade Newmao Bllmin,ham. Abba"", Richard Russell NewIOO .Slocomb. Alabama Mich",,1 Carlton NIemeyer . . MOIIrrose, Alabama Michael Pa1rick o'Connor . . . Montgomery. AIJOOm. jonalhan Edward Ozmiol 8u11m8lon. NOfIh Caroljna Julie Ann P.lmer . 8!1minf/h.om, AI./.wN Jeffrey Wode Parmer Monrev.llo. AI.oom. /.imes Cecil P;rsch~1I .... . 8!1mmf/h.om. AI.boo"", Jeffrey Earl Patle<son /..In<'lt. Alabama Rebecca Emily PallY . Wan;OI. Alabama Willi"", Franklin Patry . Hunl$ville. AI.bama Lind..o jo Peacock Bllm;r>gham. A,,"bam.! john M. Peek Oo:zoet. Al.tWma lames Carey Penniogton B"mingh.m. AI.bam.! Clrhon Benedict Perry Auburn, Alabam. lames Price Pewitl . Birmin,lr.m. Alabam.! Wendy Atkins Pie«:e ... f.i.OOpe. A!.tbam.! Cha.1es Pillilreri . w ir>esv;lle. f/otid,J Horry ~.ring Pond, IV Mobile. Abbanu jon Cole Pont. . Morn~ry, AI.Jb.lnu Patricia]ooe5 I'fild>en . . .. .. .. . . Holt Alab.rma Royce ... lIen Ray. III . . . . . . . Mobile. Alaooma William Hetbert Reece . . . .... .. Mobile, Alabama hrl Joseph Rftlt..... . MooIlt.lJr> BIOOk. A""Iw",,, llewtly Jo;on Ridels B,rmm,IYm. AI.!.wma Ken<ll!1ll joseph Riefne< M()r>(rose. Alaboo"", Arlrhooy Marl: RirIe< .. . Killer>. AI.bama Donald Ned Rizzardi .... . HUr>15vilie. Alabama Ar ler>e V.odive, Robbins .Sheffleld. AI.bam. I~ lee Roberts, Jr . c"d!.den. AI~ba"", ScoII MIchael Robetti flotence. Alabama Elizabelh Ann Roland Bllm;r>gham. A,,"bam.! ROg<!I" Shayne Roland .. Tusc.Ioos.a. Alab.lm.! Ch,islophe. Todd Roper .... S,ler City, Nonh C.,ol,n. Dale Yvonne Rouse ..... CoIumbiand, AI.Wm. o..vid A/;Ir> Ryan .. Bilmmgham, Almam.! I"elham. Abba",. Jeffrey Wood !Wytf Paul Christi.r> 5;ls_. Jf. . . Monf8<JmeIY. lI/.>.b;Ima lilne (lien Schaefer .. Bjrmingham, Alabama

Sandra R08e~ Sega l ......... . Mon!gOmery, Alabama john Banks Sewe ll. III .. .. . .... .. Belle Min~. Alab.1ma Roland Cooper Shattuck .... . . TU>Clloo>a, Alabam~ John Mark Shaw . ..... . ......... Sylacauga, Alabama SUS<ln Lorraine Sheffield ... . ........ Mobile, Alabama Franklin Louis Shuford. Jr .. . . ........ Mobile, Alabama Su>an Joyce Silverna il .......... Birmingham, Alabama . .. Birmingh;>m, Alabama Nanette Sims .. . .. . Graham Lansford Sisson, Jr ....... Birmingham, Alabama Clifton Eddie s..lten ...... . ...... Tuscaloo>a, Alabama Christopher Dalton S. Smith .... . Birmingham, Alabama Felton W imberly Smilh . . . . .. . .. Birmingham. Alabama Gregg Lee Smilh ....... . .. Birmingham, Alab.Jma John Elton Smith, Jr . ...... . ...... Tallaha,,,,,,, Florida Rozal ind Terese Smilh ....... . ... . . Fairfield, Alabama William GregO<)' Smilh ......... Birmingham, Alabama Elwyn Be<ton Spence. . .. . Birmingham, Alab.Jma Carey Wayne Spencer, Jr . ... . ... Birmingham. Alabama Victor Ray Spencer .............. Bessemer, Alabama Stewan Gregory Springer .... .. . . Birmingham. Alab.Jma Frederick Hanson Stevens ... . . .... Evergreen. Alab.Jma William Benton Stewan ....... . Birmingham, Alabama Eileen McDowell Stockham. . . .. . ... Mobile. Alabama . ..... . Mobile, Alab.Jma Margaret Aonene Stone .. Stephen Andrew Strick land. . .. . Birmingham, Alabama Char les David Stubbs ............. Anninon, Alabama Samuel Leon Sull ivan. Jr..... ....... . Jasper, Alabama James Arthur Taylor. Jr. . . . . . .. Birmingham, Alabama Evelyn Yvene Teague ....... . .. Birmingham, Alabama Pau l Peler Telehany .......... . Montgomery. Alabama Robert Burn s Templin, Jr........ . Demopolis, Alabama William Woodham Thom ley .. Birmingham, Alabama Jonathan lee Tindle ............ . . Bessemer, Alabama Theresa Anne Tkacik ...... . .... Birmingham, Alabama Mark Allen Treadwell, II I. .... . Birmin8ham, AI.bama John Alan T",in .. . .. . . . Birmin8ham, AI.bama Ellen Thom~ Turner ....... ... ... Mobile, Alabama

Ahrian Dav is Tyler ............. Birmingham, Carl Ethridge Underwood, III . .. .. .. Anniston. James Frank Vickrey, Jr. .. . Monlgomery. Chad Stewan Wachter ..... . ... Momgomery, Glenn Gera ld Wadde ll ......... Birmingham, Manha Ann Wagner .......... . .. Humsville, Junr.ong Wang ................. Huntsville, James Banon Warren . .. .. . . . ./-Iunl'vilie. John Edward Warren, III ........ Birmingham, Gary Lee Weaver . ............. Birmingham, John Fuller Weston, Jr. . ......... .. . Mobile, Stephen Errol Wh itehead .... .... Birmingham, Davis Bunerlield Whillelsey ......... Opelika, Mary Ponder WiI"", ........... Birmingham, Miriam Denise Wjthe~poon ...... . fairfield, John Michael Wood ........... Birmingham, Sarah Elizabeth yates ........... Birmingham, James Arthur Yealy ........... . Birmingham,

Alabama Alabama Alabam. Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama Alabama AI.bam~

Alabama Alabama AI.bama Alab.Jma Alabama

Oece mber 1990 Admit!""" HarmJhinder Singh Bagsa ...... . Birmingham, Alabama Philipp;! McClell~n Bainbridge . New YOlk Cily. New YOlk William Leon Brantley .......... Bay Minette. Alab.Jma Rickey Darryl Byrd ........ . ... Birming~am, Alab.Jm. Mark Bruce Flake ........... .. .. Huntsville, Alab.Jma Theodore Aleck Gulas. . ......... fairfield. Alabama Lamar Travis Hawkins .......... Birmingham. Alabama Will iam Chipman Honey .. . . ... MOtltgomerr. AIJbama Char les Gary MOrrow. Jr . ........... Union. Mi,sil5ippi Li>a Ann Narre ll ............ . Chattanooga, Tennes,..., Glenn Allan Parker . .. . . ... . .. MOnlgomety. Alabama Broce Andrew Pickens, Jr. . .New York Cily, New York Tilomas Eric Ponder ........... Montgomery, Alabama Roben Ernest Rigrish ........... .Allanta, Georgia Michae l Morris Sh ipper ......... Birmingham. Alabama William Hylton Star"", ........... Hunl5vilie, Alabama ROfiaid CheSler Sykstus. . . . .... ..... ÂŁ1 Paso. Texa, Marvin Wayne W iggins ......... Greensboro, Alabama Sidney Harfl"r Wright, III ........... DoIhan, Alabama

Fall 1990 Bar Exam Statistics of Interest Number silting for exam . .. .. .. . .... . ... . .. . ........... . ...

. . .â&#x20AC;˘. . . . .

. . 370

Number certified to Alabama Supreme coun ....................................... 260 Cenification ra te

. . .. . 70'Jo

Certification fl"rcentages, University of Alabama. . .. . . .. .... . ................... . .. ...... ............ 80'Jo Cumberland .... ............. . Alabama nonaccredited law Khools.

The Alabama Lawyer

. ...... . ................ 80'Jo . .......... . ... . .... . ... . ... 42'Jo

= =

, :, ,

,------,

Lawyers in the Family

P~ul.

/-Ion.

Osc~ r

B.k~

(1990),

~/y

Ih~

(!98S) , Jame K. s..ker 09481.00 f~(her.. u".;/e)

W. Ad.um.. Jr. (1 947) I~i_, molher.

Sandra Rogers ksal

(199())

and ..."drew /ohn 5esal

(1989) radmiuee and hU5bandJ

john R. ~Iolliman (1990) ~nd James A. Hamman (1%9) radmitree and (afhe,) The

Alaoom. Uwyt'I

Robe" KINO/! HdllSO<1 (/990) dnd Raben W. HdnJOtl (7970)I.adminee .nd /;J!her)

~me! C '\,"ningtO<1 (1990) and Timol/'ly H. Nunro.JUy (19116) (admilree .nd broIher)

IIr~d

II/mor>d (1990) and Cynlhia I.e<> Almond (1990) (co-

~dmil!~!)

William I.e<> Hom (1990) and Judge C.r/tO<1 IV. Mayh..ll. Jr. (1963) and uncle)

ladmln~

J.nuary 1991

M~tS<Ill't A. SIOOe (1990)

and Cotdoo R. Batson (1981) /lIdmltlce and

cousin)

~rl

M. A/lOll, II! (1990) lnd Robeit M. A/lOll, /1. (1952)

(Idmiu~

and

(lfhel)

/l1If: Emily ClOuwhl!e (1990) and Mark ClOsswh/te (I9IJ7) (ldmiltee and husbiJnd)

Kevin o. GtalJam (1990) and Duallf: A. c;,.,lJam (1984) (.dmill<'l'! and broIh",)

Darlene lJpIon .nd husbandJ

C~5Orl (J'990)

and D.

RU55efl

Ea50rl (1984)

(~dm,!!ee

Christopher Dalton Scon Smith {199O).nd Ollie 0 Smith (/947) (.dmilree and ~/'"")

Steve Wh ,tcll<sld (1990) and LilnS fJC1fd (1984) and brolhe<-jn路J~w)

(~dmjlree

Emily Sides 60nds (J99Q) .nd I.M. Sicks (1956) (admilree and ~Iher)

Albert D. Up>c<)mb. I'. (1990) ree and farher)

~nd Alben

D. Up5comb (1961) (~dmj/足

Rit:I>.ord

[~Jje

Jm>e<

(!99Q) and Moo. Richilrd ["'let

Jone<

(! 949J (.>dmi~.,., ~nd fdri>er)

,/ K<rrell Chambl ... , (1990) alld Mark Chambless (1983) (Idmirr"" alld husband!

Dav;, Burrerfield Wl!irtelJ.ey 11990) minee and father)

and C5. Whi(!el.<ey 11955) lad-

RcUndC_ SIwftri (l9\IOJ. ~ ~ 119401 MOdc-g., H. II. MOIfIo.ws II"n ÂŤdnillel!. urIC'~ ~nd tpnt-undd

~88'

L Smi' h (J990) ,nd Iv.Jller Henley (J9S2} ~IIIN'

'nd~u-)

Jon

B"'n~n

(~dmjH~

H;ryden (1990) Ind Iv.JI!er C/wr/el and brother)

H~n,

!If (1987)

S.ndra!ones Ompbell (1990) ,nd H1tver B. Clmpbe!t Jr. (!977) (adm!l!~ and hUlbilnd)

Mary /bnde. WiI)/)/1 (19901 ~1Id /Oi~fJll Wheele. Wil5Oll, II (1965) ladmjlll'f! alld 1.1',",,1

Steven 1. McMl'f!kin (1990) and Cl.!ude M. Bumi, Jr, (1968) (admit'/!<' and Lmele)

'Mi"...n urro/l Mal!/>ews (19901. WiIJr~m 8. M~IIhews, ,•. (1982), Wi!liam 8. Mau/lE·""'. Sf. (1956) and C. ~vjd IOOmron (1977) (admit11'f!. broil-. and ~·irl-lawJ

"the.

de opportunities _________ 13-15

WOItKElts' COM PENSATION TulW ,ler HOIe l. B"rn,ngham Cumberl.".! InsU!u!e fo< Cl f Cost: $125 C,('(hls: 6.0

BASIC ESTATE AND GIFT TAXATION

(205) 871).2865

Olympoa Re500 HOIl'!. Park (,ry, Utah

31 thursday

AJTlefiun

In.mutMmefiun Ba,

Associ')''''''

Cred'ti: 18.8 COSI: $460 12151 24)·1600

Mobile Bar Associati on

WO Rk ERS' COM PENSATION IN

ALABAMA BirmIngham Noll""'.' 8u",.,.,~ In~mul", Inc. CredrlS: 6.0

Credns: 3D

14-15 RECENT OEVElOPMENTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL LAW Marroon, Marco 1.I.nd. FlorIda

31-february 2

fa~lern M iner.1 Lrw Foundation Credit1: 8.1 (J0.4) 293·2470

ANNUAL CONVENTION

I>l.l.rio/t. New 0.1".(15 Soulllem Trial liJwye1\ Mwci.mon (,{«hiS: 16.0 COIf: $400 19(4) 224-9403

C<ed,!r.; 6.0

In~hMe.

Inc.

Cost: 1108

(715) 835--8525

15 friday

ilEAL ESTATE FINANCE Tutwiler Hotel, 8irm,nltham

APPElLATE PRACTICE

(205) 870.-286S

Alabama Bar In!o!uu1e lor ClE C~'1S: 6.0 Cost: $125 (205) 346-6230

4-6

INSURANCE LITIGATION

BASICS Of GOVERNMENT CONTItACTING Hyan. Orlando federal Publkanon .. Inc. C/lldiIS: 5.5 Cost: S7'lS

AII'Ie,ica C~i!s: 5.3

(2021 337-7000

8 friday ALCOHOl·RUAHO O f fENSES

TIJ\W.1er Hotel, gIJm,nihMn Cumbedand In'II1Ule to. e lf Cfftl"s: 6.0 COS/: $125 1205) 870-2865

LEGAL ISSUl5 OF PROBLEM COL· UCTIONS IN ALABAMA Huntw,lIe Na1,on.' 8~jness InSl,!Ule. Inc, CredIlS: 6.0 Co>l' $108 (7151 835-8525

14 thursday BirminBnam Na\ional Busi,,,"u

Cumberland b"I,'ule 10< elf Cfftl,r.: 6.0 Cost: $140

16 saturday LEGAL ISSUES OF PROBLEM COl· LECTIONS IN ALABAMA

1 friday

CO>l:

120S) 4})'·9790

Co.!' $106

Ins183~525

PROBLEMS IN REPRESENTING THE CITI ZEN ACCUSED Mmi ,.1 Sermnes. Mob,le

B"minllh~m

Pnoeni~. Arizona Associati on oi T,;al law)"'rl oi

(2021 %5-3500

LOST PROfiTS AS AN ElEMENT Of DAMAGES

l"laro.:n Ceole,. B,rm,nJh~m Bi,mingham Ba, Assoc.auoo Credits: 1.0 (205) 251-3006

CURRENT JUVENILE PROCEDURES BeSI \~!ern. ~_, IlelM!mef Ba, ",,,,,,ia!ion Credits: 1.5 (205) 4 25-1606

BUSINESS TORTS AND COMMER· ClAl LIT IGATION I'hQenl x. A,ilOna Alsocia!ion 01 Tria l Ww)",rl oi ... merica C~ns:

(202) %5-3500

20-21 INSTITUTE O N Oil AN D GAS LAW AND TAXATION ~'" l--IoIel. Dallas Soult->stem Lepl Found.lbon C<ed,ts: 19.3 COSl; 1500 (214 ) 690-2377

20-22 ADVANCED CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY SYMPOSI UM Reg'sny l--IoIel, ScQ!I)(,ble...... IlI''''' ProfesSional Edoc.lion Sy$!fln\ Inc:. Cred.IS: 13.3 Cost: SSSO (800) 647-8079

21-22 DAMAGES

De!.ert Inn, Las

Dekn"" Re.ean:h

1~!'Me. Inc.

C<edns: 13.2 COS!: 1395 1)12) 9 4 4-D575

21 thursday

8 friday

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW

BANK INC LAW Birmingham Alanama Bar InSliMe lor ClE Credi.s: 6-0 (205) 348-6230

Mobile Nationa l Business Institute, Inc_

Credits: 6.0

C~t,

Sl08

(nS) 835-8525

1 friday

22 friday

ADVANCED FAMILY lJM'

MORTGAGE FOREC LOSU RES Birmingham Al allama Bar Inst itute for CLE

13-15

Birmingham

Alabama Ba, lmtjtute fo, elE Credit" 6.0 (2051 348-6230

BASICS OF A RICO CASE Ha,beo1 Center. Bi'mjn~am Birmingham 8.1, "'"""alion Cred its: ).0 (205) 251-8006

CONSUMER

Birmingham

Cltwn

New Orleans Tulane Law School Credits : 12.B (504) 865-5900

Credits: 6.0

(205) 348-6210

ADM IRALTY LAW INSTITUTE

INSURAN CE LITIGATION N lanta Association oi Trial ~rs Ameriu Credits: 5..l

14 thursday ALARAMA PROBATE: BEYOND THE BASICS

(202) 965-3500

Mobile National Business Institute, toc. Credits: 6-0 Cost: $108 (715) B35-8525

2 saturday

Cumberlaoo IOSliMe lor elE

(Jedit.: 6.0 (2051 870-2865

BUSINESS TORTS AND COMMER路 ClAL lIT1CATlON

LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT LAW Moo"""",,

N lanta Associa tion America Credits: 53

NOIionai Business Institute, Inc. Cred ilS: 6.0 Cost: 5108 (n5) 835-8525

01 Trial

~rs

(202) 965-3500

5 tuesday 23-27 IN NOVATIVE TRI AL TACTI CS Park City, Utah

Association 0( Trial l.aw~rs 01 Ame,ica Credits: 14,0 (2021 96S-)500

15-16 BRIOCE THE CAP Birmingham Alabama Bar tn\tilule 10, CLf Credits: 12-0 (205) 348-6230

15 friday JUROR OBSERVAT IO N

FORECLOSURE & REPOSSESSION IN ALABAMA Mobile Nationa) Business InstilUte, Inc. Credi,,, fM) Cost $108 (7151 B35-8525

Harbert Celller, Birmingham Birmingham Ba, As.oc;alion Credi,s: 1.0 (205) 251-8006

CURRENT DOMESTI C RELllTlONS RULES & PROCEDURES Best Western, Bes\elt1er Bessemer Bar As.oc;alion Credits: 1.5

28-march 2

6 wednesday

(205) 425-1606

LENDER LI AB ILI TY Bvena Vista Palace. Orlando American law Imlitule-American Sar

FOREClOS URE & REPOSSESSION IN ALABAMA

ALABAMA PRORATE: BEYOND THE BASICS

Montgomery National Business Ins,itute, loc. Cost: $108 Cred i",6.0

Montgomery

(715) 835.t1525

(71S) 835-8525

Association

Credits: 153 (215) 243路1600

The Alabama Lawyer

National Business InSli,ute, loc. Credits: 6.0 Cos!: $108

/continued from page JV

David tv. tons (199QJ .nd James E. tons (!97'9) raclmiuee ~nd btolhe<!

William H. Brook, /199QJ, fllen Brookl (1916) ind R,chard

S. Brook! (!9(7) (ddm,u<'!',

l;j,~,

.nd r.,he,)

Pe<cr,\. Mclnioh (1983), H 0..'8'" Mclnioh Mcl",oh (! 990) IbroIhe<, (.1111<'< dM i>dmi"",,)

(!94~! ~nd

RUI"

[I,~~belh

Mdt!l>ew Til\'lor /(njg!>r (199()) and /OlIn Da.,,"d KniSh, (/966) (.dmittee and uncle)

WIl/iMn WoodNm 11IomIey / I!/SIOJ. P~r Woc:d'wtn Thomley /19301 .rwI J«ry 1«"-' 1hom~ /1'14/ /MIm~, modw and f~

• (!iu/}e(h 8-.den Nd$h (l990).nd HuSh A. Nalh (1950) Ind "tOO)

(~i[[e@

Sfilnley Fitlser~ld Gray (1990), Fred D. Gr~ (J9H) ~nd Fred D. CRy.

Ir. (1988)ladminee. falher and brothtrl

Modifying Child Custody Decisions Because of Indiscreet Sexual Behavior -Changing Times and an Elusive Standard by Randa ll W. Nichols I. Ow>rview The times ~ re nOl JUI! changing. They h~ changed. With In'te.sing f""1tJency, single pe~ns 3re living together w ithout the benefit of marriage. Inevitably, this num ber incl udes di",,,,ed par_

ents..

Wa llerstein and Blakeslee. Chances: Men, I'.bmen and Children a Decade After DiVOlCt>, pp.

5ec()lld

22 7-228, ffic kno r & Fields. 1989). See alw, WJdlingtoo, "Sexual Relations Mer Separation or Oi"l'>fCe: The N<'W ~I ; IY

and the O ld and New Oi""ce Laws," 63 Va.L R<!v. 249 (19 77). "Indiscreet sexual behavior;" 35 diSCUssed in the case law, range; from visits by campanio", on a

limited basis to open cohabitation out· side

of marriage. Compare Robe'ron v.

Roberson, 3]1) So.2d 1008 (Ala. Civ. API' 197'.1) with W.llle v. Clark, S64 So.2d 982 (Ala. Civ. App. 19901. This "nide will analYl e the impact of such conduct in chi ld custody modi~ catjon cases.'

