Lawyer 3 96 web by Alabama State Bar Association

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So rc.v, \'0,"'11 have complete, up-to-date CO\~ d Alabama bw, And )'0011hal'ellO index yoo can really wed: with.

If YOO\'e been aaxle sobsc.riber, keep your diicial Co:It ri AÂŁi:lI!1a 1975 runmI and urumeffi4Xo:I by ,qisltting jUJ lO'd:osu~~io" now. But ~ if yoo tbl~, ',.cl1imd you a ropy ci our new GmeraI Udo FREE. JIIA :Ilk j'(U La,,)'rn ~alht ~ rqMtntOO\-e 10 restr.t)(U ropy IX call us at 1-8)).i62-5Zn.

1111.

La\\yers Coopcr:Ui\'c Publishing~

..,........

BRIEF

March 1996

Volume 57, Number 2

ON THE COVER; A group of SfIOW ~ swimmin8 00 a pond in Montgomery County, Alabama. SIIOW gnK brml in the ~rcti<; rtgions (II' North ",""ria and "",10m Siberia. Thry migrate long di-.as, sometima /lying SO) high tNt they can ba.. /y be _noEvm itlhis dis~. howM:r. they can oftm be idmti~td by the shiftinQ. cuMd li_ ~ ira they form as Ihty Ily. Many snow ItttH sprnd thorir wintel'$ along the mKl-Atlantk ~ and GulfC<wt. (5ft NatiorWAudubon Socidy's F.. Id GWdt 10 North Amtrian Birds, ~:ut.m Edition.) - PhotQ bv Paul CnndimJ, lD. CW

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Road Sh_ ·96 ___ ... _... _ .... __ .. _. _ _ ... ____ ._ A Pnctilionn'1 Cuido to Affinnativt !Hftalu in Abh& .... By N. Dt"'"loJnt I'(Ip< __._ , _ .. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .

.. _--"

Titl. IX: Ctnlle. E<juity .'IIftli lhe Sport. h ftl

---

fly ......:10<'" J. Fmd<lin..'li!.lon _...... ,H •••• '.H .......... H...... _ ... ... ...... ... _ •• __ .... .................. _ ••__98

...':.....-:

A Rille Und... landing of Stxull ll lru.meni fly Judjle Dtb.. H. Go!!bl.in .___ •.. "" .... .. ,,, ..

!'mi<knI', he< _ __._.. _. _ _68 EMaotiv< 0; _ _•

_ _ • 71)

80. 8ntls._ __ ______ _ _ ._ 7J About JoItmbo~ """""'« Firmo_ .• _" .... _ 7t IJuildin, AI>NrN', Cour'lhououH....nH._ .. 76 (lpinioo'lJ 01 u-.. c.n<r.oI CounooI .... ,,,,,,,,, .• .8J Ltiill>!i .... Wrap-Up .. " .... ,""" .. ,,\M

., ...... ,.. " .. ,."".. .. "" .... "",, .........,,105

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Ito<enl Dotioiottl._. _ _ _ _ .. _ , .. Yount Lowytn. 5«IiorI _ ... _ .. __ .. __ IU 1Ii<morW>. ___ " .... "_ ...... _.. ___ ....._._ I25 C~fird Noti<fl.. ........ ,........ " ...... " ..... ,,, ... 127

M..UI.\."'\ STAT ~ U K 1I 1W)QC.ur T ~U SlAW " ' 1lHl<1 AI'tfIUt. Monttom<rY. AL lIi lilt (3341 _ 1515 • FAX 13l4) 26 1-6.1 10

AlAlI.<lIA STAn: IIAA Ct~'TU roR I'IIOf'1l.SS I0SAL RESPOSSlq lUTY STAfF ~1 5 v..l" Awro>t. ~ . ALlIill)l (3341 269·1515 . FAX(334) :Hi1 43 11

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66 1 MARCH )996

. ,.Al:ll'O''''H.

THE ALABAMA I,AWn:R

PRESIDENT'S PAGE -R&SOn is tlwc lift of thtc ~ 1'\iY. the common ~ ;!Klf is nothing ,1$0 ruson.·

""'I

-Sir Edwlord Colee. 17Ie huliluieJ ofl"- WuJes ofEng4mtl, vol. \, 1628-]6(1.

1.111,

Winston Churchill wrote in his four-volume work on The llislorll of the: english Speaking 1'«Jp1. in a c..... pt.. ,n Volu"", I on the develop-

ment and importance of tht Common Law. He staled lhat at tht btginn;na of tht reign of Kina Henry II on

March 27. 1155. l

~'" la"Y'"

would nnd ~ English roort·

room a MfJtllIc pbtc but a\ tho UK! oflhr ",illn of King Ilfnl')' [I. 33 ~us later on April 11. 1188. the

modem lawyer would

Jell it home.

As ill llow sludtnts know. Iht English _ l¥N ~ adopted by our colonies and Iliff by llmost ill of OUr St.llts. [\

has continued \0 ~Iop and rtmIOins the backbone of our prutnt I_aal system. L.urntd Hand wrOlt. ",Common Lawl stands as I monument slowly raised. like I coral reel, from Ihe minute =relioru 01 PIIst individuals, of whom tach built upon the relics which his predecessors loll. and in his turn Idt • foundation upon .... hich his succnsors might work: "Rf'Vitw 01 Judgt ~rdo1o't"", NatuflIaI

the Judicial Proau,"35 HaTL'(Jro Ltlw

Rnw, 481

(1m), For britt. Of' lor worse thtre is;o >lrong push,;as I wrilt, 10 Illtr in signifia.nt .... ys tht opt •• tion 01 tilt common ~, ~ MlIution not 1111 thowand ~ .. , not even 33 ~I'J. bul in ant short spec;'1 swioo WOI'king .... ,thout th( benefit of brids, or.1 argu1mnt. debat(, signifia.nl commiU" heIorings. or even input from tht judici."y 01 tilt ba., Wriling two months ahead ofpublia.lion is always dimcul\. Wt a.t now in Iht middle of Iht ]996 Special Session of tilt Alabama '~gislatu.e dealing .... ith so-called "tort .dorm" or, u some pul it. "lawsuit abuR", The Citiunship ~;ducation CommiU" which! spotlightEd in my article in tilt Novtmber iw.e 01 The Alabama Ltlwver ctrUinly has its wo.k cut OUI lor iudl. It Is Nd to SH how lillk is ~ ;Ibout how our judici,,' ayst(m works, aboul basic {urod.amenlal rights and 'uponsibilitin undo. our nilting civil '-5. about Iht Dill 01 RighU of tM United Stltts Constitulion, or about tht doc · triM of stpi .... tion of lIO"'tI'J. Somehow tlltre has dt\'tloptd ~ unjUllified {(a' Ih!ot all 5ImI1 bu5inessn a.e in ~. III being pul 001 01 busin... by litig.o.lion. A frieOO of miM, ..t.o operalelI Imlil mI/lufxluring piant, rtantly up,~ this f.... 101m. TM individual is quilt involved in tilt busintu community lI1d in tilt civic affai" of Ihis community. I uktd him to list evel)' small business he knew of in Alabama or elsewhere which had, in lacl, been put out of busin(ss by a

68 HIARCIII996

~iL He coold not list ant. Yrt fur is Illtre and it per«J)lion does o:isL I bwo1m COI1«mtd aboul tilt rhtloric lI1d tht ......y in ..... ich the iuue:§ ...,re being acId.wed. 1 wrott tilt following press rdtl.st: "MONTGOMERY, Janual)' 22, 1996·John A, Owtllll. pm;i<!enl of the Alabama Stat( Dar, iU\ltd tht following state-

1mnt today: "As ~residtnt oftht Alabama State Rar, I wi,h 10 e X~re5S my concern over the m~nntr in whith 'Io.t .do.m' i. being ;odd.eurd in lilt Alabama legi,lalurt, TM Alabama State Ba. dots not invotw iuell in pOlilics UCtpl. wMn it con«ms the reguLition of the Ifgil profusion or tilt ;odminW",tion of jus· lict, 11m now (oncerned thaI whal i. happening may adversely affect lilt administration of justi« in this st.'Ile. "Al\hougtl not inurvming into tilt mat· ur, tilt ALiI»tN SUte Dar has tried 10 knp abrnst of tilt dtvtlopmtnls. Wt Ol.Iktd rtptaltdly klr coritl of .1I of tilt various proposals """ich would be introduced. W( did .tctM lilt Co\'trnor', package shortly befort Iht legislalure mel but no OIhm, Unforlunately, the Governor's package of bills was not tvtr<!ebated in the Houu and the bill, .... hich p;1$Hd Ihe HOUH did so wilhoul a diuenlinQ vott and with veT)' liltle dtbale, Only I selte! Itw people tvtr had a clwla: to read Ihtst bills before the swion began, "I question the wisdom 01 undortaking any weh IWftlling reform wilh so lilt,," thought. deb.te Of' inopul inlO the nature of the The 8oJ.nl of Bar Commissioners of tilt A1IbamI Stale Dar has not mel Ii"" lfl)' 01 the bins we.e a..-ailabl( lor rmtw, 1100000., ....t.tn 'Iort .eform' wu coosidt.td in 1987, lilt Alabama Slate Bar did ~ ctrtain general principia to consider, Thry art .ll lrue today, but t.... o of these principia artc n~ci.lly reltvant in the hasle and confw;ion which .xists in .egard to the billl under collllide.alion. The"" are:

moon.

'I. The LtgisLiton is tilt molt t«hnical, b.oadest and KriOUS kiOO of legislation thai can be i~intd bwoust il affects twry citizm. MId tvtl)' citiun is both. potenlial pLiintiff and I potenlial dtftnd.mt. '2, TM social cost of injuriu ,lnd r.... ucb a.e paid by IOIntbody: ~the. tilt victim, Iht tuilly party or the public th.-ou&h- ....,Ibn and charity,

.""11)'$

"For .wopl., IOfI'It of the bill. wtlich I have seen would ch!ongt lim( {rama for considering motions (or summaI)' judg1mnt in coorl.nd otlltr rulu applicable 10 lilt procedure used to conduct dvillitig.o.tion, "1ly should time standards be impose<! upon lilt courts which limply I.e not wo. kable? "'1ly not alleast seek Ihe inpul of lilt judicial)' into whal is W<I.k-

THE ALABAMA LAWYER

ibl. ~nd ""hat il notl Much of th. legillation ,uml to bt aimed It isollited ,i tUltIOllI. Bec.auu thil ItgisLitlon il so imporbnt and SO ~eping, it d_","" tlreful scrutiny lind c.arriul illention. "In Nowmbtr.1 wrote Ulirlicit which ...... publishtd in the hnuary ~ of T1Hr AIaboma Tht words I wrote ..ere bIIsed upon my obstMotions 0( .. Imost 29 ~n of pncticina I..... in Alibiima. Ouoting myself. I gid; 'Our judiciary with i\.o jury syot.m h.u I<IOrktd .."til to proim the rights 0( citiztns and to .nforro their Itgal obligations in crimiN! and civil c.asts throughout the hi story 0( the United Statu. It works ",..II today. Literally hu ndreds of CUti of ont lype or another lOr. lri.d throughout thil Ilate rw:ry week. II', art blusW with oot 0( the fontst Judic~1 Iystems in the country. All1"\Oat without Qcf1)lion. our jUdgH In hontsI. IlKtnt. lurdwork ing. ltarned mon lind WOmtn who I r. proud of their pOOtiom lind who IIrt proud to Jt~ the public: "My hope is tlul our legistath... Iralkn will dmo- ~k. sttk

t.w-ver.

input and try to cuft II rt'"-'ONblt, comprthtll$i,"", un<luSll.nctablt Ind workabl. pLin. Wt must not lost >ilUlt 0( the pt to imPfO"t the ;ldministrlltion 0( justicf lInd..e must not lost >ilUlt of whal is in the best ;ntfrat 0( ..II citizms 0( the JIM. of AIalwna. cilium dut~" sound. ..e11·baIIIMtd systnn 0( justice. It fflIuut.d 10 do so. the AlIb>ma SllIt. Bar is rudy and ",;lIin.tl to WO<"k with OUT StIlt·, Iraden 10 htlp fxilitattlhis pnxns.·

Alabama·,

"""hI\ might happm when /I press "lust wch as lhe aboM is illllled is un knowabl •. This morning /I !liI. aph rutd version ~rtd 00 pa,gt 7A of T1Hr 7\.I.IaI/oosQ N"'i'J. Maybe somethi n.tl 1>;11 corm 0( it-maybe not. In any twnl. I wanted 1M la'oll)'t'rs oIthiJ Slale to at I_t know tlut th. Alabarm Slat. flaTis trying to act os . win 01 reason. Wt an not i>dYoc.ating any particular position nptct that the rmjesty of the law iJ d... r~t and the lignirlClll"lCt of the taw 10 all of OUT citiMIlS is too impOrtlnl to) Ix dnstk.llly a1t~mI 'Aith JOlU"Id bitts, mispbctd fear and I hurried pnx:to.s mid 0( tho ·fUJOn· which Sir Edw.ord Cokt SO IIPPfCI)riattIy called "tho lift 0( the Iaw". •

Judicial Award of Merit Nominations Due The Board 01 Baf Commissioners 01 the Alabama State Baf will receive nominations for the state bar's Judicial Award 01 Merit through May tS. 1996. Nominations should be prepared and mailed to Keith B. Norman , Secretary, Board of Bar CommIssIoners, Alabama State Bar, P.O. Box 671 , Montgomery, Alabama 361 01.

The award is not necessarily an an nual award. II may be presented to a judge whether state or led· eml courl , trial or appellate. who is currenlly serving and who is det8fmined 10 have contribvled signifi· canlly to Ihe adminisIraiion of justice in Alabama. The rocipienl is presented with a crystal gavel bearing the state bar seal and lhe year 01 presentation. Nominations are conSidered by II three·member committee appointed by the presldenl of the stale bar. which then mal\es a recommendation to the board 01 bar commissioners with respect to II nomi-

nee or whether the award should be presented in ~ given year. Nominations should include a detailed biographical profile of the nominee and II

r"\IIfr3tiYe outlining

the significant cootribution(s) the nominee has made to the administration of justice. Nominations may be sUpp:M"led with letters 01 endorsement.

THE ALAIIAMII t.o\WYER

MARCH 1996/ 69

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT

I\) Ii

embers of the Alabama Siale Bar serve io numer'

td by the board of commissioners. Actually the board submits

OUi representative cap.dlies. Appointments are made. usuaily by the board of comm.ssioners pur-

(A).

SlIim! to an appropriate statule or bylaw g",-eming the entity in""l""d. Service by bar members ,tretohe. 3<1"00$ a broad sp«trum of areas and involves many dill,,"n! ..,porni-

thl"«' name, to the g<.wemor 0$ required under Section 8-6·51 Code ofAlabama. 1975 and the governor !lames the memo ber from tllose three. Currently se .... lng as the bar's repre:ll'ntat;,... is William D. Hasty, Jr. whose appointment extend.> to 1~7.

bililies.

The bar commission also tleds members to the Bond of Nationally. the Alabama Sl3te Bar hu Ihrtt elected mem_ Tru'lttS of the AIab.m. La ... Foundation. In~. ~ urving bers of the Amen.,.n 8 .. Association Hou •• of Del.gat... by .Iection ar.: S. Oagn.] Rowe, HuntSVille (1996); R~na These persons. who serve al Ih.ir own r--------------, Tugue. Birmingham (1996): Harry W. exp.mse. serve two-yur lerms an<l may be Gamble . Jr .. Selma (1997\: Ben H. Harris. re-elected. The OOard of commissioners Jr .• Mobile (19971; R. Blake La>enby. Tal_ elecls Ihese person •. Currenlly .. rv.ng ladega (1998): and Allen C. Liv'ngston. art Phillip f:. Adams. Jr. of Opelika. Dothan (19981. In addition.lh. pre.idenl. JaINS Jerry Wood of MOI1ll/OfT1ery and J. presidenl·elecl and immediate past presiMilrk "'hlte of Birm'ngham. They are not. den15 of Iht Alabama Slale Bar serve on however. Ihe only Alabam'an. 'n Ihe the foundation board by v'rlue of the'r House. N. Lee Cooper. president-elecl of office. Ihe ABA and former chair of the House of The AI.bom. Boon! of Ugal S. -•• II ..Delegate., is a member. as's Ben Ii. lIar_ lion was crealw 'n 1994 whtn lhe Alaba· ris. Jr. of Mobile. who is a former memma Supreme Court adopled the Rul .. of bn of Ihe ABA Board of Go,·ernorl. Special i.ation. The members of the board \V;l1iam C. Kn'ght Jr. of Birmingham repor speci/lji.ation are seleclw by the boan! of b.ar commi",ioners. Currently .. rving resents the Birmingham Bar krociation an<l H. Thomas Wells.. Jr.. also 01 Birmingart: Clay Alspaugh. Birmingham (1996): ham. serves aslhe slate delegate who was Bill Coleman. Montgomery (1996): SleI>e Keith 8. No.....n elecled by ABA members slatewide. The Ford. Tuscaloosa (1996); Herndon Inge. term. of Mr. Adams and Mr. Wood con~lobile (1996); Sam Franklin. Birm ing· dude at the end of this i'rar's ABA ann\lill ham (1997); Claude lIunley. lIuntsvilie meet ing. Mr. l'I'hite's term expires in 1997. (1997): Will Lawrence. Talladega (19971; Nancy C. lIughes. Passage of the Judicial Article resulted in the establishment Birmingham [1997); Charlie Beavers. Bi r mingham (199B): of the J udici.1 Inquiry Cornrniuion. the Court of the Judicia· Gregg Everette. Montgomery. (199B): Robert B. Reynolds. ry and the Judicial Compen ..!i...n Commission. According to Huntwille (1998~: and hcob Walker. Ill. Opelika (1998). the Judicial Arlicle. the bar must elect two persons to .."", on The recently created Alab.ma Supreme Cou rt Commi •• ion each of the .. bodits. Those currently holding the .. posilions On Di.put. Ruolution is . equired to have at least three memo and the y<'ars in which Iheir currwl terms .'pi re (noted in bers 0( lhat bod)' appointw by the president of the Alabama parenthesesl are ... follows: Slate Bar. Currently Ihose members are: Alyce M. Spruell. Judicial Inquiry Commi",ion: Norman Waldrop. Mobile Tuscaloosa )1999): William O. Coleman. Montgomery 11996); (1999); William B. Hairston. lr .. of Birmingham (\999). and Marshal! Timberlake, Birmingham (1997). Judicial Compensation Commission: Chaties R. Adair. Due 10 Congre"" decision 10 eliminate fund ing for posi· Dadeville (1999): Broox C. Carrett. Ir .. Brewlon 11999), conviction defender organi~tions (PCOOS), the C'pital R.pCourt of Judiciary: William O. Scruggs. Jr .. Fort ra~ne " ,"nlation Resourc. C.nlu is no longer functioning in the (19971: Nelson Vinson. Hamilton (2{)()()). same capacity ... before. Until Congress' decision to elim inate funding for PCOOS, the members of the Capilal Repr ... nla_ In addition 10 Mr. Scroggs and Mr. Vinson. lhe bar el«tOO as tion Resource Center board included: H. lhomas Henin . Jr .. an alternate on the Court of the Judiciary William C. Roedder. Tuscumbia (1996): AI L. Vreeland. Tuscaloosa (1996): ~'ran k Jr. of Mobile. H. McFadden. Monlgomery (1997); Richard S. Manley. The barelects eighl 01 the 15 persons who comprise the Board DemO!X'lis (1997); J.L. Chestnut. Jr .. Se lma (1998): Anne 11', of Directors of the U g.! S.",ic.. CorpanHon of Alabama. Mitchell. Birmingham (1998): Frank $. James. III. Birming. Currently .. ",ing are: Bryant A. l'I'hitmire. Jr .. Birmingham tlam (1998): and Albert P. Brewer. Birmingham (1998). (1996): Kathl •• n M. War",n, Gadsden ([996); Malcolm R. New· Each slate bar in the El e~nlh Judicial Circuit has Ihree man , Dothan (1997): Robert D. Segall. Montgomery (1998): named delegates 10 its Judicial Conf."nn. Th~ persons are David R. Peeler. ~Iobile (1998): and Linda W. H. Henderson. appointw for a three-year term with each incumbent president Tuskegee (19981. One member orthe Alabarna Seeuritiu Commission is elect· Continued on page 72 70 / MARCH 1996

THf: A~BAMA ~WYEK

lIIIIlIlI TI! 1!S11 With a rapidly expanding

policil'S and undmWld a.gem and ing: Comprdlcnsive ~n(r.l1

broker liability. Ile distinguishes

case load and a corresponding rise betwetnlhe injured pany's righl

insur.locl'; advertising injury

in Ihe number of appellate coun

10 $U( and lht inlum!'$ dUly of

insurance; claims made (ovt'rage;

decisions. Alabama liability

(ooperation - and btlwml the

automobile Ii"bilily insuranct:

insul1lncc IJw ~

insurtis

aoo

unin$\l~underinsurtd

motOrist [~ lit .malyzn

heard 10

artfully 5tlmfd Alabama

""'P CYtn fOf

the

defend.

deci$ions 10 hdp fralllf )'OUr

Allen discusstS nearly Mry

undmtanding of the QlTTtnllaw.

Alabama Liability Insurance

type of liability insurance, indud路

And he shall'll hillhoughlS on the

Handbook is the nrsl book 10

SlWlPU YOlllltDlISlUBt.,

future anticipating what lhe Stllt

examine romprth(nsiwly and

IF U

appellate couns will do when

S(uontd practitioner.

aurnoriUlivtly thr currrnl 5la1( of this difficult afn 01 practirt in AlaNIlIL Author Bibb Allm, one of tht SUIt'Sfomnost I'Xpt'fI5 in insutlillCt

TH~;

Liabilily lruuranct; pm{lnaJ injul)'

wua., gEl. L. Ult IIltllll

800/562-1215 ruw lSI tlll ...r

nil u . w~;

presented with new issues.

,$85'

.,,,,,

.t'~MICHIE

law, htlps)OO imapftl

ALAWlI\. lAWYER

MARCH 1996 / 7 1

Executive Director'. Report C<mli"ueci from page 70 of the stale bar naming One d~l~gale and an alternal~. Th~ currenl d~l~gates and altm..les are: Delegates: frank M. Bainbridge. Binningham (1996~: Larry U. Sinu. Mobile (1997~: and Swie T. Carver. Tuscaloosa (l998~. Alternates: Marl< D. Will<erson. Montgomery (l996~; Gregory S. Cusimano, Gadsden (1997); and John D. Clement •. Birmingham (1998). Pursuant to supreme court rules. Ihe bar commission ~Io>cll the B.... rd or &ar E.u.minen, the members of the Di Kipli nITlI Commi .. ion. the membe .. or the Disciplin.ry Oo.nlt and the ,\ hnd.tory Continuing Legal Education Commission . With the exception of the bar examiners. the membership 0( these bodies is restri cted to members 0( the board olbar com · missioners. Current members of thes.e groups are: Disciplinary Commission: Victor H. Lott. Jr .. chair. Mobile (1996); Samuel H. Franklin, Binningham (1997); Caine O'Rear, ~jobi le (1998). and W.N. Watson. Fort Payne (1997) Disciplinary Boards: Panel I: Robert S. Brodgen. Ozark (1996); Jerry C. Pon:h. Russellville (1996): Male C. Pope. Jr .• Binningham 11997): and Billy C. Be<bol •. Mobile (1997) Panel II: Wanda D. Devereaux. Montgomery (]997): John Hoi· lis Jackson. Clanron (1996): Mac B. CreavOl, Birmingham (19981: and Abner N. Powell. Andalusia (1996) Panel Ill: Richard I.!. Garrett, Montgomery. (1998): Cathy S. Wright. Binningham (1997): Ralph N. Hobbs. Selma (19971; and Joon S. Key. ]}ecatur 11996)

Panel IV: Jame. E. Willianu. Montgomery (19981: Stephen

M. Kennamer. Scottsboro (19971; Conrad M. fowltr. Jr .. Columbiana (1996): ~nd Edw~rd T. Hines. Brev.10n (1996) Panel V: G.or~ Higginbotham. Ik,.. mor (1996): Donna S. Pate. Huntsvill e (1996); J. Tutt Barrett. Opelika (19981; and John A. Nichols. LU\'eme (1997~ Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission; Lynn It Jackson. Cla}1on. chair 11998): J. ~Iason Davis. Binningllam (1996); Samuel A. Rumore. Binningham ()996): John A. Rus· ..II, Ill, A1i"""ille (1997): Conrad M. Fowler, Jr., Columbiana 11996); Caine O·Rear. Mobile (1998): James E. Willianu. ~'ont gOlmry (1998): Patrick H. Graves. Jr .. Huntsville (1997); and John C. Gullahom. Albertville 11997) Board of Bar Examiners; Dtlort' R. Boyd. Montgomery. chair. James A. Byram. Jr .. Montgomery: Edgar C. Centle. Binning· ham: G~yle P. Gratton, Birmingham; James N. Walter. Jr .. MontgOlmry; Susan Ru» Walk~r, Montgomery. Sabrina Andry Simon. Binningham: Zebulon M.P. Inge. Jr .. Mobile; W. Roscoe Johnson. III. Gadsden: Romaine S. Scott 111. Birmingham; Gwen L. Windel. Binningham: Billy L Carter. Mootgomef)': and Lisa Milner Karch. Guntersville As you can ""e. there are numerow are... oullid. bar com· mittees. task forees and l-tctions for service where your talent.< can be utili~ed irt furtherance of Our public responsibility. The per$OO$ noted abow represent you and yoot inteTQl$. These ~re all time-consuming positions but professionally rewarding. If you are interested in serving in any 0( these capaciti... write to me or your bar commissioner.· "71!i£ mwlhs column is "n updale of 111£ one ariginaIlg appear_ ing in the November J99J of The Alabama Lawyer. •

When you need expert valuation or litigation support, call the specialist. Ctrtlfif(!

F,~!>d

James Lee Hoover Pursuant to Rule 16(e). A.R. D. P.. notice is hereby given to James Lee HOO\~r.

E. .. mlnn Rllph

Summrdonl,O'A, hoi~aaretr 10

is$,,,,

whose last known address is 6

Office Park Circle. Suite 100. Bi rming-

Il'WinlIlillt mortIt\" 1!fI1ht.xpert

1O!Iimony. dIpoIitioo 1Jdp, ;nI ___

ham. Alabama 35223. that he has i';.·en·

<dott'd anaIysb tIW )\:'If QSO 1I.ICI:tI$

ty-eighl (28) da}'l; from the date of thi5

-~ fa <Mt 1!))WS. mantr> hiM ....

publication. March 15. 1996. to

Iiodonhlmf<wt..!inm~io

ansv>~r

mule ,,,mumt,,,, """nItgatlvt >c.

discipli nary charges filed in the Office of

crlrJliNl ""tim), m;t~ond_disfWs. All tn ~ O1tomey> hovt round hi, http

General Coun.>el on January 12, 1996. In

<WIl11nS (cMl m;t

""~1uIbIo

the event you fail to aw,..-er the charges

'" alcuLotl", da~

set forth within the time provided by

Ute"" 1qI}VI' too.

CIlII _

,." g

" . . (IlOrSU/tatb>.

Ral ph Summerfo rd, CFE, CPA __ _ <f0'... _frilro(CI'AJ. _

Rule 12(e)(I). A.R.D.P.. the charges \o'ill

be deemed admitted. IASB Nos. 95-11 1. 95·129. 95·136.95·1 49 & 95·1541

Call1rxiay

_"0-..."-,, c.-r.o.t-. 205-7l6-7000

Disciplirnry Board Alabama. State Bar

WIn I!J~ ' 4.lSOO'H "if' I" ,,"UJ • "~I !JXfH AVINm Il0l'" · l<iM'H~ 1I • Jj1f))

72 1 MARCH 1996

Tm: AlABA."IA I..-\WYER

BAR BRIEFS • Chid J U$tic~ Pury O. li~r, Sr. a.ppOinled "n nk W. Crt 'G I')' II tht ild.ministnlM dim:-

lo r of courh on

Octomr 23. 1995. fr om

]977·79,

' •• nk G•• vory G, egory n.vtd lS

Montllomuy Coun. ty's fir)! murt odmini$tr:ator WIdtr then I'ftsiding Judgt' Pffry 1100IlH.

Gregory joined tht Administr~li~ Office 01 Court. staff in June 1979. fi ' $\ serving as dirtctor 01 tho! Restarch. Planning and Dewlopmtnt ()Msion, and lat• • U tht dirtclor 01 the Stalt Court (Iptr. lIlions 0M.i0n. Ht IliI bwl i",,-rumm· tal in impl,rmmting acIvlor1«d jury. . and ~ ~ sysIems, uwen

as institutional tdUQliONI curri<ululII$ lor all court .m~ C~ry has abo p~ an important role in lilt ~Iop ment of Iht mit', lIlItl'Ntovt dispute raoIution ~ Prior to his appoint· mentIS ADC, C.. gory served nint )UI'I as director 0( the Alabal11ll Judicial Col· lege, j divisioo of the AOC. Gregory urntd his blithe lor's and muttr. drgrttS from the UnMnity of AllIta.m I nd strwd II )'Uri as j secondary Khool princip.11 bdo.. coming to the court sysltm.

• J. Muon In.vi • . unior attomty wilh the ,t.alewide firm of Sirote & Permutt. his been named "OutJt.andlng li...oytr of the Yeir" by tho Birmingham IIoor A$$(>. c~tioo.

OMs Iw participMed in n _ tri-

Ib in bolh the state and redtral cou rh. and IiI!IldIatt ~ bdo.. the Suprfm. Court of Alablma and the 11th Cirruit Court of Appeals.

Ht is an adjunct

wa..... D••is

p. ofeno. of law ~t I he Uni ve .. ily of Abbir'nlo School 01 Uw. tie Iw Sotrwd as ,K.elUY of 1M AI~ha;!N tkmocnlic P~rty. and conlinu" 10 hold i positioo on l ilt S tit ~ Demo crat ic Ex «ulive CommittH . He .eceived his bachelor of irU degrH

from ~L.>do.>glo CoIItge. iIld his ..... degree from tho St.>te Uni~l'$ity 01 New Yorlc It 6uffilo. whr..., he WU I rmmllt. of thd._ Rtvi<!w. •

National Center for State Courts • On October 13-14. about 35

cili.

of the Admini,tntiw Office of Courts .

um mtI at Tusktgtt Uni\'tn;ity', Kellogg Coo-

Among the participant, ....ere , t.>te bar memb er, Tori Adam l· Bu rk. Mont· gomel)': C.rI Chambl..,. Jr .. Ilirming. ha.m: and Eam.. ti"" Saw. Twkeg«. Judid al »'Stem participanU included Circu it Judgt Bobby Aderholt . 251h Judlc iil Circuit: CI.-.: .. II Judg. 011. ~,rut. 5th Judicial C,rcu,t: and Di.trict Judge II nm on Thornll. Mobile County. •

I... nce Cent.. and participated in a national lorum with the Nationa l Center lor State Courts. Accordmg to Hillery Efkeman. NeSC rnu rch auistant. Alabama w.... one of ten , !.lite, I... tur~ in a h\'t national vidtooonfuence on ~ Impro"in' Co .. rt l lld Co"'''' .. ~ity

CoIlalM:rr.>tiofI ~. 1he purpo.o;e of the projK1 was to encourage the rourt communit~ and the ,eMul public 10 work tOilether to imprwe public trust and con· fidence in the courts. identify ,tfJlegiu lor imp"",ng court and community rollaboution at the local and , !.lite 1......15. encourage efforts by court s and the ir (ommunities to work togeth .. more dfe c tivd~. and promote a diverse group of effective local approaches to Imp!o,,>! the relationshm b.!t .... een courts and tht oomml.U1itiu tl\tY 5e!V\'. The forum was Spotl$()rtd by 1M sese and the American Judicature Society and funded by the State Just~ h15htutt. I'Ianning and «)()r. dm.lion of AJahama'$ ~ silt was pro,i<led by the AIabam.l Judic~1 College. a d;"-uion

Tm :ALABA.'MLAWYER

/Itot_

I~. "'I<I/,'.~ .

.-,...-.. ,,,,, AI" ""Dotmlin~

. il< d; ,o/dN ;n'D

'0Id.,,/i'6 """"I'" _ """,I. oi l"" , ,,,all

g'.~p .

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

MAlleH 1996/ 73

ABOUT MEMBERS, AMONG FIRMS ABOUT MEMBERS

".y.

Terry C. formerly with Cherry. GMII$. I'ekrs. Lockett &. Diaz, annOl.mces the opening of his office at 170 S. Oatu Street Suite 4, Dothan . Alabama. The mailing add .... i. P.O. Box 758. Dolhan 36302. Phon. (334) 702-4487. Rita ."1. Bril... a forme. as.<ociate with Roden. Hay•• I< Carter. announces he. relocation \0 ~laryland and her position as an associate with Adkins. POUI. &. Smethunt. Themailingaddre.s i. One Plaza E.. t. Sixth FIQOr, P.O. Box 4247. Salisbury. Maryland 21803. rhone 1410)

749·0161. Chari.. L. •..,iller. Jr. announces the

opening or his office at 150 Government St,eet. Sui te lOOO·A. Mobile_ Alabama 36602. The mailing add •• os is P.O. Box

2232. ~lobile 36652·2232. Phone (3341 433 -5080. E.

Smith anOOUm:eS the reloca·

tion of his office 10527 ["tenlale Park Drive. Suitt G.

~l ontgom.ry.

Alabama

36109 . Phone (334) 244 · 1935.

Tom F. Young, Jr. announ<e. the relocation of his office 10 201 Madison Street. Alexander City. Alabama 35010. Phone (205) 234· 0999. Sandra Lewi •• formerly with the Law Office of W. Troy M~. announces the Opening 01 hOT office at the HistOric Bell Building. 207 M<>ntgomery Stout. Suite 1010, Montgomery. Alab~ma 36104. Phone (334) 269·5930.

A. Vin«nt Brown. Jr. announ<es the relocation of h is office to 510 N. 18th Stout. Bessemer. Alabama 35020. Phone (205) 425·700l. \icenta Bond Smith announces the new location of her office at The Brown Mant Tc...'tr. Suite 224. 2000 Fir.st A''tnlJt. North. Birmingham , Alabama 35203. Phone (205) 324. 1222. Eliubelh COWlOrl .l1eAdory announces the relocation ofher office to the Hudson Building, 165 E. Magnolia A"e nue. Suite 74 1 MARCH 1996

223. Aubum. Alabama 3683(1, Phone (334) 887· 3141.

AMONG FIRMS Bon d. Bot ... Thorn ton & C..I. on announ<U the relocation of their offices to One Court Square. Suite 117. Mont· gomery, Alabama 36104. Phone (334) 2M·3363. Bry;>n S. IIIxb"\'U anOOUoctS the rd(>cation of his office to the Law Ome.. of JMI M. Nomberg. Office. are located at 163 W. Main Street. Suite 401. Dothan. Alabama 36301. Phone (334) 793·6493. .l1arlr R. Ulmer. Charlu II. lIillman and Yancey N. 8umtU announce the forma· tion of Ulmer. IIiUman & Bumetl Qftk.,. are located at Riverview PLv.a, Suite 1107. 63 S. Royal Street. Mobile. Al.lbama 36602. Phone (334) 694·00n. Wlilace, Jordan. Ratliff & Brandt an· nounces that Cedi H. ~bcoy. Jr. and D..';d L & Ib)'. II have joined the firm. Offices are located in Birmingham and Montgomery. Alabama. lIuie. Fernam bucq & Stewut an · nouncts that Paul F. ,\lalok and Jon · nif"" C. IkwreaIlX have ;oined the firm. OffiCf5 are located at 800 Fir.st Alabama Bank Building. Birmingham. Atabama 35203. Phone (205) 251 · 1193. \lllmer & Shepanl announCfS the ass0ciation of [ ,'tiyn R. ""aiben. former law derk to tho Honorable Robert B, Prop>t. U.S. District Judge for the Northern Dis· trict of Alabama. and JOI'l R. lI .mner. Offie~s ~r. located at 100 Washington Street. Su ite 302, Huntsville , Alabama 35801. The mailing address is P.O, Box 2168. Huntsvill e 3S804. Phone \205t 533·0202. D..~d T. Puckett has joined the fi"" of Chamhlee & FlirT. Office. an: located at 5582 Apple Park Drive. Bi""ingham. Alabama 35235. Phone (205) 8S6-9111. J.rruy A. •'o' hee and Edward M. Ceorge announce the re · formation of leflrty A. Foshe. I< Associate.! into the

firm of Foshee & Georgo. They also an· nounce that Deborah C. Knight. fo""er courtroom deputy cterk. U.s. Bankrupt· cy Court. has joined the firm as an iWOciate. and that Albert S. Miles, prof.""'r of education. the University of Alabama, has ;Oil>£(] MoI~/. Offices aft locat· ed at 900 S. Peny Sirut. Suite H. Mont· gomery. Alabama 36104. D.niel E. Boone announc.,. that David S. Furman ha, become an a"nciate. Office, are localed at 330 W. Tennessee Stftet. Florence. Alabama 35630. Phone (205) 760· 1002. Lightfoot, Fnnldin & Whito announces that 1I111i&m II. King. 1f1 and " i lliam S. Cox. It[ have become associates. Offices an: located at 300 Financial Cenl... 505 N. 20th Sireet. Birmingham. Alabama 35203. Phone (205)581 ·0700, Corham & Waldrop announcts that "'I1i&m F, Addi$OlI has joined the Ii"" 01 counsel, omcn an: located at 250 Com. merce Street. Suite 100. Montgomef)'. Alabama 36104. Phone (334) 269·0700. The firm's Birmingham office remains at 2101 6th Avenue. North. Suile 700. Birmingham. Alabama 32503. Phone (205) 254-3216. Rogel'll, Young & WolI. leill anoounc .. thai Timothy C. Burg..s has joined the Ii"", Offices are located 3t Suite 1100. Williamson Commerce Center. 801· 30 )l;oble Street. Anniston. Alabama 36201. Phone (205)235·2240. Cabaniss. Johnston, Canlner, Dum ... & O·Neal ..... ith offices in Birmingham

and Mobile. announce, that Richard Eldon Oa,';. has joined the fi"". Jon fum;nt, assistant solicitor for the Tenth Judicial Circuit. announces hi, appoint"",nt as general counsel for lhe South C..olina Department of Labor. l iconsing and Rogulatio n. His new address is 3600 Fore,t Dri,'t. Box 11329. Columbia. South Carolina 292 11, Phone (803) 734·%00.

Cartwright & """strong announces thaI Chri.tophu R. IlGOd has joined as an associate. Offices are located at 3800 THE ALABAMA

~\VYER

C.. lonNde P~~. Suite 630. Birming· Iwn. AlWmo 352-43. Phont (205) ~

5900. ].Iltchi e & ].I edlker announCe! that Chrll toph.. B. n orm an and Patrlda l>Iak h...~ jointd 1M finn. OfficH art WIN al 312 N. 23rd Sired. Binning· ham. ALlhlma 35203. Phont (205)25]· 1288. \'u l & Marsh .ru.ounces that ].IIIIHIl Carter Gu he' and Ken neth M. Oll ih

joined lilt firm. Off'o«s Me localN ~t 200] Puk Plact. North. Sui te 525. Birmingham. Alabama 35203. Phone (205) 324· ]524. Jolly W. Bi.hop and P. 00';,1 Mathe. ny. former Baldwin County ~t d~ trid IUomt)'i. ~e lilt opming 01 Bishop &: Mathtny. Off't«f I .... wit<! at 220 Courthou~ Square. lIay Minnette. Alabama 36507. Phont (334) 931·5234 .

Uoyd, Schrtibor &:

ownt chang< to IJoyd, SchRiM r, C.-.y &: C.inn. and tNoI Danitl5. W"lter and

Stephen E. Whitehud Nove joined the firm. omets are locattd al Two Perime· ter 1'lIrk, South, Suilt 100. BinninK/Wn. Abbama 35243. Phont 12(5)967-8822.

lMOUnce, a

Dempley. Puno .. &: Cu m mlu an· th.at Michtlit M. Hart ~ joiMd Ihe firm. Officn art localed al 29000 llighway 98. Suite lOl·C. Uaphnt. AIaba· ma36S26. Phont (334) 626-2m. •

IIOI.tI>aS

Notice of Election Notice is given herowith poJTSIJ,lf'It to the Alabama State Bar Rules Governing Eklct;.,n of Pr&sident·Eklct and CommlSSlon&r.

President·Elect The Alabama Stat& Bar will &klct a presid&nt ;" 1996 to assumo the presid&ncy ot the bar in July 1997. Any

candida!& must bo a m&mbor In good sianding on March 1. 1996. Potitions nominating a candidat& must boar the signalUf8 01 25 momblHs in good slanding 01 the Alabama Stato Bar and bo.&e&iv&d by the S&a"olary of

the stalO bar on 01 bEII...e Marc/'ll. 1996. Any candidal& lor !IUs offioe must also s.ubmiI with the roorninaling p&Iition a blad< and wtHIe pholog<3l)h and biog.aphical <!ala to bEt published ;" the May Alabama

uwyer.

Ballots witt bo mail&<! bolweeo May 15 and JUfI& 1 and mUSI bo received at stal& bar headQuarters by 5 p.m. on JUly 23. 1996.

Commissioners Bar commr$SlOl'l8fS wiD bEt &klcted by lhos. lawyers with !h&Ir principal offio&s in the following cireuits: 8th ; 10th. places no. 4. 7 and Bessemor CU1·off ; l1lh; 13th. place no. 1; 171h; 18th; 19th: 21st: 2200 : 23rd. place no. 1; 30th; 31s1; l3rd; 34lh; 35th ; 36th; I nd 40th. Additionat eomrrOsslooers wil! bo &IecIed in these lor tach 300 rnemb&rs of the state bar with principal offices th&r&ln. The

cifQJ~s

commissioners positions will bEt

determined by a census on March 1. 1996 and vacancies C8f1~ied by tho SIICf&tary on Marc/'l15. 1996. The !(tlms of any ineurnt)&nt commissioners aro rotained.

All sub!l&q\Jont to.ms will bEt lor Ihf&& years. Nominations may bEt mad& by p&tition bearing the sigfllltUres of 1M! rnemb&rs In good standing with pMeI. pal offices In the cireu~ In which the olec!ion wi! bo held 01 by the candidate'& writl8Il d&daration of candida·

cy . Either mUSI b& roceived by the S&a"olary no later than 5 p.m. on the laSt Friday in April (April 26. 1996). Ballots wit! b& pr&pafOO and mailed 10 m&mbors betw&&fl May 15 and JUflEI 1. 1996. Ballots must bo voted

and .&turned by 5 p.m. on lhe second TU&Sday In JUflEI (June 11 , 1996) to stale bar headquan&rl.

THE ALABAMA LAWYER

MARCH ] 996 175

BUILDING ALABAMA's COURTHOUSES RUSSELL COUNTY COURTHOUSE 811 SA.'fUEL A. RUNOR£, JR.

Tht fol/()I&i1l9 conlinU"f II hi$lorg fJf Alabama', roun/¥ rourlhouus-their origins rmd _ 01 the P«JPk.roo £'Q'I/rilJuttd /0 li!dr ,me/h. The M'N"'"

r.......... pions 10,.", _

counlJl's sIQtJI in taCh issw of 1M magoziM. If gtMl /r(we /Ifill p/rolograp/IJ of Nr/II or pno SIn! rourl~ p/uu fol'WQrd them 10: SamlMl A Rumorv. Jr.• Miglkmko &

Rumo;,. 1230 Brown Marx Tower. Binningham, AJobarrm35203.

RUSSELL COUNTY

I,,'i ,

~m~M gf~nny~.

ni»!: RU$$t1l County and its

most populous town. Phmil:

City, as bane !he <lm;ocross tht ~tlllloochft Rivtr from Columbus. G.orgi. and its lIule miliQry baR. Fort 8I.nning. Phtnil City is often thought of only as I conlin"alion of the CroTg;. molropoliJ into Alabama and In e. tension of Eastern liIM intI) the Ctnlral liml' ZOnt. I'h~ni~ City is the largest town in Alabama which sham I boundary "'ith a city in ar>Othtr ltal •. v.t RlLUI'li County and ;u oounty ~.. t. !'htnu City. haw a history uniquely lhoei, own, inRutnced, but not dirtlttd. by tOOT location a.cross Ihe rMTfrom Columbus. Militarily, ttw imporuon« of ttw am. dalts back to 1689 ....t.n .. group of 5plr>ish soIditrs W priuu ~ishod m outpost on the riwr rour pr~nt~ Holy Trinity, AWH.tnIO, Though this fort lasted only thrt<: )'t~rs. it _rked the northemmost penetration of Spain abovo: its holdings in Florid.!. The fort. knoY.ll as Fort Apolochicola. was destroyed by the Span· 76 1 MARCil 1996

i.... when th" Idt the Ire;, b«aUK of incrnsinll British inflotn«. Ruwll County was inlwhitcd primarily by the Yuchi looilns. an i~ ment of the Cmk Indian Confederation. ~ of their most important t",,'nS was Old C<)Wftl. loated a hIItf mite ...'Ut of. tht Chauahoochu River em the ",uth 'ide 01 Broken AmfoN Creelc in present· d.!y Rusull County. Jam,. OIII.tl>o'l"'. founder of Cta.gia. viSited the Indian ch~l1thert in 1739 ...,th the goal of tstablishinll pe~e and lradf: with the Indians as ~II as stc'Uring the frontier bard... cJ his colony. Thf Truty cJ eo-I.I that ht negotillttd tnIOrked the first «osion of bonds by tilt Cmk Coofederxy (0 whitt

After tht Arnetian RtvoIution. tilt aru that is RusMII County bmo_ a part cJ tht United Sl.Itti. Stule .. from Cwrgia btgan O"IO'Ving westward througllthe affil along an Indian trail which was 1M ol d· est rout. from tM Allllntic 10 .... hllt ....u then called tM · SOUth.... est". & early as

_ >I<q

.... ,..... of s...I< CWrl_ trils

"'1?JJu4iIc-.." """ ": '.:'~=-

____

1805 this Indian trail bf.ca_ lilt Fedu.1 Road on which pioMers trawled from MilLedgfVilie in middle Ctargill to SI. Sttphens in wIIoot would btc~ loIo~r Ablwnl. FOIti wotrt built along the wwy 10 prottc1the Millon from the norr_prt_ sent Indians. In 1811. one of lhese forts ...-as built a mit. and " h/IIf west of the Chiltalloochto Riwr and seM'OJ at first as a \radiog emleT for both the settlers and the Cr..,k Indians. In 1813. Central John Floyd of Ceorgia constructed fortifications and breast.... ork. in anticipation of trouble THE ALABAMA LAWYER

with tho Jndiul$. He rwntd tho fort in honor d G<M:mor David B. Mitchell of (M.g;.. Subsoqutntly. both duril\lliind after Ihe Creek Indian War of 1813.1814Ihis fort K ..... d as an important base of lIJIlI)litslind a Uniltd Statts wa~hotIK. RwI_ 01 its Ioootion it bt'C3mr known IS "Th. CIIIlWlY to the Wesl. " Todoy Fort Mitchell is II National Historic Site and cont.linn Nahonal Cemete!),. Thf: Creek$ coded additional Lan;b to lhe Unit"'! St.ltrs by Ir.ati...igMd in 1814. 1825. and 1&12. The final lruly took Ihe remlOining Creek IlOndJ east of lhe Miuiui""i River. On December 18. 1832. II.. 51.11. of Alabama creattd nine coun lies from the Creek lands. One wu named RUJKlL to honor Cilbfrt ChristWI RUJKlI. II JOkIier ~ ....dian "!!hI... from T~ ..t.o Krvm with Andrtw Jadson duringlhe Creek Indian Wllr. CillJ.ert C. Ruwll was bom in Abingdon. Virginia on May 18. 1782. His fami_ ly Iliter ,dUed in Tenn..... lind he graduated from WUI Point in 1803. RussellIlHllin.et! In. rank of colonel in 181' lOr><! comlllllodtd lO regiment under Jatkwn. He .. Mil al Fort Bainbridge. ~'ort Hull, and Fort Milchell. After Ihe Creek Indian Wu he resigned his com· miNion on JUot 15, 1815 lind ITIO"td to Mobi'e whe", he ulablidltd bUli ... u int...sts lOr><! rellred II Large family. He died there in 1SS5. The Act c",atin~ Russell County provided lhal Ihrn commi!.Sioners would be appoinltd to stltc:tll COtInty $01 not mort than iii milts from tho conter 01 the Chattahoochet RiveT.'Tht» ...."' 11150 lOuthoriztd to buy sufficienl Lar><!. up 10 160 acres. 00 which to build. coul'lllouK. )ail. lind other nt«S.SUY county buildi. The commissioners Hltcttd lhe little ~r village 01 Cinn!, "I'Jl'.l'ilt Columbus, c.o~ as tilt first coonty SUI. Cirard had bmt rstablished as I trad· ing posl in the Alabama Territory at some time prior to 1820. It wu namtd for Sltphm Cirard. II Philadelphia phil· anthropist and sl"vt dnler ..'ho had iKquiml much of lhe Land in the ilru. The first .ltdions t(lOk piau in RUl$t1l Counly on the rorsl Monday in Mlrch 1833. Thf: first court COlWtnW in CirlOrd On Oclober It, 1833. Sinc. no publit buildings hild bun trtcted, this first court was held ~tthe homtof 101m Codwin. II contractor, who. with his sla,.. Horace King. ran a blacksmith and car-

pml!), busi....,.. The first cirtuit ~ """ I'tolomey Harri •. Am>rding to lhe ~ re<;Onls. iii atlOT1lf)'l prtKnlrd thrir lic~n stt al tht fi"t court and wert admitted 10 practice after they SWOre 10 suWOri the Constitulions of the Unilrd SlIItn ,nd Ih. Slatt of AlaboomlO ~nd look an (lith ~nJt d... lilli. Wh.n RUSHII Counly was crealed, many Indr.ns remained in the arf.'_Also. tI-.. territOty attracttd solditr$. :od... nlur· Or$. traveler$. MId tndm. The west bank of the Chattahoochee RlVu btalm .. II.Mn lot- tMso tsQI'ina: tilt Jaw in Ctor-

it would take .. Imost lOO)IUra f~ tilt county ..at to return lhe"" Th. ro,,1 courthouu building con· .Iruded in Ruwll County "'/II built in Crocketlsvill. by John Codwin. tho s&me man in ..tJoH homt the first court con· ,....... al Gi",rd. Conltructioo !xiiIn in 1839, and tilt btolld'lIi WillI compitted in 11141. coo..in and H01iICt King. his fortman. btclOme fillTlOUS ~ conlracto" 01 build_ ings ~ as ~·btoiklen in tilt Irtll. Kina: was tllWlCipMtd by a special Act 01 the AIabamII Legislilturt ~ IlIter servm

gia. Renegades, lawbnaktrs. ind other Lawlns 'lements became a signitlQnt factor. In its ... rliul dII)'$ Ci",rd had a reputal ion for drunken ...", cltba ... h_ try. lind prostitution. It attracted Ihe unofficiill nam. 01 "Sodom." (This rtpu· taliQfl would be rekindled mort lhan a centu!), Lattr in Phmix City. which today

a membo:r in that s&me legisLatiw body during RtcOl15truclion. After Cod¥.in's doth in 1859. Ki"ll endtd, memorial marl.. "t.ich still stands OYI'r CocIwin'. grave. It wu placed in remembrance of th.IDVI' ar><! grlOlitudt h. felt for his lost friend and former master. This unique tribute by .. fonntr a- to a fonntr m,u. kr wu rtpOl'ttd by Robert Ripley in his bmouo "Belit\'! It Or Not- Krits. In 1M3 tilt namt 01 CrocktlUvil1t ...... officially changed to Cra"ford in honor of the family of William Harris Crawford ]1772-1834). a disti"llui,1wd ~r ~ swtsmon from Ceoriia who ran lot- pmlelmt in 182~. Cra..ford would rtmlOin the county stat thl'Vlll!hout the CMI WilT. No pictUrt or photograph oxists of tM courlhoust building at Crawford. It relT\llin.et! standillll for many ~al'l IftU it stOpped being used as tilt courthoust lInd servm ~ i pliKt 01 won.hip for tilt Methodist congreption. It filCtd USt on the p...... t .itt oIthe C"",ford Mlihodist Church. The lown limits e.tended ooe-

~theJiltofCirard.1 Although o;onstruction 01 .. courthouse ...... begun in Girard. it wu not Mrnp!tt.

ed. RwlIISt tho popuLation was shifting ....5tward, the .. was a quution whether Girard would continue as tilt coonty ~ Th.rtfort, lhe county gowming body nfused to spend funds for I substantill1 building. In 1839, the county _I I1lO'>'td 12 mila Wt51 of Girard to Ihe village of Crock· rilf'lillt, It wu named for [).wy Crockett who /ought in the ....a duril\ll the Creek Indian Wir and who had died "t Ihe Alamo in 1836. Cirard.....wntd a "goif_ i<:.lllt .ile d... to its loclIlion 00 tilt m..r and its pl'OlCimity to Columbus, Ilowever.

~IARCH 1996 177

half milt in tach dirtCtion from thi. rour11louK. Whtn tht building w... fi ... Jly domolishtd in 1901. lilt bricks wert used 10 conslruct I MW Cn-..fOrd Mdhod .... Church. This Slruclu~ is "ill ~ine in tho town 01 Cnwford. In 1m Ruorutruction Irgislalu~ of 1866. a group from tho roorthtm part of Ruw-II Coonly soul!ht to form a ne-w coonty thai thty (OUld <.Iomi ..... le. AI..." al!rOOp in Barbour Counly to tho >outh >ought 10 ~11"00\1! from thoir coYnly tlwir political enemi.s in tht towns of Clennville and Jernigan. The boundariH 01 Rl.I$Mll Coonty ~~ ~amngt<l so thai tht northern sution. indudinl!tht town of Opelika. wtnl into forminl! tht MW <:(lUllty of Lu .... hilt Ih. soutlwm bounda;ry _ .,.t.r<lnl to takt in IIw &arbour Counly lowns of Cltnnville and Jemi· gan. Crawford Waf Itft on tilt no.tlltrn border of Russell County. Tht legi,lllure ordtrtd an c-._ ........ tltction so that Ruw-II c.:.unly <;()Uld choow I I11OI"e cmlnliud county K:.>l The .I«tion 100II ~lKt in 1868. Only thrtt communities garnered signifjant votts-Cra ... ford and Cirud. both of which had llrudy bttn lilt county K:.>l and Silver Run. The town of Si"..,r Run won tilt eltction. Silve. Run UOK lIrar 1m silt of 1m first pmt oIfice west of ~'ort ~litch.1I 011 Ihe Ftderal Road. which WlIlI Iocatid at a communily calltd Peru . No 0""' kllO'o."S Iht origin of tilt name f'eru today. bul regular mlil I ...... ic. "'u ntlobli,hod lhen: in the IMOs. By 1850. tilt Mobile and Ci .... rd Railroad Comp;ony hild be.n Incorporllt.d lind plan. ~rt mad. to .u ..... ty a rllilroad roul .. The nil. . . would optn R,,*II CountybdMlop'it,ll Tho right of-t p;outd two miltslOUth of ~ru. and most 01 Ptru's rHidomu wbsfqutntly rno:Md to lilt a~a nar lilt nilroad sitt. A swiftly iTi(I';i"llstrum I/iI'Y thiurn ils name-Silver Run. The mill .. tablished on Sil~u Run Crttk produced f"I«d(d lumber for ntw conslruction and ground tht grain lor food. In 1856 the 78/MARC11199ti

pml oIfic. wu oIf1cially mOYed 10 the railrtwl town of Sil~r Run. For moTl)' )'UlS Silver Run _1M ItrminU5 of. tht railro;od from C, .... rd pending lICQUisition 01 ~itionll funob for continutd cooSlruction to Mobil .. On. "'lilt railroad dtYtIoprr$ ""'" c.rp. Wn Arnold Seale. I nat"", 01 South Clorolina and son of Revolutionary Wu ""triot Thoma. Sui •• Ca~t~in Sule ~.idod II Silver Run ... lw:n it ..OW<! u tilt l'3ilroad tenninUJ. and he l'3ised the

buill tht prison at the remote Iocalion of Andersonville. ClOrgi,. lii,lor;an. can only sptculatt thlIl tilt horrors of Ano:krsonvll" would ~ bttn avoidrd if lilt Si"..,r Run silt had btm ..Iec:tod. Tht Russtll County rtcords .... tT. ~1TIO'OYd from Cnw/ord and tnruporttd by 01 ClIrt 10 the SIOHhoust ofWilIilIm H.nry lIollllnd lit Sil~r Run ,n 1868. Abo, in 1868 the sit. for a new courthou ... WI$ selocted by Sim.on O·Nul and Cic.ro McBride. O·Ntal r«eiVlXl a conlract to build the courthouse. The 10t,1 cost .... as approximately $9.600. John lfWis was the archit«L Ii.....as 1M son of UlyuH Lewis. who had serwd u 1M first mayor of Columbus. Ct<:>rgilI in 1828. but ...·110 mOYfll ptTII\I.n.ntly 10 R,,*II Counly when it ...... founcltd • few)'flTS later. Th. courtl>oo.. ilt Silver Run. now called Soal,. i. a tWO-5tory red brick structuu which _ onginally r«UnguIiIr. bul which was ..,i11OCItltd in 1908 10 be T_ ..... ptd wilh wings liCfOU 1M front. Th. front s«lion is 62 loet by 27 fttl "ith s.tvfIl windows liCrQoI,I the lacade and lWO wiTlllo...." deep. The rear s«tion is 50 Ittt by 63 Itel with four "indows across the side lind Ihr.. windows along tht rur. 1ht front contains II smllll balcony louttd abo:J,... lilt ctnlral entrance

capiLLI 10 extend tht nilroad farthtr wtSt. Th. lown soon ~. ClImt unofficially kno... n I I Suit·. Station. Whtn the counly lUI m~d to the town. il ... lIS Tht front of 1M Cilliod Sfalt·1 Court· i'M,k., ., ,I>< SNk "to ,...,.,.,,, building fUlur .. _ _ tl>< <fJmfIW>ti!ia of _ _ houtf. Finally. the four manive Roman i)oric communily ~camt I'Iomi.r: 0'1 known limply I I columns that supSuit. When th. port II triangular town "'"<'$ incorpo)i\)ted in tBn the om. ptdilTltnt. WindO\O." on the front S«tion cilll nlImt chostn WlIlI Sfale. haYe /lilt archts with ~ WiTlllo...." on 1M side of tht front stetioo j,.".., simTheu " . signifiCllnl hl!lorical footnott involv,ng the 101011 of Silver Run. ilar lIrchts. and lilt sides lIlso contain lriWhtn th. Confederate g~rnmtnt ilT>ll\llu ptdimtnlJ. In lilt reu section. """I!ht a Io:lgjion for • prison. 51""'" Ibm only the firsl floor ...,ndows ha,,", fIal was givm seri()UI consid..ation and was archts with kt)'$lones.. The rur JtC".OTKI lItmost ..ltcttd. due in part to 1oClIfloor windows haw rouncltd archts.. tion on tilt railroad. Howe.Yr. ConftdThe first floor intmor is divided by II ","It officilli. d«idttl root 10 locate tht ctnlral hallwlly. In tilt fronl section. one prison tlw~ btCiIUst 01 its prwimily to I.>rg. room ;s IoClIted on tilt righl and ColumbuS. C«i'1lill, iUl impor\.ilnt man_ lwo rooms~.., louttd on tilt left. In thl' ufacturing town .... hich would attracl tho rear Hclion .•ach &ide ,onlainl th .. ~ rooms. 111. fir~t room on th. 1.11 in Ih. att.ntOon 01 FedmltfOOllS. lrutead. t~

Cou,,""""

,\5

TilE ALA8AMA lAWYER

rut w;u tilt old vaull. iIId has ~lIs U Illchu Ihick. The HOOT plan of tilt Heond floor is limibr 10 lhe forst ocep! thaI lht ~nti r. rear Hetion cOII$istt of olle brllt' room which HM<i as a courtroom. During tilt 1908 remockling, tilt t11lirt building ,,-as rt·brickN. Mort."I. _ dyed to maid! tilt color 01 tilt brid<s. and fn:m a d;SI.lII<~ 1m building appurs to be a solid maI$ of tht Io3me colo •. The 1008 imprl)vements ....~rt dt$igned by T. F. Lockwood. archiled. and tilt conlractor wu E. C. Soi&. The courthouse at Stale ...as -..fll con· "rucled. II wu buill on I heighl Ihal command$ the aru. Thi$ WUClure is coruid.red 10 bot the 01<11'$1 public build. i~ ill ta51 AlabamI. and 0lIl' oIlhe oIdtsl courthouSl: Slrucluru still stMH:Iing ;n tilt entirt $Ule. In 1935 tilt county MIll mowd II) Phenix Cil)'. bul Seale rtUintd a branch rourthouSl: "nlill943. The building has 5I:tn many lISts si~ it cURd 10 Hrw U counl)' rourthouH. During World War II. tht building housN the loa! draft bo»rd. Late. it was usN by lhe school system for stor"1ge and for vocational·agricultural clu$u. The Sulr Ci,·it Club ulfd il lor merlinit'. In Ih. 1950. Iht dignified $rcl)nd /loor court .""", was conve rted tl) another Iype I)f court- a baskelball oourt. By 1958 lhe building ""·u unused. unoccu· pird. and deteriorating. A local group organized I i th. Old Ruwll County Coorthoust Associlllion bfurn,e interested in -ong and mIor· ~ the hiotorio; f;(IUrthouH.. On MIoy 23. 1974. tht organization was able II) 8ft lhoe building Nmed to lhoe National Regul.r of lI utork Pbocts. Thu.1Ion irupi1"f'J tm RkJI5I:lI Coonly CornmiMion II) apprOpri. ale funds lor a new root which hloltrd MIl' lurthtr dtttriorlllion of tilt building. Thereafter. Ih. Old RU$Sl:1I Cl)unly Courthouse Association. whkh now has _ral hundred membe ... began etl.brating Labor ~ each yt.ar with a coun· Iry fair on lhe ground$ thai has drawn crowds esti ..... trd al as high as 10.000. EKh ~ in April. thoe oourthouse u lhe ~ of a fancy ~I. QI'l!.1niud by the usociation. which is kno....n as lhoe SU.· lile BIIII. This lund raiser is limiled to 200 poorticipantt. lhe muimum alLowed by firt ..... rstW.. whodioo: the night away. I'ro«rds from thtse annual ~ts ~ brftl uIf<I for c:ourthouH projectt. Ow. tho yt.ars thoe interior of tIM: stNC'