II. Standards for child custody modi fications h Pane Mc~ndon, 455 So,2d 863 IAla. 1984). c h anged thelandS<;ape in a ll c h ild custody mod ification Cases. 8eIo~

McLendon. the lIlOYing pa,ty'. b UnJen was merely to $h<>w ~ chan ge in circum$!dnce which ad..neJy affected the we~ fare <If the child. Lewi." D<>u8Ia.s, 4 40 So.2d 1073lAla.Civ.,o,pp. 19831. Mcw,," don pl.><:ed a hiahe' buoden upon t~ who w<lUld have Ihe coo" change cu~ tooy. A m""a m m ust IIQW show Ihal the change in custody w ill "ma terially proITJOIe the child's welfa~" McLendon, 455 So.2d al 865. The heart of Mcl.endoo is Ihe desire trJ JX<!V"nt ir.disc'imin3te 300 frequent changes in custooy. The COO" explaiOl'd il$ ruling in Ihis w.ry: (Thi.) i. ~ ru le of~, all<>Ning the child, whose "",11;1", i, ])a,.mount, the .... Iuable bffie/",t cI ""t>ilily and the ' ight t<> ~t do.o.-n into it<; """i'''mn..m th<>se fOOt<I necemry lor the ch i ld~ healthy growth into ;>do~ .nd adulthood. T"" Doctrine ""lui .... "'.' the party ....... ing modifICation ]>1'00<' to the coorr. sa'i<focti"" "'at materi.1 cha nS<'> affecting the child', _If.", the m<>Sl recenl dec"", demonit,ate cu,tOdy shoo ld be diS/urbed to p<ofTlOIe the chikY. beit ime"",. The pooi'i"" good b<oughl about l>t modiffCllioo muse more than o/fsI:t the int.o-r.-ntly disrupti..., eflect ca...ed l>t uJ>rQ01ing the mild , F""IUenl diirup-

.i"""

Randall W Nichols is wirh the Mobile firm <If Bur", & Mackey. He is a B'adual{> of Duke University and the UniVl'fli(y of Virginia School of Law. He i, a membe, of the "'me,;",n Bar "',sociation, ,.,Ia. 00111<1 State Bar, Amelian T,ial Lrwyets ,.,ssociation and the Mobile C<lUnty B., "',socia/ion. He is c~ai,person-f'l{>Cr of the Family Llw SectiOll of the state bar and "ice<~ai,person of the Domestic RRlation, Commillee of /he Mobile County Ba, Association.

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lion> a", to be rordemned. M<:1J!tI<hJ, 455 So.2d 01 665-a66, Citing \\bod ~ \\bod, 43) So.2d 826, 826 Wa.G •. Aw. 1976). The murl of dvil appeals calis Ihis bur-

den a "S(ringcm $!ilndard: Benton" Benton, 520 So.2d 514 IA la.ctv.App. 19M), III . The Rul e applied- the rejection of a per ~e approach In C3>e$ im..:>lving a lleged sexual miscondVCl. "'labama'S C<lU1ts have long held that it will no! deny • parent cuSl<Xly fo, fNery ac1 of ind iscrelion 0' immoral. ity. Goold •. Goold, SS Ala.API' 379. 316 So.2d 210 (1975). Theoh-stated rule is;os

fo llows: ]\Vlhiie .... ideoc.. rJ indi"''''''' conduct i, a faclor to c"",ider in • custOdy

mod irIC.tion ...:lion, cw<><f)' will not be modified where I"" party _king modifICation fail. to ..... bli1oh • substontial deI,;m"" .. 1 efIo!<:t "" the ....... /;;0", cI tl>e child .$ • re",,11 cI the indi",_ conduct. Smirh ~ Smith, 464 So.2d 97 Vl I• .c i• .,o,pp. 19641. citing ~. ,up'OJ lfiD<ri, IlentotL .... P'o; loon., H~.......,... 537 So.2d 946 VlI.Ci ..... pp. 19881: Dum.m " D!J,ham, 555 So.ld It)9l Vl la.civ.,o,pp. 1989) , Alabam;l'S COO'" have li~ewise rejected any pe' se appfOoiIch in dealing with the se.ual beh .... io' cI custodial pa" ents. E""" prior to Mcl£ndon, courts cautioned that such behavior was "only a 1.><:10<" in custody moo:!ir,catioo deci. sion$. And even under the ·change of cir. cumstance." standard before Mcl.endoo, the mova nt basing his or her cla im upon indiscreet sexual behavior had to show a "substantial del,imenta l effect." Rober. son, sup"' . It i, now abundantly clea, lhat evidence 0/ se.ual miscondVCl is not enough. ,taMing alone. to p""'" substantial d et rimental eIIect /One>, 537 So.2d al 947.

lanuary 1991

IV. "Subslanlial Detrime ntal fffe<;' ''-lhe e lusive Sianda rd WhHe the burden of proof is cleJrly upon a party seeking to modify CU'lody, lhe eviden<:e sufficient to meet thill burdeo remains, to great eXlent, a rnys!('ry. The aulr.o(s research 01 Alabama decisions did not reveal a single cas.e in which a trial judge has been reversed for Sll')tdining custody in the cuslodial pa~1 where lhe controlling issue ""s alleged sexual misbehavior on lne I"'rI 01 the cuslodial pa~'- On Ihe contrary. however, many cases have bei:n reversed in instances where the trial judge has changed custody b.1se<J upon su<h allegation .. In these cases. Ihe appel lale COUrl has often fourld IRe indiKreet be. h.... ior to i:Ie an insufficienl ground for modificaTion. While some Irial court. have been aff"med in changing custody, the trend is certain ly again" changing custody because 01 the ind iKreet be. havio< of a parent. Admittedly, a review oIappe1late decisions is a limited inqu iry. Nevertheless, there are certainly signs thai allpgalions of indiscreet sexual coodOC! hiM! prmed an irleffective device to effe.:t a change of custody. Thi . lrend is perhaps a reIIe.:tion of changing socia l mores with regard to such behavio<. Some hiM! w~ted that ps~hologkal and sociological findings ,upporl a strict st.;,ndard in changing custody in Ihe", cases. See. e.g._ We>< ler, "Rethinking IRe Modification 01 Child Cu>tody Decisions." 94 YiIle LJ. 757 119851. This idea is wrely upselling to some_ Irldeed, those rejecting the trend mighl point out Ihallhe S\<ltute em~r ing courts to make custody deeisions in.\!fuctl tRe court give regard to '"the moral character and prudence of the pa,ents." Section 3f).J.l Code of AI.b.1ma (197$). It is JOOfe likely. in the author's opin.ion. Ihal the apparenl leniency toward "",h condOC! is due to lhe increaSing reluctance of COUrlS to condone changes in custody. a reluctance e><hlbited In tRe adoption of the Mcll!noon standard discussed aoo.e. Regard'ess, the de-empha. sis 01 Indiscreet conduct as a facto< supponing child custody mod ifications I~ the lawyer with linle guidance as 10 what ""idence of such conduci would be suff,cient 10 justify a change of custody. The AIJb.1ma l.a wyer

In tRe late 1970. and early 1980, the focus of the Case I;JW was upon whetRe. lhe children....,..., present while the con-duct occurred and wRelhe. they were awareo(tRe condOC! While "",h awa .... ness ""S not nee",.. ry for IRe conduct 10 be considered a wbsta"lial detrimen.ta l elfe.:t, it ""S a faclor to which the couns looked closely. For e><ample, in Robe=n, SUPr.I, the father presented evidence. albeil disputed, thaI the mother had engaged in """ual escapades in her locked bedroom while tRe minor chi ldren _re #crying and bea1 ing on the locked bedroom door." Roberson, 370 So.2d at 1009. The I'ial COUrl changed custody and the court of civil appeals reversed: . . [EJwn """mingthe husband·. .... ~ """"" '0 be und i<PUlOO. lh is «!sti"..,..".. in """""~ .t.:.... • .;ngle isolated ""

improp<iety on the 110" 01 the mother, . . , rTJhe", is no I"QoI \h;o, il <lCCur...d in 1he child"",', 1""1"""" or Iho! ~ hod • di""" beMing on 1I>ei • ..ft. f. ", RobeIOOJ"l, 370 So.2d.t 1011.

Similarly, the court of civil appeal, re.versed a change of custooy in Patterson v. i>alterson. 399 So.2d 846, 848 (Ala.Civ.

App. 1980) based upon its conclusion thai "[TIhere Is no proof thai such [indiscreetl CondUCl had adversely affected the c hildren:' Roberson and Patterson were followed by a niology olcases in wh ich thecoun of civil apPeals 3ffi.med lhe trial coull', custody change. The three cases con.firmed, to some e><teot, lhe focus upon tRe children's 'JlPI"Ciation 01 the .Iteged miSConduct. There ""s alw a hint of Olhe< issues thai courts might consider. In Smlll v. Small, 412 So.2d 283 (Ala.civ.App. 1982), the Irial judge changed custody from the mother to the fa1her Msed. in part, upon leslimony from the falher's i""",tigalO' thaI tRe mother had eogaged in indiKreet conduct with a man not her husband. The case i, distinguishable from Roberron and Pauerson in thallhe falher had previously filed a motion to change custody, which lhe mother had sucressfully defended. In the prio< modification action, the court ""med the molhe< that it would consider a change of custody if she d isobeyed lhe court's oroor prohibilIng indiscreet behavio<. Small, 412 So.2d at 284,

Err .--

. '

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The "!OOAd ~ in !he trilogy, Medlin V. Sim.\. UO So.2d 2n lAJoo.Gv.A,pp. 1982) ..... ibilS at'IOIher Mlgle • ""ny mistot ~ in ;tIJcing for , chlonge in c.... 1Ody. The ladlet' reques,ing a chlonge in cot!lOdy in Medlm di~ hi~ efforts 10 pn:wing !he del:rimentool effect 01 the rondllCt on ,he c;hild~. The evidence Ihowed ,he COOo1l .... 1 lIMe mother W"I pla.cingl>er K>CI.I int~ above her con-

wued 3§ follows: Tho! I!'tidence In 1M cal" ;, wllicien! 10>< "'" Coo," 10 find that the morhe< ~ ".. entl!1l.Oin.-1 and _iol "",,",'IS """oct 0/ ".. "1Ilod lor "'" chold. The QO>C!OI .... ;, not lhe ~

or absente 01 .......1 activiry In ".. 1OCI.11l1e; ra~. "'" lrial coo~ muM detI!1ml ... whoelhet' "'" em""",,. "" _1.o11~, promi!oCUOUS or ct.w.. de-I'K!\. I""". ",,!)Ie ...,.,.,....,ile home ................. "" "'" chold.

!he I.M c.se in the !he SlJ'Onsest SU!emen, in IaIor 01. cIwonge in cu.wdy. The McKim. $upr;I,

trioIosY,

k ~ps

~ in Mc Kim _ \hal • man had 'I'M' "many nights~ in !he ~her"s home. The COOIl held thai repeated se><. ....1miscondllCt WoOl , boo!il for a change 01 CIl5lody from the ~he' 10 lhe Dep;lllmenl oi Pensions and Securilies.

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The mod"" 1,led to rely upon Parler· ""', <>!§efling there _ no evidence !hat the ch;rd~ _ ~ .... hen she en~ on the "lleged condllCt. The COUll Mli-oo , un>r1A sutement that it ..... ~ lO.ppIv woth Ion:e 10..,od>er case: Wo ob!e<ve IhoIln "'" ~ onf lhechololoon _ of _ _

.:..rnl for Ihe chlld~. TIMe preSentation (in addition 10 evidence 01 co/'oabitation) included te!lilTlOl'rf t.... t the molher """,Id diM Ie3Ye thechild~ on evenings and on ~ The Medin cou" oted /<mkrn v. lunlcin, ))2 So.2d 39 2 lAla.Civ.App, 191&1, in .... hich the COUo1

The preceOential value 01 Small is .omewh,u clouded bec_ M1 indepen. den! 800und for iIfflrmance _ preSent in the 1ri~1 coun's in c"mer. inte<View .... ith the minor child. Sm.1I ~ ~, m;., ~"ies COOlCl!1olO!d .bout ,he ~ ....I conduc:t 01 .. e<-spOU5e Ihould con~ asking the coun to ill" elude in the deoc:lft. elaOHe simila, II) tha, enten!d by the tri,l COOo1 in Small. In~ingly. ,he lan8""'" indica,ing ,hal the coun would reconlide, cll5lody Ilpon , viol.tion migh, be very impor· tanto See, e .8 .. Mc/am V. Mc Kim. 447 So.2d S62 (AlaCiv,App. 19831; Ct. Me/· fon v. 8oooo.\. 55) So.2d 614 lAl • .civ. App. 19t'l9).

on IUCh oxcHion<,. ~ _ only -sonobIe for COUrIlOccncludo! that they _ tIoe-re on !hei' """n ~.... b C""","" whOl w.1 IItd In "'" 1':1_. ..... ute fo mN<'I rh.lt "'P".ted i..... moral condUCII1,-. ~""" in the home '" the chlldrft1 orwioh thei, k1!owlOOge, ",,,,cul,rlv Im~nionll>le ........ gen. mar no! be ........, 10>< ~i"& CUI-tody from wc:t.1>IM'I, i< TO "'" NeI!he< '-lid " be I>ropeI 10 concIo.ocI. from 1'M6PtSOn IN! W> .... miocorodua ....... o«w In "'" ~I ~ 0/ chiI_ "" ~ 10> be ........ to !hoi, ~ ...... MCA'Im..oIO So.2<I or S61.

While McKim Is" Mrong Pf'!Cment lor the proposotion {h,1I indilCneet condllCt need no! OCCUr in ,he POC5COoce 01 the child ...... 10 callie" 5Ubslanti~r detrimenIiTI ~ il il at odds with later precedent whieh h3§ held Ihal coh~b;lat;on wilh the ~now ledge of lhe children. """" on a f'l!81llar basis. Is not enough . .see, ".g., Wa di". SUp'a. Indeed,lhecoon ha, ..... nded ~ teI~t loom the strong holding of McKim. II will not presumedetrimer>1.11 eiiect IfOOl the chold's knowledge 01 such conr:hJCI, but requires a """"ing 01 a subwtUial detrimental eIIo!d upon the child. SIn/III. supra.

The >e<on, prOO/I!1n in these uses ;., dIofinonR "!ub!tant03f dPtrimentaJ efIect.~ Judge ICftlneth In"am. /armerry 01 the cou" 01 civil appe;.11and now sillong on ,he Alabama Supreme Coort, ~

credil lOr eIoquenlly ilddressing thi' issoe in /onef, Sllpr.!. The ""'iority reversed the I,ial coun. which r.ad placed """ieli""s upon a fathe(s viS iUHon. The lri.1 coon booo;e,j its limlUlions upon the falher's opetl colubi03lion wolh his,i,ffriend. In hil disse<o~ Judge Ingram diSClrlsed a .... thority 110M various ju,ijdiCTions which SOppor11he conlention thai restriction, on vi!italian .. nd change! 01 cwody are prope' if indotCleel condllCt is """"". Judge Ingram's conclOJSion is po;med:

If'Ioott<lio" 0/ • chi Id". rrooraI ~ """" "'-Id ~ be • COI'IC"'" 0/ ourOO<ltti 1$ pon 0/ the judicial.-d. 10>< "'" be.! In~~ cJ "'" ehold. I be1~~1 coutts ... n ond .nould be in. ",I,"", in pr,,,••ntlns the undermining

d a chid\ - ' 1ot ....... 1!Id II>e ~ I.iIo:eIho ~ lleol '..-.0 .""""",10< con<IucI is aloe, 00< '" ~ .... lu.iIed "" IrioI judpo in the detNnina,,,,,, d boot. ""stody ond .;.IW""" I ...,..Id noId, ~, that • CDuII<houId ~ ~nep. implcllO) u.. con<IucI d. ~

'J>diIc_

'M ......-.1

...... _lncotO"lUllUS or ' - - ' 0< ~ ..t.aIjon. ",,'ps. wch ., !he cohIbitltion "'" 01 ,•••lIock W,'" a ~~ oIlho 01>lIO'

-...1

loire Ie><~!ed in !he ;"'.. '" ca..., /ones. 5)1 So.2<I '" 'J5' 1'''iW'O, J..

do._. . .

Jud(tE! IIl~' OIo'efriding COOCftn is 1....1 "subs/anti.1 defrimetn..1 ~ J>OI ~ equated wllh "tangible harm; /ones. 537 So.2d at 952 (ins'am, L dissenting). The lattet poin, is welkaken. If, indeed, the job 01 courts is 10 proteCilhe best intetesls 01 the child, tt...n il would be questionable to use • >IiOndard which makes ro.m action dependent upon proof of actual narm to a child. Never· ~ the~wookll1OW!rN1 ~

Ins ..~ negative impact"· 10 co~taIion !Ny be '" IT"IO"'! oo.-m the pro~.I "slippery slope" to a per Ie rule. This would k~ the focus 0( these caws upon the moral fitnen of the ex·.pouse in\lead 01 upon iI"oe ~",,11 bes.t Intenem 0( iI"oe child. In .",. event. ,he appellate COlJtIt!; ~ J>OI adop(ed the views 01 Judge In""m "nd h;r.e contiflucd to insist upon a shawing of wbslantial cletrimen~ eveo in the face 01 .dml"ed condUCI.~, S1ip". Of particui.lI flOte, """-'. Is Du,· Nm, wpr., in which the coun ol civil appeals i.... ed. Wltning 10 the modlet (who had re .. iroed custody) !hit! "these cases are neve< res judja" and Ih.t, il a.rtain CondUCI O«UI"I 0< ~urs, custody !Ny well be changed." /)urNm, SS5 So.2d II 1094. The decision, ol Cot.of!oe, provides 00 cI .... as to w.... '«-t. .. in conduct" might lustily . 1I!COtISider.>,ion .s TO cu"ody. V, Practice consideratio ns How, theil, can one show subSI;tontial detlll1!efltal ffiect without showl"ll - . . ble harm 10 the ch,ldl Cettaiflly, those woo seek to eh.nsc cUSlody as a result 01 Indiscreet condUCI must abofldon a",. notion !hat ';;mply ~in8 the e>,;!IeOCe 01 such oordUCI will suffice. The ~UthO!'J _ 01 the pettll1ftlt a ..... _~I~ .... t the """,ing porties rely ~Imost e:.clusiveIy on t~ mere lact Ihat indisc~t sex-

~ is ~ppening. perhaps believillll that wr;h is w/f.cienl This fIV( well reolt lrom the conl..... on 01 mo,.1 legal ones. precepts

...J

w,tn

" shift 0( the locu.lrom the behavior i"",111O the taflsible ~ d the bHo.Mor 10, the children (ill the \eill ol theMedltn c_d~ ~J..ould provide the tri~1 court WIth ~ better predicate lor its actions. Ufl/ortufl'lely, pK>'>'inst~ effect 01 the conduct upon the child may ino.ol>@taicl"llSlepSt!w ...... e<pen';;ve. both financj~11y MId em<>rionaJIy. bpett testimony could be ~ ""I .... able in est.lblishinS the Impact (or liKk thereof) of tn.. indiscreet condllCt On the child. In Benton. sUP", lor e ... mple,the court cites the 1esIillW)tl)'" 01 ~ soci~1 ~ Il0MS that "it _ he< opinion thai ~ ~ ..d sional in child welfitll'! that the fact that the mothe, and stepfather were not m.Jnied ~t that time was J>OI 'out 0( the ordin,ry' .nd h<>d no itd>@r5e l"f. feet upon the child." 8erN0Il, 520 So.2d at 535Parents, r~ and lodges WIll ,I..., I>;lve 10 coosider ilM>lvinS the children

themselves In !he cuSlody P"XeedjfliJS. The undoetsI~nd.abIe rellKtaIICe 01 ponies MId their altorroeys to imcolve children in the proceeding', tegrl!llatoly, m,y sive wirf to the demands requ ired in prov ins sub!t;t.nri~1 det"ment. friend. 01 the family, clergy, and school ~ itS well, could otten provide .., ........oment itS 10 detriment~1 ~.

In closing. the iuthor hopes th.1 these suggested '1"IH in preparing' case inwlvins indiscreet sau,1 CondUCI will not be deemed 0fM!t0U5.. The propt!f ~ulion

01 cm,ody cases i, desperile-

Iy vital to the well.belllS 01 the d!ildren. The collectIve goal d the ben<:h and bo, must be to prwicle the Iri.1 court with .11 lhe i"""""t,oo it need. 10 justly dK;de the!e malletS. fOOINOIH

1. -.,...,.. ""' ......... _ _ .,<tM1d <UMo<tr modifi.,............... ....tl'io ~ <qUoI1,.. """'"""" .,..-..llObOtl a.... ~ 5) ' So.1d.,.. lAa.c",""""," 19881.

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unfuid,"C and Juris No ~ ...... gt<I

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ooftw.re fot rod.y. adv.nced t«hnology

..-

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BiIUnsM&""S....... t Rtportlns-

Trull Amounti"3- Docktt .nd Colmdar, Conflict A'iOid~,Gcner;oI

Ledger, Acmuntl Payable,

-. Juris.

Pay...n. Ro-pon Writer,

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Advance to Q new Inltt of JQW office Qutomation . Advanu to Juris.

Bank Customer Privacy in Alabama by

Br~loey

R. By. "'"

In any deposit 01 low> rel~liooship beit boonk "nd ,IS OJMOIfOe(; i signifi. c.mamountofinlo:lmution isgenet.. ~ about the custome< and kopt in the b;lnk', fo~ A b.lInk's ~ "nd in/o<. INllion on a deposilO' will ~ !he sources from whom the d~1Of re~~ money, how much he 01 she rereives, when it is received, and 10 whom and when the depositor ~ money MId In what amoun~ !nan file CllilCJl'Nfily contain financial ~atement5 showing '"sets and liabilities, credit hiSlOfi~ and, in II'I3N!' rom.......:iill kYns, it host of dal.1 about 1he borJoo,e(s O<pIi ... tion MId

Applicab le federal statutes Four fede<aI $l310MS ~ KIfI'Ie iIIJIPI i. ubility in this area: the Right to Financial PIiVilCy Acl d 1978, 12 u.S.C. §§3401.)422; p;lr1 01 !he T.1x Reiorm Act 011976, 26 U..s.c. §7609; the fooi, Crl!dit i1:eponi"ll"'ct, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1(,81·1(,31 t and !he Elcclronlc Funds T",n§fef Acl. 15 U.s.c. §§1(9)·169) •• and i~ implementI"lI..-gulallon. Fedffiol ~ Regulalion E. 12 c.u. hrt 205. E.>ch d thee mea,uteS cootains very §l>l'CiflC pn:wi. $100, which $hould be ioIlc:.o.oed c;lfe/uliy and which are e:plairlilld in generoolletmS

.......-

. lIi&ll1 10 FiJ\3ncial I'ri~Kr .... TM AcI_Thi s itatute prohibll1 a bank from

NO! surprisingly, m:Y.I bani< customers. whe!her bu!.inesses 01 individ .... ls, ~rd

wet.

inlonnation itS priv.ue MId con-

rodenli~. They do nQt intend lor me;, Iw>I< 10 di!'C1ose d~1S and i""""-

lion to rompe1iIOrs. othe, lIank, and creditots. Ih<»e in l'O'iliQnl adYHSe 10 the ~ 0(; indeed, 1O...,.:w>e in the public at l"fIt'. Gene<"lIy, mum hM! a.cknowledgoo it CU§!ornl!l"s expectation of pri~.nd banks' q....lifoed dvlY of confidentialil'y. It Hum. "i:.o Disc~ 01 NoIIO DiIcIose eus.ome. RI!CI'lIds," 108 /I;InkinlllJ, 30 0991J. Although "",ious lede<al sr.at\l~ PfO. vide proIectlon lor lunk cu~omer records and inio:wrnalion, ~ pnnc:. IMJnS

are limited in

~ope,

and many

,lilies hiM! also pJOIided assurances of the pri~ of such Jl!<:O<ds!.; comlil ... ti~J Of lUlulory prOo'i$iOn. I../nb. runately,lor banks and CU\.lOmefS a!i~. there is II<) lOCh bIoodly staled plO1CC-

lion in ... t.ob.rN law. either CI)n$IiMjooat

or stalutory. Furlher compllcallng Ihis issue Is authority from KIfI'Ie jurndittion1 which ~;teS diK!owre d Sl.l<:h inlor· million by banks undfor cerlain il1Wotions. Seoe Id. al 41-50.