TIlE ALABAMA LAWYER

tUR has beell fully rem,...aled. Profits fn:m lhe fllir Ind ball Irt I - " used for upkeep and other imrrtJ'.'ementt such as II galiebo that was added 10 the grounds. Fulurt plan$ all for impfl)Ytd Iar.dscApiog. The citiuns of RIWtIl County must bt commended fl), Ihei, Inle.eSI in preserv,tion and for thtir ..... ny inno'>'ll_

Cr-"rl " " ' _ Ch<m:h _

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1M projects lhat 00ve helped 10 IiWt thtir historic rourth.ouH Imd..... rk. [v.n Ihough tht coun ty WII wu remowd rn:m Gir;ord ill 1839. lhal ta..l1 el)nlinued to gro.... A I'Ilst olfiu wu ~I;oblished in 1&10. and soon afterwarw

a new.Ij)olpft". The town ....as II tr.oding DroIe, due 10 its .....t.arf 00 the riwr. And lhoe Mooile and Girard Railroad Company. I)riginating in the town. had rtCtiYfd II charter tl) begi!> construction. By the I86Os. Girard had /I numbtr of mills. 1'J,c. to.ies. lind I Itltile p~nt. T.agiully. much of the \.010011 was burned by federal tfOOp$ a5 thty lought 0lIl' of the lut bat· tits of thoe Civil WIr ta5t of lhe Mi ssis. sippi RiYf' III Gi,ard on Ap.il 16. 1S65. Still tilt lO\OI"fl wtvMd. When LH County was crta(ed ill 1866. Cirard wddmIy IOund ilMll at tilt northem borde. of Rusull County. Th. area directly north of it wn made poort of I.et Coortty. This area in LH County housed a mill village lor tmploytts of lhe Eagk and F'h<omix milb in CQlumbu$. Ceorgia. This aommunily had 00 RiW1lt. 1I"I1m a"""", Wl$ soul!hI. 5t1i1'r;o1 were WIUleiItd. induding We st Cl)lumbuJ and North Gi""d. neithoer of ""hkh rueiwd much $uppor\. The rwnt which _ fmally dlOItII_ 1Irownvi1k. in honor 01 Judge Eli Brown. ... ho fumuhrd mUI and prQduce 10 the mill village and ... ho also go"" the wo.k. ers legal advice. Brownville was incorporued by the kiislalure in 1883. Wh.n BrQ\O>"f1vilit sought tl) Ilbtain a pOSt office. tht ( iliu,," diKOW:rrd that II communi ty in Tuscaloon County alread\' had the name -Brownville: So. a new Nme had 10 ~ $Ubmilled for the posl offier. Local legend duc.ibes how II new rwnt "'";lS chosen. A numbtr of drinlcing and bawdy tslabli'h .... nts ui5led 00 the Alabama side of lhoe 141h Strut bridge. Workers leaving the mills in Columbus WOllId ....uk back tow;>rd horne actoU thoe bridge and frequent thtsr atabIi$hmtntJ.. Things got p;orticu~.1y OUI of hmd ora Iller II Salurday payday. A num~, of .... n wert walchinglhe excite .... nt when a stra~r Colome by and said. ""This sure is II li...,{11 plac •• - A ~r . tpOrttr OYtrhtard him and uspondrd."Va..-' that would be- ~ good name for this Iown. • A short time Ioter the new pool off""e al !JI'{/'I<'nville received the name "Liwly". Thus. the ofli~ial legal n~mt was 8rownyillt and th. name 1)1 tht posl oIfa _ LMIy. TI) ccnfuse maum tvm roo ... 1m raiooy depot MIl loog b«n alit<! "Knight"J Station" by thoe r;oilroad managtment. Cl)nitquently. th. a,ea north of Cirard found ittell ... ith th ..e

MARCH 1996/ 79

difftunl namu Brownvill~. Wwly. Ind Knighl'l Stalion. Tht 101<0.... council Telliud t.h.ll somethifIIll..! 10 bt donr, -.I ttwy prlitionfd lhe Ifgililiurf 10 officially chlll8e the n.m~ of Browll'lill~ 10 I'h~nix Cily .• vaNnI >polling ho"ori~ tho old PmmilI Mill in Columbus. This ~ took place on February 19. 1889. Th~ post office d'p;lrtm~nt. hO\'l·evu. duignat~d the town IJ "Photni •. AI.bama. ' which immediately cauK\! confusion with mail dim:lw 10 Photni •• AriOOlllO, In 1899. Ihe p<»t office added the word "City' to the name. bul still misspelltd il .. "PhomillCily. TIlt miltake W<lS not corrtcted for mlny YUTI . Even Thomn McAdory Owtn. in hil monument.1 Hi.torll 01 AIQlwma and Dic/,'rmQrll 01 AlaNffUI Biographll PlIbIished in 192'1. rtfernd to

the town of "PhOtni. ' in th. ulrtme southeast COI'lltr oILft County. By 1922, the people in Phtnill City IOd Gir.mll..! c.lortfully OOf>I.idered . I11I'rgtr of Ihtir two communili •• . HO\Oo'tWr. a rroblem existed btc.Iouse they ""'''' located In different countits. Th e solution came in the form of ~r.1 bills passed by the legi,latur. on August 9. 1923 and

appn:Ned by eo..t-mor 8TJtMlon. Tht first Act conJOlid:oted Phtni. Cily.oo Girud into the new tOl<o'n 01 PIleni. City. Tht ","lIing wu now in its fillli form. Tht ...aJnd pf\'Mdtd for • ~ $W3p bttwttn Lft IOd RUiHII County. Russell County pine<! the Pheni. Cily t..rilOt)' whil, Ltt Co unt y WII Qivtn Ih. artl that included the town 01 Marvin. TIlt map ot' Lft County lOIIay conl.liru this nub of land thJ.1 juU into Rumll County. Tht third Act establilhtd a branch courthousoe for Rumll County Illhe newly consolidated I'lw:ni. Cily. Supporte,., of this I'Qjslali<)n also proposed th:at tho new city 1""I!UM ytt another name. They wanled tho tOl<o.... to be caned "Bnndon' in honor 01 tho gowrnor who lurported tht changes. Afttr I g.,.,-suit WII filed by tilt ' old gmrd" in Gim<!. tho til,", Ac\s ......... dt<;Lam:i co;JfIStitutional . but tht namt chln.Qt to ' BnncIon" _ ruled illegal since tho Act coosoIicAt· illl! Ih, lownJ hid s~cifitd Iht name "Phenix City" for tilt new municip;llity. Following lhe land $W~p. county officials.set ur l northern division for tit. Russell Counly Courthoust. Offices we", localtd on lit. fi rst floor of tit. old city

Nationa C 0 u r Reporting

~I ~Itho

fonntr town oIGirud. The city

dork IT)(MC! his off.u 10 thr. sewnd fkxlr. 8}' 1935. tho YOItn of Russell County

in ~ counly-wide ",fermdum """rowd ~

ct..n,ft INking I'htnix City thor offICial

COWlty IeIt, luvilli Suit ..,Ih • br.mch

courtnowo. This electoon 011935 ..... tho list change of • counly Selt in "'lab'UN. TIlt'" has bttn 00 change in county $elIt designations ~fl)'\''he", in lhe state ';nco that el..:tion. and all county boundary lints have remained tht ~me as well sinet Iht 1,u.Rus.seliland swap. TIlt Russell County Commi$Oion m.:>dt: an lPl>lication for assistance 10 the Fed· eral Public Worb Administration (I'\'IA). ..ilidl opI'rattll during lhe ~prUlion. to build 1 new courthowo and a ~ post offICe. TheK ~ro;e.:u "",u approYtd IOd by October 1938, court wu held lor tho first tilm in tIw pR$I1lt R.....II County CourthouJt. Tht bunch courthouse umaintd 1\ Suit until 1943 whm it ..'OtS permanenlly clOHd. Tht new Phenill Cii)' Courthou5t ..... design,d by archit..:t J~mts J. W. Biggen. The C(IIllrador was Murphy Bound. Dut to the county'. growth. an addition had 10 be made 10 tht slruclure in 1949. Ag;tin, Iorner; J. W. Bi~,., Will architect. J. D. Stillwell .servt<ll.l conlractor for this project. Thi, building •• ~ IWO ' Jtory brick structure with a contnl NeoclaSSical fxadt that is 10m......NI reminiscent of tho courthouse 1\ Suit. TIlt building has four nuted tk>ric columns thII support a triangular ~dimenl . I'.'h,n addilional spKt WlII uquirtd. the county ....:urtd the building directly Kross the street as

a courthoust ~nnt1

One of Alabama 's oldesl Court Reporting Compani es Featuring:

A .tory aboul Ihe law .nd the courts in Phenix City would nOI be complet~ without rtferring to thf! troubling limes Ihert in th~ 195Os. Most assuredly the

-......... ......... ---.-. __

Discovery ZX Nationwide Report ing

Condensed Deposi lions Video Tape Rccon;ling

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24 Hour Birmingham Number 11""_ Ofn<,t

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co...... "'""".....- .... SO / MARCIl I996

TilE ALABAMA lAWYER

town

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had had probltms in !he

put. but those probltmS ~re IlOl

near·

Iy u ut(nsi~( :as th( onts in Phtnix City, which in !he 19501 WilS ,alit<! tm "Wic ktdUI City in America". II has bun repOrted thai thert was no bound· uy be!w{:tn tm good and tm b;od sec· lions in Phomilt Cit)' at tNt time. Night cll,lbl, cuinos. clip joinU, and b.o.\OI'dy houses all emtt<! wilhin blocks of the eOluthOllS(. Vices included gambling. prO$titl,ltion. illegal drugs and liql,lor. payoff of officials, and si",i lar corrupt practku. Phenix City took in $2 mil· lion per month jUll fronl the JOidiu. at rort Benning. 1M Chatbhoochft RiYtr ~ the dumping ground lor bod;a Old Socbn had rtturntd. Tht e~ent whkh caused the lurnaround in Phenix City occurred on June 18. 1954. The newly nominated can di· date for altorn<}' I/I'""rll. Albert Palttrson. who had u",p,aigntd to dun I,Ip PhtniK City, was nunina ted on a $trul there. In the lftmnlth of thi.

ml,lrdu. CO~trnor Cordon PtrlOn. dtcbred martial IlIw lnd Hnl ee""r;ol Waller J. "Cnock" Hanna and the AIabI· rna National G\lIIrd to take <mr the city. Hanna named altorn(y Ray Acton the military mayor of Phenix City. Th. Nationll Guard troopt literally took control of tm county courthouw .. nd city hall. Aa:on:Iing to John l'atlmon. son ci the slain AlOOt Patltrson.. who ,,1CC«dtd his father ilS the atlomtjl I/I'ne",1 nominee. btclmo attorney genenll in 19$.1 and then Govtmor of Alabama in 1958, ~ who is now on the court of criminallppral •. Phomix City __ the first IOd only city in Arneric<I to bt pLKtd undtr martial law. Amwd lfOOP'I ... f1"OO.lII<.Itd the cou~ ~ pilysieally rerrw.otd mUin official .. Gambling equipment was Hizet!. liquor 1iefnn. revoked, and more than 700 indktmtnts ~re rendered by a sptd.al grandjury.

\\'hfn . - .Itdions ~Il' held within ~lr. civilian control returned. Th.

citiun. rapidly chlnged their town from a "Sin City" into oan "All Amtrian City"." dtsignation rta:iYtd in 1955. Phtnix City is today .. Jaw..ibiding c0mmunityand Russell County is gm;;ng and 1'fO$I>eTOUS. The ~mlTlfnt and W)TIOmy 01 RUSM:II County comp,art /.iwor.lbIy with any othtr in.o\lab;uN.. 1M luthor gratdully iKknowltdges tht ol$$i.1MIct giYVI to him ~ ~r rommWioner Ilowm Brassotll 0I1'hmix City. who furnished materialt used in the preparation of this article. and anorney Tom Estes of. Phenix City, ..... ho prOYided other $OIlrce .... t.rial. Sou re..; Tlte Hislorg or Russell Russell Count)' Historical Com· miuion, 1982: A Proplll Coorageous• ..t HiS/orll or Phenix CiI!!, Alabama, lIarold S. Coulter. 1976: Phenix Cilll. The 1170:/",,1"'1"1 Cilg in AmIIrio>, Edwin Strickland and Cene Worst""'n. 1955: iIhIbarnoIllisioriall (}uarlmg. Volumt CoIm~,

XXI, 19S9.

•

Family Law Section Alabama State Bar

Divorce on tile Beach X

_ _----- ------- - ~

... ~-

THE ALAMMA LAWn:R

MARCil 1996 / 81

he ASS AOAOSHOW pre&entatk)n i$ the 1;'SI slep in 811 OI/MaU p~n 10 increaS<! COO'Wl'K.IIllCalion between the state bar and local bar assoe..11OI'III NoÂŤ only .. the

preseotaLoDn

a way to share me 'iI$lO!'I and long-range

goals oIlhe ASS, but, more irnporI.andy. ~ proy.des a Ionm to.eceive r1pUI/n;m ~ on the _ _ IhaI

~--

Entho.INS\IClIIy.eceoYed by.,..".. a dozen ball eo lar. the ROAOSHOW '96 ream is already 'en .. roaa agalll" T1Yee IIIM~. Km OWer , V\.P dioec;lOI : 1U' Difec\elf' Tracy [)an;el, and Susan Andres. directOl 01 COtlYI'IlJni. catoons. spoIce to approxinately 40 memt:ler1 oIlhe Bay

MIne"e Bar Assocoa1>on at the~ January ~tng The briel program focuses on p<OQrams and servlce$ or the ASS, and COI\Cludes Wltll an excellent ro.,.,.minule video aboo! the Alabama Bar Pouldatl():l Kid" Chance IIChoIarstup J)fOQrBm. Remawll....g tome is deYoCed to llIC8IV'Ir"Ig inpuIaod COOI"I8i~S from bar~. aboul..tlallhe ASS CIIfl dolO help 1hoIm. Pfogr_ can be laiIofed to iii a scheduled bar ~tng 01 an in/orr'I* get-togethef, ConIact Susan Andres at (334) 269-1515 Nyou are inlerested III haWlg ROAD$HOW '96 at your bart

82 1 MARCi l 1996

Tin: AL.J.IJAMA LAWYER

OPINIONS OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

__ m

By 1. Anthony McLain, general counsel Uon,

""Thil I~tt~r i, written purwant to om reunl " telephone CQ!l"" .... tion in which I had rt<juested you. advice C()ncerning connicts Mtwun tht Suruhine law and tho! obligation of iltomt)'l to hold invioLate the anomey-client privilege. Our firm rtprtKilts 1I number 01 public sector dimts thai ~ l uIJ;td to tht Sunlhine .... "" and lIrt abo olIen invol,'td in legal mlIlter. which require confident;;'1 diKullioru with the members of our finn "The ooIy ",al ,uidim we haw had in 1M past is 1./l/KMsofy opinion from the Stak Bar Association ~ in Mioy, 1985, until 1m Supmnr Coort visilfd this Ww in Dutln IJ. Alabama Slal« llniV<'rsiI/l Ik)Qrd of Trw/flU, 628 So.2d 519 (Ala. ]993). In Ounn. the Court appears to caM 0\.1\ an uctptioo to the Suruhint Law which allows attomtyS for public bodies to rnHl with tllti ...ttomq conuming ptndinjllitigation wlwre the pUblic body iI xt~1y I'W'I'Ied H II pUty in the \av.'SUil "Tht Dunn decision IWf.irs 10 br ill odds with «lUin tom· mrnts to the AllIbiolN Rulel of ProfUo$ionlol Conduct which pTOYide that 'the confidentiality rule aPllI;., not mertly to matttrs CQmmunk~ttd In confi<ltn« by the dlmt but also tQ ~II infQrmatlon nlatlna tQ th~ r~pruenlation, wh~tenr Its S(lUra: ALL R. Prof, Conduct, 1.6, Comment. ~ Conuntnt further provida tNt, '\\1wther lulOtlwr PI'O\.UlQn 01 ~ wprr_ 5tdt5 Rult 1.6 iu moU ... 01 interpnUotion beyond the IC(lpe 01 the~ Rul .. , bul a p,/!jumplion Shf1Uld exiSI Q{}<Iinst such ~io n ', /d, (~:mphasls added), The~ comments appoar tQ IndiCllte tNt;r.n ;r.ltomey has .. duty tQ protect dlent confidtntwlty In ngard to all motion MId not just those motttn ubtina \1> pramt or Iitlaatian. ". will appm:iate lIlY guidance you can gM: me ngardl"ll thU Ippartnt con~lct thai ulsls bet....<ffn I.... <ltd.lon in Dunn and Ihe Cl>mmenls II> Iht Alabamo Rulu oIl'rofesslonal CMduct. Don a !a~, have to discws trial stmrgy with;r. public body client In an open mtding? If the public body wants \0 diKlw the possibility 0( fiH"lIl t......'SUlt wilh its attorney, dots this dil;ctWHln MId 'tbtM strmgths MId ....~ 01 the dlm!'1 ~ have to be discussed in a public meeling since the lawluit is not yet filtd? In Dunn, the Court ilppo3rs to hold that if tlwrt is ilOy discussion oIsdUrmtnl of tilt C/Ise 11lYOI\;ng a public body tNt lUCh discussHln must occur In /I public ",oding. Does this mean tNt if IIw public body's ailorrot)' aivu legal ~f conctmlng IIw ~lIlement In a clos.rd m«ling, dots the ITIHtinG ho\>t to be Opened to the public if one of the members of the public body asks the attornty a question ,e!atiw to what he or sht thinks of il p~ Mttl~ menl? Assumina th~ ....... fl<u, if a member of the public body has bets oonceoo,Ong the prqlOSfCl ottllm>mt that ........1d be brouGhllo the attorney'. atlfntion, should discuuion 0( tt-. faruoccurin I public meetinG? As you CIIn see, tlw (!mOtiQns which arise In this area are too numerous to list, but I

pmdma

T11E:ALABA.'1A LAWYER

beliew you Get the flawr tOr tilt problems ~ f11COOnter on .. fairly rtGuiar basis. "tain, I would very much appm:iate any Guiwnce JIOU u.n give mt,

I A I n;;::..~,"",,~~ C~m'."" '"' """""

detmnined, in RO.a5-08, lhal: '1'ht proYiJions ri f 13A·14-2, CocIe 0( Alabama, 1975, to the contrary not..... illutanding, if an attorney rtprtunti"ll a public tntity that comes within the IC(lpe of thi$ sUtut! rrWtrs ~ IlOOd llIith pniwional iuclto mtnt that a mertirc with his dimt is tOr the PUf1>OM 0( impart ing logallOOh'ice lind diKUUinG st ... ltllY coroceming pendinG litigation, comt.mplllltd litigation or oth~, purtly ltpl mot· lers, tilt auorr>t)' would oot b< Guilty of violating any of the prcrviJions 0( the Code 01 Professionaf flesponsibiHl¥ of tht AJllblimo State &r by inlistinG that the ....dinG be held In do$td or nocutM MS!ion MKI If tho attomtY is 01 tho Opinion tNt it ..wid be detrimt11t.l1 to tho: IN:st interest of his client to allow public lCCW to tilt meeting, he would be guilty 011 viGlalion of the C«k oIl'ro1_ionol Responsibility lhould he not insist upon a cloKd or txtC\l11ve meeting." Pre_mill.: The determination of this ethic.il inquiry by the Disciplinary Commiuion is limitfd to tilt "PPlic3lion oIlhe RulH of ProI'Hslon.1 Conduct and II lawyer. rfSpOnlibilltiel to hi. 0' her client pursuant to Solid rules. The Disc iplinary Commiu ion has roo iluthorit)' Of jurisdiction to interpret Wotutes, nor undtr (Opinions ....i>idl rtqtliu an Inl • ."rtt.lotion 01 ....... The C0mmission further TffiIirlizts tNt in I(lI'I'Ie instances a ~r's tthial duty to his or her client IN)' oon~kt with statutory or ~ law. The opinion of the OiscipliNry Commis.sion grants prot«tlon to the I~r only as II rdliit l to tho: disciplinary proc:t.f,$ ~ mfoO«lNnt 01 the RulH of Prof... ioru.l Conduct.

'"u ..'-' Rule 1.6(.), Alabama Rul •• of Proftnlonal

m t

Conduct, requires that II I.a~r not 't\ltcal infQrmation relat inG to the representation of the clifnt unltu the clienl ronsent.s aft .. cOlUullalian. Thi. prohibition il c.ol'Tied forward in 112-21_ 161, Cotk ofA/iJlxJma, 1975, wtoich statts: 1'ulimony of IIlIornt)', tIt., for or ~inst client. NQ attorney or his clt,k shall be compttent Or compelled to testify in any court in this Slate for or agII lnst the client as to lIlY malter Of !hina. knowledge 01 which IN.)' hoYt been /lCq'Uirtd /n)m the elim!. or as to ~ or COlI_l to the d~nt aivm by virtue of the rtbtion as ~t\o!TlotY or lIMn by ruson 0( lIIlIic.,mcd nnpk¥nmt illS attomey unkss c.oIltd to tl:Sti(y by the ditnt, but wll be compotenl to testify, foror against the dient, illS to an~ ".,tter or thins the knowledGe of which may have been MARCH 1996 / 83

IJl)' atMr manner. (Code 1907. 13962. 41)12; Code 1923.17658, 7726, Code 19-10. T.7. tt38.1"

acquirtd in

The commtnt to Rule 1.6 .llItn that. "1ht confldtnti.olity oot mtrdy to matters communicated in conti. drnee by 1M ditnl, but illso to ~II inlOl'TMtion rtlMing to Ihr rtprfSt nUli041 . whalenr its source." This pOsiti041 i. ~n txparuion 01 that pr~iously .dhtrtd 10 undtr 1m formt< Code of 1'rofessiona/ Rf!SpOIrUibilitg, which mC>rt rmrirti"dy dtfintd "conrldtna:" ~nd "SKut" within thr conttt.t of confi. drntialily 01 in(ormldion in 1m ~lIorney..dient rela.lioodIip. In reprnentation of a public agency, the ltlQrney shall adhere \Q the pT<WisiQns 01 § 13·A·14-2. Code of AiabormJ.1975, which pyoyidu; ru~ ~Iin

"Eni;utive or SKret sessions 01 certain OOirds. (al No u«utive or R(;ret KSSion shall bt mid by IJl)' oJ tlx foIboing rwntd bouds. corrur.Wioos or courts oJ AIa!wN. Nmt\y: AIaba.rnlo Public SeMel Commission. school com· miMionll 01 ~ bo.J,rd. 01 ;ocijustmmt, Wote or count)' WI commissions; my county cornrniWon. my city commission or municipal counci~ or IJl)' ocher bod}>. board or conwn~ sian in tht illite chl'llt"d ...ith tht duty of disbursing IJl)' funds bdongi"ll to tht $Ute. county or municipality, or Imrd. bod}> or commission to which iI drlqj;lttd OIl)' Ir:gWalM or ;..kioI Itr.ction; atqlt, th.lt exteuWe or stem ses.ions ~ bt hrld by any 01 1M ..rove namtd bo.J,rds or commissions whm tht charactu or IJ(looJ Nmt oJ a woman or man il involl>td: In r",,;ew;ng the l!torrlfY'S responsibil ity in such. lituatiQn. wherein the ethical requirement oJ confidentiality .ppt"rs to conniet with the statulory provision on ~n mutin~, tm Commission il of the opinion thaI the reuons for the confi. drntwity ....1t outwtigh tlx III.IutOl)' requiUmtntlS to public mutin~. To hold OIhnwiM' would abrogate the Iong'T«O\Iniud oommtone of the aUOI"TIq'"<litnt reLationohip. In Drmn v. A/.obamtJ 510/11 Ilniwrsitg fkxmI ofTrust-. 628 So.2d 519 ~ 1993). thr S~emt Court 01 AlabamlI adotlttd the hoIdin. of tlx Suprtmt Court 01 Tmnessee in the CISt of Smith Count, EAlualtion AuDrit>tion 1/. ~, 676 S.W.2d 328 fTenn. 1984). Theuin. tm Sup«mt Court 01 Tmnessee c~rwd out iln tIceptiQl1 to the TenntsSee "Optn Mutings Act." Tht court held lhat diKUloSions bttwun • Il\Iblic body and its attorM» concerning pending Htigation weu not subjKt to the open meetings ~t. with th~ <a_t that the t xcep' Hon applied only to those sitl.llltions wherein the public body ""'" il I'IlI/1lfd party in the I.....,uit.

Richard Wilson & Associates Regi stered Professional Court Reporters 8()oj s. f'erTy St ....... Montgomery, Alilhama 361 Q.I

264-6433

A further rf:'Mw 01 the Supreme Court oITmntISH opinion rtoognius the pOSSibility thaI &11 (Mrbro;od uctplion to the open mutings ~ could be lIbwtd wtlt"rd!y the public body could ..-t with ilS atlOmty lor the O$Itrui!)le PUfllOX 01 discussi"ll pending litigation .nd insleild conduct public busi· 0HlI in vioLation 01 the open muti"lll KI. In Dunn. supra. the Supreme Court of AliNma deter· mint<! that the "inheunt. continu'n" ~nd plemry" control 01 the court "'~r attorneys ou officen of the court could not be ,bridged by ltgislative aclion. At p.S29 .•elyins upon Smith once again. the Supreme Court of Alabama determined that the 10g;"lature has no authority to enact .1.", which impairl an attorney's ability to fulfill his ethicill dulie... . n offlCtr of the court. The recognition of the iupre rNC)' of the attor· ney-dient relationship recogniud in the Comment 10 Rule \.6; "In addition to these pT<Wisiom. a ~r ml)' be oblillal· td or penTIitttd by other pT<Wisions of \low to give informa· t;Qn ~bout il clienl. Whfthu lnotmr provision of law suptO"Sedu Rult 1.6 is. malttr of interpretation beyond the KOpt 01 these Ruin. but • praump/ion should unl QflQinsI well Q ~ "(emphasis Iddtd). The Commission would _nat Uricl adlwrence to the confidenti.olity provisions 01 the Alabama Rules 01 ProftsSional Conduct. In order /or an ilUorney tQ efftctivel}' represent a ditnt. the client must foel thilt any and all information imparted to the attorney in the attorney.,Il,nt relationship will remain in";olale. absent consent of the dient Qr order of a tribuNI of compet .... t jurisdiction. With regard to Il\Iblit /1lfeling. and attorneys who should nprestnt public agoncies cowred by tm Open mutin~ law. said attomeys should insure COrlIIlli.once with tht confidentiality requirtmtnt • .lnd recogniu thr 1onS-utablishtd principle 01 privileged communications b)' thr ditnt to the attorney. n.. ilttorney m.... mill<t • drttnTIiNtion ou to ...iIdlwr .. par_ ticubor silwotion constitutes. true attornry.<;lient discussion lOll ukt whatever steps au nectISUY 10 guarantee thr IXInti· dtntiillity 0( such communicalions. The CommiWoo notu that I""" Supreme Court of Alabama in the Dlmn CISt. adopting the TenneUH Supremt Cour!"1 ratio~le. dult with the specific issut involving "pre .. nt Qr pending litigatiQn". The CQmmission concludes that, pursuant to Rule 1.6 and the Com""nl there· to. thi, protectiQl1 would al$/) cowr an~ diKUIoS;oru with the client which would othe.wiH be dftmtd allomty·<:!i,nt rom_ munications. imd thereby privileged. FiNlly. the CQmmiuion would 11so note that the Dunn Opinion and tht: statute applied themn c;onctmtd l go.",m. mtnul m lity and ilS mponsibil;ties under thr sutute. The Rules of Profeuionill CQnduct dul specifically with the iawyt-r's raponsibility to the dient whkh Jhould not in an)' Wi)' bt diminished by statutOI)' or CISt Law pn:wisions to the contrary. N tlx province 01 the CommiloSion dols 0111}' ...ith Ihe ethinl rnpom;ibililifS of the Il~r to the client. the Commi»ion's <.>pinion limits itMlf to In appliCltiQn of the Ruin of ProftlSionaI Conduct to the f",tUllI KtNriQ])QStd tQ thiJ inquiry. •

IRQ·95·091 TilE Al.I.8AMA LAWYER

It's Back To The Beach In '96 ALABAMA

Arf"

OA.

M July 24-27, 1996 Perdido Beoch Resort Oronge Beoch, Alobomo

You won't want to miss ... HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAKING-¥! innovalMl. neraclMl series 01 realIStIC Of SlluabOnai hypoIhetH::aIs otfenng a 18SClOIIting

look at • host 01 leading edge legal ISSUeS thai you face in modem legal ptacl oco The par1icipa\OlY nature of thrs type 01 seminar creates shared insIgh1s aod helpful edllCatOon;iI eXpe!ience pef111'l1!l1 to ev~ legal prllCl~ioner.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO 8£ A "G OOD" LAWYER 1' ,.take II look al "lawyering in the '90s" \I'IrcIu{fIlopicS like • "Mauer of Opinicro: la-Nyers, The Media & The Law"- The ettW;;al ~1C8100nS 01 dealng WIIh the media belore and dll'ing liIogabOn • "Lyng La~ Is It Too Much To Expect !he Trulh1'"-Afe lawyers obligated 10 teN Itle uu!h? • "VorIU81 Rea lity in the COortroom"- WhaI life the limits on \he use 01 videos and comp!.Jtef1~ed demonstrative evidence in the courtroom? • "Are You My Lawyer?"-Idenhfylng who the client is when the relationship is not clear PLUS

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HYPOTHETICALLY SPEAK I NG is on ly one pM of the outstanding pfO{l ramming planned for the 1996 A L A B A MA STATE BA R Annua l M eet ln g- fhe 0".. meetin g you ....on .. .... ant to mi•• thl. y ••rt

MARCH 1996 1 8.5

APractitioner's Guide to Mfirmative Defenses in Alabama '-- ,

. - '

the modem practitioner, an aJl$wer under Rule 8 of the ,\Iabama Rules of Civil Procedure serve. both to inform the plaintiff and the trial court which allegations in the tompl.i,,! the dd.ndanl intend. to oont ••1at trial and permits the defendant to raise additional "",11'1"$ as drfensu. The concept of an "affi rmal;,.., defe"..," i •• om.thing instinctively familiar to every practitioner. Curiously. mall)' of u. fail II) appreciate 1M wide range of defen.e. which must t.e plead under Alabama law. Since the consequence. of failing to timely ,a;lot an "ffirmati"" defense i. waiver, it i. imperative thai defense counsel a good grasp on the allegations of the complaint. the factual background of the claims, and the law applicable to the claims made in the CQmplain!. Without a full understanding of this information. pr.ctition~1'5 m.y miss the oppo. tunity to raise an affirmati,'\! defense. Thi. article i. inten&d as a guide to help practitioners identify affirmat"'\! defenloeS under A1aba· ma law .nd to know how to properly raise .nd pUl'5ue those defenses .

ha,..,

' \ \, ~ . - - _==-.:'"5'= --

"matter constituting an ,voida""" or affirmative defense" mout be pleaded'> Rule 8(c) i. a descendent of the common law plea in "confession and avoidanc.: whjch permitted a defendant who WaS willing to admit that pl.intiffs declarations in the romplaint demonstrated a prima facie case to then go on and .ll.ge .dditional new material that would defeat plaintiffs otherwise valid cause of action.' Under the common law. however. the defendant could not deny plaintiffs allegations and then asserl other defenloeS by way of avoidance. To permit defendant to do so was incompatible with the rommon law·, qu~st for isolating a single litigable iosue.' This impOSed .Iection between the right to deny the allegations in the complaint and the right to interpose othu deferuive malter has been eliminated by Rule 8(t)(2). which allows alternative and hypothetical pleading and permits a defendant to set forth a denial and atlhe same time assert affi'ffi/ltive defenses. Defining aHlrmatlve defenses

Interpretation and application of Aule 8

Rule 8 of Ihe Alabama Rules of Civil Proc~dure provides the guideline in Alabama regarding pleadings. Rule 8(M provides that. defendant may a .... t culain defenses by denying afr.rmalive allegations of a plaintiffs com· plaint. IRfe"",s SO ..... Ied ar¢ .eferred 10 as denials or ·nega· live defenses ."' Rule 8(b) i. intended 10 allow a plnd.. to challenge and place in issue some Or all of the f.ctual all.ga· tions of the complaint. Rule 8(c), on the olhu hand, ml1l1da/es a defendant lo .... rt affirmatively c.rtain defenses when they aff properly .,·ailable under the ci rcumstanees of the ca5t.' Ode""" that mout be SO asserted are referred to as "affirmab,-e def.n •••. • Rule S(c) contains a non·exclusive list of the 19 mosl common affirma· ti,-e def~nses and providn in a catch·all provision that any 86 / MARCH 1996

Rule 8(cl does not elaborate on the catchall clause and thus offers no assistance in deroning what constitutes "an avoidance or affirmati"" defense." One of the most obvious methods for determining what constitutes a defense contemplated by the catchall clau~ is to utilize stat. statutes and case law.' Howev· t •. when Ihut is no statute or precedent to provide guidance. it is advisable for the def.ndant to plead IlfflrmatiwlN m'N factU1l1 ussertion that would defeat the plaintiffs recooerll but dO(!s not con/rrx."€r/Il material aI/ego/ion of the plaintiffs complaint.' To put it another way. 1111 afflrmal;Vl! defeme. is a nt'W rrwll.". which, OS.$umi'!!l the complain/to be true, consti· tutes a defeme ta if.' A defendant will not be penalized for pleading affirmatively any malter which might f.11 within the catchall clause twn if the malter may not technically be an afr.rmative defense. By doing so. the defendant will have the THE ALABAMA LAWYER

advantage of immunizing himself again,t a pomible waiver of the defe"..., H~r. ~ aware that affirmati,.. def.n,... like other allegation, in pleadings. must ha"e some good faith basis in fact pursuant to Rule II.

Auertlng .fflnn.tlv. delen ••• Pur>uant to Rule aje) the defendant mus/ assert all applica. ble affirmative deft"..., in his responsive pleadings.' An affirmative defense can be raised by a prf·anS'o\-'i!r motion under Rule 12jb) 001/1 where the face of the complaint shows that th. d.fen~;s a bar to tilt action. Whe,.., the f1J(e of the complaint fails to show that the action i. barrrd by the amrmative defense. it may not be rai~d by a ~ule 12(b) motion. but mwt be raised by an answer under Rule S(c). " A defendant may also /Wert an affirmative defen~ in a pre"!lSWfr motion for sum· mary judgment." PI •• ding .ffl ...... tlv. d.t.n ••• n,., ~neral ru les 0( pleading that art applicable tulhe state· ment of a daim also gowm the statelmnt 0( affirmative def.ns. es. Thus. the pleading .tandards ~t oot in Rule 8(t) must be followW in connection with drafting affirmative ddenses. An aff,rmative deren~ may be pleaded in general terms and will be held .umdent. and therefore in'.... lnerable to. motion to strike. as long a. it gives plaintiff rair nolice of the nature of the defense. For example. tbe allegations that "plaintiff was guilty 0( negligence which proximately contributed to the accident" Or · plaintiff was guilty of contributory negligence" are sumeient to raiM: the dden~ of contributory negligence. " The only exceptions to notice pleading a ... the defenses that fall within the special pleading provisions of Rule 9. e.pecially Rule 9(bl. which deal. with fraud. mistake and condition of the mind. Alw, the afformative defense of <!};/op{X!1 must be specially and ,ufficiently pl~aded. " The obligation to plead affirmative defenses is not limited to compkte defenses. Partial defense, should .Iw be pltaded affirmativ.ly. The .... me conclusion follow. for matter> that tend to mitigate damage,," In keeping with mudern procedure's preference for substance over form. Rule 8 provides that when a party has mis· takenly designa t ed a defens. as a counterclaim or a countertlaim as a defense. the court will. as justice requires. lreat the pleading as jf there had been a proper desisnation. "

W.lv •• ot _fflrm.tlv. d.f.ns.s If an ans_r has been filed and an affirmative defen" has not been pleaded. the defen .. is generally deemed to have been waived." Lack 0( knowledge of the nece .. ity to plead an affirmative defen .. is not a justifiable reason for failing to plead the defense. " The courts. h(}Y,~r. have ... cognized several e:<eeptions to the waiver rule: " (l)Rule 15(al enables a party to amend a pleading without leave of court within 30 days after seMce on the claimant. if the pltading is one to which a re.ponsive pleading is not permitted. {2J1f the 30·day period has p.n.ed. the pleader may amend his pleading to assert an omitted affirmative THE ALABAMA L\IVYER

defense On writt.n consent of the adverse party or by leave oi court which ' shall be freely allowed when justke so requires:" (31An affirmative defense that has not been pleaded may be revived if that defense appears On the face of the complaint.'" (4)1f. during the COOrse of the trial. evidence relating to an unpleaded amrmalive defense is introduced with· out objection, it is drtmed to ha,-e been tried by ""press Or implied consent of the parties. and the pleadings are dumed a~nded to conform to the e.idence pursuant \0 Rule IS{b).21

Afflnnatlv. d.t.n •••: • checkll.t The following repr... nts an extensi,-e. but not exhau,ti,.. , list of affirmative defe""" available to the practitioner under Alabama law. Thore iterru appearmg in IJold are set forth in Rule8(c). Absolute privilege:'" Accord and salidactio"p Acquiescence:'" Arson:" Arhit .. tion and ...·.nI: Auum ption of rilk;'" Bona fide purchaser for value:" Bwinessjudgment rule; Coercion; Collateral estoppel Or i55ue preclusion:'" Conditional privileg.;'" Contributory negllgen«;. Credit for r<COVi'ry of damages against thi rd partie, (11'CAI:" Di,charge in baukruplcy:" Discretionary function immuni\)';l' Our.." E. toppel:'" Exclusivity of workmen's compensation statut,,'" f'ailu", of considention;. Failure to give notice of breach as required by U.C.C.:'" Federal preemption ;'" Foreign corporation's failure to qualify to do busi,.,.., in Alabama:" Fnud:" Holder in due cou ....;" tIlegloHty;<' Injury by fellow ...",anl; In pari delicto:" Intoxication (WCA}:" Justification for interl.... nce with another's contract or bwi. ne ..:" Lachu; Lack 0( capacity to sue:" lACk 0( causal relation (AEMLD):"

MARCH 1996 187

Lack of considerati'ln;"

IQtification :"

Lack of cooperation;" I.lrk 01 intent to injure comretition (AMFMA);" Lack of knowledgl Qr C'lnsent pm.uant t'l § 20-2-93 (forfei. ture statute);" Last clear chanc ~; Licen..,;

R«oupment;M Relu..:

Lim itations (WCA);" Loaned S<'mmt doctrine;,>

Ret Judicab;" SO'Jereign immunity;'" S totute of froud. ;St~lutt of limiblio n,," Slatuto!), tmplo~r immunity;"

Mental infinnity exclusion in insurance policy;" MinQrity;'"

Truth of .tatement:" Una""idabl. accident: Uncltan hands:"

MisrepreS<'ntltion (WCA);"

Unconscionability;"

Mitigation of damages;"

Uncon~tit uti'lnality of punitive

Noncom pliance with the n'ltice reQuire"",nt. of §§ 11-47· 23 and ])-47· 192;'" Noodeli,'ery and conditional deliwry;"

Undue influe""e: Usury;"

Notice (WCA) :"' Pa)·m.nt;" Payment of Medicare benefits (WCA) :'" Preexi.ting injury (WCAI; Product mi.use:" Qualified immunity;"'

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damage.:

Violation of Alabama Or federal consumer credit ,tltute:" W.i... r." Wililul concealm.nt of lacl$;" Willful violation of company policy (WCAl:" Or Any QU", mallt' con.m uling an .""id.nce nr affirm.H,.. lleftn ..... Conclusion In conciusiQn. praclitioners should be awart that there an: many other ,ffi r mati..., ddenses under Alab~ma law which must be pleaded in addihon to thou provided in Rule 8(c). Idtntii)oing those affi rmative d.feruu com •• from a p. oper understanding 'lf the caS<' and the law. Fail ure to realize the need to plead certain affirmativ~ ddenses in a particular case not only will resu lt in that defense being waived. but poor repre .. ntltion of the di.n\. • Footnote.

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n you become disabled.

EST. 1m

FAX: 404--a14--0782

INSURANCE SPECIALISTS, INC. 9l)

I MARC H HI96

THE ALABAMA LAWVE R

Amendment to Rule 7.3 Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct In the Supreme Court of Alabama In atllXder dared J4ruIVy 3/. 1996. JfI8 SI4:Ir_ eo...t of AIsDamII rrIlK1<fi6d R!MI 73. AIaOama Rl;/es 01 ~ ea.. duel lhemodr/icabc:n wIIIdIlS 1O~ ~ May I. 1996."""'. 3tJ.daymor.-on COtIlaCI byllt..,.-s wilhaccidinr VlC/lmS Of memb9<s oIl1>e1r famny Tl'I9 ,,. also {JI«.es adcMIOfY/ '6q<Iff_rs Oil ddfICl ma./ s.»rorslOl leI!"'" or lJroCfJures IIflIIzed by 1It..,.,n in sool<Jng po/tIfII06 cil6t>lS by requimQ 00I11icalD! 10 fhIJ ,~ 01 such irI!<W$ Of /;IfOCfWJr(I!J

.. is

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ORDER WHEREAS. '"" Board 01 Ba, eorm.ss.onen olIN Alabama $tata Bar Ivi. ,oca,.,oeoo.d W this CIlU"Ilhal Rule 7 3. AIebama Rulon ot I'I'of8$$ionlll Conduct. 1M ,.~ 1Ile<.... and Iha ~.1iY9 ro:Ke /oIIowIng me be ..... 108<1. and WHEREAS. !he COUI1I1as consiOe<9d !he .8C(IIT"fTI(IfI( ""'" 0 - . and consocIerllhal 80.181 do ••• appo-opnate IT IS, THEREFOR€. OROERED INIt Rule 7.3. AJ8/)I!ffl!I Rules 01 Prolessional ConducI., Ih8 Co " ,. n IIlermo. and the <;Omparalive note rol~og the Corrmen1 , be arnencIed to read as ~Iows

Co,.

Co,.,._.

·Rl.JLE 7.3 DIRECT CONTACTWIT\1 PflOSPECTIVE CLIENTS '(a) A lawyer mau r'lOI solicit pmlessKlnlll fII'IlPIoyrnern trom 8 prospective client with whOm Ihollawyer lias no ,....1IaI CO' CU" ,tnt or poor pr"",,"1OfIII in ""'lIOn Of ~_ sogrvficant ITIQ(Ne IQIthe lawyer's doing 80 Is the Iawyef', pec..roaty 0;0'" A IawyeI Shall IlOl perrroIlIT'(IIo,oos 01 agenI:I 01 the lawyer to solicit (rI ' " " lawyer-s behalf A ~ 1haI no! en181 Ifl\O an agr~ /01 CO' cha<oe 01 collect • tee !or proIessionaI ~ 0IlIa.ned .. VIOla/lOll 01 The!em1 'aoIic<f ncluOes con\aCt" person. "Y Ifllepho"8. telegtaph, 01 f8C$lll'\lie transmisSIOn. Of by OIher COI'M1UIVC:IIlIon (I.IICI9d to D spec~1C rec<pOont and InCludes contaCt by any M ltlen loon 01 corrwnurucallOIl directed to. speclri<:: f"",pientllll(! nQl me<ltlng ~ reQiJ"emenlS 01 suDdivisior1 (b) (2) 01 th,s rule "(b) W,men Corrmunocallon "(1) A ~wye< slid not MOd. 0< knowongly pem"III to be sent. Qn llawyef·S bohaIf 0< Qn ~ 01 the I8wyer"I firm 0< Qn behalf 01 II partner. an as$(l(:llIto. 01 artf _ Ie~ offillated W'lh lhIlawyer 01 the 1e~·II"m. a wrlnen corrrnuruc.alO'l 10 I PI08PEIC1IVe doent lor the pul"POSO 01 0I>\UWIg prolessoonal ~ d ·(1) ~ ... ,nero corrrt"IUI"IIC8toOn concerns an ac\lOn lor personallroturY 0< wrongful <learn an..-.g out 01. 0< OIIl<IrW<se r&lllted to. an &e<:iderlt or disaster lnvoIvIng!he pe,son to ~ IIle GOr'M'U1IC8tiOn 1/1 8dd!essed Of a ,/!4atlve 01 that person. unless !he eeeode<ll or disastu, !lIVIng ri.... to !he Cause oIlI(:tOO llCCu"Od mora troan thirty (30) d8ylo beloru to the mailing 01 !he eorrwnurVcation; ·(Ii) the _ nen CQImI..II"O(;8bOn coneerns. wecoIk marter"!WId lhIlawyer knows or r9l8Olllbly ShOuld kroow tNt IIle persoo 10 wroom the ~ IS c:rltected is 'eprnented by a lawyer on the matter: ·(IO) ~ lIaS been made kncMn to the lawyer tNtllle person 10 wroom lhI comm..ncabOn is adtYessed does 001 WWl110 '1ICeMI !he COITVI'UIic8uon; ·(Iv) !he cormlI..O'"Ik:atlOn onvoIvas coerCIOn. duo"ess. fraud. OV9<reac~"". tIa,asamant. iIIlomodatlOn. 0< \.Oldue inTtuence by tho lawyer; "(v) tho co<rrnuniCIUIOn COIlt/IJns a fatse. ~8UCIuIent. misleadong. deceptive. or unl aif stetemen! 0< claim or ~ mprOPef ondef Rule 11. or .(,,;) the lawyer knows OI'/IIISOIliIbIy shOuld kroow thai the perllOn 10 whom the cormu"iC8tlOn is addressed is a minor 01 is .lC(IInpelenl 01 that the P"'50I"'$~ . ...-.oI1OfIBl. 01 mental IUlte makes ~ unhh.eIy tNt the Pl3tSOf1 would ISlCercose f98SOIlaOIe juclgnent'" ~ a ~ "(2) tn add.rion to IIle rfOqUifements 01 R.ne 7 2. wrinen COfTIfTUIlcauons to prospective clf(lflts leo the pUrpose 01 ootaon"" prolesslonal employment ere subject to tne to/lowing requirements "( i) a sample copy 01 eacn written coo"W'nul"ucatiOn and 8 sample 01 ttle envelope to toe used ... COljU"ICtoon wltll the COfnIT<.In. <;IOtoon. aIooQ WIth 8 Ost 01 !he """- and 1IOd!_ 01 !he '8C/PI8OIS. SfIaII toe filed ""til the oI!"", 01 genoor" couoset 01 !he _ _ Sta:e Bar 1>&10110 0< CCInC:UfreI'ld) """" the Int drsserronauon 01 the comm..ncauon to the prospect ..... ~ 01 <;fients A COPY 01 the _en comm..ncauon must De flIW"O!d by !he lawyer lor ... (6) years c:ornmurucaoon IS ~ &ant to a<.IdltlOflBl prospect,.... ,,"""IS. !he lawyoer _~ hIe ... tIl!he oI!lC8 01 """'.. COI..Omet 01 the Alabama Slate Bar. 11$1 01 the ~ end addreSS8$ 01 ttlDM chems either be!OIe 0< conc""ently wttll lNt aubseQuent d<Ssemonatioo II !he lawyer 'ElQUl/lrty sends

,""'!lOrlSI>p_

""'*" •

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"the

TIlE ALABAMA LAWYER

MARCH 1996 / 91

!he identiCal corrmunication to additional prospective cl;oots, !he lawyer SflaII, one<! a montrl, lile WIll'> !he oftice 01 general c0unsel a hst 01 the r.ames and addre",;es 01 !hose elioots comacled sinCe the previous bSt was hied; "(II) wrinen CQIlYf'OJI\lcatlons mailed 10 prospective clients shah be SMlt 0t'IIy by regular mail, and shall not be sent by reglsI&led mall (>( by other lonn 01 restncted delivery 01 by express mall; "(iii) 110 re!e<ence shall be made erther 011 !he """elope 01 in the w"nan corm'II.ricatiOO trial the corrmonicato:)llis approved by the Alabama Slate Bar; "(iv) !tie wrlnen COIM'IUIIICatlOn shall ~ resemble a legal pleading" oHicial govemmem form (>( docI.menl (federal (>( stale), (>( Od'ler legal oocurnent end tna manner 01 mailing !he writtan CQIlYI'IUIlicat"'" shall not make it appear to be an oIfIcial OOC...-nant; "(v) !he word 'Advettisemenl' shall appaat prominently in red ink 011 each page 01 me written COIl'V'rU1iCation, and me word 'Advertisement' shall also eppear in !he IoweIleft-hand comer 01 me """""'Pe in t~-po;m 01 wge< lyP8 and in red Olk. II the corm'IUI'Iicatioo is • sell·malling b<ochur8 (>( pamphlet. the word 'Advertlsement' shall appaa, proounantly in red .... 011 the address paoel in 14"pomt (>( large' type; "(vi) ff a cootract!O< representation 1s mailed will'> the w"tlan eo<mU1icatioo . 11 will be cooSlde<ed /I sample Cootract and lhe lop 01 each page 01 !he COI11ract shall be malked 'SAMPLE: The word ·$AMP!.£" shall be in red ink in a lyP8 size .tleaSI ooa po;m larger then the largest type used in !he coot,act. The words '00 NOT SIGN' shall appear 011 the line prOlllded fOl the c lient's &iI/nature: "(vii) the fi'st senlence 01 the wrinen comrTII.>"licatioo shan stale:' II you MVi! already t1;,ed (>( ,elained a lawyer in connection with [Slata the ganefal subject mailer 01 the soi;;'WIIon]. please diS''''It8Id this lener (pamphleL brOCJ\ure. (>( wrine.... corrm..nica" tion]": "(viii) ~ the writt"" corronunicato:)ll is prompted by II specific OCCI.II"&/IC(I (e. II·, dealh, rec(>(<led loogmem, gamtshment) the corrrnunicatioo shan disclOSe flOw the lawyer Obtained the information prompting the corrm..nicatloo; "fix) II written corrrnurucaoon seeillng empjOymerl1 by a specilk: prospective client in II specilic malte, shall root r!Neal 011 me """""'Pe. (>( 011 the wtslde ol II seU-mailing broChure (>( pamphlet, the I"\8lure 01 the client's legal problem; and "{x} a lawyer who uses a writt..,., comrr.uniCation ITklSI t>e able to prove the truthlvlness 01 all the m!O<matlon cootained in the wrin..,., COI"IYT'U1icalion, '(Arnendedetlective May 1, 1996)

"COMMENT "Thera is a polential !O< abuse inherent in d.rect soIic"atioo by a lawyer in person (>( by telephone, telegraph. 01 focsimikl ~ansmiSSlOl1 ol pros.peclive clients known 10 need legal seMc:es Direct soIic~ation subjects the nonlawyer to the private 1mpo<. tuoing 01 a ~ained scrvocale, 10 a dilect interpersooal encounter. A prospec1ive client often feels ovetwheImed by the shuation giving "se to the need !O< legal services and may have an impaired capact!)' for ' eason. judgment, and p,otective seII"interest. Furtr.oooore. !hi! lawyer seeking to t>e retained is faced wrIh a coollict ste"",;.g trom the lawyer 's own interest. which may COlOr !hi! adVice and rep,esenlalioo offered the lllllnerable prospect. "Tho sitlJation is It\efelOle Iraught with the possrbility ol '-"'<lue influence, IrlIrmjdallOl1, and overreaching This potentl8l for abuse .meranl in d.rect soIicllaiton 01 prospective cl""'ts juSlllies some ,esuk:tioos, particularly since the adve<trsing permitted under Rule 7.2 011&1$ an alternative means 01 convntJllicatiog necessary inlormatlOl1 10 those who may be .... need 01 legal ser" vices. Advertis.-.g makes ~ POSSIble 1(>( a prQSPeC1ive cl>eol to be ....formed about the need fO< k19a1 services, and about the qualffications 01 available lawyers and law firms, withool subjectir.g the prospective cl>eot 10 dtrect personal pe<suasion thai may ovllrwi'lek'n the clien!"s ;xtgmem. "The use of general adverIfshg, rather than duecl prIVate cootact. to u8I'ISfT1it lnlormallon lrom lawyer to prospectIVe Client will help to assure lhatthe infOlmalioo IIows cleanly as well as freely. AdvertOsing is .... the public view an<! It>J5 subJOCI to scrutiny by !hose who know the lawyer. This Inlormal review IS likely 10 help guard agalost statements and claims that might cons~tute lalse (>( rn;sleading CQIlYf'OJI\lcaoons in vioIalion of Rule 7 1 D~ecl. private C<lr'TlrTlUIlicatioos Irom a !awy&l to a prospectrve client ,,'e not subject to such third·persoo scru~ny and C01sequantly are mvch more likely 10 approach (and occasiooally cross) the line between oceu<ale represootaoons and !hose tI1at are false and misleading. " D~ect wtin..,., cmvnunication seeking emplOymenl by &pecllic prospective clients ~ally presents less poIentiai 1(>( abuse (>( """,reaching than in-person soIicitatlon and is the,elOle root prohiMed f(>( most types ollegal malters. but Os subject to rea" sonable 'est,ictloo$. as set lorth in tills flJlo , desigoed to minimIZe (>( p,eclude abuse and overreaCh,ng and to ensure the lawyer's accounlability ~ abuse shouk! occur. This fIJ!e allows ta'geted mall soiiCl\atioo 01 polentia l plaintiffs (>( claImants in pe<" sonaI injury and wroogtul death causes 01 action (>( other caoses ol ecbon thai relate 10 an occident, disaster, deatl1, (>( injury, but ooly ~ the COI"IYT'U1lC3lion is root mai led unbllhirty (30) days after the Incident. This restriction is reasooetlly required Ily the

92 1 MARCH 1996

TlfE A~BAMA LAWYER

of !he poter'(III cIoents. who may be Mher ..... ed 01 gr\eWIg over !he loa of. larrWy ..18mb... . end !he""" tNt &>.per. oc:e has 51..-. can _ In IIloS type of ICIk:italJorl

..-..bled _

_en 00ITt\'IUIIiCII1haI must ~!he ,..,..ernonts of llA:>()aragrilflh (b) of Ita rule •• (lor"':! meiI d::IIat>on sen! !O IndMcIuIII 01 ~ eeIected bee.... ""'" sn.e W" ''''' chlr8CWisla.• II·. per$OI'IS I\Ifned In tr~· "CoItmon IWImJlIes of

fie accident ,eportS 01 notoc:es of Ioreclosure COITYrw..ricaOOOI rIO! OIdnarily senI 00 an UOIIOIlcned baSiS to prospect!ve cHeItts

&,e 001 coYefed by ihis rule AIIo rooI COI/fIoIed

trois

rule

lie ,eapooses Dy lawyers and taw lilms Ie 'equests 101

IoIormat~

I,om • prQSpl!<:we client 01 _~t'(II' 01 biOctr.J,as p!.IblisllecllOi cIIMIS. /oo'ner client •. iIlOSe ,equeSt'ng it or !hOSe whOm the

Ia....,.... 01 law 1m has • lamiIIl 01 C....,..." 01 prior prolessioof,l , ...u.:...Np 'LMt(ll1 allI<lIk:ltatooo end the _"""" ., ....nich IheV (lI' "",!led tho:>.Jjd be cIearIy ...... i<ed .~. This ..... r.'OOd II'Ie perceptlOO by the 'lICopoIOIthai lhere II a f....:IlO 01*1 !he ~ bee ..... Willram. lawyer 01 law firm. when !he ~ contaInS only. Ioficotatoon lor legal ~. WfIh !he . .. eIapes end lett ... cleafty I'I'OIII'I<ed '~. !he 'IICIP*'I CII1 cnoose 10 lead troe 1Ok:~81iOi'\ 01 not 10 /fled II. wiINluI rear of IeOIII ~. 'In add.ooo. the laWVfII Of law rwm .... doog the Iaaer of Ioficotatoon thaI..- IN l1OI.O'OI of Ir*IrmaIooo used 10 deIeo.mll•••• Nl !/'Ie 'lICip$1t has a poteI'\ba/ legal protllo!om. I')jtcbM . . of the 1CIUi'C8 will help IIw r«rpoai1t to r.n:Iilrs1ancl the lI' teo! 01 kt'li:!w1edOH It>e tawyor Of law Ilfm I'IaI 'eg.&i"diog !he m<;'pIeo[', paru::v!ar $41",,1100 end wilt IlYCid mlsleadlog the 'IIC"", intO believing thill the lawye< has pailk~ed knowledge abOut the '&c~t's mailer ~ the lawyer dOos nat. 'Geoeral malWogs te parsans nat l<nawo to oe9d legal eeMcH. as ~ as ma\lifIQS Wgeled to apecillc persaos 01 patent",1 cIIen!I, .... permtted by this rule ~. these maolng. COII8!ltillll ~semeor and ...11 thus subject!O the ,~emeots of Aula 7 2 <:OI"*' • .g delivery of copiH 10 !he geoaral co..oweI, _ d ~ ir'lCUsioo 01& diIcIaonw. and pEi<Iorrnaro:<I of !he MMceI Q/If!rBd m !he IIdYer\I$ed ilia RuIa would nat pro/libot • lIiwyIf fn:m oontactrng ,epr~ of OI~ 01 ~ that may be ....... In _tabIIItW>g • group 01 ~ '-IIaI pItio lor Its ... ,w.. r.t.oreds. beneficial., Of odIar Itwd pattieS fat the P'JIIXIM of ,oIormoog IUCh entltoas 01 !he ~of and details<:Ol,,*' • .g!he pIao 01 ar''''ogeo,.'11haI tile lawytof Of the law rwm 11_ log to oller ThIs iO<m 01 COfl"Ol'U'IIC8tloo II root dUlICted to & apecdk: prospective Client l<nawo to MIld legal services ffIIIted to I parbCuIa. M8tter Rather, it il uaually addressed to ao IndMOual acting In 8 hduciary capacity seeking a SUppIJor of legat _ • • ieu lor otr'IeiS wf>:') ma~. IIIhIIy ctoooae, beeome prospect .... e clHlntl 01 the lawyer LinCIei lhIIIe eirclnlStances. !he ...:IMty wI'Iich the lawyer undoiUiI<eI ill COf'I'lIl'IU:'Itong wirr. such 'epiesal!8ilves M<t It>e rype of iIll(lfmlltiOi'\ transmined 10 the IocIM(I. ...... lunctl<lnally .......... lOend _1Iw ....... pupme .. ar.tvI<t'*"'O permilted ....... Rule 1.2

on-.

COMPARISON WlTM FOIlIoIt!R AUB..... A COOt! OF PROFt!SSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY '1hIIfII kI no oornparlble rule In the Iarrne< AIat8na Code of ProIIiSSICiOaI Respc:ooIblny Rule 7.3. beIOfe liB ar'Wlid,.,t eIIeetMt May 1. 1996, __ • dirlCt ecounte<part 10 Tomporlol)' DR 2-103, wIIdl was ~ 8dopIed fn:m MadaI Rule 1.3 The _odmer~e"eoctive Ma~ I, 1996, changed the rule ~ If"", what was Tomporlry DR 2·103_' tT tS FUIffiiER ORDERED that !hie arnendmeoI shaU be ,HlICiIve May 1. t996. Maddox. Shares. Hovstoo, il'lll'8rn and Cook, JJ .. concur

Attention! Members of the legal Profession Visiting Atlanta for the 1996 Olympic Carnes If you are coosidering vi siting Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics, the Allanta Bar Association would like to know of your interest in p<lrticipating in educational and social activities during your visit. PleaSot' contact the Alabama State Bar to obtain a questionnaire to submit to the At lanta BOIr AssociOltion by April 15, 1996. The AtlOlnta BOIr Association will use the information you provide to determine what activities and services may be of interest to lawyers and judges. If you prefer, you can contact the Atlanta Bar Associatioo by telephone at (404) 521'(}781 or facsimile at (404) 522·0269 for more information.

TIlE ALAIIA"IA LAWYER

MARCil 1996 / 93

LEGISLATIVE

WRAP-Up

By ROBERT L. McCURU'y' JR.

First Special Session 1996 Tort R. 'onn

IW I I

lion 10 refuSt disclosure of tertain

:::;:::j.~:;::il~; I..tgi,bture ~k into IU-

lion by procla .... tiof! $d. ling forth 1611..... that lit P' OJIO$W in ~ ..."ion tho! he called for 1011 reform. Thfse ilenu wrre: I. Legislation 10 prop(I$C an amtn\I. ment to Ih Constilution of Alabama 011901, to provide for pUnitm ci&rrQgcs in civil ...-lions ~nd $p«ific pl'O'iisioru ~min8 puniti .... damages;n the COlUU of thiuutt..

inf~lion.