This article egmines the fede",1 _OMS mat iIIJIPIy 10 !he privacy d bani< c u _ recordS; _iews tile Alabamil authority which relaleS 10 the II~; pr0vides KIfOO poinlers to counsellor banks, bank (u'>lo:JrnM, and Ihosoi! seeking inb-. million 110m banks; and. finalty. ~ adopIioo d a §laMe whidl clarifIeS !he law in this area .

rete"';ng informalion Or documents 10 .. lede!al ~rtmenl or asrnqr. unlels speci~ prOCl!dures and requ;oemenls are folk:Med. 12 U.s.c. §340S. including asencY ~Ice to the C\ISIOfTler d lhe rl!QUe'!. and cfflifKalioo by the depart· ment or all"'lCY 10 !he IwII< mal II is in compliance wilh the h:I. 12 u.s.c. §3403. "'bs<!-m compliance wilh tilee procedures and ~irements. the ban/.: $.hould ~ reIe_ document'! purw;lnt to a lederal a~ request. The Act is limited to documents aoo Informalion regaming bank CUSlomen who are indi~;. duals or r.mall p;I~;ps 01 less !Non six lnr;liW;luak, 12 U.s.c. j340l(4). and dot>. ~ 3Wly 10 limited in/orm31ion ~rdin8 W§l>l'Cted violalions of law. In/orm.ot1on inc:id""lal 10 periectin8 a securiry Ime~ or collecting a deb! Ii ... eluding a claim in banknrplcy) or infor· million rel"""nl to a 80Yernmem l();In

guar.tnly 01 !he like. 12 Usc. §3403. The Id is riddled with Othe. ~ions and

limitations, 12 U.sC. §)413, which should be closely _~. 8. Tn Rrionn Ad of 1'J16-The Righc to finllncial Privxy Act ~ 00II .... strict disclowre 01 ~ord. and inlor· mation to the lntemlll Reoenue Setvice. 12 U5.C. §J413(c), The Tax ~ Act 011976 contains II pn:Msion estabIiJ.hing requi-..I$ and p!'OCt'du"" 10. is-wance 0111 summons to a th ird party lit the Inst igation 0/ an tnternal Revenue 01· ficer. 26 U.s.c. §1609. like the Right to Fin<oncilll PriVKy Act, this stltute has" requi-..t oIagoency _ice to the rus-IOITM!f 0/ the n!q~. and II numbel- 0/ ~ions and limitatioos. II is 00II limited to indivQu/lh 01 sm/III PIInner· ships, how~. 26 U.S.c. §1101 wm. c. f"'r Credit Report ... Act_This r.Qtulfl JllM'"nlly prohibi~ improper dis-clowre lind """ 01 inbrrn.Jtion maintained by a ctedit~;ng ~. 15 U.s.c. §§1681b-1681o. Sank cuS/omer docume-nl$ and in/ormalion a", generally excluded from the Act because !hey contain "Information solely as to tr.msac1ioos or e>:pe.iences between the consume< and the perwn making the report.N IS U.s.c. §168II1(dllAl. On the oIher hand, iNo.m,lIion wIIich II boonk abuins out· sido! 01 ilS (JNn u..n~ions 01 e>:. periencI!5 with Ihe~ panirularly informalion from oIher lenders 01 from II OftIi.~ 1IjjI!n(y, oX- filii within the Act's ltilrictions. Suet. informalion should be disciowd only under the d.· CUmst31lCti lind the purposes ou.lined in !he Act. 0. The (lfCtronic f unds T.ansfer Acl and R~ul.tion E-This sta.ute and res· ula.ion ptCSume that s.ome informa.ion ronc.. rning cU,lorner ched ing accounl$ will be disclosed to Ihird PIIrties in the ordinary course 01 busi",,» in a bonk's handling 01 elec1ronlc funds tr.msren. 15

(11 Wh~ it is ~soory k>r c:on>-

n-e conSli~1 and ltI!uIOry pr0vi-

pletinl tnn*rs. 01 (2) In on:Ier 10 \<efify!he e;istena! and condition 01 JOU. 1ICC0000t lor " !him party, ...cr. as a oed't bureau 01 ~~, O. (3) In order 10 comply with JIMfll'

sions hrJe the soolutaty etfecI 01 cI.orifying a bonk's oeponsibilities and duties wilt!

meII IIgmcy or

coun orders,

(") If you li'R US yout wrinen per. missioo. 12 C.ER. PIIn 205, App. A at sAtn. U"" 01 such modf'l forms pmtects the bonk ooly from liability under!he Electronic funds Trlln~ '-'::t, 15 U.s.c. §1693 m(dK2), and does not necessarily ensure prot«Iion from liability undf'r odie<

.....

The .ppliColbie Aillbam;l law MIl...,. 01 the Ies;ol d,spu'e in this /lIN occur outside 01 the ~I """'Ie tJe.. scribed abcM. Indeed, much 01 the I.Jw on bonk cu~omer privacy consists 01 judicilll dKi~, under r.QIe rom"""" I.Jw theories holding banks liable k>r dis-doslns bonk CIISI<Imef ~s and iOO· marion. See annO! .. 81 A.lo R. 4th 371 (1990). These theQri<!i Include breach 01 a contrllC!UlI1 duty 01 confidentiality, invasion 01 privacy, defamation, breach 01 1M\. Interferena with busil"lesS rebtioos,. common-law negligen<.., and the tort 01 outfaJe. Id. Some r.Q1Ies, lit' constitution or r.QlUle, spKifiaify _ _ the cirOJfT\SIanCeS under wt.;ch such reron:Is 01 information Qfl be disclosed without incurrinl Ii.>bility, lind wilen a boonlc will be held liable lor dlsclowre. D. N;a..•.-o:Ier; '1' .. n<onei.1 I/ecord f'l"ivacy--What Are and What Should Be the Righu 01 the Customer 01 a Depository Inslitution; 16 5!. Ma/)"s law Journal 601. 621·2) (WtlS).

respt'C! 10 C\fSIOfnef

in/onmtion.

UnIottuNtely. AllIINmlI has no single r.Qrure wIIlch e<pre!6Iy ools wilt! !he privacy 01 b;onk CUStomer fft."OIds 01 inIorma~ion. Nor " - tt.. Al/Ib.lm;a COO/15 IIddressed the issue 01 the extent 01 the

privacy rights 01 bonk Cust0mef"5. Ther!:' are 5e\'eral staMes which speak, at least in pan. to the issue, and MQ <;ases which suggest that Alabama cou/15 are incl ined to sJ'R ~ recogoltion to the privacy intere>ts oIi»nk cum>rners. The mOSI direaly awlicahle AliIi»"", r.Qtule is found al Section s..y,...t3 01 !he Al.Jb;,ma Code. T~ stltule is headed NOisclosure of Customer Financial Recoftk"" and fNds as follows: A bonk J.hall disclose fin<oncilll records 01 ill cuMOmel"S PUl'5U3lflt 10 a I~ul

subp(:oeN. summons, ..... tWlt coun Otdef issued by or at !he ....

qt.'<!it 01 ¥"Of r.Qte llgoency, poIi!ical subdivision, 11lS11l.1me-ntality, or offICer or empl~ !hereof and §el"\ll.'d upon the bonk. No bonk director, off":,,r. employee Of agen! thereof shall be held civIlly 01 criminally responsible k>r disclowre 01 foll3ncial recools pu •• s.... nt to II~, summons. warran. or coun Older which on its fllC!

aPPf'''rs to ...... ~ issued upon

l-tol autllority. At... Code §S.S......U (1961 ~. 001.). Acrordins 1(1 the (or'.'len! loI1cMing this statute, It ..... 5 er\IICted lor the fi~ time In AI.ma in 1980;tO pan 01 the . Sanking Code. likOlrhll T~x Reform'-'::! of 1976. TitI .. 40 01 the .... ,aNmlI Code, on ReYenue and Taxation. has a 5\lfCific p...... ision for

U.s.c. §16'J) WI'J); 12 C U . §20s.J(.lX9J. Thed~underwhkh ...cr.information will be di .... lged must be dis-closed 1(1 !he CUS4Omer. kI".While neither !he r.Qtue nor the resul.'ion delines "or. dirwycourseoibuiness,NAppendix AIO the ...... 111.100 ptOo'i(Ie, !he IoIlowing model disclo,."e cllluse: (II) Accoont iniorm.ltion disclosu ~ will disc~ Information to th ird panies about you. account Or the transfers you make:

Blad!ey R. Byrne i. II I'ilduate 01 Duke UniYersiry.nd rJw. tJni>oers,ity oi A/.Jb;om.l School 01 u..: He is a paltMr in 1M MOo bile film oi MIlle!, Hamilwn. Snidf't &

Odom.

fhj~rtv sunvnons hi' !he SCale Depa ... ...-.ent oJ ~lle. 111.0. Code !40-2·1I(6) (1985 ~. ""'J. The IIlabama ptO<i~ is much lest strict and, indeed, ~11ows such ~ wmmons on ~ brwd I»si:l. A cr;t;eal exception aislS b I»nk customer deposit =ords. ho::Iwe\oef: -pro. vided, that no office< of any hank Of hanking Institution sha ll be ~uired to diKIo5e 10 the departmell1 Of """ oJ ilS agents or (ie-OO the depo§its oJ its cus!Omen e.«pt upon on:Ie< oJ COUrt.- /d, Thos PfOYIsion. which originated in 1935, edl(leJ section s.!".'.4l. N~ In the only f"I!\lOfff!d decision undef "'15 poovis.ion, lheCOUfl oJ dvil appeals has held that it ~ noIl'f"Clude the ~rt. melll from issuing writs of garnishment for hank customers' xcounts. f> P.rle III.lbitm.l Nal1 Bank 01 MOfI{~ 375 So.2d 263 (.M • .civ.App. 1979). ArId the ~ Business ~ tion t\cl, 111.0. Code !!to-2A-t ~ ~ . (1987 ~. \OIJ, 'Pf!ClIic.l1y """'ibitS the produclion oJ ban&; CU\.IOmef reoon:Is 10 non-inslder sharo:holders: prq,oided. ho::Iwe\oef. if a corpoootion is engaged In the business oJ banking, iii books and =olds oI.ccoont.nd minutes ",Iating to the Jlfivate flnandal allairs d ~ MId depo!Jtors who a'" nei"'e< oIfoce<s, di~OfS Of

IILL Code §10-2A-79 (1961 <epI. vol.) Once again, ~ COUf"I on:Ief is requi.oo. bur i. to be gfanted only alter ,"n Umer.l review by Ihe coon and a finding that the production 15 necessary, which the stnule aP"'"iy m~kes "",lewable by the supreme COOrt on a writ 01 m,,,>d;!mus. Thest! statu~ state wh~t is pe<haps 0bvious 10 most ~ttomeys: I»nk custOrnet

LL.M.

Il..M

'" ESTATE PLANNING

in REAL PROPERlY

in TAXATION

Siudy with m:ln)' of the n:.rtion'~ authorities in this

Program include$ Insing. construCtiOn, ta.'C:l.tion. fuurt·

Cl)(p O(";lIe, Fortign and F.st:atc conccntr.u ions ~'aibbk in :I one"ye2r program.fuU Of pan. lime.

em~

01 the bank noI who are telated 10 Of ~ in bu\.i...,.. wirn an officer,. dif1!ClOr Of emplO\ft rohall noI be sub,.a 10 eoIminalion hi' such a ,todthokIe< Of by his ~t Of at· torney in the a~ 01 an ordef oJ a court oJ competrot Jurisdiction. afle< inspection 01 such books and =ords oJ xcoont and minutes in camefa, th,u such e<amif\iltion Is necessary; and said order shall be subject 10 ~iew in the Supn>l'lle Coun 01 AI ... bamaonWfiloJ~~

ful"lhel; that if a otlfpor;lIion is ensa:sed in the buloiness d bMlking. iIS said books and records oJ acrount and minutes shall be ~ not to include any "'pOrts 01 examination by state or fedefal supeNi50ry agencies nor any ~ions ... ken nor fl'\XIflS made by the (OfpOfation 10 bank superviSOry authorities pursuall1

.....

nation:.rU)'· r«"IlsnizoJ oll('·ycar

eing. zoning and plmnirrg. in

p((>~ ,.,m l .

one-rear prognm, full or

records ordinatily should be produc~ only pu~1I11O .. coo..1 on:Ie<. For I»nk counsel. Sedion i-SA.<l3 pml'ides comIort tlwt the ban&; will noI be held li.!:>le few diido!.inS fM.1<)mef records pursu.iIIt to a facially valid coon on:Ie<. subpoen;l, summons Of _rrant. Only two 01 these stalutes, t-.owever. address ~uests for ban~ customer rec· ords where process 01 court is nor uSftl. Such f1!qlleSIS, by non-i~ shaf1!. ~ d banks, or by the state Depart. ment 01 ~ as 10 <iepWrs. should be ~. wn.t about an inlorrnation req~ by a third poIfty, such as allO!her financial inStitution Of an emploo,e.i What about requests undet Rules 33 and 34 oI 1he Alabama Ru les of Civ il Pr0cedure/ The com..-.t to Section S.!".'.4l pI"inly states,. "CU5IOmef records should be diKIosed only upon sul.>potnlO Of court Older:" Although the ne>.t Semetla in the commenl S...1es that the sectIon "goo.<efns d'Kiosu"" to sa", instrumen"'lities," Sedion i-SA.<l3 and tile oIher IIlabama statutes cit~ herein ~11I'eSS a strong publk policy filYOl'inS the COlIfldentiality 01 ban k customer records and information.

While the", are no reported decisions undef Section i-SA.<l3, thef1! a", two .....

pan time. Wr itc:

Write or Call:

Write or C3l1:

Grllduale PrOf{ram in .:~Ialc I'.mninl:

Graduate Program in

Graduacc Progr.am in

Real Propefty Development

Taxation

UM'ttSity of Miami

l.lni\'Cf5ity of Miami School of l;nv

University of M iami . School of Law

P.O. Box 248081 Cnr..l

G~h lcs.

Flnrida 3 .1 124

School 0{ Law P.O. Box 248081 Coral Gabk-s. R. 33124

Telephone (305) 28·1·3587

P.O. Box 248087 CotaI Gabks, R. 33124 Telephone (305) 284·3587 lanuary /991

poned decisions io AI~t}ama wnich iod~ cate the jooicial prQpeflsily OIl this iswe. 10 U.S. y. Firs! Nat" &Ink of Mobile, 67 f.5upp 616 (S.D. Ala. 1946), modified, 160 F.ld 532 (5th Cir. 194n the Co<U1 addressed a baok's refu .. 1to produce cu ... tomer records to the Internal Revenue Service under an Internal Re<enue Code prCNision antedatins the Tax Reform Act of 1976. As OIle of the srounds lor its relu .. I, the bank cited its "fiduciary rei,.. tiOllship" with ilS customers.. especially as the ~uest covered records for cu'" tome rs othO!< rnan the taxpayer irMll~ in that case 67 F.Supp 31619. The coun ~uired the prodUC1iOtl because it lound, under this pre-1976 statute, no vio latioo cI any confidential relation,hip, bur in 50 doins made the following >tatement: No ooe Queslioos its Ithe Mnle's] right to protecl ils fiduciary relationsh ip with ilS cusrolTlOO, which in sound banking practice. as a matter of com. rTIOI1 knowledge. is done IM'rywn.-.... 67 F.Supp at 624 Ibracketed material ;w:tdedl. Mo... recently, in fad.JOfNilll' State &Ink v. B.mwelt 481 So.2d 863 (Ala. 1985), Just ice Houston, writing for • unanimous supreme c<>un, affirmed a general vemict against a baok for, inter alia, irJllilsiOll 01 privacy. The Barnwell case. ~r, presents ""Ue me lacts wh ich are not typical 01 ... quests to 3 bank for customer reo:ords. The plaintiff in Barnwell wed becauseofimproperelforts by the defendant bank to collect a debt, including m;}k ing be1v..een 2B and 35 harassing telephone calls and wrong· fully attempting to repos""s lhe plaintifrs automobile, """" thougn In.- Mn k had no.>eeurily interest in or lieo on the ~hicle. 481 So.2d at 864-65. WhHe the facts in 8arnwell do not presenl 3 case of third-party ~ue>1S for Dan k customer informatiOtl, and comtitute ""trem<! cir. cumstances, both the language used in the opinion and the court's unanimity indicate the supreme court's concern for privacy interests 01 han k CUSlomers. Gi..en the emergingcomrwn law from around the nation, it is probable that a case 500n will reach the Supreme Court 01 Alabama which more ,,!uarely pre§en1S the issue of bank customer privacy. While it is impossible to predict the out· come in such a case, the "" isting Slat ... The Alabama Lawyer

tory and decisiOllal authority indicate a strong public policy fa",ring cuStOmer confidentiality.

Poi Rier.; for counsel Nearly all ~ttorneys confront this issue at some point in the ir praclice. either 3S couosel fo r a bank, a bank customer, or a third party seel<ing customer records or information flOm a bank. How should at· torneys in Alabama proceed in light of the authority cited above! firs~ if acting as bank counsel. cautioo is lhe oI.wious advice. Third·party reqUe5IS should be honored only il made under a court order or val id adm ini.t,... ti~ process, with wrinen permission from the customer, or put>u.lnt to one 01 the federal statutes discussed in this anicle. A Dank shou ld divulge info rma· tiOtl on ilS own iniliari~ only under extreme circumstances, such as when tnere is reason to suspect fraudulent Or crimi. nal cond uct. especially a check..kiting scheme irMllving tvuo or more banks, where sharing 01 lim ited information is critical. or when the facts mirY impose a duty 0tI a bank to d isclose informal ion 10 a third party because that third party is ... Iying on the bao k for ad~ice. [..en then, ~r. the inlormation d ivulged

01 greater d ifficulty is the authority from oth.,.. jurisdictions which seem to impose 3 duly of disclosure to third par· ties, ~ in the absence of a court order. The Alabama Supreme Coun has 001 d irecl ly addressed thiS issue but has held that the creditor-<lebtor relation,hip beIV'oeen • bank and its loon customer does 001 create.a general duty 01 disc losure absent customer reliance 011 the bank for fonaocial advice or "other special circumstaOCI'S,N &Ink of Red 8ay v. King. 482 So.2d 274. 285 (Ala . 19851. Hence, in an arm's lengln 1Jlm~ion, a bank i. not oblig.ted to d isclose factS reg.rding one customer to another customer. I.ee v. Uniled Fd. Say. &, I.o.1n Ms'n, 466 So.2d B1 (Ala. 19651. But 5ee As50ci.l1l'S Financial Servo Co.. Inc. v. First Nat'l. Bank 01 Mobile, 292 Ala. 237. 292 So.2d 112 (1 974) (under extrao rdinary circum· stances a bank may be ~uired to d isclo5e customer information to thirrj..party guarantors).

All State Packaging Co., Inc. has been acquired by

Packaging Service Corporation of Kentucky

......-. """""'"

a subsidiary of

PMC, Inc. _v..., . ~

TN _ , , , , _ 1..., _

,/0/, "".,••,,"'"

"..j

""kd ..,

fi_;,,; ...m_ '" MI S.." P""Io" .. C_y. I"" i. 'N .._.,"""

_.~

.. ,""

•

"'~""'"

SouthTrust Bank Investment Banking EWmingharn. ~ {205I:!5<1·59$6

"'->uld be ~ully cons~ ~nd limited to th;lt whkh is necessary. Whether information is divulged purw;am to coon~, admini$lr~ti'o'e proass. (It on the bank's OWn initi~liw, 1M CUl.IOmer should be in/ormed el the request (It ".,00 10 divulge. and Hi ...... an i~mification elthedocumenlS or Infor. malion produced. SKonc\, if one is coonseol lOt a bonk ~ it is~lOob,ect 10 1M relea5ol! el inform;,tion or fI!CO<ds withoot lhe cuSIOmer"S aulhorizaHon. If such "",ortis (It information already h;we been "-.:I, the ~ el common-law li~lity emeosinH hom other juri~ic. tions "'->uld be consir:\ered, Third, if one is coon!ielior .. third party 5oI!ft.ing bank (u~ "'COtds or in",,malion, i. is likely tNtlhe request will be _(""'ul only if accompanied bv ~ wbpoena. wmmons, w;lrQnt or coon order, or WiTh permission cA the ClIO. tomer. When t~ condition s annot be ~i§fted, Then the bank will " - 10 be r:onvinced of the crilicill need lOt 1M inlOtm31ion sought .. nd shown how the bank will or will not be affe<:Ted by rel('a5ol! elthe Iniormalion. Be aware that bankCOllnlel is likdyto be~CilUlious In iIoCfv;sinH the releil5ol! 01 documenlS or inlo<rn.alion. Finally, coonwl for all panles will wuggl., with diK<M>ry "!quests under the Alabama Rut... el Civil ProcMure Since such requestS are nannally no! coun orders or admini$lrati-e process, b.ank coun",1 should ronside1 objKting to and refusing lhe p.oouction, e-fll though the bilnk is a poorty. Allhough theoe is no reponed ~;,ion on 1M Issue, molt Alabama bial jud8f$ (irdeed, in this writef'! e.~, all trial judges) will ",",ogni;re .. ny l>ank's legitimate need 10 pmtect 1M conrodentiality el CUSlOmer

~T_ ' U

_ _• •

informalion and W'Uin the objection (It enter an order "!qui ring lhe production usually with appropriate lim ililtions and pmtections. CouMelIor all j)¥\leS should work 1OgeC1Ie<, ~ to ~ in ad""nee either on the poop iety and e<le", el production, includinH m9wres 10 enwre thaI the dilCo.ering party will mainIiIln the confKlenliality 01 Inlormation pooduc:«l, or on 1M appropoiate basis lor a court'§ orda

Need for an Alab.1ma Sialut., As has been menTioned, many stateS bv con$lilulion Or s.talule pn:Mde clea~ positive 1_ 00 this issue. AbI:r.>rnIo "'->uld IoIIoN the$e stales in enacting ilS own statute. While HlI! scope of this arti· c~ does not permit a re.iew elille provi~ from Ollie< s.ta~ se-eral key poinlS should be included in any sud! SIiIMe. Firs!, the S1~lUt~ should e><pressly doeciln! thaI b.ank (U$lome", h_ a right 01 privacy in their necords and inlormalion held bt ~ b.ario:. including cor.r"~"1 i... Io<rn.ation on lhe CUSlOmef that is ob. liIined bt the b.ank from third parties. Second, banks should be prohibited from disclosinS such information and recoodi,. eo«pI in s.ituations cl&.ly en~ed bv!he Slalule. Ilank! therebv I'oO)UkJ be protected from request! by third paniei whkh do no1 satilofy the IQIUIOfy lI.'qUiremenlS for disclowte. and thete I'oO)UId be no common-law duty 10 drsc~ documenlS or iolormation out· $ide the -.:~ionl. Third, the -.:epiions shoukJ include pn.xluction 01 disclosure:

-Mlith!he /;U!IOInef's wriften COI'IienI; _Pur;.uant to facially ""lid coort ortIe<1 and atlministrati-e process; -=k> state and ~al b.onk "'Sulatory agencies:

' caoo..

JAMES W. ETHRIOOE

.t'_~

.""4-...... 352\3

--Of iniOtmalion pu"",antlO !he Fair Cmdit Reportins AcI and as pa" 01 the cl>eck..:lurinS and .,I"( lronic fundllansief process; -Mlith limi~ions. when the b.ank trN§OO 10 suSf)f)CI a ""Iillion 01 sta~ 01 Iederall_; -Where Ihe b.ank has reason to wspec1 fraudulent condUCI. cl>eck kiting ~ and the like. pu~ 10 .... porw COO" orders: and -'.'Vhere the bonk's interest! clearly require dilClosure. Fourth, lhe procedun! lor obuinins coun orden should incl" in Carneta ~iew 01 the "'COtds, i finding 01 necesily and the right 10 appe.;!1 bt mandamus. such as the Corporation Code now prcwides. Filth. biInIcs .-.d their oIfocen. di~ and emplo,oees $hoold be aI»oI>.ft! from liability when they divulse or refrain from divulging Information Or ",",ords in ~ with the e>:<:eplions and pro(ftlUft!S coo1ained in The_~ Concltr.iion Wh ile the 1_ In Alabama clearly shows a public policy fiM)ring bank customers' right! (It privacy in In/ormation main1ained bt lheir banks,. practicality dictate. that some suet. information and records appropriately will be released to third p;lnies 00 some OCcaiions. Under !he present SCilIe 01 authority In AIab.ama. banks ....... Id be imprudenl 10 relea5e suet. information or records absent a coun order, appropriate atlmlnlst'3ti"l pn;>Ces.. customer coosent, 01, on a ""'Y limited ~ when !he bilnk's inll'ml.1f!quite! disc/osun!. The rlI!ed lOt furthe< clariflC<llion;, (Ie.r. The benefICiaries el such a clarificatH::>n would be IMnks. b.ank customers and, indetd, the public at large. •

The Richard l. h~lor who was reportftl in the November iiwe of TIK> AI.~,... u,wyer as being wspendftl /rom !he prxtice oIl~w for "'" days \hoold nol be coofused with Ridwrd Huretl Taylor, who practices in MobIle, Alab.ama, with Ille firm of !.><:kson & Tayla<. The Disciplinary Commission Alolb;ima SUre 8ar Mon!g<>rTlefy, Alab,)ma Jan~ry 11. 1991

Mississippi Valley Title Insurance Company P.O. Drawer 2428 路 Jackson, Mississippi 39205 601路969-0222

Medicare as a Secondary Payer Where Services are Reimbursable Under Automobile Medical, No-fault or Any Liability Insurance by G r~y Park ~r

E..ery day, ~ are settled by ~~ without P'OIK1ing the su~!ion i .... !~ 01' the Medic~", prqv;Im. Many M· tomeyS art! I'I(lI ;lW;lre Mediore hao; a subrogatjon rigtl!. 0Ihe<s "re uode< the misconceplion that if they are 001 noIif.ed by Medic"", of its subrogation inleteS~ ~ Medicare's rights are ron..;ted. This is l'IOII !rUe. As ~ bebv,

,Iu,

Mediate's right at S<lbroptioo is clearly defined by ~'AI law. Until 1980, when Congress mand~ted that Medicare pay only secondary benefilS in «,,,,"in siruatiorn, the program had genefilily assumed " position of primary ~r responsibility 10. its benefiCi aries. Since th;it time thete h;we been OIher chanaes in the Medicare r.- which ~ ~ . - (if(um$l"nai under which Medicare i. a l«ond.Uy ~. Medial'll Secoodarr P¥r is essentia~ I)' the wne ~ known in the poi. will inw~ in<luwy ~ ~ooodination 0( BeleIiIS" and refe!s 10 !hose siluatioos where Median! doe5 001 h~ primal)' responsibility for paying the medical expenses 01 a Medica", beneficiary. The main purpose 01 this presentation is 10 darify those dn.:unl$lances under which Medica ... i. the $l!(oOO ary p;ryel. Medicare Secondary Payer is 001 .. completely new concept r.in.ce some other progt;IIm t.- been primary to Medica"" since its jOiceplion. SeMces low whiCh benellls .,e ~ble under \~ Compen~tion pI.lIls. the fed.. er<Il Bbck tuna Progr~m 01 ~..nhori-' by tho:- WI~s Adm,ni""',ion h;r,oe ~1w.JyS been eocluded from p.ymem under Medic.>fe The Me<:lic;lre ~m, howeYe<, c~n p.y Sl!lConda'Y ~" in

certain ~tuat'ons w~ ,hese programs do not p.y lor ~ice5 in full. Currently, one 01 ,he areas add .... sed by legisla,ion m.lking Medicare SI!ICondary payer Is where ~ are rei~e under automobile medical, ~!t 01 ."" liability in5U"'n<:e.

teart,

Medinre's right 01 subrogation The establishment 01 ~icare .. a ~ry ~ and aulOOlization 01 !he Medica'" program to seek reimoorsemen. of iii O'\'erl»'(menl hal ilS bali, in §1862(b) of !he Soc:ial Secu rity Act 142 U.iC. §1l9Sy) as amended by S9S3 01 theOmnioos 800gel Reconciliation Act of 1980 [Pub. l. 96-499, 94 Stat. 2647 09&O)J. Pnor 10 the adopOOn 01 §953, !his legislalion IQd originally Iocu5ed an Medicate as a Sl!lCono:Iary ~ when <11"1other illSlJraroce policy, pi"" oriaw, such n \.\brI<m Compensanon c........ ge. could also make p.ymer.t. With !he ~ion 01 S95), 'his Sl!lCondary I""!'er Matus w;U e_panded to ~iflUll!y indude "an au,omobile or liahilily insu r· ance ~licy or plan !including a self. insured planl o. unde r no-fault in",".nce." The Sp«ific legislatiw intefl, 01 the Omnioos 8udge, Reconciliation Act d 1980 ~ to estolblish Medicare .. a _ondary payer in inMancH w~ "" alJlOmObile medic.lrl, t'IO-tiull. liabilily i .... 5Urance plan or policy was _ilable, and that Mediatlt, once II IQd ...- a ~ men!. v.ould welt ""mbu"""""". In Apr,I 198], the Secnetary for tt.e Oeparlment 01 He.lth and Human Ser· vices issued, final rule designed 10 i....

plementlhe stotutes. This rule. presently oxI,fied.t 42 C.f.R. §40SJn·J2S 0987) includes a de5c:ripnon 01 tt.e vari0U5 1ype5 01 illSlJranCfl which are 10 be deelled primary, and ,he procedures i .... wi""'! lor JeCOW!!"ing ilS ~ when a s.uuation IrMJI\ling a primary i.... su ..... f:><;r.ts. " is impOrUnt 10 ""'" tN, "~Ie medical or no-fault ,n5U"'nce" ha, been r/ef,ned as •. . . au,omobile in,urance [Including self·ln,ured pia",) thaI p ¥ /or all or pal'( oItne medical expenses /or i.... juries 5U,tained in .he use, occupancy 0< opl'I<Ilion of an automobile, It'g3rdless d who may h.:M! been respon~bIe lor COusing !he ~ir:ien" (This in'W",""" is """"" time!l c.lled 'medical p;!'(men1S cOW!!"· age'; 'pmonal inlury proteCtion; or 'medic..! f:><pense c........~r 42 C.U. (4OSJ22ib) (t98nJ,

"tiabrl,1y in5U'ilI'Oa'" IIolI been defined

as "'"insurance (including a self..insured plan) that provides p.ymen, based upon

Ieg.lliiability lor injuries or illnes>es 0< damages 10 properly, II ,nclrKles, bul i,

limited '0. au,omobile liability, uni ... sured motoril', OOrneowne~, liability, ma lpra<:,ice, prod\lC1 liability, and general caSUill1y in,urance. This exclUSion does not apply w~ the non-ner receives p;fj'met11 under his or her own homeowner', insur~1"ICfl policy sil"lCfl sud! a p;!'(menl does not constitute a li.lbility insurance p.1ymefI1" This """lat,an 42 C.U. (40SJ22(b) OWlJ also ec.>bIir.hed thai Mediare v.ould ~ SI!ICOIldary to automobile medical or no-faul, insuW"lCf! and liabil~ tv i",ural"lCfl "even lhough Stolle law or not

the inluraoce policy Or plan Stat"!lhal ill benefit1 are secondary to Medicare's or otherwise exdud"! Or limits its payments if lhe injured party is al50 entit led to Me<J i(a'e BenefiIS," 42 C.F,R . §405.123(b) (19B7). As OOted alxM, lhe original focus ()/ this legislalion had been 10 "!tablilh Medicare as se<;Ondary when. \<.QrlerJ· compensation law or plan WaS available; Ihat original focus has oot changed. The codificahon ()/ Ihis legislalion Can be found at 42 C.F. R. ;405316-321 (198n. Instrucli .... case> are Colonia! ~n Ins. Co. v. Hedler, nl F.2d 431 Ord Cit. 19B3) and Abtams v. Heckle<, 582 F,Supp. 115S 15.0. N.Y. 1984). Thesecas.es recog· nized In,. Congressional intent 10 establish Medicate al a , ... idual rathe, than ptimary payer, and recognized that any state law which would interfere wilh this intent \<.Quid be superseded, In add ition to judicial de<;isions t'S!.lbli shing Ihe federal righl of subrogation, Congres~ in eo.KIing the Deficil Reduc· lion M ()/ 1984 [Pub. L. 98-369. 98 Stal. 1095 (19B41), specifically ... tablilhed the right 01 the United Stat ... 10 b,ing direc1 liligali~ action against any entity respon..ible for p,imary paymenl and clarified lhe ability ()/ the United Stat"! 10 be subrog;.ted to "any right ()/ an individual or any other entity 10 payment." Anothe, modificaliQr1 to lhe enfore ... men! abiliti ... ()/ the United States in regard to Medicare as a se<:ondary payer came about with lhe palsage of lhe Omnioos Budget Reconcilialion M of 19116 [Pub. l. 99·509, 100 Slat. 1874 (1986)). This ad amended lB62(b) 01 the Social Security I\<:t to creale a pri .... te Cause of ;}CI ion for damag"! "in an amoont dou· ble the amount otherwise provided" against any "\\brkerJCompensation law or plan, automobile or liability ins.u.ance policy or plan or no-fault insurance plan. group health plan, Or la rge group health plan'" which has been deemed primary and "fails to pnMde for primary payment lor appropriate reimbursemeot} ... 42 u.sc §139Sy(b)(S) (1987). Atlorr>ey's fee ... n often.asked qveslion in regard to the Medicare program's primary 'ight of <JI>erpaymenl reimoorsement ha, been whether benefIciary counsel is entilled to collect a fee from the amount to be reimbursed . Un like alue Cross and alue

The "'fab.ama lawyer

Shield of "' Iabama or othe, such enlilies, who as a pri",,!e contra<;tual inlurer per· milS the paymenl of a fee to the attorney for rec<Jl>ering ilS funds, Medicare does /lOt perm il 3 d irect paymenl of a fee for recOYef'( of its <JI>erpayments. ... s no1ed e.lrlie~ Medicare has its enlitlement to IeC<Jl>ery of its <JI>erpayments expressly ,tated in fede,.llaw. This legislalion has p"""ided lot """"al methods of co llecl· ing ii, reimoorsement, includ ing direc1 liligation againsl any entity responsible fo' payment. and offset against any mooies owed Ihe beneficiary by the fed· eral g<Jl>emmen!, such as Socia l Se<:urity benefiTS. 42 C.F.R. §401.6Q71d)(1). set forth by e<isling regulations. if Medicare is b illed for goods Or serv ices that Can rea50nably be expected to be ~red byan autoroobile medica l 0' nofaull insu.ance policy or plan or under a workerJ' compensation law Or plan of the United States or a stale, lhen arry reqvest for Medicare payments will be denied. 42 C.f.R. §405.316(a); 405.3221d [1987]. If. h~" an automobile medica l or no-fault insurance plan. policy or (Overage, or a ' ....>rkerJ' c0mpensation plan policy Or C\:IW!rage ha, made payment lor can reasonably be expected 10 make p;ryment) lor 5eI\Iices for which Medicare ha, made payment as --ell, the Medicare program will ,.,.,k reimbursement up to lhe amount paid by Medicare for Ihal good 0' service. 42 C.ER. §405316(al, (b); 4053231cl (1967). There are silualion" however, where the Medicare program will accept less Ihan irs actual payment as payment in lull. Shook! the Medicare progrnml reimoorsement be made from mooies f1!(ei.....J a, a fiabUiry insurance payment (regardless of its designation i.e., pain

"'5

and suffering), the Medi(are program will permit a reduction from the amount d"" for a proportiooale share ()/ the (()51S ()/ procuring the payment Thiscompotalion. set forth at 42 C.F.R. §405.324(n). will allow for COSts the beneficiary has incurred (including lhe fee arrangement between the beneficiary and counsel) in order to obIain the payment It may be necessary for (OumellO submit a Cop( of the settlement sheet li,ling the promrement (om at time ()/ settlement Medicare will not share in the procu .... ment cost, inwl.....J in collecting automobile medical benefits. Therefore. when notifying Medicare of the senl ... ment recei.....J, benef,ts recei~ through automobile medical payments should be separated from those benefits recei.....J through liability payments. Statute of (imitations With regard to an applicable stalute of limitations. il would be beneficial to review 26 U.S. §2415Ia) and §2416 which states that" , .. """ry action for money damages brought by the United Stat ... 0' an officer or agency thereof which is founded upon any contract express Or implied in (aw Or fact, shall be barred unles, the compla inl is filed wilhin ,ix )O!arJ .he< the right 01 action ac·

crues ...." Thus, the Medicare program will have si x ~rs from lhe date it determines an """'P"\'ment has been made to enlorce reimbursement of the <JI>erpayment. Compromise o r waive r Many times, an attorney or agenl for the Medicare beneficiary will reqvest that Medicare agree to a compromise or lotal wai_ of il. subrogation lien in a

Oay "~tkeT, ,r" is employed by 11/"" Cr0s5 and 81ue Shield of Alabama as lhe unil manager of Medicare St>cOl1dary ""1'0'. He has worW with 81ue Cross ior si, years. Oay holds a ma~!er'j of bUSiness administmion ftOm Samford University and ba(helor~ of science deB""" in health care management from Auburn Univerlity.

pa"io:ul~.

caw.. A compromise Of W3i... is only g=ted in CMe d I\ootdship. If ~t d MedialCs I~ would interfere with the beoeflCi~r(s ability 10 pay lOr ordinary living e><pense<, Ihere is ~ chan(e lhal a compromise 0< W3i_ mav be S'i'nt«l. The .ppropriale Iwrdship ionns mu51 be oompleted by the benefIciary and his Of her ~1\Of1Iey 3td returned 10 MediQre The Io<ms and II!quest ~ will be lOr· W3rd(od 10 Medic.re·, region~1 office lOr a Il<'el imlnary decision. and llIen on 10 Mediu ....s headqua""'" In 8altilYl(l<'e. MIIryland. lor the ronal o:Iecision on a oompromise Of W3i_. The ~lire de<: ision pnxess an tale up 10 six months 10 oomplete. for this reason. anomeys wishin8 ;I compromise Of w, i_ need 10 not ify Med iure as M)On as possible 50 that aclion will 001 be del~ IOOff! lhan Is necessary.

(Of

Notifka lion Under e<iiling law, ihe.e 15 no e:.poess .equirement 10< notice oi Medica ...., in>olvemenl 10 be communicated \0 the

§40S.316<b1; 4OS.)221d. Id}; 405.323; 405.l24Q1 (1987\. 5peeifially, it is fIClIed

in ~ ... ion 10 'it .... lions if'M)lving MJ\Omobile medio:.1 Of no>4ult 'n",.anee 0< liability Inw rance INtI "failu re 10 send fIOIice does not relieve the benetkiary of the obligation 10 reiund lhe conditional P¥!'ment." 42 C.f. R. § 405.323(c)(5). 405.324(. )(5) (1987]. All iIIome','S need 10 inquire of all pcMentia( diem<!; if !hey are" Mediare beneficiary. (Some Medicare beneficia •. ies a.e under age 65 if entit led 10 Med i· ca.e because d. dlsalJ;lity.)If your client Is on Medicarl:'. pIe~se notify the ~ftmenl Ii""" below lIS iOOfI lIS pass>. bIe l(l infotm Medicare oJ 'lOO' ~ talion . f'I,use include with 'lOO. COfJf!spootdeo,ce the name of lhe benefICiary. lhe bef\eficiar(s Medicare number

WE SAVE YQUR TIME . ..

III l

beneficiary; if a.nv P¥!'ment is made by Medicate lot ~ item Of !leMa ,eo . . ed a beneficiary. ~nd a paymenl lot thaI same Item o. service is al so made by an insur.tn<;e plan. policy Of ~.age Ihal Is primaI)' \0 Medica.e. lhe Medicare paymenl mu5I be "';mbursed. 42 C.f.R.

ame li E

G A l

Resea rch

Now Iogal research .,sisl.nee i. a' ailal)le w~n you fl«d il_ wilhout the IIO'<tSSi,y 01' a full'lIme ... "",We Of

add"" ,""

W i l h~ .. IO'~

Su'e UW Library and Wwlaw. we pro'ide fa.. and effICienl .."i«:. For d<:adll~ work. we can dcli.~r infonnalioo '" you .i. common carri... f~ ..1 UI""_ q . or f AX. F..... U LepJ Rcwarch enm.nes the ,ssues lborou&hly through quality raun:h. brief ...'. il"" and analysi5, Oul mes .re 53~.OO per houf. with a IhOft Il00, minimum. Fo r Research Assistance con ta ct: Sara h Kathryn Farn e ll 11 2 M oore Building Montgome ry, AL36104

(Health InSI>l';ll'la CI."rn numberl. the daIfI of the accidPnt and ...... known pro.

videf'5 d !leMa. Bec.use Medicare's .ight of wbrogr lion 15 set OU~ in federal law. every Slale hilS Ihe righl of subn;>galion. Please inform Medicare in whio:h state the acc~ dent 0( loss occu.red, Mftlic.... re will cont.Kllhe Medicare inbe<med~ in the ;oppropri.... \U ..... The inlennedi~ry lOr the stale thaI ~s paid 001 the mo5I in benefill al a """II of lhe accidem Of lou will be lhe lead caffier. All furthe< acl ion will be handled from this lead offi~

By noIifyin8 MedicArI:' ac the onset of )00' case. lhere will be ..... pIe lime 10 lIiUhe< all of the inionnation needed by the I;""" )OIJ are able 10 negoIi~te )00. case. Please direct all cor~poodence 1o, Medic"", Second.lry P"yer Unit P. 0. 110>: 11647

Birmingh.om, "WIw"", ]5202 Of ~II

Mftlic.on(s Customer SeMce •

Department at (2051 988-2244.

Notice /OUffl'" of Leg'" Economics publi shed at UNA The /oumal 01 Legal Economics. , ""tional publk;o. lion for economics MId Ieg..l pl'l.>iessions, is being published at the University of Nonh AI,barN by the N,.eoicao l Academy d Economic and fj~1 [xpeo1s. The MIff is II newly..formed Of8'lni~alion of;oca.. demk, financial lind professional economists whose purpose is to further the know ledge and underslaroding of economic n il appl il'5 \0 leS'1 pl'O«ecIinp and \0 establish rommunic"tions between the economics 3td IegiIl proiessions. The journal ..... 11 be published three times a "..... The r.", issue of Il[ will be pWlished next month; the next twO is....... will be published in e~dy wmmer and lale fall. Each article published In ILE will be refereed by Iluee indi viduals. members and non-members oi the AAEFE. who have ~"I e><pe1Iise. Anyone: wishing 10 S4lbmit .nicles lor publication in the/ourn.alshould Io<w.td!hem 10 Box S07?, Un~ ityof NOfth A!abam.o.~, Alab.lmIt 35612.(1()(11.