7. Ltgisbtion 10 ammd Section 6-321.1. COde of Alaba mu, 1975. rtt.ling 10. cha~ or Inruier o f _ in civillClion,., 10 P.....

2. Ltgisblion 10 ammd Stction 6-5:v.IJ and &-$-410. CodeofAlQ/>Q_ ma, 1915, ~1:iIt;ng 10 wrongful cIt~lh. to provi<k thai com~n . salory 111111,1,g.,. may bt r~red in ci>il actioos for wrongful dt..lIth. 3. Ltgisbtio!l 10 amtIId Stction 6-s. 100. CodeofAJabama. 1975, rela!. inII to a right of action for (",lid. 10 proyidt furlhtr for lilt right of

action by requiring thoe elemenl of rtllSOll.1blt reliance. 4. u,isbtion to p"""'(o, ~. tory modialion prior to trial and It any I;"", "'here ..quested by all I\Irtits, my puty, or by onkr of the court. 5. Legislation to provide for the rec(Mry of COIllpetWtory dim_

agu for emotional disl'us :md mental angui!h; prohibitillJ! the ~ by ~

.,.;lr>fues.

or obserwrs. of ~ physical injury $\lfftortd by ~her. arwJ proyiding thaot ~ acI shioll not be tonStrutd 10 ~ 01' Cf&le, ca.- d i!ICtion or 10 """Iy 10 actions d wrong. ful de<olh .

6. LtgisJalion 10 c..,.le " privitege \moo..n as the "StIf·AnIolysis Priv. iltge" which Allows an organ;q. 94 / MARCH 1996

vide lhaol in uercislng iu discre. tion to transkr M'I aclion or cbim the trial court may giw plaintiffs choite of forum II proponderal1<e of weilht grulH than any other slngJe bctor considtmI aIonr, but shalt not be roquil'!<! 10 give such choite grfllt Mighl

8. Ltgislation to MItrId Rule 47 of the Atabama Rules of Civil Proce. dure, rolating to the stledioo of jurors md lIlumate juron. md 10 prO'I'idt further for the stl.dion of jurorJ. 9. Legislation 10 amend Rule!il of ~ Alabama Rules of Civil Proct:. dure, r.latinQ to the imtruclions to the jury by the COUrL 10 roquirt thaot II ~ providt the iury with A written ropy of all jut)' instruc. tions to be incilldtd in the court's

,_.

to. Ltgislalioo ta provide further for offm cI judgmmt priar 10 trial in

the circuit COUrl$ of the .Iale: 10 amend Rule 68 of the Alallam. Rules of Civill'To«du.. rolating 10 offe .. of judgmonl: to provide thao\ an off.r or demand by om PlrI)' 10 an I<MI'St p,irl)' to 11110.. judgment 10 be "'lItn Olgainst tile offertr may be a.cctpttd within ten d.Jys il'ttr stl\ict of tile offer or demand or wch or otller period cI time as the offer or demand may stair, 10 prwidt that such an off.r or demand. if not IoC«\lI.td ..ithin ttn days after stMco thertol" (if the cllu I, silent ill to the limo (or which it shall rm"Wn Optn). or within any period the offer ~ Jlate. shall be deemed 10 have been rojecttd; 10 requirt p.l)"ITItIlt of terUin IItlomey·,Ita and out. of·pocket ...pe~ if lui ~mand was greater than $!iO.OOO or Ies.!. and if the off.r i$ found to 11M: bftn unreasonably rtj«ttd, then upan motion of the opposing p,irty. the trial court ~ ~r rtimburstment of some Or ill aUornt\"s foes and OUI·of·pocket Upmst.s; 10 rtquiro in or<ltr on Aid motions; lind to pn:Mde lor In appeal. II. Resolution Qlling for promulp. tion of l rule by the Supreme Cou rt cI Alabama.

12. Ltgi$Iation pnMding lor rtIIisions to AIabama·s Laws gowming medial malprKt;ct.

_c""'"J•.

....-~ _"' ...

_L~J!

' ---.1'Io~'"

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

13. ~ion providing lor rMsions to Alabama's laws governing proOOcts liability.

of tilt bills. including tilt one placing Qj>5 on punitiw damages. is a COIUIilu·

tiona! amendment Bills that did not PiW during tht Spe· cial Susion Wfr. introduced ;>gain in the Regular Sus ion which began on February6th. It is tJlPl'Cted that whatever bills do pass will h""t gone through many revi· .ion •. The constitutional amendm~nt concerning punitiw caps ~nt through nine revisions whik "ill in commiU« in tht SeNt ••

14.lAllitb.tioo to amend the Mini_ CO<k {5mions 5-19.1. eI $('(I. 01 theCl1tkofAlabamo.1975). 15.I~gi5Iation

roncem ing tht liabil. ity 01 a principal for tho conduct 01 an agent.

l6.0ther legislation to Hcure reIorrns in tht cr.,1 justice f)'5tnn. The JaSion began JanWory 8th. \\ithin a ~k. tilt l-Iouse 01 R!1)m(ntatWts pasHd tht package of bills that W<l5 pn:>poHd and wriU~n by tho Alab/irN. Busineu Council. The Senate roceived the bills but anothe r pach ge of bills that W<l5 propoHd by Covernor James was mlroducw on tht $.1ITIt subjects in tilt ~nIote and diSCU:lKd lor two weeks in tht Senite Judicillry. chaired by SeN· lor ~r Redl"ord. This commilt« had apprOJi .... tdy 10 Houn and Serut. bill. to review concerning tort reform. Most of the bills. if thty paU. become effective immediately. However. several

Other N",lfion. pending " ' _ 11•• 1996 R.,..",I_r . .. .Ion The Alabama I..lIw Institute. after sev· eral ~ars of study by committees. has presented to the 1996 Regular Session tht foll",,·ing revis;.on,: • ReviMd vec Ar\kk 8 "Investment Securitiu"-SponsoTS . Senitor Steve Wind om, Representat ive MulcG.tine:s • Repul of Article 6 -Bulk Tunsfe rs"-SponIOTS . Senator Ste"e Windom. Representative Mark Caine.

• Plrtnenhip with Limited Lilbility Partnership-Sponson - Senator Wendell Mitchell. R.preHntlti~ Mib IIoJ. This Mssion. which began Feb""ry 6th. cln lut for 105 calendar days which il until May 20th. During that time the IAgislature generally meets OIl Tundays and Thursdays and holds committee muting.! on WednesdaYI. MOlt 01 tilt bills of intem! to IIIwytn 110 btfort tilt Howt and Senate judicio. riel. The Serut. Judiciary generally meeu Wednesday mornings at 9:00 I.m. in lilt Finince and TUition Com· mittee Room on tho seventh floor 01 tilt Sta t . Hou u. The House Judi~ilry meets at 10,00 a.m. on Wednesdays in Room 601 on the sixth noor of the S~te IkIuK. Serving <l5 coonsello tht judkill ries thi. year for the IIOUH of RrpR:HIlt.ltiws is Robin Lwrtt and for tilt Se!vlt II Mike Hulsey. For further inlormaticn, conlacl Bob MtCurlty. Alabama Law Institute, P.O. II<)x 1425. TU5cil.I()()S;I. Alabama 35486. Or call (205) 34&-7411. FAX (205) 348· 8411. •

Notification of the Universal Bar Association As a result 01 nUmefOUS complaints and an ongo.og investigahon by lhe Unauthorized Practice of Law Comm ittee. the Alabama State Bar would like to inlorm you 01 the actions of the Universal Bar Association. Th is o rganization is formed by several reSidents 01 Mobi le County who cont inually hold themselves out to be licensed attorneys, when in lacl they are not The following a re names we know to be involved With the Universal Bar Assoclallon

Jerry H. Pogue Larry D. Simpson

Ocle Peee

eM..... S. Murr.y Betty Hood a •••I. M_ Moo...

P.ul Povue II you come in contact with any of lhese individuals or if they appear in your courlroom. please nohty the Alabama Slate Bar

as soon as possible

L. Gilber1 Kendrick

Assistant General Counsel

TIlE ALA8AMA LAWYER

MARCH 19961 95

'ONSUMER ~ INANCE

~UYING

NTIME

...O,,!lining impOT(.(ln! aspecrs and consideraool5 of buying on credir, this in!omuuilFe brochure explaill5 the princip.U kinds of consumer credit plans as «-ell as (he disclosure of credit tem1S required by federal law. Other issues addressed include the cooling off righ!; repossession and sui!; gamishlllcl1l; the Fair Credit Reporting ACI; denial of credit; and laws !hal can proreCl your crew!. Also incluiled are specifIC points tQ keep in mind in any consumer credir tTWl5OClion.

Alabama State Bar Publications Order Form The Ai3OOm;> Stare Bar is pleased to make availab le to ind ividual attorneys. fill11' and loca l bar associations, .1 <:0>1 only, a se,il'S of brochu res on a variety of 1eg;.ltOJliCS of interest 10 the genera l pub li c. Selow is a current li,ting of public i"formalion brochures "vailab le from Alaooma Stale llar for distribution by local b;j, Jssociat ions. under established gu idelin",.

tr.e

Publications p'"

Lawyers and legal fCl.' s $7.00 100 Qty. _ _ S _ __ ... ~ summary of ba, ic onformation on common leg,lI questions and p<OCEdures for the general publiC Last will & Testament $7.00 per 100 ... co""" a'pe<:ls of eslale plann ing and Ihe imilOrt.1nce of hav ing a w ill

Qty.

Legal Aspects of Divorce

Qt y. _~

$7 .00 per 100

S _ _ _~ • _ __

. .. oflers oplions ar>d chO iCes involvro in d;''Orce $7.00 per 100 Qty. _ _ S ",=;;C-~ ... outlines imponant con~ideralions and provides adv ice on linancial matte" affecting the individual of fam il y

Consumer Finance; or "Buying on Time " Mooiation .. .Another Method for Resolving Disputes

$ 10.00 I"" 100

Qt y.

• _ _ _~

... provides.o OVc<view of the ~iation proces~ in que5tion .• od·an,wer form Acrylic Brochure Sta nd $4.75 each Qt y. _ _ . :: _ _ _ _~ .. . irldividual starld imprintro "ilh ir>div iduat firm or bar association name for use 31 d istribution pOints. One Slarld per brochure is recommended . Name to impr inl on slarld: ~_ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ __ SubtotalS ~_ _ _~ Mai ling Address Shipping & Hand li ngS 5.00 I TOTALS _ _ _~

Please remil CHECK OR AIONEYOROER MADE PAYAIlLE TO THE ALABA" IA STATf BAR for the amount li >1ro on Ihe TOTAL line and forward it wi!h this o rder form to: Susan H. Andres, Directord Communications, Alaha .... Siale Bar. P.O. Box 671, /YIorltgOrnely. AL 36101, (3341169.1515

96 1MARCH 1996

THE ALABAMA LAWYER

OPPORTUNITIES Thfl following ill-stllte plOgrtl11U 1u1l:~ b«n flpprfJf:W/ fo~tTtrIit by the AJlllHimll Mandt/torr CU Commissif)n, H~. infonnlltion is /lA/illIbll' frH of chllrge 011 ooer 4.soo IIPP1'f)«t/ prOgnIms ""tiOl!leitit itkntified

by 1ocG-

lion dQIf! or sp«/oftll 1I1't<1. Confoct tJrfl MeLE Commiss ion offlu Qt (334} 26!J-JS/S, or 1-800-354-6154, IlrId II romp/elf! CLE (ol(",dQ, will be moiled to /IOu.

MARCH 15 F'rld., EMl'lOVM~; "'T

LAW

Binningh;lm, CMe C~nt(r AllIbalN Bar Instil",!. for Cu: CrediU: 6.0 Cost: S 185

28 Thur.d_w 1I0W TO ORM.,. W]LLS AND TR USTS IN ALARA."lA Mobile. Admil"1ll ~mmn Hotel Nation.l.l BusillUl [n.stitut~. lilt. CRdils: 6.0 Cost: $[49 (7 ]S) 8JS..&525

2G Frld_W

fUS OA." E1I-.,.ALS m ' AOI'OCACY Bi rmingham, Carl"1lway C""wnlion Center Alabama Bar Institute for CLE Credits: 6.0 Cost: SLSS

(800)627.6514

(800) 627-6514

APRIL 1S-1.

LITIGATING Tin: CO~P1.EX

8USINESS CASE P",did(! ~ac:h Rt5Ort. O"'n~ Beach Alabama State Bar Ilusinu. Torts & Antitrust S«tlon Crnlils:8.0 C06t$ !50 (334)269·15]5

2OWH. . . . .y AUUJA.'lA COSSTRUCnOS LAW Binningtwn, l loliday InIl Redmon! s,tio<W l\u$inm Institute, Inc. Crtdiu: 6.0 Cost: $149

(1151835-8525

11 -13 E~'VI ROSMENTAL

LAW ~ Ikach. Perdido Ikach Re$Ort Alabama llar Institute for CLE Credit" 8.0 Coil: $Z45

(BOO) 627-6514

«BOLTS: A SEMINAR rOR LEGAL PROr ESS IOSAi.S TuscalOO&ll S81 Profusiooal Development ~mil\llrs

CrNil$: 6.0

Cost: S]29

(BOO) 826-7681 12 Frld_W NUTS« BOLTS: A SE.' UNAR FOR LEGAl. PIIOfESSIONAlS Mobile 581 ProfusioN] Dtwloprnffit Smu"",,, CRdils: 6.0 eo.t: 5129

(BOO) 826-7681

17-18 CllY A,VO COU~'TY COI'ER..\'ME"-rs Ofange Buch, ~rdido 8uch Raort AWMm:iI Blr hulilUte lor CU: Credil$: 6.0 Cost: $2]5

(BOO) 627-65]4 21 Th ....d.' FElJ t: RAL CI VIL LITI GATION

Birmingham

Lorman Business Ctnltr. Jnc. Cmlits: 6,0

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GE ER EQUITY TS SP TS PAGES By Victoria J. Franklin-Sisson

98 1 MARCH 1996

THE AU\6AMA LAWYER

ol lowing hearings in 1970 , Con-

gress enacted T,tle IX... part of an

attempt to eliminale sex discrimination

1m college campuses in 1972.' Title IX

;5 clear in its statement: No person in the United States shall, on the bas;s of .ex, Ire exclu ded from parti ci pation in, Ire denitd the lrenefit.

of, Or b. subjecled to disc riminat ion under any Nutation program or acttvity

receiving Federal financial ....{,tan"" , .. 20 U.S.C. § 168l(a) (1988).

History

Following its ellolctment, enforcement of Title IX was lhilled to the Dtpartmtnt of Health, Education and \Voila .. ("HEW") whkh promulgated regulations in 1975.' Four yurs lator. in 1979, HEW

adopted its first FWiev ' >I/erprelalifm.' That same year Congress splil HEW intn two agencie.s--Htalth and Human Services ("HHS") and the Department of

Education. Both agencies implemented Title IX regulations-Hil S implemented its regulat iOll.l at 45 C.F,R. § 86 and the Oepartment of Education implemenled its regulations at 34 C. F.R . § 106. Although jurisdiction was sub.equently traruferred tl} thf: Office of Civil Right. of the Department I}f Education. HHS nili claims juri.l.diction and CQntinues to ha..... ils 0'' ';0 Kt of regulatioru.' White the first Title IX lawsuit carrn1 in 1980 the Supreme Cl}url. in 1984, held that Titl. IX applied I}nly to the speciflc program of the Univtr5 ity that r.ctiwd the federal funds. CrO<"e Cily College v. Bell.' In rupl}nse \1} this. Congress passed the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 which extended Titl. IX to all programs of an institu · lion if any pOrtion of that institution received federal fun ds.' Although the Restoration Act does not explicitly addre" spOrts , the floor debate over the Rutoration Act shows that at lust it was meant to create a more level playing field for female athletes! Regulations The inlent of the regulalions is to "prov ide equal athletic oppOrtunity for member5 of both s.exes."' Whil. the reg. ulalioru themselves sjl«ifically permit separate teams for men and W{lmen. a woman must be allowed 10 participal e On a men's team if the sport is a non-

TH£ AlABAMA LAWYER

contact spOrt and no ","Oman's tum is sponsor.d in that sporl.' When reviewing the athletic program. an in"estigator from the Offic. of Civil Right. of the Department of £ducalion look.i al the entire athletic program as a whol. and not just at one specific aspect of the athletic program. To aid in the inw'ligation. a "laundry list" is provid_ ed. Th ..e are ten items in this list: Accommodation of athletic int. re,t and abilities: equipment and ,upplies: scheduling of games and practic~ times; trawl and per diem allowance; opportunily to recei~ coaching and a<:ademic tutoring; nsignment and compensation of coach.. and tutors; locker rooms. p raclic~ and CQmpeti . lion facilities; medical and Iraining facilities and uNices; housing and dining faciliti.s and str· vices: and pub licity." Accommoda{;on , Th. finl of the laundry lilt. "accommodation". is the one mo,t frequently cited by courU in determining liability. It has al so bun

interp reled in the regu lations , which provi de Ihe fo ll owing questiom: (1 ) Are intercollegiate le"el participa ' tion opportuniti.s for male and f.male students provided in num· bers .ubllantially proportionate to their re'jl«tivt enrollments? (2) Where the members of one s.ex have b. en and are underr eprestnted among interoollegiatt athletes. can the imtilulion ,how a hi~tory and continuing practice of program exparuion ? (3) Where the members of one st~ are underrep ..... nted among inte!"COlle · giate athldes. and Ihe institution cannot show a continuing practice 01 program "~pansion such as that cited above, can the irutitution show that lhe interests and abiliti • • of tho rmmberJ of that sex ha,-e been fully and effecti~ly accommodated by the prestnt program?" Institution. "pass" thil three-part test if only one of tho three prongs are md. Con"ersel~. plaintiff, must demonstrate noncompliance with all three before lia· bility can be established. This test has been summariud in the fnWSlifl"lor~ Manua"" as foIl0\'.'5: In eff.ct ivtly accommodating th e interests and abilili., of male and

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athletes, th~ institution must p.O\Iide both opportunities lor individu· aLs 01 each sex to participate in intercol. legiate or int.rscholastic competition and for athletes of each s.. to have competitive tum schedules which equally rentd their abilities. " Safe Harbor. The fint 01 the three. pronged test PTO\;<Hs a "safe harbor" lor institutions ",hich have distributed ath· Idie opportunities "subsbrltially propor· tionat~" to the £wder composition of their ,tudent bodi.,.u This can also be subdivided. The flrst subdivision e.plicitly C(I'\Ij!rs inten:ollegiate athletic! "''hich are to be distingui>hed from dub sporn." Substantially f'roporliOlUJle , The 5«,. ond aspect is "substantially proportion. ate: One caurt determined that: substantial proportionality is prope rly found only "'here th e iru;titution', int..,:ollegiate athlet · ic program mirrors the .tudent enrollment as closely as possible ... To ddermine this. one compares the perctntage of "'o.... n in the student papulation to the percentage of women in the athletic program. Although 00 figure has been determined to be the cutoff fig. ure as to what i. "substantially pr"I"Jrtionate: courts have found figures O\'er 10 percent to not be in compliance." Parlicipalioo Opporlunilks. The final aspect of the first prong i. "participation opportunities." The courn counl the octual par/icipo1!ts on the teams. In doing so, one court rejecled the inslitu· tion', reque,t that it count both the filled and the unfilled slots on an ath·

lotic team. The court determined that: Inlumbers from the current or I!l(>:'lt r«mt. romplete campolit". season provide the most representa· tive quantification of partkipalion opportunitiespre...nIIJl offeml. " Program Expansion. The s~cond prong 01 th e accommodation test is "progr~m expansion: The institution must bear the burden of proof on this prong. " To succe~d in thi' prong, the university must "demonst rate that it has continued to increase the num~r of athl~tes participating in intercolle. giate .thletics.....

Accommodation oflnleresls OrJd Abil· ities. Plaintiffs Ixar the burden of proof as to the third prong." Basically. a college must determine: whether there i, an unmet need in th. underrepresenud gender that rises to a leVi!] .ufficient to "'arrant a new t eam or the upgrading of an ..isting team.!> This has bun eXjlI.ined in the Policil Interprelolioo'll which states that a uni· versity must: take into account the nationally incrusing level. o f women's interests and abilities." Most courts have construed this as requiring colleges and uni''ersities to see what ,por\$ are being played at high 5Chool, in their rrcruitment area and to explore the ,ports ~ing pla)"'d at other colleges where intercollegiate competi· tion might be expected. Equipmmt and Supplies. Whil e the

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courU have traditionally focused on "effective accommodation". the "13un· dry list" actually cont.in, nine oth.. items. The ... cond of these i. the provi· .ion of equipment and supplies.» The fnl.'estigato r s Monoal subdivides this into r,''e facton: U) quality: (2) amount; (3) ,uitability: (4) maintenance and replacement: and (S) """i\ability of oquipme-nt and ,uPIII..". This lopic looks at th e type of base· balls. lw;ketballs. shoes. uniform, .• nd other type, of equipment. Gomes and Proclict Times. The next of the laundry list is the 5Cheduling of games and pr.ctice times. " The flve subdivided areas of this are: (]) the number of competitive events per sports: (2) the number and lenglh of practice opportunitie.: (3)th~ time of day th e competitive ."ent. are 5Cheduled: (4) the lime of day the practice opportu· nities are scheduled: and IS) opportunity 10 engage in available pre· and po.st· ...a.son competition." In this area. one would look at ",hen games o. practices are scheduled-a re the men giwn "bdte' " tim('$ to practice or play? It .Iso review. the avai lability of pre- and po.st-... a.son comP<'tition~ are some teams not afforded available po.st·s.eason play while other teams are routinely permitted to participate?

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THE Al..ABA.~1A LAWYER

Truvel and IYr Diem AlIOU'IlrIU. Nut is ~n use5Srrotnt 0( the equitable trutmen! during trilvel-trilveliind per diem 11110\<>"110«.- Uke lhe othtrs. this ha$ r"", difftrfnl fldOtt III modes 0( tml$pOrllltion: (2) hou$inll furnished during tra~l: (31lenglh of s\.loy btfore arw.l aile. the compditive t\'tnt.: (41 pt. ditm ~lIOWllncH: 1Irw.1 (5) dining arrangtmtntJ." This topk rtvie\<"lihe type 0( occommodation duri ng IrlIVtl-is ont twn forced 10 .I«p fou r 10 a room while anolher ltam Iw only two ilhlttts ptr room? b one tum l\a..11 \0 t.>Ch pmt 001 <UIOlhrr lum musl n-ot /I van? An. """" It.lI1l$ providtd tlllbor.lte ~re- .. rw.I posl-game meals and othn" turns not prtNidtd any mtab? An _ 1 _ gMn tJlr:o ~ 10 tf1ioy an lNilY lilt ..-hilt 0Ihtr lemI$ are Siwn oomralime It tNt site? Assignment and Compensalion of QxJclw$. Tht ntxt ... ptd is .... ignmmt d <0,,<1_ To dttermint compliance the OCR looks al lhe training. txptritrn and olher qualifications 01 co<oches and lheir professionlll IllInding lind comp~nu· lion.· This .. ""lysis Iw sewn .ubparts: (I) rale 0( compensation: (2) duration 0( the contracl: 131conditions .elU inK 10 cont racl

~ceivt tutoring ha$ two fllCtors-the a,·.. ilabitity of tutoring and the procedurH and cril'~ for ob\.lining tuton." 11v wi\Ulmtflt 0( lulOrs also h;u $lWr_ al fadon-the qualifiClltion. training and experience 0( the tutors.'" F'inally. an analysis mUit inclu.clt the five Dcton 0( tutori.ll compenwion: OJ hourly Dte II)' nlture 0( the iubj«t (21 pupill~ pe. tutoring s..sian: (3Itutorqualifle&1ion: (41 t~pe.ifnCe; and (5] othe. I.rna and condilions of tmpIoy.

ment." /..ochr Rooms and Pmctia and Game Facililies. The next il,m to be nvi.....td is loch. n)OO"IS and pn.ctice and COInpetitive fxilitita."'11vre IIU ill fIIcton lin OCR uvitw'tr would hiShlight in lin analysii of this MPfCl; ( I ) the quality 100 IvaiL1bility 0( lxili-

tits for practict and comptlition; (2) uclusivity ol UK: (3) avtoilllbility 0( Iocktr 100m!; 14) quality of Iocltfr rooms: IS) the maintenance of prlctico and compditiYt lxilitits; Inc! 16) the pffl"ration of tlw lacllilii'$ for prllCli« and competitive evenls." In 1hi. determination. the focus is on the types 01 facilities. Ar. athltli'$ gi.... n equal loc ktr rooms, and f~ual PDctiCf lacilities; are these mllintain.d f Qually: and is the ume care taken in preparinQ the fxilitiH for practice or competition? Medi,,,1 and TMi"ing Facililin and SfonIicu. The ",xt lOptd ulhe provi· .ion of mtdicallnd training faciliti •• lind servicu.· The OCR investig.totor would look I t five lIICton: ( I ) iMOilabilityof mtdiaol ptrson ... t and

usiSbnU:

rmcw/II: (4) flI)tritnCt:

15Jnalure of the co.lIching dut;H ptrfo!ll"Otd: (61 worlcing conditions: and mOlher termi lind condi ti ons of emplOjllntflI. In this inquiry. ont looks allhe duliH of Ihe coachu-what lI . t lhey being asked 10 do \}tsldn cOilch thai Itam? Anolh" ISptct i. the qualifications of 1M Co.lIChe....-.lo $Offit tums roulinely get c~hes wi1h lillie or no tl<perienu c~hillll tNt JPOrt? Tutoring. The othtr Up«! is lutor· ing 0( the IIthlelts. The OI)I)Ortunity 10

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TH£AlAUAMA LAWYER

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MARCH 1996 / 101

(2) health, aceident and injury in5uranee coverage; (3) availability and quality of weight and trdining fadl\ti.s; (4) availability and quality of conditioning facil ities; and (51 dvailability and qualificdtion of ath_ letic traineD," 1)0 SOme teams have team doctors while others do oot? 00 some teams have ~Iaborate weight and training facilities while oth." haw little or 00 opportu . nity to Irain and condition? Housing (lnd Dining Services, The ninth oflhelaundry list is the provision of housing and dining servic,s," This has two facto" for anal)'Sis-the hous, ing provided and any s!",dal servk.. provided as a part of the housing.>t Ar. some .thletes provided .. meal servico that is not provided to others~ 00 some have " porks" at their hou,ing facili · ties-maid service, laundry, parking_ that are 001 available to other athletes? Publicily. The final .,pect of the Laundry li,t is publicity," The inw,tiga. tor ",'QUId look at threelactors to det ..· mine compliance: Ulavailability and quality of sports information personnei; (2) aceus to other publicity resou rces;

,"d

(3) quantity and quality of the publica-

tions and other promotional de-Jices featuring men's ' and women', programs." One wou ld need to detenni". wIut type 01 'porb promotion is ~ing don., Who is provided from the 'I'Orb information department? What kind 01 publications does the :lChool put out-does on. sport get multi·page color books while other sports get black and white n.....·sprint> £nforce .....nt

Title IX CIIn ~ enforced in two ways, by a complaint to the Department 01 EduClltion Or a lawsuit in federal courL II a complaint is lodged with the Department of Education, an in"estigalion of the . ntire athldic department 01 the col · lege or university is commenced." Following the Investigator 's Manual. the investigator will re.;ew the entire spOrt> d~partment to ensure that it meets the gendi>r equity requirements, If a violation i, found, the OCR may set up a plan to

11)2 I MARCH 1996

bring the college into oomplia""". In the .Itemative, a complaining party can bring a lawsuit in lederal court, Title IX contains no expres.s provision for private party enforcement. HOI't'e\~r, in 1979, the Supreme Court, in Cannrm u, University of Chicago", held that private party enforcement is implied in the statute. Until 1992,!YKI$t courts held that court> could not grant monetary damage> but only injunctiw relief, In 1992 in Fronklin II, G,";mw/l County Public Schools," the United States Supreme Court held that money damages would be available in a Title IX case at least in reference to intentiOO/lI violahons of Title IX, Title IX in the courts FollOWing Cannon and. more sP«'ifi· Clllly, .inee FTt",Jdin, college. and uni· vt!rsitie. ha'"1! been brought to court for alleged violations 01 Title IX, In Coole 1/. Colgal~ Uni"mity," the uni'~T5i ty relused to grant the women', hockey team vaT5ity statu,. The Court concluded, under. Title VII employ· ment discrimination analysis, that the institution had discriminated against the plaintiffs through une<lual Ireat· ment in the "laundry li,l" areas of ex!><'nditurtS. equipment, locker room facilitie" travel, practi" t ime" and coaching, and rejected Colgate's six jus· tifications (the most compelling of which was financial burden), The Court stated that: Equalllhletic treatment is 001 a luxury. It is not a luxury to grant ~ui\'"ient benefits and opportunities to women .... Equality and justice are essential element5 nOw codified under Title IX:" The Court ultimately found Colgate to be in OOIation oITitJ.: IX and ordered that it ellMlte women', hockey to varsity status. The caoe was Iakr ,,,,,,ted because all oIthe plaintiffs had graduated, The fi rst appellate deci.ion was in 1993 in Cohen v. BroUin Unil1(!rsily," That ca>e. as stated earlier, WitS first tried to the Di.trict Court in Rhode Island, appealed to the First Ci rcuit. and then remanded back to the Distr;ct Court where the latest decision was reached in March 011995. That same )iear. in another d<:eision. the Tenth Circuit, in Roberts IJ. Col. aroda Slate Boa rd of Agriculture,"

found that Colorado State University ("CSU"') was in violation <i Title IX, CSU had sought to discontinue its women's sonball and men's baseball programs. The Court found thai the elimination 01 the women's softbalileam wou ld con· tinue the uni,'ersity'. noncompliance, Among its findings, Ihe appellate court found that there was ~ 105 percent dis· parity bet\o.'een the percon\ag<c <i female undergraduate. (48.2 percont) and tho .. participating in athletics (37,7 percent) which was not "substantially propor· tionat,", The Court furtherlound that CSU had failed to prove a hi,tory and continuing practice of expansion of women', athletics , Finally, it hold that CSU had 001 demonstrated that its ath· ietic program fully and effectively accommodated the interests and abilities of women athlet .., The Court found thai the disoontinuance <i the ""men's soflball team violated Title IX and ord~red thaI it be reinstated. In Kellell Ii. Board 01 Tru$1<'eS," nwmbers <i a men's ""imming program at a university brought a Tit le IX aclion against the university "'hen it tenni""t!'d the nwn's ~imming program but kit Ih. women's program intact. The District Court granted summary judgment to the university and the men appealw, The ap!><'lIate court held thaI the deci,ion to terminate the men', but 001 the w<>men 's swimming team> did not violale Title IX , The court found that although the university had reached an agrttment with the OCR 01 the Dtpart_ mtnt of Education in 1982 to rem. dy the disparity, by 1993, while women comprised 44 percent of the sludent body, they only compri~ 23.4 percent of the intercollegiate athlete •.'" The deci· sion 10 terminate Ihe men's team and 001 the women's team ClIme as a mi,ture of budget constraint. and the need to comply with Title IX, In fact four teams were cut- men's swimming, men's fendng,and men's and women'sdiving, When another institution, as a part 01 reducing it5 athlelic budget, moved to cut women's sports, women filed suit against the institution. Indiana Universi· ty 01 Pennsylvania ("IUP") had sought to .Iiminat. women's gymnastics, field hockey, men', tennis and men's soccor, The District Court. in Fa.'ia u. fndi(1tllJ Un,.'ersily of Pennsylvania" . ordered that the two women's leams be restored THEALABA/I1A IJIWYER

tn v;}~ily JtatUi. Btfurf the cu~ the perc~ntJ.ge

nf WOm~n

undugndu~tu the pe~ nf

...... 55.61 percent and female a1hIda "-as 37.n pncmt (~dif fe~ 0117.84 percmt); Mlerwon!s. the pen:~ 01 Irmalt alhIttn d,opptd to 36.51 ptrunt (I diffe~ nf 19.10 pn-. «fit). BIsotd on the nwnbm.. the district wurt found tNt IUP t\IifJ failed to dft<:· tively Iccommcodlite the interuts and ,v,iliti., 01 its women students." When Auburn UnivtrJily refused to elevate women·s soccer from a club to a varJit~ sport. fert\llie students irutitutM I clUJ IIchon aSa in,1 Aubu rn ." Ai a fI,Irt 01 the selllemtnt of th.tt l~uit. Auburn Ili"ffd 10 mlike women·, IOCI:U II "".. it)' sport. to <;Ommit S400.000 to the -...omtn·s vanity SO«tr projIl"lIm for operuin, upensu for tht 1993 IhfOllllh 1995 ~mic )'UrJ. 10 COII_ st ruct poermllnent p~tice lind game fltlds. and 10 phuo in Kilobl"$hips 31 i Pffiklermillfll I"lItt."

TM ful ..... 01 Till. IX To lilleviate Title IX problems. states and Ihei r inst itu t ions have begun \0 come up with innDl'lti"" solutions. The Cllifo rni. Stllte University .ystem "~rwlIO bring fI,Irticifl,ltion Opportu_ nili.. Ind funding for women·s sporU in line wilh men·, SpOrts by 1998-99..... The FIoridlo StIIte LtgislliluK pu...-d an ...... ndmtnt to the 1984 Floridlo Educio· liom] Equity Act which "fnluirt<l evti)' stile-suPPOrttd tdUCitional institution that Jj)O!ISOrs coml'diti"" IIhlelies 10 dtvi5f; I pllin 10 IOChi....,. gender eQuily by 1997 ....,. The UnMrsily 01 TlUS seltltd out 01 court. igruing 10 "almost \Iouble the numbtr of female ath lete. SO that Ihey would make up al leasl 44 perc~nt of all athletes. and to dramatically incruse the nurnMr of leholar. ships for ""'>Itl.n..... BtcllUse of tht nepH"" dft<:t many lhoughl Title IX was having on men·s athlelics. partiaolliriy football. on May 9. 19'95. Congrus held an ~rsigtll heIIring 10 consider test imony rtprding ,,-hat Tille IX spto;iflQliy RQUim 01 coIItgts lind unMrsil;"" wt>tlher Title IX Iw I/fnfr;lttd uninter.dtd consequmces and whether ~ DtfI,Irtmenl fA EdI,lQ. tion-OCR has dfectiv~ly interpreted Tille IX. " !Iow~ver. no 102i,lo\ion changing Tille IX Iw yet bun passed. Whil. Till. IX has b< ~ n cri ticized for Ttlf; Al.ABAMA tJ.WYF.R

on coIleQt footblil. football progmns

continue to oPfrite It mosl lehool,. IndffiI, Title IX Cln bo S«n ;as having ~ athletics in to ~t and provide more OppOrtunilies for femlile

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s, JucIg. DeMI fl. Cofdstein' On Ntmm~' 3. 1995. Tyson .'oods. Inc. wH o, dued 10 ,einslate. with all accrued ~ntfits. plaintiff Jani"" OumaJ to her fo , me ' position at tht T),50n chicken plant in Blounts"ille, AI~bam:. and to pay 58.000.000 doll ... to ~I$. OurTIM in punitM da~'ln l<idition to punitM darnagu. tilt court onk,ed ~)'II1enl of $69.000 in compenutory damag .. and .njoined Tyson Foods. Inc.. its oK~rs. ....ts. nwugers. SUpIt1. visors. employus. and thOK in Kt,Ye concert and part icipation with Ihem (rom maintaining lhe exi,tenc. of I sex· ....lIy hostile work e""' ronment for the (~male employeu of the Blountsville plant. Rathotr thlon ~ing an isoIited WImple ofa "'rtt monl'l.. ry judgmtnt in a cast ilM)lvint saUlI hIon.smmt. tho Dumas decision is typic .. l of .. g.owing Irend t"..... rd awarding additional compe/lSlllion (0' sa ....! hIor.w.ment.' Tho flood· gate 0( castS i",<OMng 5elC ....1harassmtnt. wh.th.r brought unM. the Iraditional

TH t:AI.ABAMA LAWYER

Title VII theory. or eithor ",.on indtpen· tlmt o. combined aclion pullluanl 10' tort of outrage. worker's compensation siaM •. or mtt civil rights statute. reflects Ihe increand familil'ily of Ihe public wilh tho lerm Hxu,,1 h"UlImonl and tho gruter willingllHS of individuals 10 publicly ISS«!. tlltir claims. Tht pI,lrpoH of this .. rlock illO ilddress what ~ "'~nI if. Although tht Imn his bccomt common in employment law. il did not ICtUlllly come into 1,1$<1$ to Ikfine otfenslYt workplace ¥tivill' until the mid .1970.. The evolulion of caselaw in Ihis are•• Iso was slow unlil the 1!I9Os. Corutqutntly • .IOS mtd .. 'OWerage has mIwlt::td Wniliarity with issues ifNOlYing stltUlI hIomsmonl. lhot neceslily nists lor tho praditionrr to ~ ~ tlwt jml famil"r w,lh tilt Itgal interprtllltion 0( so;IQ) hIorusment.

the conciliatory proo:eduru of the Equal Employment Owortunily Commission (he..,itWIer EEOC) to prohibit .11forms of discriminalion on the basis of ract. color. religion. national origin . and HI. Tht thto..,liaol concept ....... thlot ~:.:OC. or an individual complainant. could stdc an fltUitablt remedy if. conciliattr ry ag_mtnl could not ~ reached with .on mtllkt'itr 10 resolve alleged discrimination. The .qui table remediu thai could be IOUght included injunctn't relld'. ..,instatement. back pal'. and occasion· .11~ froot pay. Back pay was limiled to a period two yurs befo.e tht date the chlor8. was fiI. d and was mitigated by the amount 0( tami ngs tho plainliff Nod du,ing the lawiuit o. Ihe amounl of IIlO!ltY one rusonabIy could ""'" tamed. Front ~y wai restr iet,d to t he losl wagti that OCcur whilt an individual rulom hii or her position in tho worlc

Hi.tone.1 pe",~"". t:nactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 pl'Q'Vide~ • statutOI)' mea", of ming

10m:. In rtalit~. bttween 1964 and 1974. there Wal little emphasis on offensive MARCil 1991i1 105

adio:ity. My KtUlOI dWnition of suual haranmtnt. u a tenn of art. did not COI'M from ttw ItglllXl"SpKtiw. b~t r~tmr Wat ~n outgrowth of socio10l/ital writings which do/ined il as being "unsolicited non .rt(ipr()Ca1 male behavior !.hat asserts I WOITIlIn·s su role ~r mr func:tion U I worh r." and U tht ·un wanled imposi t ion of snual uQuiremenu in tht conlnt of a reI ..· tionship of UReQUIOt ~r." ROgers v. EEOC. 454 F.2d 234 (5th Cir. 1971). cut. den .. 406 US. 957 (1972), Wat the fint cast to TtcOQniu a tall.\ot of Ktion NSfd upon • diKriminatOf)' work tnvin)ruTlmt. In RognJ, the Fifth Cir· cuil dettnnintd thai an Hi$lWlic rom· plli .... n!"s prolections undu Titlt VII ntendtd beyond Iht tcOROfT\ic aspKt.I of employment as Iht defendanl <)J>tOmeIrim had cruttd an offensillt work environ· mtnl II)' pTO\·i ding discriminatory ser· viet 10 Ihtir Hispanic I\Itienl$. 454 F.2d

"The "'- first reported employment

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indueling the ~ of ~I haT11Wl">tnl undu Tille VII was . eport.d in 1974,' but it Wat not unlil 1976. in the case of Williams v. SoxbV, 41 3 f' . Supp. 654

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(D.C. Ci •. 19;61. lhat JftlYl harusmmt wu TttOI[niud as I legitimate claim of su diKrimi ....tion pu......,nt to Title VI I. Unlih u.rlier casu ..... hich ~ dismissed claims for failuu 10 slate a tall.\ot of action under Tille VII, Soxbll held that a Titl. VII _discrimination actionexisUd .....hen a male supt'tVisor acted in a rdaliatOf)' IIIifllltr 19ainst • ftmlle empl~ .. had refU$td his .JHUIOI """VI«$. Casts decided du.ing the nut t hree yun expanded the conctpt of liability for dis· crimination on the basis of sex in the wo.~p\;H;e,· but thqo did not distinguish it in tenns of SotIwol hal"U,fmtnl lhtst astJ interputed law from. "difftrenca ..... roKh" ihtory. which considered sit· u~tions from a male . efuence point wmn men and women u. similarly sit· ualed. ilS ~d to lhe mort sociologi. ca l Ine~ ualit~ theory tbat views ..,I ual harassmtnt at the "unwanted imposi· tion cI suUlOI requiremenl$ in lhe con· t ut of a nl~tionshi" of unequal

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In 1980, using the sociological dtfini· tions ilS a basis. the EEOC iuu.d guide· linu on soxwol ha.assment which stated that urrwelc:omt ltI<uaI advana:s. uqutsts fo r Inull lavon. and othu IItrbal or physil;lOl ronduct of a suuall\lltur. con· Jlilu(j: saual ha.-mmt . whm submission is mide a term or condition of emploo,mtnl O. Iht oonduct !\is Iht pur· pOst o. effect of ~nreasonably interier· ing with an individ .... rswork periorrnanu or cru.ling In intimid.1ting, ~tile. or offt~ working environmenl' Oapite these guidelines. then: still ..-as limited dt\~lopmtnt in this iTU of the law and then: ...... I ~ deal 01 criticism 0( the inadeql.laC)' of the equitable .emedi .s ~vailab le for Title Vll claims. Cong.ess t.ied to a~drtss Ih.se con· cerns in 1990 wi th passage of an Act which pTOYided for unlimited comlXn· JlItory damagu and capped punitive d.1mag .. until Titlt VII . but P"sident George Bush vetoed the bill. In 1991. Congrus passW tilt Civit Righl$ Act 0( lWI which add~ a new '«tion to TiUe VII. 42 U.S.C. f1981l. which pe.m itted plaintiffs who bring suit under Tit le VII for intmtional empto.,mrnt diKrimil\ll. tion to rtcOW. both compt .... tory and punil;" damages in ilddition to equitable "Ii.f. Section 1981. caps tht amount of ~ompenu toT)' Ind punitive damages fe~ove.abl. based upon the size of the

employer. $50.000 for tmpIoytn with 15 to 100 employers; SIOO.OOO for tT1'IPIoven with 101 to 200 employers; S2OO,000 for tmplo)-o:n with 20110 500 .mptoy.,rs;

~ e$~~=I.,or employers ..... ith Over AJthough the.e is JliIl.n unresolved split of opinion ilS to...-hethtr thr ~ ;m applicable IXr cast or IXr aJleatd ad of stlUlOl har.tSStl"lent, it is iIIrred that Iht a(;1$ that coll$titute stlUlOI baraMmtnt can be :odd.essed under foY' catego.ie!: ~uid pro ~uo. hostile work environment. snull favori t ism. and huassment by nonemploy«s. No mallu which theory is used. ClOuses of action. within tho timt limits and requiumtnu of each. may be brought under TiU. VI, tort, worker·s compe n ution. o . staU ciyil . ights statuttl."

QuId Pro Quo Quid pro QUO dHCribn a silUIOtion in ..·hich In .mpl~t is confronted with stJJ..Ia.I demand. 10 kftpajoborlOobtain I promotion. This "YoY hive to do this 10 gellhat" pact.rn has three defini te cbaT;lct.ristics: (\1 It involve someone in rTIllI\aIfemtnt "'ho has t h e au thority ( ..... heth.r impli.d or uplicit) to act for the organization (i.., .• • sulX,..;,or, tum leader. manager. director, dC.l. (21 The employee luffers a tangible montyltconomic toss. Tht tangible uptcls of this lou could be the Ion of a promotion. dUail, I rand... t!"llining OppOrtunity. !"lIist. Or actlYl or consttlJdiw discharge: and (31 Tht o rganiza t ion usually will be liable for the conduct whether it kn .... or lhould h~ve known of the rooducl bued upon the agency ron· cept that an agency is liable for the acts of il$ agen\$. In Quid pro 4UO situations. wry little 0Jnduct ofl saull ~tuu is nttdtd to support a findillll of harassment. II relaIiYtIy pOlite ~ lor I d.1te by a ~ IQ r can be the basi. of a sexua l hal'l\SSment charge If it appears to be con· ntded to future work UJignmenu, pr0motions. Or raists. Similarly. suual harawnmt can occur t\'trl if I ~ tffiCIIoymmI. dtcision is made OIl ~ 01 an trt"lployet boca_ it is the act or thrut of usinQ sexual conduct ilS the basis for malc ing employment·related d.cisions ruE AlABAMA ~WYER

that gMs ri$o 10 ItJU,..:J ha~L Oroct a prim.l. fK;t ~ 0( quid pro quo 50UiI hal'3SSRlmt has bem tst.'Iblishfd, III empl~r rm.y .;Iemonstrate that it had a le,i timate .. ~ for iU ICtioos. The plaintiff then has an OPPOr· tunity to ,how that the reason was prt· ttxtu,I." Htcau •• qu id pro QUo cues requi re an individual in an author ity position. an employ« s.lIftrin,. t.l.na;· bit lou. and al1ribution 0( organi~tion· al liability, co....... ha"" found actionl bued IOltly on quid pm quo fairly tuy to dtttrmim. u

Ho. tII. Envlron .... nt Dtfining hMtiie e,wironmrnt j,uual hanWmtnt hal pro:mn IOl be mOre diffi· cu tt si nce rather than consilt in , of things such lS ·[u ]nweIcOlmt j,uu.1 ~, rtq\Iuts for suual favors. lind Olthu "". bal or physical conduct of a luu.1 rllIt uu" (29 CrR 11604.11 (a) (1985)), il occurs " 'Mn 'such conduct tw tht pUrpMt 0 ' "fftcl of unreuon· ably inte rftrinQ with aT. individual', worlc performance Olr creating om intimi. dat ing. hostile. or offen sive WOlrkinS envir onment," (29 CfR 11604. 11 (11

sM:. tilt condlKl has not actually altu rd 1M conditior'l$ 0( tilt vic · tim's tmploymmL and then is 00 Title VII viollllion. florris at 37(1. HOlstile environmtnt huassment is mOre difficult to identify beuun the deciding faClor is nOl the inlent of the hara.<s<' r. but the iml"Ct of the har~. er's action upon the viclim. Unli ke quid pro quo. the thnat or tndtoff prutnted in a hostile tnYiron ..... nt situation is not as blunt. In ordt. to ut/lbliu. a prinwo fKit cast for hostile tnYironmml SUUiI hal'3SSment, lhe indil.idual must prtlYe that he Of 5ht is a member 01 a proItcIrd group: that he or the Wall SUbjKled to unwelcOlmt Kxual harllSsment; th"t sa was the basis for the haranment; that tht harassment affected a tum. condition. Or privilege of employment; lind thIIt the employe. knew or should haw known 01 the han»mtnt and wled to t.i.ke prompt mnedialllClion." BIIstd on Titlt Vll'i con«pt of worlc· piau equality. t1Tlploym: m' entitled to in an environmtnt that is not abu· s;ve l>ecauK of thei r rKt. Qender. nli-

"''On.

gion. or national origin." Whtn Mlually offensive tondutl ptrTmat.s the work. plice. nwoking it difficult Of unplusanl for an tmploy« to do his or ht1' job, one mlilt look at ~I factOlI'$ to IItttnn;ne if hostile mvironmrnl smr.aI hoarassmenl exists. In In abusiw: environment. the harassu can be anyone_ suptrvi$Or, pttr, or flO)mmploy«. Tht I~ is usual. Iy intangible. M<lfIt}> damages do not .--l to bt proven. Stress. fear. Of discomfort lITe the more typiul t hings thatllrt proven. The slIIndord of proof is .... mid· die pith bdwftn making actionable IIl)I conduct thllt is merely offensivt lind nqui ring the conduct 10 ClUK II langi. ble pS)"(hological injury."" On.t doej, not nted to utabli,h that the hara.ssing condl.lCt Ktua lly produced a rw:1VOIlS br.ak. down !>teaun .. hostile envi ronmen t , ~n one thlt dots not K riously afltd lin e .... loy«·s ps)'thological slat~. can have a ClIIJINnd.cfftd nbtioruhip which impl;JS job ptrfont'laJ'ltt, Ioo.~rs mot'lllt. prtvtTlII ClretT ~.. nc:tment, or causu an individual to leaY\' a job." The kt)' factor in analyzing I hostile

(31(198511. Typical situalions iroclude lewd;olen COfT\II"OtnU. dispillys 01 nplicit or MI"",11y wagest;.... material, U npeat. rd requutJ fOlr a saual Of ibting rebtionship. innlll'ndoes. Or touchi. The US. SuPr...... Coort, inMmIOf So,:ifl{p &mk u. Vinson. H 7 U.S. 57, 64 (19861, held that houiT. environment nxual harUl ment exists when ·conduct has tht purpon Or dfect of unrealOnably intufering wit h lin individual's work performaroct or creating an intimiibt· ina. hostile. or off....M: .......,nung tnvi. ronmmt." In Horris P. FOTkIifI SgJ/mu. IrK•• III S. Ct. 367. 370 (19931. tM only [}Ih • • Supremt Court ~ to consi.;ler the dtfinilion of " discriminltOrily abu· SM: or hostile work environment untle. Titl. VII. the Court ""affirmed this sian· dard.1'I1e Court further held that: Conduct that is not stvtn Or ptrvasive enough to crute an otr;«tMly hostile Olr abusiw work environment-lin environment that a rusonable person would find hostile Olr abusive-is bt)'Ond Title VU's purview. LikewiK. if tilt victim does not subjectiw:ly per· ceiVi: the environment to be itbuOf vul~r

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environment cast is the severity or pervasiveness of the conduct. The behavi<lr may be W "",'e'" that. singl~ occur",,,,,e can create an offeos .... , Ilostile. Or intimidating work e""ironment. 1110$1 lorms of ph},>ica l sexual har ... mtnl or touching will uSU<llIy be defined as seve",. If the behavior is not severe. il musl be SO pervasive lhal il crelles an offensive. Ilostile. or intimidating W<lrk envi _ ronment. In Meritor Soving$ Bank u_ Vinson, 477 U.S. 57 . 68-69 (1986). the court specified criteria to he lp determine il the conduct is pervasi''': is the conduct unwelcome; il the conduct reptated; is

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the conduct unsolicited; and is the conduct of a uxual nature, TheNeri/or cast hold.< thai an emploY"'" who voluntarily agrus to urual demands out of felr of retaliation does not forfeit the right to be protected from sexual hara •• mtnt. The te.t is whether the individual's "conduct indkatfd that the alleged s<x_ ual advanc .. were unwelcom e_ not whether her a<:tual particip;otion in s<~ ual intertourse was voluntary."" Th. plaintiff in Neri/o •. Mechelle Vimon. testififd to volunt.arily having had s<xual inteTrours< 40 to 50 times. of being londlfd in front of. other employffi', of being followtd into the women's restroom. and of having b«n forcibly rapid on numerous occasions by her supervisor. Although the Court found that th<t issue of whether particular conduct is unwelcome presents difficult problems of proof, the underlying test is one of unwelcome""", and voluntariness. For the oondUCIto be of a stxuIIl nature. it does not need to be sexual advance. or demands for sexual favo ... Threats. ridicule. offensive remarks about uxual parts of a woman's body. dirty jokn . and other acts ba~ on the sex of Ihe vic· tim. ha,,,, been held to be ouffident for a claim of sexual harassment. " Pornographic pOsters. cartoons. magazines. picturu. and calendars also have been found to contribute to an offell$ive work_ ing tnvironmen t. " The proof must demonstrate that the harassee "'as affectN and offended such that a reasonable pe,son Or objective party also wou ld ha,,,, b«n offend«i." Since 1991. courts in Michigan. Flori_ da . and California have iml'O'ed a reasonable WOman standard. as opposed to reasonable person. in hosti le environment CllSts. The Ninth Circuit. in ellison v. Brady. 924 F. 2d 87 1 (9th Ci,. IWl) examined Si'Xual ha""-'ment from a gender-consciOUS viewpoint. Th~ ellison court stat«ithat the ux-blind reasonabl. person standard tends to be male-biased and to systematically ignore the "periences of women . The court further romment«i that "[mltn ttnd to view some forms of u . ual haras.sment as harrnles.s social interactions to which only overly sensitive women would objoc\." IIKause of the numeric di.parity of more females being harasud than men. other rourts have b«n reviewing the propriety of applying the reuonable

woman standard." but in its last test. the Supreme Court has rontinued to quote the ",asonable person standard.'" ~loreover. the Court has indicated that whether an environment i. hostile 0, abUSive only can be ""termined by exam" ining at! of the circumstanc ••. "Thes. may include thO' frf<l\Jtncy of the discriminatory conduct; its severity; whether it is physically threatening or humiliating. or a rrn>r. offensi .... utterance: and whether it unreasonably interferes with an empklyeo's work p"rformance ....• Psychological harm, while ... Ievan\. is only one factor to be ~'a luat«i in ascertaining if a work environment is hO$tile. finally. courts h...", held that an organiution or emplO)l"r wit! be held liable where it knew or should have known of the conduct. unles.s it can show that it took quick and >pp,...,..,n...te action. Promptness and effectiveness of rtspomt are key factors for determining whether the Jclions taken by an employer are adequate."" In Potls u. B£&K COIl5lruclion Compa"!I. 604 So .2d 398. 401 IAla. 1992~. the Alabama Supreme Court affirmed: "the proposition that if the undisputed e~idence shows thai the emplO)l"r. as soon as il was practi cal to do so after learning of the conduct . took ,teps to stop the tortuous conduct and the tOrtUOU5 conduct stopped. the steps taken by the emplO)l"r were adequate, as a matter of law. Conver.ely, evidence that an emp~r. after learning of tht tortious conduct. failed to , top the tortious conduct of the offending employe e pruenlS a question of fact. unique under the circumstances of each cast. as to whether the steps take n to stop the conduct were adequate." The PoliS cast involved two employees who had worked together in an unsupervised 1001 room. After the company became aware of the all eged harassing behavior. there waS a meeting with the accus«! in which he was given a warning against engaging in any type of improper conduct and Ihere was a meet_ ing with the complainant to a"me her that any further allegations would b. investigated and to whom she should report any further complaints. The two emplo~es were then returned to their unsupelVised assignments in the tool THE AUJW.\A u\WYER

room. No monitoring wu instituted. TWoWHks bter, thr compbi~t ~lltgfd ~t the bthfflor t.,d b«n rrwnri StIr """ mowd from the tool T(lOm to ~ clu· iul pOSition and the allegtd hUUKr wu suspended for two WHits. Mttr ~ tort iction WllS r.led. summary judg· ment wu mteml in f;wor 01 thr dtfen. dant; how~r. the AJat.."", Supreme Cou rt r~rstd and remanded the t.ISt holding that a genuint issue of fact uistcd rupec t ing whether BF.&K·s actions were adequate and whether 11F.&K effectively "tWed the alleged ha~r·s eonduct by its failure 10 mono itor the Jit uation. It is imporUntto nott lhat in thif QK.I1~:& K rupoodtd. Thus. the emphuil 01 the dod.ion if on the nmllo coosidtr i sundard for adequate promptness ind dltctM handlil\ll oIa sitwtion.

Sex.....1 f.worltlsm .ncI h.r•••ment by _n..mploy. . . Snual favoritism uilts whm a membtr of Imnl-sement entt!"ll into a rela_ tionship with an employtt who then receives favorablt treatment becaust of the relationship. II ihou ld bt nott<.! thai an i$Olited and <;Onstruwl relationship between a mtmbtr of manajjement and an employ« IN)' not bt good business. but it is not ~inst thr law. Tho key is whrn favorable trtltmtnt is accorded such that a hostile working envi ron· ment if cruttd u othr, elllJlIO)"ftl. ...-ho 1m not JWticipanl$, gft the m tNt thr \KIly _ rrwardtd with .... 00 and promotions are thoH woo submit to !UW! ckmiondi. For eumple. in Broderidr v. Rulkr. 685 F. SUI'!'. 1269 (D.D.C. 1988). Catherine A. Broderick. an attorney with the SEC, foIw luit charging that the ag~ncy

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TIlE AL.o\lWolA LAIl'YtR

wu btil\ll run "like a brothrl " lIS StrIior ~UOrmy5 .... re havil\ll.rfain ....ith $«",. t.... i" "nd junior attorney:J and .... en rrNM<Iing IMm with cash borluws and prornotiool. I'o"hm Broderick rompIained. stN: ~ived poor revje,.."S andwu threat· enf1l with r..inll. Aftu addreuing the iuue 01 how ....;dtsp,,~ _"..1 activity wu in the offi« and UpfUsing the view that it provided the basis for employment decisionl in this inltanct. the Courl awarded Broderick $128.000 in back pay and ~ promoti\KI. An empl~r al$(l tan bt held "Up<.>n_ sible for harassment by peOple oullidt the empl~r' s employ such lIS repairITItn. cw.tomen, visiton or othrn. The tesl is if tilt empl~r h.ad control or CClIJId ' - t.,d control om" thr h.ams.e(s actions. The ITIOft bbtant eQlIlJIle:s 01 this type 0I!U~ haraummt occur whu. the employe' knows Of should ' - known that heIshr"'"as pIKing thr employu in • situition where suuil adv~ncu hlvt a high probability of oc:turrin~"

H.wlng .n .".cUw. "-•••• m.,.t pollc~ For an employer. havil\ll an effective harassment policy btglns by educating mlnagement and ~II employtu ilS to what $Owl haraumtnl is. Bnidts ani· Iy communicating with tmpl~H, ;on elllJlloyer should haft i wrillm policy which contlins I definition of sullli iw"Usmmt, a description m thr type of an:Iuct prohibittd. and ;on aplicil SUItITItnt igainst such conduct. This policy needs to bt dl"tctiYtly PIlblici<td to thr tnti" workforce and must actually bt implemented. In terms oIlmplemtnlalion. thr policy mUlt provide an adequate proc:eduTl' or complaint mech.anism for making rom· plaints. It ;1 not effect"'" just to ha~ II policy .... hich . elell the ~lIegtd victim to his Or hrr supervisor. lIS tNt individual IN)' bt 1M illtgfd hal'lUtl". Constquent. 1)', 1M policy should aftord ITI(lft than_ option fur ~i ... harllli ... conduct. Once III illtgation is I'Iistd. III ~ tr hu i duty to investigate tilt claim promptly and thor(lUghly. Prompt",,"s hu betn dtfinotd u a malter of days.. A fairly ;acctptllble rule of thumb il tm-t the invtlt iption should btgin within seven days after 10 formal complaint is made. The proceu, which needs to be

handled IS confident ially is possible. should include documentw interview5 01 the compl~inl-nt. IIccu.Jfd, and IIny pot.nIY] witnu.sn, 11 is rtcommendrd tNt thr interviews be conducted by Jll'r· sons outs,de the xcusW management structure. M.r thr interviews hav! betn completed, manallement should be adviud u to whrthrr thr investigaton ascntlin if thr Mdmce suggffi> harassment occurrtd and. if so ..... hat disciplint would lum apprOpriate. Discipline can range from a verbal reprimand to termination: tht crit(fi~ is thatlhe di$(ipline or puni,hmtnt should fit tht off~nse. Onet thr sitwtion hal btm resoMd. the tmp~r must continue to monitor thr woriqIba to insun tNt il renWnI fr« !Uwl hal'Ulmfnt ind ~ ftI.1tti· lOtion occur&. II it it found that the allegation i. ~ thif 100 ntedsto bt~ The best 11ternati~ is to rtiterate the tmplo)'tr's ,t.1too igainst stxwl lIltmsment and ~inlt f.. lst Kcusalions. ]n Ihi, w.. y, ~II emplOYfU, regardltn of their company position. are put on ootia again of an employer's stanct against $t~ual har.. nmtnt. 11 should ~ noted that .. ITItre dtnial of the all~ged activity by the KcuHd perpetrator not suffi· cimt grounds to ~nd ill accusation to bt fabt. A litx lmlUtion IVtds eithrr to bt shown to lIlt\~ b«n ill impOSsibility or to'- bttn bued \IIlOIl fIlst stattmtnts.

sum.... ~ [n summitry. like court.I thl"OlJillhout thr nation. thr fedtral I nd SUit courts in AWwna Ire wrestling ...ith thr dilemlNS posed by tho dofinitiQn 01 stxual lilt"...· mtn!. Although the Clstlaw in this area illimittd. the volu .... of filings and the dollar a.... ard .. nlOUnts at stake necmitate an undeTSt.:Irnling of tht different types of .Jfxual harusrnent tNt can oc:cur and thr actions thit are n«.~ry to .... gat. this kind 01 conduct in thr workplace. The ElliJoo court upl"UHd thr "hope tNt over time both mm ;onod womm "ill learn ,,-I\a.t conduct offends reasonabl. ""tUbtu miht other sex. .." but 1M real· ity is that if tight million dollar ,,"'ards are to be avoided, tho! t;OnUpt m sat..IOl hualSment must be undtrstood and communiattd, and tftctivt ;onod mforctd policiuthit do not toltrat. any tltment of .. quid pro ~uo or hostilt environment musl be implemented. •

MARCH 1996 / 109

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,,-,

ENDNOTES

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• &N\<•• 11 f i!<I ITl! . • , , "" Cio

Local Bar Award of Achievement Tfle Local Ba, Award of Ach;""'emenl r~ogniU:1 !oc,Ji oor association! for tfleir OUlSt~nd ing contribo.otions to their communities. Awards a rC presented annually ailim Alabama Stale Bar'. Annual MCIlling. local b~t associations compete for these aw~rds hascd on tlmir size. Tim three ciOtegories are large bar anociatlons, mt.'(iium bar associations. ar.d smal l bar associations. The following is a Ii", oflhe categories b;o~ on judicial cir<;uit size:

....." ''''' "'" ''''' MEDtUM

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~o<

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The following criteria will be used 10 j~ the COIIteslilnlS for Cilch category: • The degree of participation by the indivklu-al bar in advancing programs to ~t the communiI'(; • The q ..... lity and e>:tent of the imp;!Cl ollhe bat's I,"".dpation on the citizens in thai community; and • The ~ of ~a'O«meI.t 10 the bar', imiIge;n the community.