C. II (105) 277'7931

1./lUary 1991

Notice Office of the Chief Justice, November 26, 1990 Admininstrative Order The administrative order 01 Octobe< 17, 1990. relating to "attorney caler.dar conflict resolutioo" is amended to

read as follows: Wnereas. by O,d", of the Supreme Coon dated June 12. 1990, time standards ",Iating to delay rrouctions wer" adopled and became elfective October I, 1990. and Whereas, lawyers et'Igooged in a trial pr.octice from lime to time may be scheduled to appear in more than one coon at the s;lrne time and on occasion aiterduediligence may be unable to resolve 50ch a sd>eduling conflict. and Whereas, the impact of time standards may significamly increase the numhe, of >cfleduling conflicts and cre.te a need for a procedure lor resolving them, Now, therefore, il is here ordered that an "Morney Ca lendar Conflict Resolution Order" be, ar.d il hereby is. adopted, to read in accordance with the appendix 10 this admin istrative orner, and il is ordered Ihal Ihat order appearing in Ihe appendi. ,hall be incorporated a, a pan of thi' admini,trati"" order. I! is further ordered that the Hon . Richard L. Jones be, and he hereby is, appointed to resolve the conflicts that are I>Ot resolved by consultation 01 the judges and attorneys involved in the confliding cases. It i. funher orde<ed that thi, adminimati"" order shall be effective (ktoo.... 22, 1990, and that it therea~e< be evaluated hilsed upon adual e <perience. At the e<piration of si x (6) momhs from its effective date, this order may be moct ifoed in accordance w ith the results of the evaluation. Done by Adminiwative Order of the Chief Ju,tice of the Alau.ma Supreme Court. - Sonny Hor,.,by, Chief Justice

Appendix Attorney Calendar Conflict Resolution Order Wheneve' an attorney 'ÂŤeives notice of the setting of any case for trial Or of any m()(ion for 3 hearing, the attorney shall immediately review his or her calendar and determine if the setting cau,,", a scheduling conflid. When an attorney is scheduled to appea r in more than one cou rt at the same time, Or within such a soon period that the attorney cannot """",ably be ex~ted to appeM in both couns, he or lhe shall, upon 'ÂŤeipt of the norice producing the (onAid, immediately attempt to make adequate arrangements for representation of each cl ient's in-terest by sub.ti1ution of counsel Of !.hall otherwise ;Âťtempt to resolve the conflict by consulting with counsel representing the adverse panies in the conn iding ca!el . II the anorney is unable to resolve the conflict by the mean, SUgge5ted in the last paragraph, he or she shall promptly attempt 10 reso l"" Ihe conn id ny frling an appropriate mot ion with one Or mOre of the couns involved. If the attorney is unsuccessful in re\.Olving the conflid by motion, he or ,he ,hall lonhwilh consu lt the judges involved in the confiid ing cases, not ifying lhem of the effon. he or she has made 10 reso lve the conflict and 01 the fact that those elfons have been unsua;esslul. It 'hall be the duty 01 the judges involved to resol"" the confl id by consultation and!O notify the anomey of the resolution. In the event the judges involved cannor resolve lhe conflid, then either altomey may request Ihal the conni" be re\.Olved by a judge or a panel 01 judges apl"'inted by the chief justice. No ,esolution of a confl ict shall ,esult in a continuance unles, a continuance i, expressly orde<ed by a trial judge. Once there has neen entered an o rder establishing a priority among conO icting cases, Ih3t order will no! relieve an a"orney I,om appearing in secondary proceedings in the event the priority case is settled, dismi,5ed, or 'escheduled for whate""r pu'pose.

Legislative Wrap-up by Robert l. McCurley, Ir.

now " - 29 law~ in the \.egI~I.t ...", 01' about 21 d the 140 m••-'rnbm.

In the Senate the", all! 171~rJ Or almost 50 f)e<cen1. Of the elsht ' - ' sen<l~ ';x are I~ Th;, is ;an inc",_ 01 lou. I~" from the 1..$1 t.eg;.tatu"" The foISowi"ll I~ .Il! now !lefVing in the' l..q:i,l.tuM:: James P. Smill" Huntsville Don Half. CuUmiWl Bob Wikon, Jr., }.I~

Jack fllPrd,

G,)dsdero

Doug Chee, j.1ck,orwille

frank Ellis. Columbiana John AlTl.lri, Birmingh;am Mac PMSOI1S, Hueytown lor! Hilli.rd. Birmingham

Ryan deG •• flenrioo, Tuscal~ P~I Unckey, 8<Jder H.>nk s..nden,. Sel_ Charles I...lnglon:l. M001gome<y

Demel"..., Newton, 8irm,nghdm Ph,1 Poole, MouOOville Michael 80 •• Mobrle

Th.s incre<»e in ~ in the ~sLature ~ ~ downward t...oo tlut beg;an in 19n when the s.e.r~te was composed of 40 pen:ent I~ ~nd tlwl Hoo!ie oonl~itll'd 28 pero:ent attorneys. Overall , the metnt.ership of tlwl ~~IU'" ch.:rnged W!ry lillie. The Sen.>!e h;>s erght.IqisbtOlS (77 pen:e<lt ""ums} while the ~ h;>s 23 new I....... makers (78 pete"", retum~). This is in oonlr3§1 to 97 percent of the United States Congress which returned. The Legislature c~tlI'd for ~n organizaTional $essioo on ~nuary 8, 1991. Unlile the e>leGlIIW! brand> which _ _ in on l;ontwIY 14, 1991, l"!It~1OtS rook offoce in N~ '" ~ u tho! electiotr results _'" nude offid31. T1wl1990 Regular Session of tlwll.es'siature will begin April 16, 1991, 300 ~ oonlinve until luly 29, 1991. .

Ted lin'e. Aut>\Jrn ~II Mitchell, lu .... me Michael Figures. MObile 5•....., Windom, Theodore DilVld 8a'n~. 8irmingham Marl< Caines, Birmingl!am In the Hoo.M of I1epreloef\Uli_ there are 00'" 11 ~

(10 ~tl. Two e>:celleol ~isla\Of'S, 8,11 Slaughter arod Beth Marietta-LjOIls, chose IlOt to run /or re-elec!ion. ~ lour .oddilionallawyers were eleaed: MaIU'l 8lid of Tuscumbia. Hugh HoII.>!by 01 Pell City. and, from 8irminstwn, DMd Ba'nes iIoIId M.lrk G."nes. Returning

the Houloe of Represenun ....... re,

Robe!t L McCur~ Jt . Is /he 01 /JW ~ lAw ~ 01

dIreCalf

.'SI"'" AI ". _He,·

..., ....

... odtoOOadL<a18 II>d /Iw degrees !'rom tt>rt I.Ir>iIe/IItJ<

Morris 6.oob, Huntsville

bn Dr""", Cull...., Dmpbell....... niilOO 8m Full"r. laf¥tle

Jim

I~nwry

1991

Recent Decisions by Iobn M. Millin&. Ir" ~nd

Re<:ent Oe<:isions of the Supreme Court of Alabama Civil procedure . .. d isinterested third p arties may not be oo und by Robinron ~.

Hank Roberts, Inr:. Tillie v. Alabama fbwe, Co.• 24 AOR 1884 (September 7. 1990). AI;lbama F'<:Mo>r contracted with Combur tion Engineering. Inc. for maintenance work at one <:i its Steam plants. Trnle. an iron worker. performed main· tenance work for Combustion and ..... s injured when heslipped on some insulalion dusi. He sued Alabama Power. al leging Ihal il negligently f~iled 10 m~ ke the p""mi~ ... fe. AI.bama f't:Mier med a mol ion for summ,lIY judgmen~ stating Ihat il was merely the premises ONne< and. the<efore. under no duty to ma ke the premises safe. Ti nle and his foreman. Nichols. med alfid;J\/its in op(X)S ilion to the mrnion forsummary judgment AI., bama Power filed a motion to strike t~ affid .... it5. arguing thai they contradicted earlier deposition tesli_ mony and could not be used TO create a genuine isSVI' of material faa under author ity of Robinson v. Hank Roi:Jerts. Inc." 514 So.2d 958 V\I •. 1987). The trial court entered sum· mary jooamenl for Alabama Power.

The Alabama Lawyer

and Tinle . ,)pea led. The sup<eme court reversed. The SUptf'"'" court acknowledged that it has held Ihat when a party to an action has gi""n clea r answetS to unambiguous queslions that negate the <.'Xistenee of any genu ;"" issue of lad. that party cannot later create an issue of fad by submining an .troda'\l it that d ireclly contradiru, without @>c. planation. that ea rlier tl'Slimony. The sopreme court. however. noted that Nichols was not a party and that. to date. it has applied the aforementioned rule only to part ies recogniz· ing the moIivation that lhey might h~ to falJricate a st.am affidavit. The supreme court stated there is no ""a..an to aSSume that disinterested

John

M. Mj!Jing.

!r.• is a member of lhe firm of Hm. Hill. Caner. FtanCQ Cole &, 81ack in Montgoml'ty He is a gtadUale of Spting Hill College dod rhe Uni>ersily of A/;Ibarna School '" taw Mil/ing covers /fie civi! portion of rhe de<isions.

Oa'\lid B. Byrne, I•.

Ihird panie5 (lO'~s tne ... me moti"", and. thus, rhe logic that supports the application of rhe rule to ~ nies is nor present. Insurance • . . UM benefi ts in death action oot di stributed under §6-5-41 0 Sprouse v. Hawk, 24 AOR 368 5 (August 31. 19901. Mrs. Hawk was killed in an automobile accident wit h an unins~red motorist. She died restate. le3lling. 1I of her property to ner husband. She was also su rvi'-'!d by two sons. Srale Fa rm i5Sued four policies. naming Mr. and Mrs. Hawk• and 000 policy. naming 000 of the sons.;os tfle insured. Each pol icy provided for UM benefits and contai ...,d

O.... id B. 8yrne.lr.• is a Iilr"doare of rhe Uni>etSity of Ala-

bama. whelt' he rece ived both his undeWJ du.1te and

law degrees. He is a membet of rhe Montgomery fitm of Robison &, 8e!ser

and covers rhe "iminal portion of rhe de<isions

provision which suled. ~ will ~ any MTK)Unt due: (TIIO !he i... W<ed; ... Il) 10 !he lU!VMns """"'" .... " State farm p;!id Mr. H;rwk !he comblrled • p;Jymefl1

PQlicy limits of all the policies. The 'iOnS con~ !hac the UM benefits ihouId bedisuibuled in ~ with the AI.~ Wrontful [)('.iIIh SUtu~ §6-S-41O. ,oJa. Code (l97SI. ""hid! ii 10 be diMributed in acOOtdan<:e with the M.lMe of diMribut ion. The tri.1 court held tk.lt the UM poOCftds were p;ryabIe t(l lhe eitaM! of M.,. H;rwk and diviiibie H , c ' - in ~ under her will. The supreme COIJn .ffirrned. The supreme cOlIn l\01ed that an <1(. lion 10 rec<Mlr under lhe UM cl. u~ 01 " po( icy 01 i nsut.lr'a is an action t'J( conlractu. In A"'~ ~ is no conux. 1.....1 c laim"" wronsful de.ath. Section 6-S-410 is punilhe and intended t(l P\lnij./" The UM Sl.tute is imended 10 compe",,,w. Beo:.lUM! they have dilfe~l purpoM!S, they cannol be ....J ~ to ~..-:h the ~II urpd lit' lhe !.OM. Add .. lion.olly, !he poIides have deM ~Pi'f' rnenr4pooceoods" cbuse!. whid! potlVicIe for paymenl of proceeds to the spOUM! 0/ the insured . Mr, H;lWk. as lhe SPOUM', was ent ided K> lhe pooceeds under lhe policy. 8euuM! lhe d.use in not an>bigtJ<M. il will be enion:ed H wrinen. Medic .' m.lpr.ctice. ,. " good faith" charges improper SltunW<er Y. /OI1rt5O'1. 24 ASR )371 UuIy 27. 19901. ShurnaI<er e>.peoiehO!d Iwd ij)iSmIo which ~ 10 no.mbness MId wea/mess In t:uh legs and ~ was taken to a hospolal. She was examined by Dr. Johnson. and he oowd lhal ~ had oombness in IlOIh legs. The Xq,tS ~ no .~"-"'I Spi ....1 ron:! injury, and she -s ~leased. As she _ .,ning oft lhe t'lCamin.tion table. her I»dc popped and she bec.me p;!ralyu<f. She lued Dr. Johnson for negligen«, and lhe jury retu,ned a \1':n:lict in his fJ/llOf. She appe.led, contending Ih.allhe "sood f.ith t'fror" jury chorge was im-

.....

Tho! supreme(OUrl~ and ~

The trial judge charsed the jury that "a phy$ician is not liable 110, an honest mis, . or an 00nesI1'm)f Of judgment .. , ." The Stlpreme coun nowd that the ~ (iMIs' wndln:l of care is dearly codiflf<l in §&-5--434, ,oJ•. Code (197S) •• nd ~ Is no mention of «1jOOd faith" in the per·

Iorrn.once of his profess~1 duties. Dt>sprlf! Ihis!.ct, the Stlpreme coon "". knowledged tl\;lt !he ~ mistake" rule I\;Is been followed for yea .. in ",I ... ba".., , ~, the Stlp~coun ~Iso ..xed tNla growing nu~ 01 juri.mc. tions have abandoned lhe wgood f.itH" rule in _ I ye..... ~"8 prior authorities. the supreme coun held th.al the "good faith error" d"'rge5 should no( be sI-.!n In medical malpr.ctice cases because oIlhei, poIenli~1 "" coni'usina lhe jury. Therefore, jury inWUCtions should no:A contain IanS'" I;~ "hooesI miwke. bc:lno fode "'ror or good "'im "" roC NeSligeoce thai ~ulls in injury should Stlpport a finding o/Ii.bility ~ san:lless 01 whelher the id or omission in....hed an ~ t'I1'Of in judgmenr.« Torts . . . trade a ssociation hils duty of reaso!loll)le Carl': in promulgating minimum s.fet y st.andards Kmg 0( Nal>onal Spa and FboI lmI'iMe, Inc. , 24 ABII. 4215 t~ember 14. 19901. King's intestate dIM! inro J pool from the diving board and hit his hNd on lhe bot· tom Of side 01 the pool.nd sustained. broken neck ;vw:I died. Mrs. Ki"ll sued Natiorul Sp. and ~ InMUlM, a tr.ode :mociation, . IJes;", mat il nrgligemly promulBated minimum sundan:ls for resKiential pools lit' al l<MIing a diving boon:l in lhat type pool. National Spa mo::o.ro for • Stlm,.....!)' judgmenl, arsuing Ih.at il <>Ned no dUly 10 Kin8'sinleSUle. The trial coun panled Nalional Spis moOon,.oInd Mrs. King appealed. The Stl~ coun ""'et§ed.

In a caM! of the first impression in AI .. ba".." the Stlprf!me coun held Ih.at N.. tional Spa was ...oe. J lepl duty 10 6erC;,.e due a ..... in promul8aling the wndlrds In quesrion. The ... preme coun reasoned that the trade lISsociation volun1arily undenook to promulgate minimal Silfe!y deign slandards for Silfe <livins .nd di~i ....1ed Ihose wnd3rds 10 iu ~ 10 innuence then design and COOItruction pradices • • nd it Wit! foresee.ble lhat h.arm might ,<'SUit to the consume' if II did not eXIffl:I~ due Care. The SUpreme coun stated that the '''''I lhal the sun<ian:ls are b3M!d on • >OIu ... tJrly concenStls of ilS members, or the fact tNI the lrade as'iQ(i. ,ion does not spe<;ificaily cont'ol the a(:lS of itl memool$, does not as a m~t!er of law,

absoI-.! it of a duty to e<erC~ reasonable care when II undertJkes 10 pro.mUI",I! standard s for lhe "needs 01 the conStlmer:" Torts ... p;lrent having II!goII c:ustody nwy bring wronSful dea th action for minor ItJiner v. Feldman, 24 ABR 4502 (Se-plember 21 . 1990). Rainer -s the i1Jesltimate child of Louis Vinson and Aretha Raine<. The child drowned in. fwimmins pool, .nd Vinson filed • wrongful death idion pu .. u.nt to §6-5-J91. Ala. Code (1975). "'re!h.l Rainer subsequenlly filed a separate idion ~ on the same $Ublle. V'i<oon mo::o.ro to dismiss R,jine(s Stlil, .nd the COIMI panre:l the motion, stati"lllhat §6-5-l9O 51"" the father the righl to bring the tion, Rainer atlP'!~I(!d, and the supreme ooun rever'M!d . The supreme court " ' - ' the §6-5-39O, "'". Code Im S), .as .nreroded, gi-es eIther the ralher or the rno!her the right to bri"ll • wrongful dealh action . The father no longe, has the p<io<ity. The Slalute P<O'<ides Ihal when the husb;rnd .nd wiN. ~re not lawfully IIvinalOgelhe, "!he party h.avlng lepl cwody ... shall ha-e the "",1t/SI\1': righllO coo,,,,reOCe SllCh ao:tion ." Vinson and Rau>et "'en! 1\f!VI.'f married ~nd ne-er lived roserher, Thet(! il a slrong presumpHon In AI .. b;!ma., which has not been modifred or .>boIilhed either judici.lly 01 lesis.latl\e!y, tNI the mother of a child out 01. wedlock has a superior rigll! 01 cusrody OYer all 0Ihet ~s. a~lI good Caus.e Ihat custody Ihould not be _ed in ht.'f, The ~ COIMIIiound no ...alOll to ignore mrs PA""mplIOn 01 cUSlOdy, .nd the 1!loII coun ened in dlsmissinll !he mod>et-'s Stlll.

""0

Worker's ( ompen5.l1ion . .. §25-5-57(,.J.1(4~ not un::onsti!ulional Ex pane David ",kim (Re: "'kins ~, Cold Kist, Inc.!. 24 A8R 1441 (July 27, 19901. Atkirn _led a ....oo:er's compensation claim, and the circuit coun entered judgment in his favor findinglh.at he had. 70 pe<Cenl permanent impair. menl of his ability 10 e...-n. Atkins' medIal condilion wbM!quent!y .........wned. 'lnd he filed • motIOn 10 rwpen the caw, and ultimately alleged that §25-5-5?la) (41b. AI~. Code (1975>. is uoconsti!U!ion;r l

since it permitl an employer to request a "",iew 01 a d~im alter <odjodication, but dO<'! nOl prtNide the xome right to the emplO'f".'l." The tria l coundenied Alkins' motion, and the court 01 civil appeals af· firmed, On certiorari, the supreme coun agreed with the ICONer courts. The supreme court acknowledged that §25--5--S7(a)(4Ib 1re~ts employers and emplorees diflerent ly in thai it al lcrws the employe< TO reopen a case when the court flaS previously found the emp lOj.ee 10 be permJnently and totally dixobled, The luprerne court noled that one of the principle obj""ti~ of the act is the rehabilitation of permanemly 100001ly dis.abled em~ By allCM'ing emP~r5 10 !eel< a reduction in the empl<l'j'ee's dis.ability daslifocation, the act prtNides an incenli...., to Ihe employer 10 ""'abilitale the emplO'f".'l.'. In the process, the legislati...., purpose of having the emplO'f".'l.' rehabilitated is carried OUt. The legislation is the,efore rationally relaled 10 a legitimate ,tate interesl and does not violJle the e<tual prt>tection clause.

Recent Decisions of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Probalion r'l'WCalion--fl.earsay alone nol enough Mallette v. SliIte, CR-89-1054 1AIa.crim, App., No.....mbe r 16, 1990)-Mallelle contends that the trial court commined rcwr5ible e rror by """"ing his probat ion solely bas.ed upon heresay evidence in the form of 1\"IoQ laboratory anal~ A unanimous Alabama Court of Crim ina l ApPeals agreed and """anded with directions,

Slalionery f o r eke Legal Professional

FREE PROOFS F", r"", o"atog of "",.,1 ",,' plc'

1-800-633-6050 DEWBERRY E n g ra v in g C omp:on y World ',. I_a rgcs' En l,\r<,vcr PQ "".

lJII. R' ... _

( I nAL~.n

.... L "1O,

1·991·28231

Some jurisdiction, h....... upheld por<.>bation re-ocations based on hearwy where the hearwy eviderta! is demon5!rably reliab le or e:>:hibits indicia of reliability; h<;M.oever, Alabama courts h;rve Cor>si"ently relused to sustain a re-ocation based solely on hearsay evidence. 'While Ilearsay evidence may be admit· ted in probation re-ocation hearings in lhe discretion of the trial coun, hearsay evidence onnot be the sole ba,is lor re""king probat ion," Ex p.ute Belcher, SS6 So.2d 366 (Ala. 1989); Mitchell v. 51.m, 462 So,2d 740 (Ala.crim.App. 19841. In th i, case, Ille two laboratory reportS ,howed traces ri marijuana, and lhey were the sole basi, for the re'\<QC3l ion of probation. Tile persom who aaually per. fo.rmed the te5!S were notealled to testify, The coun of crimi",,1 appeals reasoned that "the u'" of such hearsay evidence as the sole meanS of ~i ng the violation of lhe pr~ti on condition denied appellant lhe righlto confront and cross"""mine the persoo who originated the factual informJlion which lormed the ba,il for the re-ocat ion. for this ~ason, appe llant was denied minimal due process of law and the evidence was in,ul. fodenlto p'o..... the alleged violation of probation:' Implied promise can negate mlun la rirtess of confes!;ion Jones v. Stale, CI':-39·745 (Ala.crim_ App., N""""ber 16. t990)-Can a police offocer"sstatement to a su,pect that "you Gin help yourself" amount to an implied promise Ihat the defendant v>ouid recei ..... lighter punilhment and the<eby neg<tte the ""Iuntariness 01 his confession? A unanimous Alab~ma Court of Crimina l ApPeals anlwered yes. De/endanl was indided and comicted in the circuit court of Geneva County for two drug offenses. On appeal, he contended that hi, confession wa, rendered Il'I\<O luntary dur ing the interrogati on by an interrogating officer telling him that "he cou ld help himsell," During the course of the suppression hearing. the 01foeer admitted that he made this >lJtement The Alabama Cou rt of Criminal Appeals reasoned thaI ..,. , it i, reasonable to assume Ihal when Deputy Hobbs told appellant Ihat hecould help himlelf, the deputy meant Ihal lhe appellant could help himleif ~ making a ,tatement . , . We are of the opinion thaI

the statement 'you can he lp \'O'llrsetr in the manner and in the conte"t in which it waS u.ed here, amounled toan implied prt>mise that appellant l'oQu ld recei...., lighter punishment or no punilhment at all if he cooperated and made a stalement." Judge Patterson. writing for the court, 1£"\ oul the legal yardstkk 3 1 folf~, "The true test 01 ""Iuntarine " 01 e:.lra·jud icia l confesSions is whether, uncle, all lhe SU ' rt>und ing cin::umstances, Ihey h ....... been indu<:ed ~ a threat o r a promise, e:>:p ress 0 ' implied, operating TO produce in the mind of the prisoner apprehen'ion of harm Or hope of fa.or; and if 50, whe1her true or false, such confession, must be """Ioded from the considCfalion of the jury as having been procu"!d ~ undue influence_ See.lso Ex pilne McCary, 528 So.2d 1133 (Ala. 19881. "It has long been held, under Ihe right agairl'S! self~ncrimin,l!ion, thaI an irwolunta rily giwn confeSSion Or in· criminating statemenl is not admissible in a suiJsequent crimina l proseculion, A great va riety of cin::um5!ances may caUse a confession or i""iminat. ing Statement 10 be claSSified as in""Iuntary. Tile lesl applicable in both SIJle and federal prosecutions is whether Ihe confelsion WaS free and ""Iuntary; thaI is, it must not haw been e:>:tl<lCted ~ any sort of threats or violence, no< obtained I7,t direct or implied prt>mises, I-.owe\er ,light. nor ~ lhe exertion of any improper influence."