Moembers olthe lUte bar'. Committee on loeol Bar A(tivll~ and Se<vk~,..,.,.., ~ judges for the _¥tis. To be coosKIeo-ed lot- this award, local bar UloOCiahons must compiell> and submit an award applicalion by April $,19%. An award appliCiOtion ""'Y be obtained by w.iting or calling Ed Pallersor>, director of pros.ams and xtivities at the SIiIte bar, 1.6(1)-J54-61 54, P.O. Box 671 • MOotgOmCry. Alahama J6101.

I I O/ JANlWIYI9%

TIlE AlABAMA LAWYER

Notice of Additional Amendments to the Rules of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit FoIlOwlng receJpt and consideration of COIlYTlents 10 too proposed Bmeodmenls to the Rules 01 the UnIted Slales

Court 01

Appeals for the Eleventh C ircu it. the Court has determined to adopt a(l(l'tIOna l revisions 10

the Rules as set forth below The Jud icial Council has also dete rmined to adopt the revision 10 Addenclum Foor as OOl 101th below Pursuant to 28 U,S,C. §2071(eJ, these additional amendm&nIS sha ll take effect 00

Jal'lUary 2 , 1996, at the same time as \he other chanQe$ to !he Rules

New 1 tlh C~c.R:ze..2(d) is added Cef/rfic8le 01 Type Sae and Style. Each broel shall include a mont iden\lf}¥lg \he sIZe and sryle 01 type used '" the bnef (eg. 14 poont Twnes Roman)

stat~

2 11th ell R 32·4(bj and (e) IS rlMS8d to '&ad

(b) Typed maner that is not proportionally spaced shan be in 12 point type

larger and shall not

exceed tOcnaracte<s per inch (10 p;tCh); (e) Typed matter that is p<0p0rt1Olla11y spaced shall be ... 14 point Tomes Roman (or $mla'j type 0/ larger:

3. Addendum Four § (1)(5) (Iollneriy § (1)(4) Is rsV1Si:1d \0 fead' II the decision 01 th,s coon IS ad_so to the chent, counsel shall inform the chent 01 the right to lile a petltoon lor rei1earing or suggestion 01 rei1earlng en bane in thi s court, or to petrtion the Supreme Court of the United States lor a Wilt 01 certiorar i Counsel shail lile a pet ition lor rehearing, a suggestoon 01 rahearing

8f1

bane, or a petition lor a Wilt 01 certlorati if

requested to do so by the ClIent In writIng, but only II in counsel·s considered ludgment suff,cient grounds exist Sullicr&nt grounds for r&questing rehearing en bane do

flO(

eXIst unless the suggestron

would satrsfy the standards 01 FRAP 35(a). SOO t tth CIf R 35-3. Sutlicieot grounds for lihng a pelrtron lor a Wfrt 01 cenlOlari do not exist unlass in counsel"s consIdefed judgment there are grounds that are not Irrvolou$ and oonsrstenI with the standards lor Iollng a peIlbOn under the Aules 01 the Supreme Court and applicable case law. II counool concludes thatlhere are not sufficient grounds to seek lurthElf rev>ew 01 a

type reQuested by ttJe client . counsej shall so rnform ttJe chent and shalt adVIse the chent lhal such fEMew WIll not be sought by counsel. In such clfcurnslanees. counsel IS nol reqUIred 10 fTIO'I'e to Withdraw

4 Addendum EIg ht, Aule t 3(C). IS revised to read Whenever It appears thaI an attorney who has been dis· barred or suspended by Ihe Court Is admItted 10 pract ice law in another jurisdIction or belore another court. the Clerk Sha ll. within 14 days 01 such disbarment or suspensIon. transmit 10 Ihe diSCiplinary authority in such OIher court or jurisdictron

as well as 10 the diSCIplined anorOlly as provkled

In Aule 12.

copy Dlthis COurt"s judgment or oroo< or disbarment or suspeI1sron A copy of a 1U00menl or oroo< ~ dlSClphne other than disbarment or SUSpensron shall not be Ir8l'lsm,ned 10 the dlscipl~

svpr-tJ. a

nary authOrity If1 such other court or junsdrctron unless so orOO<ed by the COurt In addltron ,

mrnor edrtorial changes noI aflaetlng the substance or the rules _e made 10 11lt1

C~ A

t 1-3; lOP 3 (p. 22). Prepatatian and Transm.$$JOtl 01 Exh,bJlS. 1 1\h Crr R 22-1 (a). lOP 1 (p 46). Extensions

Tme. 11th CIfC. A 27-1(a)(5): 11lt1 Cif R 31-I(b); 11th Cir R 36-3; Addendum Foof (1)(2); and Addsn-

dum Eighl, Rule I(B)

mE ALAaAMA LAWYER

MAIIOI 1996 ' III

DISCIPLINARY REPORT DI_bomont. • On November 29. 1995. the AI.bama Supreme Court entered an o.d"r o( disbannent on M~ or E. Madi ..,n, Jr. Mad;5(10 receivtd a check for a client in the amount of 56,142.11. The check was inadvertently unt to Madiwn bee"ust of his prior representation of the elion! in another matte •. Madiwn admitted to the cHent lllat the check had been sent to him in error and that he would forward it to the client, Madison ~'er sent the check despite ...,..ttd requests that he do w. Much later. for the first time, ~ladi$On claimed an inter.st in th. funds over past due attorney's fees. The dient disputed owing any additional fees. FOrmill c....rg.. were filed against Madison and h. allowed a default In be taken aga;ru;t him on the morits of the complaint. On September 22. 1995. a hearing was held before the Disciplinary Roard to determine discipline in tht ease. The Discip linary Board detrrmi""d that disbarment was the appropriate sanction with fult restitution prior to reinstatemont. The Disciplinary Board considered past similar discipli· nar)' actions in making ilS docision. [ASB No. 95-044)

of disbarment was based upon Allen·. consenting to disbar· ment pursuant to Rule 23. Alabama Rules of Oiscipli""r)' Prl>cedu,..,. All en·s consent was submitted based upon his felony conviction in the United StattS District Court for Ihe Southern Distrkt of Alabama. for kn",,·ingly and fraudulently eml:>ez· zling and appropriating 10 his own use money and prop",ly belonging to I~ eSlales of bankruptcy deblors. which money and property had come into hi. charge as trust.., of the court. in viOlation of Title 18. United Stat.s Code. Section 153. [Rule 2Z (a) (2); I'et No. 95·1)41

• Mobile attorney Robert Harold Alltn was disbarred by t~ Sup,..,me Court of Alabama. effective May II. 1995. Th. order

noncompliance with the Mandatory Continuing Legal Educa· • tion Rules of lhe Alabama Stat. Bar. ICl E 95-161

__....-......,.-- ..... --" _.......-. _--

Continue the Tradition. H-.-._" .. _.., - ...,

Susp.nslons • On January 10. 1996. the Disciplinar)' Commission of the Alabama State Bar ordered Ihal Decalu r attorney Williom Augu st us Catoe. Jr. be inlerimly suspended from Ihe practice of law in the State of Alabama JlU,"uant to Rule 20 of the Ruin ofJ)isciplinar)' Procwur •. IRule 20 (a); Pet. No. 95-101.

• effective January I. 1996. fairhope attorne)' Timolhy P. .11 <M. hoo hu been suspended from the practice of law for

FOR SALE The Alabama Stale Bar is selling anum·

"""""

ber of black, f",'!:~I;'W"" legal filing

n.._";'"

cabinets. Many

!ooMooJ" .. U. 0000lo... _ 1··

have locks and

Commerciollnleriors Library Furoiture Interi«

Design ple.@:te:co~act

MO'ie Manogement

""',

1411 ' '0'_.,::'::::: .,.. ..... ;

110'~

112 / MARCH 1996

J1.

l.O

nlE AIABA.'fA l.o\WYER

WERE ERCD

• • •"

An open letter to the Alabama bar:

.t'~MlCHlE

Rc«ntly _ T«<ived a ltun ff<>m a Mobil~ l.w fi,m <hat in Qoobt. can""Led ito ,....., subscription. 10 Mich;~'1 Co<I~ or Alab.",a. Tht firm wro'C: 'WC _ '" mi.informed by an,"htf romp.ny that lh<"Y had bem . ward"! the cufttn •• co"uaCl foT m- boob and"'" should "n1y purrh ... through ,ho, rompany. Howevo:r, .in« ,hi. inform.lion ..... inrorn:ct. '"" WISH TO CONTINUE OUR SERVlCEwmI YOUR COMPANY,"

"'t.

IF;""" "",,/wis./ Arfc y<><l. toO, confuM:d as to lhe (Untlll ,Utul of Code publi,hing in Alab.m.! I can

hardly bla""')'<>'I.

ID mt. bfc uclear .. 1 can: Michi. hu published ,h. Cod. of A1.b. m. k" mort: Ihan SO yean. Michi••till publishnlhc Co<lc of A1aba",a. And Michi. ;nKndow publish the Cod. of Al. bamo into the ntxt «1ltury. If you CUfTftltly .ub1cri"" 10 Michic', Code of Al.bama. you don) nccsllQ dp "mabins 10 continue rK~ving complae and current Alabama Co<k ..",.;~

Yes, " New York company 0110 will print an A1.b>.mo Code All this ","no i. thOl ~'" ",ill nOW be '''''' C<>d.. _ ",.irs, and ours. Michi. will continue'" publi.h in luppl.m onlt. rt1>laam.,,'1o'Q\Umes. and comp\O\t Codo HI> an chang<S I" tho Cod<: nooly as IPP' <W'l:Ii by tho Alab.m. Cod<: Co",misaiOM'"

will automotically conti nue to mcei"" Mkhi<"' AI.bam. Code up\teCp servia:. If you wanl • ~ Alob. ma Code. .n you nrtd \0 do u coli Mithie _ iu", OS Mabam. pTactitionns h."" hem doing

In short. if you an' • cu"onlSubocribcr 10 Michie"' ...labam" Code you

for the past half ",nlury"

~ j\IICIlIE

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

D.,.;d P Hamm.n l'TtS;dcnl

THE AI.J\IIAMA LAWVER

800/562·1215

..,-

R '-~"""'''''''''''''

MARCH 19961 113

RECENT DECISIONS By DAVID B. 8l'RNE. JR., WILBUR G. SILBERNAN and CHARLES CLEVELAND

United States Supreme Court Oru,

Criminal

ro r(~llure· 'Od .. qud'U

of I

,ulily p~.

LlInY/Ii ~.l1r1ittd Statu, No. 9.\7U7, _ U.s._(NO\I. 6. \995). Can I (edenl

judgt; who acctpU a guilty plu from I drug defendant forgo any inquiry inlo 1M "factool basi," for a Jtipulattd forfei. tun' of autU tmboditd in the pita iqj' .e, mtnt?TM Supreme Court a~red yes by an eight·to-one vote.

1'roHculors m't'rKd j rtetnl IrmoJ 01 HtbKks in for,.iIIlT. COWl bdo~ the Unilfd Sta\1:$ Supmno Court by wirvlinc I QK irwolving Ioof.ilum in plu boorpins. In Ubrtll/i. the Supm... Court htld that .'edenl Rules of Criminal Proctdurt !!(fl, which requires a judge to find /I billil for I guilty pita before .nluing judgment. ~5 not require <I judge to dtttnnirot wIlttht. the ~ \0 be fOTf.it.d as part 0111 plu .. Ir.

,.«rut,,!

COLLECTIONS SOFTWARE?

related to a dtferKlant'1 crimes. J"'ti~ Sandra O'Conner, writinQ for the majorit)', ....,..,,,,-ed that aiudlle in such circumstM1ces"is not obliged" by federlll Rules 0( CrimimlProc:edure Rul. 11 to make ~rtain all tho aulU are Iorieitllbk. The Coort r&SOOtd thllt "fol'feiture is iUI f~' ment of the Wllence i.......,sed following ronviction or. IS Ittre, I ~ltII 0( guilty" lind Ihis is ouuille the scope of Rule 11. thereby rej«ting tht drug d~alm' argu. ment that a fact .....1bafis inquiry is ~n tial to imure a forfeiture agreement is krJo".,ing iUId voluntary to proIect against go..-emmmt OYtrreaching iUId to insure the rights 0( third,piTty cbimanb. The Justices nottd tlllll, rvm though a defendanl has II right 10 a SptCial jury wrdict on Iorieilufe, that right. p1'O'\-id· t<! under f ellenl Ruin olCriminaJ Pro. c:cdur~ 31{t), i. not C(Mfed by tilt Silth Amendment's const ituliOlUI pfotection. The Justices said thlll di .. rict court.! are not requirt<! to advi$e /I d~ ddendant that l guilt)' p~a will waNe his Ru~ 3 t(3) righl Accordingly, cfiminals who pltlld guilty to druc'febttd crimtS in ft<it-nl toUrt do not h/IIIe to br told that thty ~re "u,ing /I ~"'t~ right to a jury trial J:>r.. lore challenging the ~rrvnmrs ..izo.. ofthe....m. Su~me

COLLECT-MAX""

Da.vo" ..... AO....HT . on..." . .. N'OU_IoT O •• ,Q.N_O '0" COLL.CTIQ N • ..n_N.Y •. PA'e••

. T.... T AT ....... T . _ .

'.'

. , -: ; .

1.800 . 827.1457 !'"':.,' !. , I. . I ..

i " ' .

•. , -

114 I MARC H 1996

• • • • .;

' • . '"

Court narrow • ..,. of ·use~ of nrnrm durin' and In nilition to drug tnfflClring &Tire" v. United Slala, Case. No.94· 7448 (Dt«mbrr 6, 1995); Robinson ~. IfniledSlala. Case No. 94.7~92 (Dt«mbrr 6. 1995). The Supreme Coort made it hIIrdtr to lengthen the pfesml sen· t~n<:e at fellenlly convicttd drug dealen who "use" ~ gun in their illicit activites. A ul\iOnilTlOlU Suprtme Court narrowed tht scope 0118 U.S.C.A. f9:M(clo) thlll adds fi~ yean to the prison sentence 01 iUI~ "i\o uses a gun ....... il~ engaged in drug tn.trlCkin&Juslia Sandn !by O'Connor held thlt the governm~nt mull show lIctive ~mploo,'I'Iltnt 01 the fir~lIrm iUId thll the t\'illen<:e WIIJI iruuffidtnl to support the defendants' cO<'l'o'iction fOf "use". The defendants. Roland J. Hailey and

Candishi Robinson. had r.~ l't/Ifudded to their ~ntences becaust each defend;mt hIId "uud I firtllfm "'hilt tngaged in dTUi trafficking." In concluding thllt the ovidenet ""IS insufficient to support .,tho, !lalley's Of RobiMOll'S conviction. lhe Coort observtd that tho polio!: hid s\OpJ\ed BIIiley fOf l t.... fflC oIl'tnP and IIrnstfd him aft.., fiooi"ll coc;Iine in the drivu'l compo rt ment of his car. Th. pOliet then found a firearm insidt a i)ag in Iht Ioclred caf trunk. There was 00 fYi. Ilenc. that Bailey actr.'eiy ~mployW the "fu.rm in any way. In Robinso."I"1 cast. the un~ hoIsttred firearm thaI pr0vided the basil for her f!rn!c)( 11 con· W:tion was Iound Iodtd in lioot Iockfr in 0 btdroom Closel No (l.idto« s/>o:Iwfd thlt Robinoon hils act".. Iy .rnc>Iored the fi reum. The Suprtmt Court ftvefHd both judgments rtmanding Iheir casts to tht court of apP"als for reconsid.ra· tion iUId sentencing. Justice O'Connor. wfiting fof ulWli. mous Coort, held thlt i924{c){I) requins tvid~nc. suffident to show an kti...e tml'1o)'ment olthe fiTtllrm by the defendiUlt. I use IIllII maku the fi«um lin Opf .... tiw factor in ...... tion to tho predi · cat. offense. Evidence ol the pro.1mily and accessibility 0( the firearm to drulll or drug procttill; i, not alone lufficient to support a corwiction for "u~" umler the Itlltut •. "The achv. em~loyment undermoding 01 'use' certainly includu bl1llndishirc. d~ bart.ring, llrik· ing with. and ITIOSt obviously firil'lll or attempting to fire II firurm. Thus. II rd· ermu to a firu.rm caku .... ttd to bring about II chango: in the c;rcul1\SUlnus 01 the predicate offense is a 'use' just IS the silent but obvious enforceable pfesence 01 a gun on" table can br a 'use ': Interestingly. the Court il<ldrwtd the rmsibly mor. difficult question ....... ich mig/llllrtse where an offmdf:r COIKtllls a gun Mlirby to br .t the rudy for an imminent confronllltion. Justice o'Con· nor respondt<i by ~~ng. • ...in our vi ...... 'u$e' ClInnot u:ttnd to enrompal.llhil action. If the gun is not disclosed Of men·

nlE AlAIlAMA .....WYER

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TIlE ALABAMA LAWYER

"'-

~, ... W<"'~

......

MARCHl996 ! 115

Re cent Decisions Cottlin,,~d Irom PIi9"

111

liomd by the offender, it is 1101 adiwly emplO)'ed and is not ·ust·. To concluM otherwise would distort the language of the Matute as well as ,,..,ating impo$.Si_ ble line-drawing problems: This cast is ext,..,mdy significant to de· fenst counstl in federal drug Iraificking casts by p=iding a bright-line test. i.•.• the governm e nt musl show active emp loyment of the firearm in relalion to the predicale offense. Crim;nalla .. and proadu,..,.ln-custody in terrogalion Thompson v. Keohorn!. Case No. 94· &616 (Navtmber 29. 1995). Is the ques· tion of whether a criminal suspttt was -in custody" when interrogatf<i by polk. a question of fact so that a state court's determination 01 such is entitled ta a presumption af cor .. ctneM by a federal court on habeas carpus review? The Supreme Court. in" seven·to--tw(l deci· sian. $./lid no. Justice Ginsburg. writing for the

maj(lrity, held that whether a cr iminal su.peet was "in custody- is a mired question of law and fact, and the pre· sumption of correctness the,..,for. does not apply. In short. federa l judges should und.rlake an inMpendent review (If the in-custooy question with· out applying the presumption of COr· rectnus under §22S4(d). During a I1<-O--OOur tape.rocorMd sel;, ion at Alaska Stale Trooper Heaciquar· tns. Thompson conf.... d that he had killed his fanner wife. Thorn.,..". main· tained throughout thai the troopers gained his confession without giving him the warnings required by Mirll"dll 0. Arizono. The trial court denied hi. motion to suppr.ss the confession. how· eo.oer, ruting that he was not -in cuslodyfor Minmrlll purpoSeS and, the .. fore. the troopers we .. not required to inform him of his Mironda rights. After a trial at which tht pro5j>Cution played tht t.lpe. recorded confusion. the jury found Thompson guilty of first degree murder. The court of. appeals of Alaska confil1TJtd the conviction. The ftderal District Court denied

Thompson's petition for writ of habeas corpus and the Ninth Circuit affirmed , Both courts held Ihal a slat. cour!"s detenninalion that a defendant was not -in custody- for Miranrlll purposes qual. ifies as a "fact" determination which is entitled to the presumption of co ...,tness under 211 U.S.C. §22S4(d). Justice Ginsburg reasoned that the ultimate "in·custody" determination for Mirondo pUrpo$es is a mi ..d question of law and fact, involving l....-u inquiries as to whether Or not tM,.., was a formal arrest or reslraint on freedom of m<1'o'e' ment.1lle first inquiry. i.... "Nt circum. stances surrounded the interrogation. is distinctly f.ctual and statt court find· ings in ..sponse to that inquiry attach the presumption 01 correttneu under §2254(d). Th. second inquiry. i. ... WQuid a .. asonable person haw ftlt he or .he was not at liberty 10 terminale lhe interrogatioo and lea~. calts for the application of Ihe controlling legal stan· dard to the histor ical fact5. and. thus.

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pr~l<'n($ I mind qunlion of law and f:oct q..... tifyi"ll for indtptndtnl ""ino. Thul. onc. Iht historical f"l1 uc rtsol .... d. tM stale court i. not in an appreciably Miler posilion Ihan Ihe fedmollWlos court 10 RliI~ lho olti· INle dolenninatiOfl oIlho con5i1tmcy of the Iilw enforClI.>tnl offiu..• cOnduct .... ilh the fookl'lll Miranda "'aming U<\oirement. "furtho~. clauifying 'in ClUtody' :as a detenninalion qwJil)" ing for inMJII'mlenl review should $Om: legiHmale law enforcemtnt ioterest as eff.cti .... lyas it serves to .nsure protec· tion 01 the right Ipirut solf.;lICrimina. tion,"

Supreme Court 01 Alabama - Criminal AC4ui.Kenct 10 pOliu ordn d~ n·t t'I..a1toIIKtlt Slokl'. ~.~Z<L......(I995I. The etnlral iuue in Tucker is "tJdhtr lho search;and Kizure of a film emister we .. conlrary to Ihe Fourlh Amend· ment. On Ih. Iflernoon of October 9. 1992. two offict" of the Tuocaloosa POlico n.partment were on I rouline patrol in an area of lown ducriMd by lho offietn II a "high crime .ru". The two offic .... as 1'1111 II four othor offi· cers and Iw(l othtr patrol an. Slopped in front of a .hol hOUK where Iher. wt .. rM or six ptrsons gathored. The .. had btm no CiOlb or rompWnll to tho TUSQIIoosio Police ron<:cmi"ll ilny iII.gal activity ilt the house or pertiOining to any oIlho penons pthered in the fronl yud. When the polico stopped they ubottw<! a large bulge in Mr. Tucker'. fronl panli pock.t. Th. officers asked Tucker what w:as in hi. pock.t and told him to \.iIke out whatever il was SO that il could be Ken. Tucker took from hi. pocket a black 35mm film canister wilh its lid clOHd. Roth police off"... le,li· lied thaI Ihey kntw It Ihil point that the object was a film aniSler and was not a~. Sgt. Hurter:asktd Tocnr wNt _ in the anisler. Alttr huring tho qontion. TIICker slUC. the canister Mhind his bick. Sgt. Ilurter emph;oti· ally:asktd 10 i« lho emiottr. Tuck~r handtd the canister 10 5gL Hurter who opened it ~nd found Ii .... SIO·ba.gs of marijua~, Th~ 5uprem~

Courl of Alabama reo versod Ind r.manded the case. holding

that Tuc~r had not freely giV<'n his con· om! 10 surnndtT the anister.

Corumt to seareh mlUl M knowingly. ;and fTftIy givm. Ex Prnte 1Vi/50n. 571 So. 2d 1251. 1255 (Ala. 1990). Mere submiuion to police ilulhority will nol suffi~ for coment. intelli~ntly

Slalll.624 So. 2d 711. 716. (ALL Crim. App. 1993). Justice Almon found from tke fact.

Mmtin£z

I!.

that Tucktr showed tho ani.ter to tho officen in responK to Iheir dir.ct; ..... !t ;s apparenl Ihal th. defendant did nol freely <:(MI.Itnt to Ike souch ami seizure of tho anister. Tucker put the em· islter behind his back. obviously inli· INlmg thit ho did not want lho poIke oIf"." 10 Iw.It ;1. II was only iOf\er tho poliet officer aslctd for lhe canister in """,h a WI)' that the defendant know ho should not wilhhold il. that ho hinded it to tho police. Mom.Mr.tho Ixu 01 tho case do not indicate sufflCienl ~ cause to open lilt container. The court critiClllly noted: The fact thaI, poliet officer !>as first· hand uperie nce with film cani,t." conlaining narcolic. cannot provide probable auK to open each film emist., he may .ncounter. Nor don the added f:octor thaI J film anist.. is found on J person in a high crimum. proyide prob,able cau" 10 open il wilhout .. more articulabl. ~s;s upon which .. r~1e penon could rondudt that Ihe partkular aniste. conUinc<lrv.r-

Allowing tho search in such • sit ..... lion withoul requiring J more ,ritculable buis would be .lIowing a war"mlles.-

BAIKT

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seuch based upon mere .u'picion. Therefore. Ihe facu kroo..-n to and Ihe circunuuncts obHrwd bv Sgl. Hurter did not SU[lIlIy probable cause to surch iOnd Kiu the ~Im anister wilhoul .. war·

A 0loi il • dOll Sio/l 01 Alabama v. iIchnnon. __ So.2d __ (Sep tember (995). The Supreme Court 01 AlabaJllll moerstd lho court of criminal appeal •. thereby en· forcing I pltll agreement on Ike State. Ackerman was arrested and charged with unlawful diJtribution 01 a controlled .ubst~nce. i.e .. dilaudid. Ackerman. through counsel, mt.red into pIu nego. tiiOtions with the district aUomoy in In· ftrson County. AlabaRlil. The tiJOistanl district attomeyolJered Ackmnan .. 1tC· oo • ~ for IWO-)'Ut impris(WIIm\ in eJd>ange for .. guilty pIc.a. Thc district attorney abo agmd thaI he.....ld not object 10 Ac~t'll"IiIllA'lYing for proNotion immediately following the pltll. AckerJlllln. through counsel. ~ccepled tke offer. Thertafter. lho tri;ll court con· ducted a 80/1";" inqui." and accepted Ihe plea agre.ment. Tht Court entered J judgmenl based upon the plea. Within minuttl. the di,lrict .Uomoy m.liud that he had forgotten to consider certain KIllence enhanc.ments lhat would ~ bttn appliCllbie. SptciliCiOl· ly_ the _istanl ilUorncy had forgottm to include tho fM -)'W" additional ~ onmml for distribulion ol a controlled ."'OSun« ",ilhin three miltl ola public houfintl proj«l. Th. :aslistant d.strict attorney Ih~n

.,,,,,1ded

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~(,~~ in April MARC tl l99(iI I] 7

iSktd the court to rncind the plu lOgrtt. menl by wrillen motion and asked the COlIrt to impoM the mondatory ..,ntma bHed on AcUr'IlWI'l guilty plea. includ· ing an ~itioNl ttll )'U'" purslWlt to the m/w ...."."t pn)Yisions <:i lllA·12· 250 and llJA· 12·210, Cock of AIaboma

(19751. Thr: tm! court hold a huring and ruled that the district attorney'l office was bound by the original plea agreement and tNot the court could not r"",ind the plea agreement and enhan.c:e the sentmet by ~n IdditiOn.t1 ten years. Following an aweal. the court of crim· inal appeals rt'l'el'Hd. holding tNot the district attorney hlld no authority to make tho origirlll pin 1IIm-.... nl which (lliled for two yun impri.onment MCIIU'" it held INot the provisions <:i fI3A·12 ·250 ".ul 113A· \2 ·270 "re mandatory H1\Ience enlwv:tmmlJ and lhat the origirlll plu IIIreement was made lIS" rnult of negligence. The "'pre.... court 8~ted cdoon. In /I per curiam opinion, the Alabama Supreme Court reverstd the judgment of the court of criminal appeals. TIlt United Slales Supreme Court first upheld the <;OnlIilulionality of II plea bar· gain in 8rudg u. llnilN SloltJ. 397lJ.S. 742 (1970). Thr: following )'tit. in San· lobdio u. New 1'01'.1:. 4(14 U.S. 257 (19711. the Suprt1llO! Court r«OIP>iztd tho en· for«abilily 011 ntfOIiotrd pita. Tweivt yu.rs~. in €x l'urte Ymbrr. 437 So.2d 1330 (Ali. 1983). tho AIlIbima SuP«.... Court ~ the Wue Ii plea bargaining and held tiIIIlthe Slate dots not ha"" 10 in\OIl pin igrHmenl H"",,'tVe •• if the Sllte choosu to do s.o, the Ala!}ama Supreme Court held that it should nol bt allowed "to repudiate that agreement with impunity: The I'orber Court rusoned that to allow the Slate to dishonor its aglft .... nts ~t will woold WI'~ken the plu nellOliJ.lion .yotem. In k.l:emHm. lhe Al.Wrna Supreme Court ag,Jin reaffiT1Tled the principle that no drimdant has I constitutioN) right to " pIu bargain. Thr: district IIttOmey lIllY tnilit in pIu barpin nrgoti.otions al his aoIe disc",lion, 0., if he ~ he IN)' go 10 IrilL If the diotrict IIttomoy maw an offer to 111 xcused and the /Ie. cUK<! u-ku no action in ~Iian« on the offer, the Slate TrII}' withdTJW the offer. fI~r. if the di$lrict attorney make. an offer and the offer is accepted try the

..,\t.

1I 8 / MARCtll996

ill«UKd. tither IJv mining 0 guilJg pIerJ IJv to/ring Q(lion 10 his de'n'"""" in mitm« on lite oIkr. lhe pita borgom 1I«0ma lHnding ornI mforrea/>k under conslilulionol/OW. 1\ is the due proccsI dauK that rtIiIldates e"ba",e"t <:i the

01'

SUte's promi" when lhe acClLWd has \lelrimmu-II)' ~Iifd on tNt promise in plwing guilty or in lIIlcing Idion based upon the prom'H. JUltictl M.ddo~, Houslon and Butts d'Mtnted.