C. Gamble, McElroy'$ Alabama fvidence §200.QI (3d ed. 1977).

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t801 AusInlian II..,. So. &.it. 101 W. hltnBoooh. FL l3oIO& (8001 749·9060

....... l'ilnenon. in ~ !hole lepl the f.>cti.1ound N ~ Hobbs' imph,..j promi.., IhiII the defendanl could help himself under lhe ci,· cum'lance> ""ilting when lhe promise WoK made. would necessarily engender "hope oi ~ in the "ppell~n(s mind. fot lIIi ...... wn. !he OI.lemenl _ flO( ...:>Iuntanly .i ........ "nd should h_been excluded lrom lhe tonsider.lIon of the iury. prind~ 10

AI.b.o ..... 's st. tute p rohib iting b roU.-ing of .doption decl.red u n(o nstitu' io n .. I State v. Gooden. CR-89-384 t-\I •. Crim.App.. Seplembe, 21. 1990)-Crawford. his wife 300 lheir attorney w.,.e ~ately indicted lor M~isin, N tt.ev would -'opt child~ ~ ... holding our indut_I"; 10. ~ •.. 10 part with he< inl~nl child" in vjol.rion of §26-10-8, Code 01 ,.,Jab."", (19751. EM;h 01 the defend.onl"; ",.,....,.j 10 dismiss. cNllengin, the tonstiMion.l,ry 01 the sutute. AI. the heMin&. the stall!' _ ,tpO=,,!edbot~~~1

from lhe Office 01 me AtIOn1ey eer.er~l. 35 well a. anorney5 from lhe ... ,,,,,,.,,,,, Oepa.rtmeot oi Human Resou~ The iJllomey geoer"I's off"" had "problems wirh the wguerwm ond """" ~Iion <Ibout me coostil",iQNliry of the SIaI"'e i t il now stand s." The .non>eys from DHR fell "Ihal the SlarUle i. §OOOO." The ci..:uit eourt 01 Montgomery County iound N §26-1o.a. COOt 01 ~ lw"", (l975) _ coostiMioowlly defec· Ii .... On appe.l. the ... ,.1.>;0"", Court oi Criminal "'ppe.I.. in .n opinion aurhored bot Judge Bowen. affirrn«llhe ludJmenl oIlhe cireuil court. Section 26-10-8 stales in peo1Onent part

",101"-: II shall be unl_Iul for iHlY peown or peowns. orgiInl~alions. ho!-pital5 or ••weialions which ha"" not been licen....! bot lhe Stole Dep;lrtmenl 01 Human Resources 10 ~;.., rh.r ...... win ;dop: ch,1dten or place them in ~ .... homes or hold OUI ind~ menl"; 10 pa,enlS to part with their ofI.. spring 01 in any manne, knowin,ly become " party 10 lhe sepa'''lion of a child from ils fliIft'nl. patenl"; or guanlian except rhrough lhe commit· ment of a coun having jurisdiction. Under Article I. §6 of lhe ""al.>;o"", Consriturion of 1901. lhe right 01 an

.KCu....! 10 detNnd the rurure .nd ( ... se oi the .KCUsa1,on i. a f......... meot.ll compooem 01 the nghlto doe process; lhe defendanl must fully and InlelllJenlly uodets1;lnd the charge 10 adequ.lely prepa ... a defense. \buns v. SIiI&e. 343 So.2d 5-44 (AI.;I.crim.App. 1"97n. -Fun~ bec.use lhe charge is deri~ from a criminal "alule. lhe ItaMe ilself mu.I be wffi. cienlly delinire and cenain 10 paiS constilulion..l mUlre(." Newberry v. 5Lo!e. ",9J So.2d 995. 996-97 tAw.. 19861. In conclusion. Judge IkMoeo cnlinlly noted lhe followin,: ~

will 001 bel.bor Illis matler.

The stalule is 50 vaaue. ambiguous, and bro;d 1N1 ....sorwble ~ m.... necess.orily ,"""S.I its meanin, and diflet- i t 10 its "pplkalion. Iii , simply Impossible to It.le whar con· duel i. and is 001 prohibited under the SLoIUle. "In rhos p,lrticul.r ase. a sigrut;am indic.llion INlthe staMe ~ unco<lSl;" lUIion..l is found in lhe faC1lhal §261()..8 hdS been repe> led by 1990 ""a. A(1s. No. 90-554. known al lhe 1\1~ baIN Adoption Code; which be-tomeS dfecti"" J.nuary I, 1991 (omining ci1;lllonsl. The lill"ifoance is not merely in IhefaC1lh.1 §26-1()..8 has been repealed. oor in the compa,iiOO oi the specifie,ty and definiteness oi lhe new pro.~ IOOI with the .mbiJU'IY.nd '""sueness oi the old. "..• Comparison fA !hose pt'O'o'isions w,rt> §26--10-8 ~II the conspi<;uou5 glaring con>lilulional delkienci", of §26-1Q-8." Vehie ul.u homicide-efTOl" 10 in jed UrKh.a'led m isconduc i Turner ". StalE". CR-89-220 t-\1 •.Crim. "'pp.. Septemt)er 21. 199OI-Tu",e. was convicted of rh ..... CQUnl"; 01 ...t.icul.,. homicide and one CQUnl oi le.Jvin, the scene of ..... .KCiden'- On O<:tobe< V. 1988. Tume< w;l'; dIM",. loaded _ tra,le, Il\l<:k aoo ",n ~ red liglll io Sumi. Ion. ""al.>;om •. This traffic violarion (running the red light( oewlted in liJrner"s Uudc colliding with a smaU.utomobile. killing the Ih ..... occu~ inside. Dunn, tM deIen!e's n..,. the State e1iciled t~limony from M5. Pannell. lhe delendanfs ex-girlfrieod. ~gardin8 In..

use

01 .....,..-!he<oun..... diel polls. The

defense ob,ec!ed on the ground N nell

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not qual ifi,..j 10 t",lily '" 10 lhe e-ffe<:t5

oi die! pm. on lhe """,age perSon . The ...,.1.>;0.... Court oi C,imin.1 "'P\X'.ls

.-.

PtesM:ling Jooge Tavlor ~: .~. we .... oIlhe oponion rhat her lestimony waS unduly intbmrna.lory in Ihal it interjecled lhe issue oi drMng under the innuence 01 drugs into the tn.1 ........ though the "ppellant _ flO( charged in the indiclmeol willi INI ofIense. MmJ.hew ~ Stale. 542 So.2d]'o7 t-\I • .crim .... pp. 1986). The,efore. lhe l,i.1 coun erred bot allow,ng the Stale 10 elic.1 !eSt;" mooy hom Ms. P..... nell ... &Mding lhe use oi .....,..-Ihe<oumer diet polls.M The .ppell.le court . 1", found merir In lhe defendan!"1 conlention Ih~1 lhe trial coun e,red in ~using 10 gi-e his requested jury (~ rorKerning tM reQUiSlIf! men1;l1 in!en! foo- the offense oi le.Jving the scene oi the accidem. SpeciJ. ically. the court refused 10 eha"e on mental intenl I.>;o~ upon its holding lhal H2·1().1 (le;J\lin8 lhe scene) i. ~ 5IriCl liability cri"", ..,d no intefll or men1;Il stalf! ~ requ,red . Section lJA.2-4. Code 01 ""~b;tma (1975) slares in pertinent part: (bl""lhough n<) culpable ment.llt.lre is ... presslydeso ...... led in a Slaloe defining.., offense. ;wi appropo"'lf! culp..... meotalloWe""", ~"d.desl be lftIUired for the commission of N oiII'n .... or wirh tej.pl!CIIO !<>rIll:! 0<.11 01 the malcnal elements lhe""-'(. if rhe proscrilJe<j conduct neo:ess;Iroly In...:>I"", weh cu lpable mental sta .... A IIiIfulf! definl". a nlme. unlen Iy indicatln, • /es,sLirn.e IIItfflllO ,mpose 5l1lC! li.lb;llIy. 51i1teS ~ C""'" 01 menlill culpabU,!y. (Emph.sis added)

c""',·

Section 12.I().1 cont.ins no I.lngooge indicating tN! ~ iu SlfIClIi.lbihty C""",lief/,s v. 5Lo!e. 5J.c4 So.2d 1115 t-\Ia.c.im. App. t986). Thus, the issue oi the d,*,,"" dant"~ culpab,lity should h_ been presented 10 1M iury In lhe court'S lury cNrge. This is!rue espec:i.lly In li,ht oi lhe !eStimony rhal the defend.onl WoK found WlOndet-,n, cb«n the hi~ in a . Iale fA shock and luHeron8 from .mnesia imme!li.lcly following/he rol· lision. • I~nwry

199/

MeLE by keith B. No.man Di.Klm of Prog.arm,. AI.b<oma Stat.. Bar

On July 18, 1990. the MCLE Commission met at the Ri~",;ew Plaza in M0bi le. Al that rr>eeling. the Commission : app..,.,.,.], for 6.0 cted its, a mi><ed audience semina, on"S" corporations for both attorneys and CFl'\s offered I:ot Cumbed.rId InstilUle for CLE; ~rru l ed the director', original dedsion denying aCc reditation and aPf)<'O"ed. for 6.S credits, a COU~ on preYeming employee lawsuits SJlOIl""ed by the Uni""" ity of Alabama College of Continuing Stud ies; and

wai>ed Regulation 3.4 so that inlt'UC!O<S for a program on Ihe new rules 01 criminal procedure could claim elE cred it for their ~n1ation, without preparing separate materials. On Sep(embef 21, 1990, the MCLE Commission met at the state bar head. quartm in Montgomefy. At thal JJIOOIing. the MCLE Commission: reviewed a bar rnembe(s request for a waive' of Ihe MCLE requirement bee,u$<! he was called to active duty and ""ted that unde. Ru le 21:.1. when a reservist or a member 01 the Nationa l Guard is acti_ Vilte.] for mi litary duty, an attorn..,. is entitle.] to claim an exemplion from the MelE requi..,."."t for the year in which he or she is called and lot as long as he or she continlJeS 10 se"", in the military; aP!l«Mld llaining progr;lmi sponsored l>( WESlVW and lEXI S btcomputer-assisted legal research; upheld the directo~s decision dcnyingaccreditation lot a pr0gram on RCRA co.~ t ive action which had been de nied accreditation be<;au,", the program waS designed p<imarily fOf nonl3W')'ef'! in violation of Regulation 4.1.2.; upheld the direao~s decision denying accreditation fo r an e><etutive environmental briefing p.ogram which had been den ied accreditation fa< the

same reaSOnS as the previous program; ar.d approved fa' 6.0 c redits a m i;<ed audienceseminaron law and chu...:h sp0nsored l>( Cumberland Institute for CLEo On NO'>ember 7. 1990. the MClE Commission mel .tthe ,tate bar headqua~ in Montgomery. N.this !llI'e1ing, the Commission took the fol l ~in8 action; instructed the d irector to reque>t more inlormation before rMdering a decision on a bar membe~5 request lor a waive. of the 1990 ClE requirementl:Je. cause the membef would be on mater· nity leave from ju ly I. 1990, through December I, 1990;.nd aJ>Pf"O""d lot 6.0 ClE credits, a nur>ing home law semina. for mi;<ed audiences sponsored by the Cumberlar.d tnslitute for CLEo The Commission granted aJ>Pf"O""d sponsor status for 1991 to the spon~ listed belc..v, Accredited law schools (ABA, AALS); Adminiwative Office of Courts.o\labama jud icial Col lege; AI .... bama Bar Institute for Continuing legal Education; Alabama Consortium of legal SeNices Prog.ams; Alabama Criminal Defense I.awyen AsSOCiation; Alabama Defense Lawyers Association; Alabama Diwie! /\Itomeys Associalion; Alabama Lawyers AsSOCiation; Alabama State Bar and bar sections; Alabama Trial Lawyers Association; American Bar Association ar.d ba' sections; American College of Trial Lawyer>; American Low In>lituteAmerican Bar Association, Commilt"" on Continuing Professional Education; Associalion of T.i al Lowyet'; of America; /\I1"nta Bar Association; Baldwin County Bar Association; bar associations of the sister states, the Distrid of Columbia, Pue"o Rico ar.d the trust territories; Des,.,.,...,r Ba. Association; Birmingham ·Ba. ASSOCiation; Commen:ial Low league

Fur.d for Public Educalion; Continu ing legal Education Satellite Netm:>rk; Cumberland Institute for Continuing legal Education; Defense ReseaJl":h I",titute; [st3te Planning Council of Birmingham, In<:.; Federal Energy Ba. A,sociation; Huntsville-/Y\adison County Bar Msociation; InstiMeson Bankruptcy Low; Inter· national Association of Defense Cwnsel u,gal section .. agency programRJ.s. and state 8<"Ml<nments; Mobile Bar Associalion; Montgomery County Bar Association; Montgomery County Trial t..wyers Msociation; Nashvil le Ba. Association; National Association 01 N.tomeys GeMral; National Association of Bond I.avvyers; NJtional Assoeiation of Railroad Trial Counsel; Nationa l Bar Association; Nalional College of Dimict Attorneys; National College of ju>enile Justice; N.... tional Health Llwyers Assoeiat ion; N.... tional lnstitute 01 Municipal Low Officer>; Nationallnslitute fa< Trial Ad\OCacy; Nalional judicial Col lege; National Legal Aid and Defenders Association; NJtional Organiution of Social Security Claim. ants' Rep<esentati..es; National Rural Elet:tric Cooperative Association, legal Division; Patent Resources Group, loc.; Practising Low Institute; Sourr.v.etem legal Foundation; len""""" Association 01 Crimil)al Defense I.awyen; Transportation Lawyers Msoci"tion; Tuscaloosa County Bar Assoc iation; and Tuscaloosa County Tria l Lawyers Association. The Commission also, for the fim time, granted a~ ~ponsor ~tatus to the following three sponsors: Bessemer Bar As5ociat ion, National CoIiegeof jU\oen ile justice ar.d Tuscaloosa County Tri~1

In other matters, the Con'mi~sion voted to continue its paSt policy of denying credit for topics dealing with >lress; \Oled to adopt a policy that no more than 20 percent of an a~ sponso~~ accredited prog,..ms be mi;<ed audien<:e seminar>; and voted to table until its next meeting a request by the Ethics Educ .... tion Commillee fo the Alabama State Bar to amend Regulation 3.5 to allc..v ""t,.. credit fa< bar members attending al>" prtIYed CLf program~ dealing with the J\eW rules of conduct. •

"Is That All There Is?" (Til,. ponion 01 ~ OUrgoing presidenn fi1\ol! ~dd~ appea~;n 1b1.19, No. 42 01 the Bar Bullerin, an offocial publica. tion oIlhe Slille &ar 01 New Mexico.) coupIo. d months '8D, rm SUn! ........". ~ the r.lory ;n the ~II 5treel too",.1 0I3n 3nOlney in l.lIramie. '-""rOming. Becky Klem!. She had gooefl • $4.000 child suP\lO!1 Judgment lor ~ c!;ent The e<-hu~ had left \Y\o)mins and ~ 10 to!; Angel~ so Becky Wl()le m<I"Y leners 10 los Angeles seekA

of \00

Ing an al10rney w~ WO<lld OOIle<:11he judgment lor ner c!i."t. She w.ai!<!d, but

"tea'i'"!d no ~~ Fi""lIy,. ~. lei' .m-! 110m SI~ G. Corris, • solo ~I~ in 'rvin& C.lifom~. II oe...:l as foll~: "\'I,!I'QUI SO\Ind ing pretenl ious. my CU'~I ""'inet

for r.se. is • Hat S100.00000. wilt. an additioNl cl\;J,.e of Sl.OOO.oo per houf. Si","", I spec:i.li~e in i"","",lioN! trade in geo.polilic~ .elations bel'MlOO the Middle ear.l and Europe. my clientele (which was misspelled) is very unique 300 limi~ •• nd I ;tm "-raid thai I am unablt> to xap! ()!!w, at this time.w This Iene< il>lP~ Becky 10 W1i1e wtuI

..m

has nqN become • f3m()IJS lenet around

the country. She began:

-st-. I~ go! ""'..., )'OU canl say JOO ch.lrge . $100,000.00 retainer ft'O! and an additional 51.000_00 an hour without soundinB ~entiOlA .. especI3Ity if)OO are w,iting kl ~ne in Uo"amie, ~jng. wlom; )'Oll ~~ considered pretentious If you Wf'~r I<>Ck~ 10 roun , ... Helt Ste>e. a il lhe Iawye<'< in l,,,,amie put togelher don·' charge $1.000.00 an hour:" She !hen mentioned I~ he< Ww firm in lawn;'" h..J an inlemalioNl fI<MIf t-:au"," people ~I the firm regu1.Jrly ordered Mexican food and one panner had <lC1ually studied a foreiHn language, l<ltin, in high ~hOOI and wggested that

Don't let your Alabama Lawyers get worn, torn or

thrown away, Order a binder (or two!) at $10,00 each from: Th. Alabama Lawyer P.O. Box 41 56 Montgomery, Al 36101 or call (205) 269-1515

pert.aps a merst=' oJ lhe two f,rml Will In order. She continued: "Ste>e, let U'l kll(M" wnen we ~kI ;o.;n )'Oll in Calilotnia lO that we C/ln begin doing wha-.. it il that )'Oll do. In anticipation oJ the ~ we\oe a ll been pr<lC1idng trying 10 la'( we charS" 51.00000 an hour wilh a straighl face, bul we """"n·1 been able to do it .... ~. because 111 be new 10 the alN oJ ;ntem;ltioNl trade and ~ilical ~Iation .. I·m minking oJ only charsing $500.00 10 $6OIlOO kl begin with. Will that CQ'o'er our ove.headt P.s. Ir.o:itlenlal. Iy, we h~ advi~ our client oJ you. hourly .ale. She is willing 10 ~ jOU $1.000.00 an hour 10 collect this Iud.· ITOf<lt pro.rided it doe root t.JIoe _ than four leCOI1ds." Welt 8ed<y Kleml ~ lir.o:e gotten job offers and marria8e proposal s from all IM!f the COUntry. In fxt. the main offi« oJ ArrrooJ in uh/omi.o rea;mn1oe"d.d 10 the region.;Il offi« in 0 - - that !hey hire IIed:y solely on the Iwsis oJ !he lettO!f. So, "8"in, t paM 10 joQU aboul!he pqc. tic. oJ law and !he sean:h lot the ultimate number oJ billable hours. As Pes8Y lee once Solng. "Isthal~1 tlom; i~ ',-oJ jOU who I»f1icip,lte in other good c;JUIt'S know thai lhere is much more 10 the p.acti« oJ law.

Opinions of the General Counsel QUESTION: The Disciplinary Commission has bee<! .,k«llo review Ih_ similar ma rketing schemes offered by Ihe Perwnallnjury Trial l.Hwyers Association, 111(., 6ankrupl<:Y Nto'''''Y$

Trult and DWIIDUI Defen ... league. PilLA (the

~11n

jury Trial liIwye" A,sociali on, Inc.), is o'R"nized

as. noo-

prof,t corporation under Ihe laws 01 the State of Delaware. Detaited "",rerials 01 this naMe are not """ilable in ~e to the Bankrupl<:y Attorney,; Trust or the D\Vl!DUI Defen ... Lugue. but Ihei, organization and go..eroance is belie-.W 10 be so similar that discussion oillle Pil LA program will be sufficient 10 add ..... , the other 11'00. ANSWER:

In the view allhe Disciplinary Commission. participation by an Alabama

I"""""" in any 01 the three programs d iscussed herein, f\>oonal Injury Trial liIwye<' N!".>ciation, 111<;., the Ban kruplCy Anor""Y$ Trust, 0/ the ONIIDUI Defense lBague, v>ouid COOSIiMe a breach 01 the Code 01 ProIffiioll.ll Respoosibi/ity. DISCU SS ION:

Temporary Disciplinary Rui<' 2·10210 ri lhe Code prohibit$ Ihe p.lrticipation 01 an Alabama lawyer in a for-p rofil refe"al §ervire. Whii<' il is acknowledged Ihal PlTLA Myles itself a rIOt1Or-profil corporalion, and further ackt-.cwrledged!hal!he Stale 01 Delaware has granled nol.for·PrQfil corporale ,talUS 10 PlTLA, lhe admon ition ri Tem!X>«lry DR 2-102(0 is not soi<'ly determir.ed by the tal< status 01 the corporate entity. One intem ri DR 2.102(0 is K> p""",m in-person or lelephonic mar· ket ing of 1eg.1 seNic", by non-law',.,,1. aoo by organizations Or entities nOl subject to d irect ~ulation by the authorized ~ulatory agency. lie" Ihe state bar). Anolher pu,JXI5" of lhe rule is 10 p""",nt fee-splitting by l;:,wyers with non-I;:,wyers, aoo a third porpos.e is to limit the economic factors that might encourage so licitat ion , The notfor_profil language is suggested by Uniled Stales Supreme Coun opinions in the Primu, and Buttoo C""",, In,.,. Primus, 436 U.s. 412 (19781 and N"-"I:.P v, Buuon, 371 U.s. 415 (19631. Accordingly, t~ programs violate the spi,it, if noI lhe leI_ ter, d OR 2-102(0. Compliance with the fOrm is nOl tfle 5.lme as compliance with the spirit 01 the I\Ile. It is our opinion Ihat Ihe d,ane rs ri this rule intended Ihe not·fo,-prool refe,ral service concep( to lim it the operation of refe". 1 services 10 tM>e organized and operated 10 seNe Ihe public and to pro;ide inlormation about legal setvices to the disadvantaged;

The Alabama Ulwyer

something mOte in the nalUre d a public ~ than a limitalion on lhe corporale or taxable ,taluS oIthe service wa, Ihe motiv;Jtion behind this prco.-ision. For-pro/it §ervices are not petmltted due. at leaS! in p.lrl, to the fee-splining consider;>lions mentioned ea,lier, H~r. as pII"Vious ly stated. these issues do nOI form lhe basis ri our opinion. A more deletminati'" i,sue, particularly in refe rence to lhe Personal tnjury Triallawyets Associatioo, Inc.• a,ises from In.. impl icalioo 01 ""p"rli§e or spe<:ia liution COf\'\-eyed by !he lilie ri the corporalion. Temporary Di>eiplinary Rule 2-101, when read in tOtality. and when read logether with Temporary DR 2-104. clear ly prohibilj any Implic~tion Or S!alement 01 specializat ion or ""pe't ise. The Supreme Court ri Alabama. in recognizing that some types d truthful aoo ooo--decep(i.,., inlotmation about the educ3t;ona l qualifrcations and certifications granled 10 l;:,wyers by outside certifying org,mi;tations shook! be allowed in attorney ad"""ising. adopted Temporary Di>eiplinary Rule 2-112, which prco.-ides lot Ihe aPl'""",1 01 certifying organizations i7I' the Alabama Slate 8ar prior K> inclusion 01 thaI informalion in anorney ad.,.,rlising. The provisions 01 the!<' v;Jrious Di>eiplinary Rules are §el forth herein, t<>-wit: "Temporary OR 2·1(12 Advertising (0 A l;:,wye' shall not Si.,., anything 01 v;Jlue to a person 10, recommending the I~r's services. ""cepl that a l;:,wyer m;ry pay tn.. reasonable cost 01 any ad..ert isement or wrilten communication pe,m ined by this rule and m;ry pay lhe usual chatge5 of a noI-Ior-pmlil l;:,wyer refe,ral §ervice." Temporary Oisciplin~ry Rule 2-101 provides as fo llows: " DR 2-101 Communk aliom Concerning a LilW'/er's Sen>fces A I~r Sha ll nOl make Or cause to be made a false or mislead ing communicat ion aboul the I~r or the lawyer', services. A communication is false or mislead· ing if it: (AI Contains a m3tetial misrepresentation 01 fact or law, 0' omilS a fact necessary to make Ihe stalemenl considered as a whole not materially mi sleading. (g) Is likely to create an unjustified e> pectat ion about resullS Ihe lawyer can achieve, or stales or implies Ihal the I~, Can achi ........ resullS i7I' means Ihal violate the rules ri professional conduct or other law; m (0 Compa'es the quality 01 the lawyer's servlees with Ihe qual ity 01 OIllet' lawyers' services. ""Cepl as provided in Temporary DR 2-104.

(D) Communic,!eS the cenifiGOtion 01 the ~ by a cMilyins organiz.;otion excepl as ~ in Tempo<ary DR 2·112,· TempcK3ry Di sc iplinary Rule 2-104 Slates

as 101i0'0'l'S: · DR l·H)4 Communication .... F;..!ds of PrK1ic~ A I~ maycommunlO>tethe Iac1 ~t the ~ does or does nor pnd;o, in p.v!icular foelds of r..w. A law)ef Mlall not j.L;Ite or imply th.lt the lawo,er is II speciailit except as

follO'o'l'S: WA 1<IW)O'r admin~ 10 ~1I"1je in p;>IenI poxtice befonlthe Unih!d Slates P;otenliind lridemafk Of. lice Ina\' use the desiption '1M" tenl anorney' Of II $UbSl.antiaTly similar designation. (6 ) A I"""",r eng;:ogOO in admiralty pra<:I;o, Ina\' use me designation 'admi",lty.' 'p<OCtOr in admi",lty' Of ,,~11y wnilM desilV'll"

tion." ~ry Disciplil\llry Rule 2·112 pro. yjdes liS follaNs: "DR 2-It2 Ad_1i~i"ll 0/ C~rtifica

tlun W A ~ sh.lll nor ad~ise m.t he ..... been cen,flftl by II cetlity;ns orpntz.;oIion, ..,~ the cMifyins Of· "",Iz.;otion h.ls been ~ for ;d. vemr.ing of certifklliioo by the pro. c~ures set Iortk below. (81 AI)j)IUViII of ~rtilying Org.;lnizalions shall be granled only upon a finding th.ltthe adver1isin8 by II Iawte< of II CertlfOC;Mion by the certilyin8 o.g.>n,ution will pr0vide meaningful information that is not raise, misleading. or decepli-e, 10< use of Ike public in selecting or f\!talnlng a Iaw.,.,r. (0 The procedures lor appro.-al of" cetlilying <>rplization sh.lll be as follows:: (l) AppIic;u:,on for a~1 of a cemlyi"ll OfSM'ization sh.l11 be made to the Gener.1 Counsel of the AI. 1»ma St~te 8ar pur· suant to loUCh prtXt<jUII:'s;lS the Gt'ne<al Counsel may from lime to time establish in wril· I... The appIicitlion shall be :occompanied by a reawnable .pplicatioo fee 10 be set by the General Counsel. Such pr0cedures aod fees shall rIOt be

~i-..e

unhl.1'JIfO'o'"d br!he Disdplin.ry Commission. (2) The ~I Counsel sh.lll make such l_ill"lion, ~I Or informal, n he shal l deem netl!'Ssary or desirable. Upon conclusion .... his IlM'S1ill"tion he sh.lll prepaA! • wriltefl ~ port appro.;,.. Of d~,.. the cenilyins o.g.>niz"tion. (l) Upon "I'Jl'V"I1 by the Gener.tl Counsel of the ce<tilying or· gan,zallon. Ifle Gene.al Counsel sh.J1I S,-e not,ce of the ap-

""""I.

(4) If !he Gener.1 Counsel disapPf'M'd of the cenl/ylng organ;" zation, then the lIpp1ic..,t Ina\' within tix!'( (601 days of the date of the c-..I Coun~I's report appeal the disapp"",,1 to the DiscipHnary 803rd 01 the Al.Jbam.o Stale Sar, which ....11 auign the "PPNlto , ~ of the 8o;trd for • hearing. The hearing sh.lll ~ conducted in ~ pooceeding de IXMl, with the burden .... pnx>f on the ~ppli· Cant. All cost! of the appeal proceeding shill be laXl.'d to !he 1Ipp1'C..,!. (5) The OIPP1ic.o>1 or the eene..1 Counsel....,. appeal the order of the p.:mel of !he Disciplinary Board Ii !he Supreme Court of Alabama pursuant to the Alabama Rules Ii ApP"liate Procedure and Rule 8(d) of the Rul~ Ii Disclpllna.y En· iorcemenl. (6) The ap~1 of a cenilylnR organizahon sh.lll be eIiecti-..e for fi-e years from tfw. date of the apprcwal; pro;ided, howe.oer. thallor rt'a$OOlIi>Ie cause, the General Counsel Ina\' withdrom in • wri!len rt'portme iIPpru.al Ii a cen,ty;ng organiz.;o.. tion, which w,thd.awal may ~ appealed to the Disciplinary Board undet Ike $.lime pr0cedures as If an application were d; ... pp~ by the (;en. =1 Counsel. The burden 01 PlOOf sh.lll remiin onlhe cern. Iy,ng orpnlUlIon." II is OUt opinion th.lt the nllme .r.... wnallnjury Trial lawyers Association" is an implicit stalemenl "'8"rdlng cMinca-

lion, spKialiurion .. Hpe1t'se. It "ou. funne. opinion tIw this nMne omits ""'" necessary to make the t"~' uken n" whole, not materially mi.~ad;ng and lhereby constitu,<!S a pC< se violation of the abo>e<ited Disciplinary Rules. We h.lve notl'li in reaching Ihlt conclusion th.lt the "Slandards 10< P."t<:ipalion'", ~iously ~ed hereto "nd made a pitt hefeof, anemflllO esubliloh ........ min,mum sundords to be 1Ipp1,1'Ii to at· torneys participal,ns In lhe PlTLA program. These ... me "and.rd~ create an add,tiona l implication Ihat lawye.s pat· ticip,lting in !he PlTLA progtam h.lve been cemfoed Of ~ Ot endorsed by thIS group Of enmy and found 10 be t\ese<vinR ofiroclusion in !he PlTLA pro"am. In OIl. view til,s quasl<erlifocation slaodard violates the P«l"isions of li!fn. po.ary Disciplinary Rule 2·112 and tr.e ;mpli~ comparison with I~ dlO(lS. ing not 10 participate in the program,lew w .... _ te.>!Ofl. is vIoI.,I,-e of DR 2·)(lI(Q.1O the II'<leIltlh.lt panicip.ation in the Otke< pt'OIIr.tmS consKlefed t..-.n is ~ by simllotr pn:...;sions, they iIIl! . Iso violative of these portions of the

Code PIlLA maintain! thai il is a coop"filti-..e idYenir.in& >eflIUrt' among ~ but ,''''' is not • factually w.;Uoi....trle posi. lion. No group of ~rs ;tS§OCla!ed lhemsel-es together 10. the purpose of m;lrl<efinglheit 5eIVices as a group- In the insta~ of PlTLA, and In the Instance of Sankrul"CY MorIll!YS Tru!o1 aod the rNVV 001 Dtfense ~ag .... , a sophi!o1icall'd matketing .nd ~~'S,nR scheme _ put 10(tI"ther by non-~ who then tflCrul~ a groupoll~ to p.lr1ocipall;! ,n lhe program. When this hn been compietl'li t~ ad~islng agency then interlaces with the public, through nonI~ peBOnnel, in an environment IOIalIy sep.:lt;lte and ap.wt from Iho!: super. v~, direction, or control 01 ¥'Of of !he ~ i"""-=t in, Of benefitlns from, !he ~in8 P'OS"'m. 'Nhile!he ad-.er. ti~ents U1i1iU!<! by PlTlA. aod lhe OTher programs, may include lhe disclaimer, as requi.1'Ii by DR 2·102([), aod <NY IrochJde the ~me of a Iawte< Pill" ins lew the pI.ocemeRt .... the ad [DR 2·102(D)L il is ve<y doubtful !hat !he ~ ~ is, in 1ac1, ~ble io< the conlent of the ad Of Ih.lt he in any way el<eICises any meamngful control OYer any aspect of lhe marketing pro-

gram. Once again, an apparent adt-eoce 10 tl"le Iorm of tl"le rule e<i~ without due (~tion of the sub!-lance, 01 j~ent. of the rule. Urde-r thel.e Pf08I;ams a tflUin nurnbe-< of ...:fo,oertlSlng sioo are available in a given. defined marl;<!I. PlTLA "",leIials indicote thai "refernJs are handled on a sIrict roIaIioo balis and member! 1Nti~ <!<lire as rna...,. ~ltions as they desire. Of course, the more rotation slots per at· torney will en .... nt:e the tota l pen:enrage of the numbe, of refer.als 10. that Whatever this marketing sclleme is, it is nor a true refe.ral 5e",i(e. nor is il a lrue roopefative advertising "",lUre ~ttJrnej'S. Pursuanl to lhe rules of Pilrtidp;uion, an entire market ( an be c.opCured Ill' one ~ 01 I...... firm willing to make an KQn<>mic c0mmitment. Uncle< such • scenario the

""""00,...."

amon,

I...... firm would reo:eive ~I Seneoated. an oopp;Irent mn· ceptu;l1 inconsistency to the ~I-pro

1<OW)'l!'r

"~I1'"

gowrning boards Otpnlud pri"",.ily 10 meet boo, ad""'"isrnS (titerl", the ""'in point of common inleff!Sl is eco"Ot,,1c; all of the P"Iicipanl5 INke t""'i, checks out 10 the _ market,ns oopnization. Such OIpfliution;" suucture as there is, is imposed from the outside along I t eco..o",ic I",es, a di!otinc1ion in no way apparent to the consuming public thoush, in all lik~lrhood, of inte<eSl to ,hom. The n~mes of these SlOOP' ""'''' not chosen by accidenl. ConceplS soch as Slrenglh lhrough numbt.'fS, SlOOP WI" JIor1, focused 1@1$.illsand the like are all a PiI" of lhe inteno:ied wblimin~1 mess.age corr.e.,ed IJy n.omes of these Pf08Iams, and t.... t makes lhe messooges mislead,"," The SlOOP ~, 01 as«>ciation.ol implicarion, Is Villi<! only in a limited, emnomic sense. There ire no other meaninsful mociallOOoll dIa~stics.

Theconsumins public 1$ lead ro believe thai, by callinS a WATS number mentioned in a very slid, professional ad, 1hP,r are bei"" plU88ed inlO a net· worlt of corin .. con>pf:Ien~ highly "'" pe,ienced lawye", selected and ~ Ill' 'IOITIe SlOOP 01 entity and poesenIt'd 10 the public: wearins the """'" tie of ";H~oclalion". In facl, few, il a...,., of these aswmp'ion~ are jUSliflfd, oot tho! public has no my of knowing this lrom the inlo.malion PfO'iided. Competent, e:.pe,ienced, dedic~ted I~ may pa •. ticipale in lhese programs, but the implication is Il\;It all participants meet §Orne higher !otand~rd, and it 15 this implication !hat 15 50 uoubiesome and so diff..;ult 10 iUSl'fy. This implicalion also consI,rull'S a cleM violation of OR 2·101,

I"'"

DR 2·K)4 "nd OR 2·112. While these POOPS do JIOI mirn to be afIifying oopnilllion~ sub;er:. to appn:o.ral under OR 2·112, an anal"" of their "oethod of operation and ..tve.Iising conlent Ieawi the imjl<eSsion tl\;lt

mimed mutuality of inteteSl embodied in the program. A one-l.1wyer relerral..e.·

lhey operate wry close 10 I"'" liroe. 'lYe h<M! already opined that there ""ists an infe,ence 0/ nsociational aa;epraoce and endorsement. WI! believe this infe"'llCe to be suffiCient ly !ot,on.. and of ....:h a (I\;Ir.KIef, as to con!otitute a brea<:h of DR 2·101(0) and DR 2·112. hken in totllrty, all of these """"etins prosrams mUSl be viewed as ~ns 0U1Side the permiss''''' p"rameten f!SIab. lished by 1M "'~booma Code of ~ Jional R<!SpOOsibilily land the Alabama

vi(~

is a sham, as is a one-Iawye. coop~.ati"" advertising venture. The Disciplinary CommisSion is lu.· the, troubled I.>; the impli(ation that PlTLA, et aI., a,e orpnlzed group' or a •..xialions of I~ t.... t ........ Come

Richard Wilson & Associates

together 10 oller ~if..; legal servkes 10 the p.rbIic. None of Itoese PiI"k\lI.1, pro~

aJIlUin 01 R!qIJire MlY me.1ninsful

Regi stered Pro fessional Court Reporters

orpniulion;Il WUClu,e "mong PiI"id·

""0II'If!VS.

~ing There are no resul.1r ..-ings, no er:iu("tion.ol 01 S(lCi.ol pro""m5; In sI>orI. no in<:~1S of a ACItllliI oopniution 01 ;HS(lCiation las used in Perlonallnjury Tn.1 ~ I\ssoci.ltiotr 01 ONIIDUI De('<l5e League) (emph<ls4s added). While there may be ma,;,; mail· ings to al l p,lrticip,lnts, and pro IcKma

17 Mild.ed St,eet Mo<1 tgomery, Alalnma 16t04

264-6433

49{A) & (8)]

~"'1NSJALtA1JCW AND S/JPPOIJT OM$ION WE WII.l. INSMU. wrus

~Z-l

EIC

ON A PfR HOUR Fff &\'lIS WE wtl.l ALSO IHSW..J. COlIPUTfJI

CA81.I<'G R]II SAtAt.L OR I.AIIGC NHYoI:»'I.<S; SIX:H AS IfIAI to«ENIIJNG R]II MORE INfORAWlON CUl ~ a2J.r905 R]II ~ BUSiNESS

>IOM£ ",S1A/.UD QUOTE.

•

HENDERSON PRIVATE INVESTIGATIONS

COMDAT CORPORATION

'lKJR(JPffll£C1.

Rules of Prolessional Conduct, etlect:i..., January I, 1991, and ~ntially simil.1. in aU material respects). AccOldinsty, "'" are of the opinion Ih~t PiI"kipation in these prog'ams Ill' Alab;lma an~ I'oOUld be ethically iAlprope,. [R().9().

....

. -;.,..,-.00 ' 0 . . . - _ '0. ' R

f;:ON f ,DEN TlAl · OISCAUf

--"

UCENSEO · IIONDEO

"" ... ...,.,., '''..·1

...",.......'" "

Memorials J;omM A.

Av.ry-Lo~1

Admlned: 19n Died: ()ec.. m~' 16, 1990 ~ P~I,d

(l923·))) and as a member of llle AI .... llama SWe Il;v 6oon:I of Commissiontfl 0949-51). As a ~ he __ at the old KhooI-

Brown, ,.,--MoriNll,

Mi<h~

Admined: 19c4l1 1Md: ()eaombef I. 1990

ooIorful, ~ious,. alW3\'S an ~~ ~~ and always a worthy foe. E'<@n In his losses (wt.ich were r.rd, his 0pponents alW3\'S knew they had been in a fight

( I.,t n« William Dunker- Modesto,

Californl. Admlned: 1935 Died: August 9, 1990 w..11~

lUlie's ct.araaer wa5 ~ognjzed early

FI'ftIe1ck EisrobooO-tlunlWille

Admined: 1947 [);ed: November 8, 1990

John Osc.r Ha,ris-Monllomtrf Admitted: 191~ Died: December 19, 1990

Gifford 1Ie"nf'ti Hayll('S, J•• - Bessemer Admined: 1969

Died:

N~t-

27, 1990

eeo.se Will"m Mc:Bu,ney-Flor..nu Admined: 1940 Died: Augu!.l 11, 1990 Wwdlaw Ri!mPJ' Mckinney, Jr.-Mobile Admlned: 1%5 Died: Oec~mbe< 6, 1990 J,.l" 8'anlon M<:Mjnn-T_.~

Admined: 19111

Died:

N~mbef

25, 1990

"'Ivin I'ooIe-C_iU.. Admitted: 1917

Died: 5epIember 20, 1990 Hubert lee Taylor-J.Sp(>'

Mmined: 1967 Died: NOW:moo. 8, 1990 ElizaMIh

Jo/I""",

Wilb.onb-

Mer enpsina in !he aeneral p<actic .. oilOM' in G...emillt, "I;.bam., lor more ~n 60 ~rs. "'Ivin Poole died ;II t.or~ber 20. 1990. He Is survM!d bv OOI!"""'. Eli~ C. Poole, also. I~ 1'0\0 gJiloosons, both of whom are 1_ yet'! •• nd four gre.!·gr.mdcllildren. Poole was born on a farm in Butler Counry 00 Au8US1 26, 1893, and receiloed t.is ~ndergradu,)te deg_ in 1914, Pt.i 6eca Kappo, and his""" degree in 1917 from !he Uni~1y cI ...b~. He enJis.led in !he Army in 1917, -.rnmmis~ and ~ with dOOnelion with !he 7Ih Inf.nlry Regiment He -.- sent 10 Fw-ee wirt. the .... E.F. "nd participated in tile ballies cI the Marne, Sr. M ihiel alld Meuse-.'.rgonne. He was awarded the Purple Heart for v.ounds re~ived in comhat • Poole enlered !he sent"'1 pr;1CIice cI """ in C"""",ilie in 1920 i>IId conlinued in pUoClia unlil his letimne-nl in 1986,

'irmi~

.periodat61~",He~asCOUllly

Admined, 1916 Died: 0cI0ber , 7, 1990

solicilo< (1921·23), d.c~il solicilO.

..... De"" ....,. Farrah wl>o commented In a I~!bled J~ly 27, 1917, In whlet. he recommended him for a COfM"Iowon: "Mr. Poole is a good man, menlillly, ~nlly n mOfilJIy, " man who dilchatged with fidelity "'er)I d~1y piKed upOn him during his connection with !he Law School ... He has, in a reman:..ble r:legrft, Ille quali!ies of " leader and v.ould Inspire the confidence and re\.Pf!CI of Other men." His ability again drew comment in mo from his old friend, J.Q ~I (!hen edio" cI The JUabarN lirWl""'", who re~ 10 him ~ "" Ye<Y oeourceful J.rN. \"!f, who hH !he unrnnnv ~1Iy at beo"ll at the right pIao:ea1lhe riglll ~." 31,!k lirwye< 365 Uuly 1970). A(SO i>CIive and succ.... sfu l in business. Poole served /or YNfl as a dire(lQr and lacer ~ chairman at the ~rd at The Fiflol Nation;l( Bank 01 Gre.mville. !(nown 10. t.is sharp wj, as well as lor his ~L u.1en~ Calvin Poole will be long miS10ed ;md nor readily ~IKed. H. Ed..ard M<:Fer.in Poole'" McFer.in

Grftnville,

AI~b.1ma

Disciplinary Report Disbarment • The Sup reme Coun of Alahama entered an order NtM>mber n, 1990, disOOrring Birmingh.lm 1<lW)ef J~rnes C~n non, Jf.. eI1ec1i~ December 26, 1990. Cannon failed 10 file a respons ive plead ing 10 cenain di sciplinary charg", pending againSI him, an<t thus, was found guilty thereof. lASS Nos. 8/l.-747, 88-770 and 89·1831

Public Censure • On N"",mber 2, 1990, Chari", Clifford Carle •• an "'Iaba"", I"",""" practicing in Columbus, Georgia, ",as PlJblicly Ceflsur'lId for violating Disciplinary Rul", 6-101 (AI, ]·101 (A) (1) 12) & (3), and (·102 (A) (5) of the Code of ProfesSional ~sibil;!y of the Alaham. St3te Ba •. Carter ~Ied a I:>ankrupl· cy petition in the United Sia ies 8anknoJllCl' Coun lor the Mid. die DiWict 01 Alabama fo< a diem, and thereafter fai led to . nend the first meeting of creditor,;. fa iled 10 time ly submit a conformable proposed plan, failed to atteod t....:> "sho.v cause" hea rings ordered by the bankruptcy judge, and failed to make a timely refund of his lee to his dient when orde<ed 10 do so by the coon.

Cane, wa. suspended from practice befOf(> the Bankrupty Court for one yea , and w.lS found by the Discipli'nary Boood of tfle Alabama State Bar to h~ wifffuffy neglect«! a legal mane' entrusted 10 him, to h~ fai loo to seek lhe lawful Qb. ieai ...... of hi. cl ient. inrenlionaffy failed 10 ca rry out a con-tract of emplC>fment entered into w ith his client, preiudicoo 0 ' damaged his dientdu'ing thecourseof a professional rei... tionship, and e ngaged in condUC1that is pre;udiciallO the ad· ministration of iustice. (ASB No. 89·S01I

Private Repr imand • On N~be; 2, 1990, a lawyer w.lS privately reprimanded fo r mak ing false Or misleading communications about the lawyer or the lawyer's serv ices. The lawye' ran an ad ..... rtisement seeking e ledion to a judgeship. In that advertisement, the lawyer made mater ial misrepreseotiltions, o mit" ted facts nl'Cessa'Y to make the statement considered as a whole not materia ll y mi. leading. and compared the quality of the I"""",~> servkes w ilh the qua lity of othe' lawyers' se'· • vices. lASS No. 90--406]

Time & Money Not hi ng is more importa nt to your practice The Alabama State Ba r provide, services and produels 10 save you time and money. Membership services a re avail able to you at linle o r no co.!. These services are provi ded for you as a me mber. If you are in lerested in saving ti me .100 money, ca ll ASB to obtain funher information COIlcerning any of the membership serv ices liS!oo : C~r rental discounts CLE seminar schl.'dules FAX ... ,vice ~Ih i" opiniOI\$ G,oup hospitJI, disability and life ;l\$u,alKe Law of Ike cOl\$ufting ........ ice Lawyer releffal L<.>gislative ne ..-slet!er LEXIS Prole5iional journal R.".,rls of Alabama Supreme Court dl'Ci,ions Sl'Ctions {l4 different ue ... of practice} SubstalKe abu ... as.istalKe Travel prosrams

Riding the Circuits Tallapoosa Counly Bar Association The following officer> """ re elected for the 1991 year: President

Vice-president:

SecretarylTreawre r:

E. Paul Jones, Alexa nder City Cha rles Reynolds, Alexand e, City Charles R. Gi llenwaters, Alexande r City

ASB· Ala bitma State Bar· (205) 269·1515

ing ankles. Amonglhese. lhe VLS is developing ptQf«1S addressing iHl/e'; \oUCh as qualll'( oIlile lot- Alab.lma aI1OmeyS. and v... ious prcrblerm facins law srr.rdenrs and pre-l.ow SIur:Ients. I !hlnk !he VLS Is uniquelV SUI!ed !O ad-

Young Lawyers' Section

n December 8, 1990,theE><-

Con'm,_

!he""

eeuIIYe of b.ima Slate 8;a, Young L1w. yffl' Section met 10< lhe foulth aod ftn.ol.ime 011990. The meeting WitS

a ~ins~. The rommineoe L1id the ~ for in ambitious and impoil.>nl ageod;I 10< alend.lt yea, 1991. Harokl ,l,ibrinon, ~idenl of the~!e bar, attooded the meeling as a speciallrrviIed gue1 and ~ much illS'gh! and encou'¥""">1./or whidl ~ .. ,.. graie/ul. Allhough it would be Impossible for me 10 mention "II oi the ~ and p ll with which the YLS is in~, 1 lab !his OJIIX)RUIlily IOdi§cuss a lew of the hIghlights.

Bar ildmissions ceremo ny Ext. ~ar,!he YLS aswmes the tMk oi pI...,nina the I»< ildmiW<.>ns orremany lor . - admon-. The ~ rnooies pttMde ..., importanl oppor. [uniry f(}l' fri~, and family to gather in ~~ to watch iIS new lawyo!fS begin their a.1IeS ;tS profes-

in AIiIbarnII'f IesaI (D'IYlUllt,'. The ~ is ma~ by t..P!'inen aod solemnity, 3 00 acts IS a reminder ~

to uch oi u! th<ol we are p.lblic ~. V;lnrs eo.pecIed 10 m;lintOlin rhe higt>. e5I ~

of ~Iism. For the Pall lew ~a.s, Rt'b«CiI

Shows SIYan lias done an outstanding job lor lhe VlS in puninB ~ d>e ..... ""000 ,~ I oller our si~ tNnks 10 Rebeca itS she p;mes the mns 10 Alyce SptueIIIo< this important function

01 the

§K1ion.

Youth Judicial progt"m The SleClion worh ~nd wilh the AI~ YMCA VoutI! I'n>

die' !~ i !!~.

W.I~ ....

".rcy B."",,,,, III YLJi ",..;do,nl

p;lmS

OfSinl~ions

to condOCl a

yo<lIh judicul prost"'" NlCh

j'N' lor high school ~udell1s. The pro8r~m is ~Inl il ar !O I...... $(1)001 moo! coort compe';!iorn and provideo; high 'idIooI loIudenr. a 8D""l opportunil'( 10 gain im.r .... , and ~Iior> b !he \eg.11 s~ . S«rion U«U!lve Comminee member CharlIe Anderson has WOti<ed lirelessly 1)(1 this P'oiect. and ilS errorilKII/S WCCe!6 and sn:>W!h Jre due in l-se pan to him . K vou are i.... Jere5Ied in wor!<ing with one of OUr high sdrooI !rial !eilmS. CI)(lIaCl Charlie or me b inlonnaOOn. The txp!'rience is as rewardIng b!he 1a~;oS il is for !he studfnlS.

stale

Seminars and programs Each ~¥. the YLS spon!iOfS a nr;m. be< d semilWlO and ~ which """'-" !he dual ~ 01 prtMdi"l!! q.oalily cononuing legal ~ and a forum for !he ~'s 'fOU!'81awy1>n 10 gil!lBandlNrorheirex~ Two olthe more poputar semirws. which _~byIheA~Uw

~_lhe~""""'" and !he yNrty 5.:w>Des!in It'nlinaf. This year, ~ Shaw is ~I~ with the I.... ~!UIe in plaMing the Ionner-~, which is one ollhe mos! w"... eI.....,.. We and heIpIvI irwror:LcIory prOW"'1> for III!W I.JwyM. f rri Woodlon and Hal We!.! are speartlNdl~ !he YLS' ef.. lorIS on wh;il pr .. "iles 10 be OOII!! olthe be.! SonDe!o!in P"'IV""'f fM'r. Wad! \'OUr ~I "" ~IS, Jnd mak~ plan5 !o anend.

New programs The E,,«u!ive Comminee is al~ looking ir«r a IIIlmber 0I111!W projeoca whom will be ."nounclld in upcom-

N.a lional jnyolvemmt We hive 5e'o'eI'aI AI.obarn;I VO""8 la~ involved on a rwri<)n.ol ~ wllh !he Young la".,..,.ers· Divisil)(l of the American 8ar A~soci.,Ion. Keith Normon. Jim Pries!er. Robe<! B..... gh. Buddv SmIUr. 0........ \Vilson. Bany Rapdale, and I all serve Of! vinous ABA/YlD comminees. ThIS nalional invoiv-erJler11 has been rew~rdln8 and pn::Mded recow>i!ion and OWf(iabon "" AIab.:rml!·s VO""8 lawyers..

l ocal affiliates The Alabama VLS is a ~!.1lew ide Of... ni~.'il)(l which has a nr.rrnber of regional or local "ffilia"". For txample, Blrmingllilm, MObile, Morli8O"reoy and Hvrrrsvllie each ~ local young lawyer organi~.!il)(ls. ThiS Yfar, ou r E>c"CLnive Commin"" flas tel as irs number one ~I esYobIishlng betIe< COfT"rnIIrIiGJr and closet lie kI ....... Iocal.ffiliatt (h ......... I mInk !he.we and local y<)ung '''W"f'I'r organrzalio(l§ will benefil lremerdously from mis mutual coope<Mion. Reo;ently, I hive t-n in !OUCh wim

t.BeILo Alvis. pre5iden1 01 !he 8irmingham YLS; Laura Crum. presldenl of the MonI8Ofl1<:IY COUllI'( VLS: Fr.nk WOO<kon, president of !he MObile YLS; and Russ Uwn. poeiclenl oIlhe We!.!. UnIt,,1 A~ VLS in ." I'fIon !O bring together- rhese <><ganiutions III whirl I hope kI be a Ioog-Ierm wOO· In. relalionship. In my ne:<t column, I will highligh! !he oI'Iiars and ac· !Ivitie!; of these gmu~. The VLS is the fmure of!he Alabama Sta!e Bar. II Is up!O US!O ensure !hal fUlure remains bright. n.;, can only be done wirh involvement. I tn(OUr. each of you 10 becollle aawe in your local VLS chaprers and voIun""" your !Ime and energy for lhe man'( projects beins conducIed. The ~me you spend may no! be billable, buT it will be rewardi"" •

_,-_ . . ......... _-_ . . ...-. . . _ ... -----. . . . --. .. __ .... _ __ _-_ Classified Notices -- ...-........'"--"'-- --'" ....

... '--, -.,.... . . . ... *--~

M _ _ _ H ... _

. H .. _

-~-

AUM, 7.100 Uniwrsity Drive, Mont-

fOR SALE fOR SALE, US Supreme Coo<1 Reports (Publi,h .." Lawyer's Cooperative) $1,000; Alaba ma lHw Reporn 3d &- 4th (Publisher: LawY"'" Cooperat i ~eJ Sl.800: Proof of Facts lSI, 2d, 3d (Pub1"hf<1: Urwyer's Coope'a! i ~) S1.300; Handling reder.1 Estate & Gift Taxes (Publisher: L~s Cooper-lti...,1 $100; Dclens.e of Drunk Driving (Publisher: Manhew.Benderl S2SO. All s.ets a", comple le up-ItKJale. Conlact Brogden & Qual1leb.lum, P.O. Or~ 'lOs, O~ark, Alabama 36361, 0.- phone (205) 774-5171.

,.,

FOR ~U: s...e 50 ~I on)OUr law book,. Call Nati""al liIw Re5QUn:;e, America', largest law book dealer. Huge i,....,nlories. lcM' prices. E..:ellent qua l· ;ty. YOur salisfa<:tion absolulely guac.m· t""". Also. call America's largest law book dea ler when )OU want to s.ell j'OIIr unneeded book .. Call fot \'Our free, noobligation quoles, (800) 279-779'. Na· tional law Resource. FOR SALE: ~St Bao kruplcy Digest (2S-o.o:rlume set), $1»00; USCA. $1,300; w.st B.lnkruplcy Reporter (through \bIume 110), $4,300; White and Summer on UCC (two wlumes), $80. All updates curren1 through February 1. 1990. Contact Alice Hancock, UAW J.es<l1 Services Plan, '238 Highway 20 """I, Me;leOW Green Centre, Suite 750, Madison, Alabama 357Sa Phone (205) 461·7526. FOR ~lE: Ant ique Alabama maps. 1820s-1860s.. G",at lor office decoration 0< gift. Guaranteed authentiC. Write, call or FAX for list. Sol Miller, P.o. Box 1207, HuntsviU~, Alabama 35807. Phone (20S) 536-1521, FAX (205) S34· 0533. FOR ~LE: Alabama liIw Bib liography. Authorllitle index, O'o'er 325 en"i"" Subjeer inde>c, O'o'er 425 en"i"" sa9S (Alabama sales la _, .%/Montgomery city and county• .96). Make ched payable to BarriSter Press. M.il order to JPS/BP,

Tm, ... /a""m~ Lawyer

gomery,

A lab~rmI

."""

.... _

.. _

...... _ _

.. _ ...... _ _

...

lolW)o'ers 10 conduct c.imiMI

pmsecution~

3&117.

Preter members 01 .0.1;>b.ma State &a, with at leaSll'M> years'

FOR RENT FOR RENT: Office ,~e. sooth 'ide 01 Birmingham , up 10 2,300 square

reel.

Reasonable rate, a" r;\C\ioe brick boH<J. ing. completewilh dra~ies.. carpelin&. Wili lpaper and free parking. Local"'" at 215) 141h Avenue, South, Birrningh.am, AI~barn.a. Phone (205) <)67-5 560.

WANTED WANTED: Alabama Criminal justi ce Training Cenler, Selma, Alabama, establishing srnJ11t;,..,.. library lor Mudent ""'. Need West's United Smes Supreme Coun Reponer, \obI. 1-79, 102<urrent, and Feder.J! Reporrer 2d, Vol. 29S-603. A'"I eonations accepted. All donat ions tax e""'uctible. Will pick up al j'OIIr of· fice. Contact Corporal Patr ick Maha ney, Alabama Department of Public s"fety, p.o. Bo, 1511. Montgomery, Alabama 36102. Phone (205) 242· 4392.

POSITIONS WANTED POSITION WANTED: Experienced ERIY. and emplO',ft benefits aMrl\Cy seeks challenging posit ion wilh law firm o r corpo<ation in Birmingham area . 5tlOOg per<;ooalane wriling 00. 19m Respond to P.o. 8m 43145, Birmingham, Alabama 35243.

"'HI..

tria l expe,;eoce. Salary negoTiable. commensu rate with e.perieoce. All inquiries conf"jenlial. Send resume and referencps 10 (hris N. Gal.nos, Ois. ',icl Atlo.""". P.o. Box 2841, Mobile, Alabama 36652. POSlTtDN OffERED: Dissalisfied? Non-priKl ieing ~ 1!o rney found pt'Oo'erl Will' 10 build a passi..., six.figu", annual income Without a boss. e"" pi,¥"", or eeJ;,t. Seeking lWO o r Ihree key peop le to du plkate my business horn )Our mar ket. Can be d ..... loped pan"'ime. For inform.1tion send ~me 10 Diane Temple, Om: ~rirne1er Park South, Suile lOON, Birmingham, Alabam. 3S2H. No I"l'presenmlon ;, made ~bout the qualily 01 the legal ser_ vices to be {Jerfotmed or the expenise 01 the lawyer periotming such servias.

ATTOR NEY JOBS: National and fW.. e'al legal Employmenl Report: highly regard"'" monthly detail"'" list iog of hundreds of anorney and law-relate<.! governmenl, otoor pubjobs wilh lidpriv.l!e employers in Washinglon, O.c., throughou1 U.S. abroacl . $32- 3 month,; $55-6 months. Fe<!eral Reports, 1010 Vermont Awnue, NW, '408·AB, Washington, D.C. 20005. PMne (202) 3'H311. VisaMC.

u.s.

,,'

POSITIONS OFFERED

SERVICES

POSITION OffERED, Jackson, Mi'si r sippi. law firm seel<s Alabama attorney for ils TlI';C3l~, Alabama, offra. Car>dieate mou le hiM! minimum oIrwo \'t'<'rs· litigation experience with e"" phasis in areal of delense 01 insuraoce, workers' compensation and occupalional lung eisea", claim .. Send conrodenti.l resume to Managing Partner, p.o. II.... 1366', jackson, Mi,sil<ippi 39236-3669.

SERVICES: legal research - Memo or.. nda, trial and appellate briefing and argument 00 .11 im"", Harvard liIw School graduate wit h ~n ~ars' ex· perience, including two ~ars as law clerk to /etleral dislrict judge and brief w,iting and oral argument in state fTe:<as) and /etleral (5th Cir.:uiO appe llate COUrB. Recently mowd to and admit· ted to bar in Alabama. $40 per hour. Phone 270-83'10 (Montgomery). No I"l'presentalion is made about the quality 01 the legal services to be perlormed 0< tile expenise 01 the lawyer performing such services.

POSITION OFfERED: ,\ssistant District Allorneys-Mobile County. A I~ bama, Districl Anorney', Office seek~ e><peri.

Classified Notices in courl. Can assiSl in 00011"

SERVICES SERVICES: ~ Llonguage Service: Translation, interpretation. typesetting.

'M)rd processing. ProdllClS liabOlity, ad· mi.alty. contracts. patents. eI(C. NSL .... poin, Non"" s.,!i;lki WI."""" JOG Hellos AYenue, M"'.i~, lo\IitWla 70005. ~fAX (504) 8~&OJ. ElAM INATION 0' QUESTIONED Documentf: Haodwriting. typewritong ;and ~

eQm, .....

ions.

In~ion;Il-

IV coon.qu.'ified I!>'.petI witnl!SS- Dil" lomate. A""",kall 6o.1rd <J forensiC Document E.amlners. Membef: Amef' lean Society oJ Questioned Document £Umi~ the Intemiuion.;l) Awxi.· lion for lden~fiGlIion. the 8ri1lsh foten· sic S6eno:e Society and the Nation.1 Associatioo <J Crimi",,' ~ law-~ Retired Ch~ Document boImiOl!<. USA Cil<too.atOlIes. Hans M~ Cld· ion. 218 M~... ymont Dri~, ""Bust. , G~ lO901. 1'11<>M (.w..) 8(,1).421>1. WRONGfUL DEATH/l'lRSONAlINJURY: Expel! a<;lua ries will t!'Slify to value <J lost future eaminas in wrongful death and personal injury cases. Fe!~ d Society oJ Ac\uaries. (xpe<ierICf'

Section News H",,'th I..lw Se<lion formed The ~~, 1991 promi'ie5 10 be an e<. citing .,e~r lor attorneys practicing in lhe he.lth care field . AI an O'll.nllalion~1 meelin, Friday. N<M'ffiOO' 30. 1990, ...... ,11> care practitionets from around the !oUte mel to el«t oft"lCefS,. the eo!(uti"" council iHId c:ommi~ p.lnicip.anlS. P~f1icip.llion in the Hea lth I.- XcIion will be inexpellsl"". with ann",,1 dues only '15. OW'r the ne<t couple d months" ......,. pUns will be made lor the coming )'Nr. 'Ibu will be rec:eiving;odd;' tiOfgI inli:.>nnation repn:linB the ~.Ith law Section. In the lTINIllime. if )011 Iwo.e Ilueslions. iooS or 5Ilggesr ions. feel free

01 wuc-

rum! settlement C~I D;wid GodoI'sky-C&8 Consul "n s G ,o",!'•

•

Corroon & 81""k company, 192i 11. A.elllJl'. N., Birminglwm, AI.ilia .... 1520]. I'hoM (205) 12l-fOOO.

men! ewnin;dion. l'ubli'ohed Nllime..· ...... ~teen)WlS' t~1 e.peie"ce In state ~nd 1edet~1 COIl", of Alab;!ma. forgery. a lteralions and document aulhe<lticity e.amin;l!ions in non-crimi",,1 "",n~ AmeriC¥l ,oodemy 01 ~ ~5c~~BoWoI~

LEGAL RESlARCH HElP: [xperienced a"OIney. """"be< of Alab,ifNI Sute II<Ir sioce 1977. Acres, 10 >tate law library,

VYesllaw <Mil.ble. f'rompl de<>dlir>e ~R:hts. 'M!do UCC·' _Ms. S3.'i1 hour. Slr'" K.lthryn fand, 111 Moore Build in"

Mont,om ~ t y,

AI.hm.

](,104. C. II (205) 2770.7937. No

R'nl.1tion I, I7lilde aboot rhe qualiry of thf' lelJOll R'rv;c~ 10 be petla,me<! '" the ~t1IR' aithe I.>w)ort petforming ! uch ~ias. MEDICAlJOENTAl MALPRACTICE EX· PERTS: Ou, experts succeufu lly lestify in Alab;ama . Gratis ~iew <J \'OUr medical re«>rds. Health C..... Auditon,. lno;:~ 1'.0. 8", 22007, St. ""t~1"J, Florid..o 33142. Phone (811) 51'J..8054. for Stat 5"l: FAX: 57J.l]3l. CERTIFIED FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER : ELS.. I"aduilte <J un;' ....siry.bHed resident school rn doc ...

M.s..

to conlact the officers Or committee par· ricip.lnlS set fonh below. .... the OIlI"niUlional ..-ina. d", IoIlowina individuals ....... elected 10 '\eM' ~ offiars and committee par· ticipants: Olfic~rs:

GreSll E""",n. chalrpetlOll Lont [);wi!, vice<lwi~ Ja,on ~~, sec:reI.~ b eeutiVl' Couno;:it, Jim Mcferrin Chip Durham AI Hk key

......

Prov...... CommittH": Wil~. ciwirperson Sydnl!y Cook lee Matlin

Jim

sic Documerol barniners. Amerian Society of Q~li~ E.... millt!l1. i.olTWr Miller, PO 1kI' 55405, Bi,mi .... ham, A'abam. 352SS. PI>one (20S)

9834158. OIVORCE CASES-I'£NSION EXPERT: I"eMion actuary will determine pteSeIlt val ..... <J accrued peIlsioo rights. Stan· dard fee for wrlncn ""'Wlioo. Irw:ourt IeStillWWY)/ for hourly ft. Coil D~id GodofsI<r-C. &: 8 eo-.ltins Croup, • Corroon & 81ao:k comp.lny, 1927 Iii Avenue. N .. 8irm lngham, AI.ru .... 35203. Pho~ (205) 32l-7OOO. TRAffIC ENGINEER: COfI5UI~pen 'A'itness. c:;.ad ....1e, "'Si~, prof& WoNt mgr ......... fMy.,ears' e.perIrnce. Highway .00 city design. Iraffk conlJOl devices. city zoning. Wrire 01 calilar I!!wme. lees. lack W. Clwmbliss, 421 B~lMurst DriVl', Mont&ornl'l)', AJ... INon.> 36109. PIIone (2051 272·2lS]. •

Joan

Ragsdale Elmer While lam O""i. AI Hickey ~ali"" .nd Sienin.,.", OKlsions CornmittN': Mike Carlson. chairperson EUllene Watson OeiIne Corli!05 ,Iohn NoIfn ~a Pare John Humbef Mike Savage Gregg Everett

-...,-

Newsldt~

Comminer.

lois Beasley. ch"lrperson

Jim Wi'son Tommy Klinncr

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Send m e A lnbomR Murtgnge U IW.

-'- ------------, • Complete and mum this coupon todIy.

hard cover, by I-iany Cohen for

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o o

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~TUIt£

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Scnd me The low of ShopIifti"g by

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o Yes, I'm interested in AgD17I s

All o rders must be PREPAID

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L___________ _________________________ Bim,ingt11ln, AL )5159

.''''l -. MortPIP '--'

CIIanocter E.... _:

(Hal'll <XlI'eI')

A CCW .... CIIao1es W. Gamble

''''' ""'"

eI.....,.... ......oadI

I I I

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II \1'-'

;..".~t' II-: r.'r~ Dr"I, III ~''''' Court f 0\1 b.... «SIb" A<t. ~."i It.. JO

Ifr.

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