Supreme Court of Alabama _ Civil Lif. {nsurrmu Compang of Gtorgio II. Johnson. AIA.SUp.CI. No. 1940357. 11·17·95: 1995 Ak I.niJ 445; 1995 WI. 683857 jAlI.I. (Appliation for ~hear' ing ptnd,ng. ) In this cast the court idopted a ntW protedu~ (or the detennirlltion by tho jury of wnili"" da=gts and direcled that punili>'! damagu be allocated between the plaintiff and the llale_ In lumffillri~ing Ihese holdiniOS the court said: I. 8i/uration The trl,,1 of all CIIII'I in which punilive damagu u. loughl. ududing aUII'J oIaclion b;ued upOn wrongful \Ie"th. in wflich i lrial commencu Ihru months afttr the ctrliliale 01 judgment iswes in this case, lholl be bifurQted. The jury shall fim <klor_ mine liability and lhe amount ol compensatory damages, if any. If the Jury finds the ddendant liable. il will als.o decide, try a """ciJ.1 verdict. whelher the evidence juslifju the imposition of puni. ti"" damages. If the jury am_.. the Jptcial verdict in the affirma· Ii"". the triallholl ruume. In the second ~rt oIlhe IriJ.l. 0111 evi, de ...... !Nil be admitted ttw. i$ ~Irvanl to the qunlion 01 wtw. amount would be appropriate 10 KcOOlplish the w'polK punilM damages Wl're designed to HIW. All Mden«: llut has heretofore betn ildmiuible at poR-""rdicl lIam· mondK:mn Oil hearings. GIIn be inl~ doced under thil new procedu~. before the jury retires to consider its punitM damages verdict. This new procedures is intended to allow the jury to decide.

based upon all the evidence that is rele· Vlonttothit inquiry. the _rd lhat the spuific defendanl before the jury should bt .equired 10 ply as punish· menl, If Ihe punitive ""rdiet is clul· lenged in a post _vudicl motion u n<:miYE or inldtquate. it must otm be considered by the triol judge through the procedum ..,1 oul in Cnm Oil Ca. I'. 1I0mlb/l. Jupra. and Hammond u. CilgofCadukn. supra. II. Allocation Hereat'ler, ~lIl'\lniti'" d1Im~, judgmenllthu have nOI been paid and satisfied shall be alloaot· ed as follows: After an~ po5l·ver· diet revi ..... is condud.d by Ihe Irial COII.I, and afltr apprllue m'itw. if Illy. tho amount ol the judgment u finally determined !Nil be ~id inlo tho lrial court. The trial COlIrt lholl ordtr 0111 ..... • sonable .. penlel of litigation. including the ~Iaintifrs allOrnf)' fees. paid . The trial court shall then or<kr the cltrk of the court to dividt the remaining amount equally between the plaintiff and the State Ceneral Fund. Juslice Shores wrote the opinion for the court in which Justices Almon. 110011011. Kennedy. Ingr.r.m. ;md Cook concumd. Chid Justice tlomsby con· cumd in the mull. J.....iw M.adcIox and Butts dissented 10 tho ~Iocation of puni· tM ~ on the basis that it "'''' a ltgislitiYt function, not a judicial onr. At the lrial. 1M iury rflumod a ""rdiet in fllVOr of Mrs.. Johnson and against Life of Georgia lor $250,(1(1() compensatory d1Im>gc:s lind S15.000.000 punili"" domagel. Mer a /lammolld hearing the trial judge ordered a remittilur 0/ 12.500.000 to reduce the punitive damage. to $12.500.000. an amount e~uallo the highest t'l'er approved by the Alabama Sup"' .... Court. On appeal, the COlIrt ordered i/IIl olddi· tioNl remiltilur of $7.500,000 redocillll the punilhT dafN&ti 10 $5.000.000. In aplainins its hoIdinQ. tho court said: We conclude. I I did Ihe I,illl judge. th"t Ihe conduct of Ihis defendant Will egregious and reprehensible lind resulted in a great fonanciJ.l Nordlhip 10 some olthe most vulnerable member> of our THE AlAIlAMA UWYER

JOCi~ty, l.if~

of G~or8il fraudu· lently $(lId polidu to ptOfll~ on MediQid thlt ""re toully worth· Ius to tM victims 01 th~ fnud. We 01 ~ hid no riJl< undo, tMH fraudulently $(lId policie •. The prlCl ice wlS .. s h .. m .. nd would ntYer hi~ bem pmnitted in Ihi$ st ..u if the activi t i.. of insurance Igents were proptrl~ regulated, H""~r. as reprehensible as Life of ~rgil's conduct wal , it is not the mo.t odorous this Court has bun required to re-Jiew. Without in any way condoning the condl.lcl. we ntYertheless irt ~11td. whtn oornparirlg thil condlKt with other ict.. ""r_ ptt , " ted upon AlwmlI citiuns. to reduct the .... ard 19ainst tM defendoonl Lift of G~'iiJ. to 55 million.

The court .. Iso held thlt Mrs. Joonson's testimony of Mr menw condition was .... ffident. proof of menut anguish to .... pport the jury's .....ard 0( $250.000 for C()mptnsalOry d.lmlIgu.

Smith u. Schulte. Ala. Sup. CI. No. 1930362. 8-\8·95. Ipplicalion fo r rthelrin. _Trultd. ]2· l5-95. The court held lhit Code 01 Ala i r.-S547. which placos i c:q> on damages in ..... ongful duth actions "",inst ..... Ith Q •• proYidtrs, vioLatos tM O<l.w protfdion II1d right to trill by jury PfO'i· sions 0( the ~mlI Con!;tilution. The court held Ihlt placin, victims 01 "1"OIlgful dtith by mediQI malpractice in " different clus from other victims of ... rongful d.~th wu an unrea.onable classifiQtion. Section 6·5·S47 places a specific value on human Tife and implies that some lives ar ~ worlh more than olh ..... The cou rt said: The fund.lmtnt;ol tend.! undtr_ lying AW>.Ima·J right 01 Klion for wronaful death are entirtly ineon· listmt with the irnp:>tltion 01 on ~rbil .... tin. cap on thlt .... Iut. The court rtlied

on "'oon D.

NidrOO Infonninp A.s.socialtl. 592 So.2d 156 (Ab. (991). which held thlt i 6-5. 574 (b) violaled equal prolection as gUlO .... nteed by 1191. % and 922 of. the Alab<>ma constitution. The cou. t al so held thil i 911 of. the AI~bam~ constitution guaranten the THE ALAIIAMA I.t\WYEIl

right to hI~" iury iWtS& d.lmages that art due undor common law ItId SUlutory d.lmlI,U cruted prior to the adop· tion of the constitution in 19tH. While Or. Shulle WllS trutin, Mrs. Smith ~, slit was i!1jurtd in an "litomobil. accident. I tube dn;,n.d 10 assist her in bruthillll was inserted into htr stOmlldl instud 01 htr]ungs, rtSUlting in her death. Th. jury . durned a verdict for Mrs. Smith for $4.500.000. On post·judgm~nt motion. Ihe court oonclw.lt<.! the verdict was supported by lhe evidence. bul reduct<! tht judgment 10 $],270.873 in accord.lnce wilh i r.-s547. Beaust Or. Shulte told Nr. Smith ... hlt he hid done Ind put it on his chlrl. the Supreme Cou.t ordered i remitter of $2.000.000.00 rtducing the

;udimmt 10 $2.500.000.

A judgment baHd upon In iJ\CO/\$islenl jury vtrdict was iffirrnN because of the flilu •• of th. p,lIrti .. to make timely ob;tction. lHan', childrm ....,re pllyin, with i Bic bullln. ci ....d te lighter whtn the houK Qught on fire. killllllli four·yu.r-old. injuring i fi~ yur-old, W dtllroying Ihe howe. In In A/>IEI.O action &gainst Bic, the jury returned i ~rdict in fa\'Or of the children On thei r clai m , Ind Igain.tth~ puenU on lheir claim. White thel' I, ..." . deliberating. the jur~ asked if they could render verdicts ;u they did and w... told by the judge tkllt thel' could. Th. judge then tJlltd the la"'Y"'" and told them.....tJi1 hid ocrurrtd. No ob~· tions ""re 1Ndt until Mler the ~rdict was r~tumtd. The supreme court held this _ 100 Lale.

u.s. SlIpreme Court .,,105 on dobt diK hirguhility

Bankruptcy

Fields

fl.

s.~

lJic Corp u. fhall t930853.9· 1-95

AI~ .

Sup. Ct. No.

"'arlS. __U.S~ __

Nov, 28, 1995.

Mr . Justice Sauter. Code Sect ion 523(a)(2I(.1.) excepU from a dtbtor's discharge dtblI obtained by f<IL.., prfl~ a

ALAB AMA IJftOCl ....11 tho poIi"".1 ond 1qI,1aI.1" inl_ion rou _ . In tho ....... atnn'll.. od.. of ... ~ ..... bltle. The A.1obamI Ikt"..... Na_ (ARN )•• """'1"Il"';ted 1O'........... taI ;nformalion .y ....... tho I.rormalioot rou Iftd. w""," rou ...... ~ . "'IN ruw",,: Eo'y to u.. bin IfIC~ln, r.>lures. ;""ILJdini run b,n I." Com"",""n.i •• elKlion «t,.~ •. indudi ... ".mp.i", fund.ltId "''''hi A <OI'IIpl ... """,mi".. 1C000ule. i""loo;nl bill num . ....... hou ... of ond....", _ e an:h on polltlCllI to <-my .0U caU ....., ino""'i ... """,min ... 1. .......... p ...... lde. atru ...

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For more ill/ormatio", call (334) 834-6000 MARCH 1996 / 119

fats.e representation. or actual fraud. other than a statement respecting the debtor'. or "" insider's fiNncial C<IIIdilion. As to mi'rejlr~ntatioru ol the debtor's finan· cial condition. Seclion 523(a)(2)(8) requi~s that the statement must ha~e been in wnling, materially fats.e. reason· ably relied upon ill' the creditor. and published with the intent 10 deceive. In the. ~ MaruI had mort~ rtOIl p~rty la Fields. with a "due on .. Ie" ciause in the mortgage requiring the cansent of Field, to any conveyanct which would accelerate the mortgage debt upon any uNuthorized :sale. Nevtrtheless. Mans conveyed the property; and then unsuccessfully attempted ta obtain Fields' c.onsent without advising Fields ol tl"!<: transfer_ Three years later and following a precipitous drop in the ..,al ~ta.te market. Mans filed bankruptcy. Field. then claimed the mortgage debt non-dischargeable as it should haw: been ,,"eler" ated three years previously. Following circuit court pre<:edent. the bankruptcy and district rourts ruled th.-.t fields did

not reawnably rely upon Mans' minepre_

sentatioru. The circuit court affirmed. The Supreme Courl reversed and remanded holding that a debt is not de.chargeabl e under Code Section 523(al(2J(Al if the creditor establishes justifiable reliance on the debtor's fraudulent misreprestntations. The Court rejected the reaS(»1obie reiim1(e standard ol &dion 523(a)/2)[B) argued by the debtor. Mr. Justice Souter wrlting for the majority noted thai subsedion (A) dealing with common-law fraud did not cantain the ,tatutory rea,onable reliance language of .ubnction (B). Under the justifiable reliance standard of the Restatement (Second ) of Torts adopted by the Court. the qualitie, and characterislics of the creditor and the poculiar circumstances ol tach taU are to be considered. The Court furthor noted that subsection (B) dealing with inaccurate wdnen fiNncial statements was drafted by Congre:s.s to moderale the burden on indi~idual debtors becall$\' it wa, aware that ,orne comumer loan

FHL Capital ,In InWlstment banking firm '/Mclailzlng

In mUller,', acqwisition5, b~"M'" "al~ati(Hl" fmrn ess op,mons ond fimmciol (l(/viscry sen·ices.

Investment Bal/king FHl Capital has represented banks and pm-atel)" hold bus,nesses siRC'C t9S4 Most tr.nsact'o'lS ,ovol,,,, the :sale of a company. utiliZIng our c~pc:,; cnce and tech nical skills 10 nw<imiu ll>c:ir p i.. pri",,_

Business Vall/atio" Each engagement demands much 010'" than a Il>corctiCilI understanding of ",Iuatian concepts. Ha"ins prepared hundreds of business ,-aluations. !he proftSllionals at FHL CapiLal also undcrstand the need far proper documentation and suppt>r1able cooclusions.

companies might encourage the giving of inaccurate statements to make the debt non-dischargeable in bankruptcy. U.S. S upreme Court hold. Ihat remand order not appul.ble

Things Reme",i>erf!d. I"c. v.

~Irorru.

_U.S.~ _S.Ct.~

Dec. 5. 1995. Mr. Justice Thomas. Petrarca in ~brch 1992 filed suit in an Ohio state court agairu;t both Child World to collect

rent. and againsl th e predecessor in inlerest to Things Remembered. Inc. as guarantor. In May 1992. Chi ld World filed a Chapter I I pehtioo in New York. In September. Things Remembered filed notice of removal in both the U.S. District and bankruptcy court in Ohio pur_ suanl to 28 U.S.C. U452(a). th e bankruptcy removal statute, and abo 28 U.S.C. §1441(a}, the general removal statute. He also fikd a motion in the de.trict court to transfer venue 10 the bankruptcy court in New York so both ol the claims against the debtor and the guar""tor could be in the same court. Pttrar_

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120 / MARCI11996

THE ALl.8AMA LAWYER

responded bj' filing motions to mTW>d in both coorts. All ]lfOCftdinl!s wert consoiidalfd in I~ ~pley goo,ut "ttid!, held Ihe pdi t ion for removal und .. f 1452(a). "'.. untOmtly. but timt!}> und« tt 1441 and 1446. and transferred the case to 10.'1'. The case was ;lppealed 10 the district coon ..'hich ruled both rnroov;>l ptli\io:Q ~ untimrly and ~rsed »Jd rtnW'Idfd. On further ~ Ulthe SiICtll Cin:ult. tiIat coon dism~ the awral (or lack of jurisdict ion holding that 1I 14471d) and 14521bf barrtd appellate

review. On wril of certiorari. Justice Thomas I10tfd th.'ll1I4471d) nut be rtad in pam maJerii> ""'"' §1447Ic)....t n.dtd that ~ mnando baMd on fl447Ie) _ ;mrr.",," from rtYicw undrr fl447Id); \hit..tlen the rerncmI d Ihe district OJI,,1 is bMt<l on a pro«dural delect or on lac;k d JUbjtct matter ju risdiction. a coon of ap()Uls Lacks jurisdiction UI rult on t~ ~I of tilt rermond ordH. HHe t~ district eourt ~ to thr CtiD _ OJIII'I btQae of untimely removal. and thw the order was 001 appealable. Justla. ThomM then wmt on to state that the IX:l thai fl'rrIOYi'Ii roold have been on 11452 \lots 001 allow 11447 proceWrai ~rtmtnts to Ix wunImnondrd. lie ~ tNt Core"tss did 001 r.ttnd f 1452 \0 be the txeIusM pro. vision 1IOI'm'Ii~ mTJOV;I\ .w:I ~ in bankruptcy. and nolhing in f lU7ld) ewnpI.o ~

ases from;ts

dtttnnintd in i>oIotion but rather from the oontat in -..'hido it is URd. ~Smlll

BUJine.. ~ uempUod 10 blinkrupt carrier don nol vioLate .ntl.ro ....~ltu .. pnwlJlon or Banbuptcy Code In re OijP7llJia Holding Corp.. 68 F.3d 1304lllth Cir. Nov.l5.199S). 188 B.R. 287 (M.O. Fla. 1994). Th.* elise eonctrrlfd tilt deregulation of the trucking industl)' in 1980. and the ICC Act man· da t ing that carriers ad here to fil~d ralel. HO\'I1:V'er. many carriers negotiattd $iTililier ratts. and then upon ~k· ruptey. trustou sought to rKCmr lilt difftrmct btt..-em the filed Ind negoti· .. ted rate. In /lfaislm. 110 Sup. CI. 2768 11990). the Supmnc Court ..jroed an ICC reQulation 10 uphold negotiated rates. and then Congrw in 1993 paswJ tM Negotiattd Rates Act (NRA) to provide shippers .. lid on undercll<l rge cLaimJ. Olympia. formerly POIOEO Nation. wide. filed Chapt.. II in 1990. later converte d to Chapter 7. Th. I rustee m.d 32.000 eli""S against former cus· tomen for undnchargu. Many were reil10Ytd to lhe district coun. and the instant QSt "'as s.cIKtW 1$ a Itad QH under I C:lH rmonagtmtnt order. The ddtnst was Ihll tht NRA uempted

smlil1 busintsSU from such litigation. The NRA uemptl. in ltt alia. from undercha'l/t liability curiers or fnighl (o"",,der. ... hich no longer transport property and .mall business concerns Qualified under the SiTilili Business Act. Tht trustee cLaimed IlIIot this pTOYision viobtfd bankruptcy ~ $«lion 363(1) which irMilidiOlnliny laws inhibiting .. truil ..·s rigllt to .. lienate or trander profltrty by ruson 0( the debtor's insol· ~ncy or linarn::i.1 condition. Further. Iht trustee conltnded thai 154\{c)(l ) prevents the enforcement 0( I law that does not pennit profltrty of the debtor from btcomi"ll ~rt 0( t~ utate. The ELeventh Circuit rejected the irgurMnb of the Irmtee by rtascning that the statute "as b.utd only on the tlrri· er'1 opentional statUI. nol fin an cial condition. ~·urther. Ihe .roo ll-businus exemption applies to all carriers. not just those no Ion#r traf>l.POr1ing pr0perty ,nd is not c<mtintlf:nt UpOn such c.lrritr5 iruoh"mC)/ or financilil condi·

,....

Comment; If this Ii I lead case. it Hems I.... t it neculuily ... ould apply to all cases. wMlher small busine$.ll or not. Possibly tht court was of the Opinion that ib first ruson lor rejecting appIi· c.llion of 1363(1) ~itd 10 .. tlt~ asa of non-opmoting c.lrrierJ. •

ca;er.

age. ThmfOrun order fl'malldilll! a bartk· I'lJI'IkY ase to :stm coort due \0 a timti)' ~ dofm: in the mn(MI/, whtthtr undrr 11452 or 11441. cannot be KVitwed on appeal puooanl to 11447(d~ Con"",nl, The rmjorily Opinion of Ju.Ike Thomu i, .hort and 10 the pOinl. Thert art two concurring Opinions. one by Justice Kennedy. joined ~ Justice Ginsberg, and another by Justice GiM. be rg )ointd by Jwlice Sltwn. Justice Cinsbere Ottms to tab i$sue wilh lhe ....onIing in f l 452(b) as to rtmand from tht coort to which I ase is rtfTIO\If<l on any equitable ground. reminding the r ~r of the aboliM1ment d the distinc· tion bet~en law and equity. Sht eon· ciudtd by writi"ll that neither 1\452(b) nor 1l447(d) penniu tM &SM,Uon of ~ ;,ni:s<i<tiol.;, /hi$ (III!. (empl yi: suppI~). This aoe is i~t also for luIurt iTiliturs on interprdltion of kgislation by ...~ of the diN Woting that the mtaning of a word or phraK cannot be

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•J!!labama 'tfJench & llalflnnual *' -'

Mzd- Winter Corifilrence & Bar Mid-Winter Conference was held in I>lontgomery J am!~. ,1.:V19 and the

Sf~::i:~t.:~;~ ;";j~:~.;;.,·;·E;·'t~h;i:'::',;for the Bench and Bar:' Thekeynote address was given by the ~a

B. cuit. Also a featured Don Stumbaugh.

of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Cirthe execu tive director of the Amuican Inns of Courts Foundation, i speakers included Jlldg,e Itlichael Keasler of the 292nd District

Court of Dallas, Texas and Judge Suzanne Stovall of Conn:~, rJ'e:ti5. The conference. co-sponsored by the Circuit and DistricW.wj~~~iation Bar. address~d imq?rtanl issues facing the bar and the ~~U/wCIl' as ,hoc'

legal professloD ill·'i!;labama for the upcoming 21st ce~.,. .

hQ;, of the stole boT's Tdsll FlJrce

Justice Hugh Mdddox,l.efl. c,~ ,,_ Stum/xlugh, right. en1Cutir!<l h & Bdr R~ld/,ons. ana ...... n . on Bt n c . fC rt listen toJudge TJO at. djrector, Amerr<"<ln Inns 0 au,

122 1 MARCH 1996

THE ALABA.'IA U.WYER

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Call Now, Because MembershIp Is Available Only on an Exclusive Basis The Academy limits the number of members In each geographiC area. Call now 10 find oul If membership is available in )'OUrsrea.

YOUNG LAWYERS' SECTION By Alfred F Smith, Jr. Mark your calendarl now for the Alaba· ma Young Lawy<'rs' Sochoo annual..,mina. at the Sandestin Resort in fl nrida on May 17 - 18, In many .....ays. this ..,m· inar is the highlight of the year lor the Young Lawyers' Section. It offe.. SOlme· thing for eI-'e!)'OM. and provides a unique

opportunity (or )/{lung laWl'eTS to

proje(ts. Tom Albritton . along with the lerriflc. staff al the Alab.ama State Bar. coordinates the admissi6ns ceremonies 16r new admiUees t6 Ihe bar. Ch • • li.

gat~r

in a prof..sional and social ..,tHng. The

seminar program con.istently is rated o:«:ellenl bi' those in attendance. and "'e hnpe you wHi join us. You will be hearing mo •• aoout the Sandestin seminar in the wttks ahe/ld , However. you may pre.eg;,ter for the seminar by completing the form below and mailing it to the address inrlicaltd.

The Sande.tin seminar once ag.in i. being coordimted by Gordon Armdrong. Robert lI edge. and Jud..,n Weill. The.., lawyer. spend. great dea l of time plan-

leaders. We 160k 16rward 16 ,ooing Y6U in Sandestin on the weekend of May 17 and

At' .... Smilh

ning the seminar and related activities with very little recognition. We appreci· ate their effort.! and their e.lraordina')' service tG our section 01 the bar. In addition 10 the Sandestin semina r. Ih •• ection has been busy wi lh olh"

enormously successful OWr the years and has afforded hundred. of high school student. the opportunity to participate in a Irial advocaq competiti6n. One 01 Gur newtr projects. the Mioority Participalioo Coolerence. is being coordinated by F,.,.d Gray and [Ii ... beth Sm ith.rI. The program bring. logether minority students lrom Alabama·s public schools and provides them an 6pportunity to come 16 ~l ontgom"')' and visit wilh prominent member> oflhe bench and bar. Our gool is t6 encourage young minority students t6 c6mider pursuing legal cue .... W. beliove this will becomo one of the oot such programs in the C6unt')'. If Y6U would like to assist with any of these projects. please contact 6ne of the project

18. Ander.... n and Chris lIugh .. are heading the secti6n's el16rts involving the Youth Judicial Program sporuomljoinlIy with the YMCA. Thi. program has been

•

AI1_ Smith

-:;""'",-.~, Rogoto & SINO on 8;0",, _ _ _ ... •• ,IIeI!II'_." ... . . . - . . . . . , , _

-.~

r-----------------------------------------------,

Registration Form For Sandestin Seminar May 117-119, 11996

Name Firm~~~~~~~~~~~~~_

Address _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ City/State/Zip

Registration Fee: ~_o n or before 3115/96 - $120 ~_after 3115/96 - $140 ~_admitted to practice after 5!20f 94 - $75

_~~~~~~~~~_ ~_

Phone Number·_~~~~~~~~~_ State Bar 1.0. # (Social Security#)

~~~~_

o Please check if you plan on playing in the Golf Tournament. Spaces are limited and are on a fi r5t-come, fir5t-5erved basis.

, ,

golf (includes green fee5 & cart) $53.50

Requested partn er & hi5lher handi cap (no guaran-

I I I I I

I I I

I I

I I I

I I

Total Regi5tration Fee & Golf Fee: $ I L _______________________________________________ J I 124 / MARCH 1996

Lawrence E. Greer, Jr. he 6 inningllam Bar Associlltion lost one 0( iii distinguished .... mbtl'$ through the dtath 01 ~ E. Cretr. Jr. on Octobtr 27. 1995 at the age 0( 81 )'tars. uwrence G....,r wn a product of the lIinning/klm School System. Fol· I"""ing graduation from Phillips High School in 1931. h. anendtd Howard Collegt in the EaR uke ~rn gradu. ah"ll" from th:iot school (our )'Ql'$lattT. FoIJoo,..;"II" l bo.tsinesf ClFttr, he otten<,I. td lht Uniw .. ity qi AlWm;o l..aw School. He was admintd 10 lhe Abba· rna State Bar n, member 0( the dis· tingui$hed class 0( 1950. Forty-fM: )'tan oIgtntral practice included l clerkship with the BooOl"'

able Hobart H. Grooms. Sr., United Statu [)istrict Judg •. uwre~ Grotr I.ft behind a son. a Ilaughter. ~ grandson. ~nd an innu· rntI3ble tIO<II 0( coIlagues and friends who mourn his ~in&\\'hfrus. thill Resolution is oIf..td as a TKOru of OUr admiralion lnd affection for u wrence E. Grnr. Jr. and 01 our condolencu to his son, his daught~r. hi' grandwn. and Iht othe-r members ofhis f~mily. Now.lherdoR. be it rtSOI\'td by the E~KU!~ Gommitltt oIlht Binn."II"' Iwn Bar Associlltion in iii regular meeting asstmbltd: This f:xecuti~ Committee greatly mourm the paMing oIl..awrtnce E. Grter. Jr. and is profoundly ~ ...teful for Iht IWmple tNt his long and ~

fullife ros broughl to Ihe member, $hip. both indMdual1)t and collediwl)t. That the 5urviving members of lht family 0I~ E. Grttr. Jr. ~re hereby assurtd of OUT deep ~nd abiding 5)..... p.>thy. Thot. copy oIthill RQOlution be spread uroon the Rc<)nls of the 6 inn, Ingham liar Assoc iati on as a perma_ nent memorial to this dep.:lrted brother. Thlit copiu 01 thill RQOlut'on be fumi5htd 10 his ...... his daugI'Iw and grandson, as OUr expression to lhtm 01 oor deepest 5)"mp.:lthy. - J. Fffilric [ngnm J'"n,lldent. Binningham Bar AJlociallod

)II il1ard 8 "'ntlfy

Ba, Minnell. AdmiIlN.. 1977 Dit.:!:NoYo.' IS. 1995

Gunlern·ill.

Nlmilled: 19-19

Clyde McArthu,!.ow

DIeo:tOctobrr I. 1995

"""'''

Admillild: 193-1 Diootlltambtr 1. 1995

8ryn Saill 00"" Birmin(lhom

Nlmill«i: 1978 Dit.:!: 0..• •• II. 1995

LooounI )II,

Rohrt .......... Tod RodJr;,d

Admilltd: 19-19 1);«1: II, 1995

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Amnil/ed: 19-12

Rk h>rd [b it [)unlrn n;rminghqm

110m .. lion" Wl ldrop

"'""'"'"

1Md: N"""., 19. 1995

Admilltd: 1984 1Md: Dfttmbrr 17. 1995

JI ..... ,'larIl.

Ralph Smith. J •.

I\"iUiom I\'eoo!n)Or

Admillm' 19$5

a.......

-..t915

1.Ii«I:0Kt.. olIt,21 . 1995

Iodmilled;

I>1rt"

....... ft

Oitd: Iltambtr 21. 1995

lfunl..t1/k

IAi>D Y, Sodl... Jr.

Mmilltd: 1910 DiM: O<tobor I. \995

Amnil/ed: 1949 1);«1: NoYombe' 30. 1995

"""'"

Admlltwl: 1931

KcnllO"lh CiIHo<o Ff1lrho,w Mnull«l: 1974 1Md: Dtcnnbtr 11. 1995 ~-dlian>

I.Ii«I:

Campkn 11'. 1. Fort f'riyr>s

o...mbo, 19. 1995

MoIph I. WIlL Jr

-,,.,,..

lotImilll!d: 1938

Dit.:!: o..••r 12. 1995

Please Help Us il"""",, __ """'-' oI"-bor_"""""'_"-""'oIthm ' ,,. _ _ ,.,_oI-"",_ ... oI""""""io _ _ ...... """" _ "" ,,- _,,,,-,, _ "'" _. •.,...wiII>"""'""""""",_ "- -..r.1iIt _,...._ •• *' .... _w.,1 17J!r _ ~

___ _

.so.. lIw lOld"-~

........

lOId po I5O_lOId _ ... _il~ W._ ..... ........ _ io ...... _ .. .... - . . _ _ _ L ,.........

THE AiABA~ LAWYER

r1w_~. ''O' _ 41M,,..,

lilt .............

' . . . . . .. ., .

foo po I ,. .. ' • in .................... l for .... ")' .'-"

il' . ..... !II 10l

MARC H 1996 / 125

Not ,-,uay The Women Lawyers Section of the Birmingham Bar Associat ion is sponsoring a symposium for lawyers, spouses, law office administrators and law department heads. This program has been approved by the MCLE Commission for 2.0 hours CLE. Tuesday, Man:h 19, 1996 3:30-5:30 p.m. (reception Immediately following)

The Harbert Center 2019 4th Ave nue

Birmingham (Complimentary child care is provided at the YMCA, 309 23rd Street, North , With parking across the street. Donations \0 \he YMCA will be accepted.) F•• tuNeS

.~.k ....:

Jay Foo"be,,,••sq.-noted author 01 How to Choose a Lawyer, How to Start and Build a Law Practice, and How to Gel and Keep Good Chams.

Zor. ap.ert, MSSW, LCSW- licensed psychotherapist who counsels employers and artorneys and the lf families, concerning problems arising oul of the demands of thelf profeSSions In addition. male and female panelists Wlil diSCUSS what works and what doesn~ work in satisfying chents and employers while maintaining a healthy home life.

REGISTRATION FEE:

$15 per person: $25 per couple Checks should be made payable to: Women Lav.yers SectlOfl/P&L and sent to Belinda Masdon Kimble. esq., Hardin & Hawkins, 2201 Arlington AvenlJEl. Birmingham, Alabama 35205. As seating is limited. pre-registration is encouraged.

For additional information , contact Belinda at (205) 930-6900. " 996

THE ALABAMA LAWYER

CLASSIFIED NOTICES RATES: Members: 2 free listings of 50 words or less per bar member per calendar year EXCEPT for · position wanted" or ·positioo offered" listings - $35 per inserUon 01 50 words or less, S.SO per additional word; Nonmembers: $35 per insertion 01 50 words or less, $.50 per additional word. Classified copy and payment must be received according to the followlllg publishing schedule: March '96 i.sue - deadline January IS, 1996: May '96 Issue - deadline March 15. 1996. No deadline extensions will be made. Send classified copy and payment, payable to The Alabama Lawyer. to: Alabama Lawyer Classilieds, c/o Margaret Murphy. P.O. Box 4 156, Montgomery. Alabama 36101 . OOC UM ENT UAM INER : Cer tilied Foransic Oocument E.,mlnlr. Cllief

SERVICES DOCUMENT EXAMINER: ExanwIabon ot Ou ... ,ionl'd Docume nt•. C"r1 ,liad Fo rensIC Haoo ... rllinij and Documenl

E. amioer. r.....,ty·nint

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ence' " III tor""" ~ p<tiemt. Fotmeoty, et.t OuesIioooed Oo::ument Ma/ysl, USA CMWIaI ~ Ubora!Qlies. OipIoma!9 (<:ert,l;.d)-British

FSS. DiplOmltl (certll,ed)-A8FOE . Member: ASOOE; LAJ; SAFDE; NACDl.. Reso.mIIIId tee ~ upon .....-.

Hans M.yer Gidion, 21e M..rymonl Drive . Augulta. Georgia 30907. Phone (706) 86()..267.

documenI ......... AIIbamI llepar1. men! of For.nsic Sc;'""•. ,eti,ed. Arr.. w, 80Ird 01 FOf_ ~

Examiner •. Ama,ican Academy 01 Forensic ScIences. American SoO.Iy 0/ OuaSlIoned Documenl E......... rs. Over 20 \'N'"I' .xpao ..... in SIaIe """ tOOerat ccr.on. in .f.IabatmI.l...nar Miler, 11. 20 N. K.-ndan Suil' 206·A. Miami. Florida 33176. In 8lflT1inghlim. phone (205) 988-41 58. in MiItni. phone (305) 27'-446$. Fa>: (305) 586-2618.

0..,..

FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMINER: Hanc!wriung. typewriting. a~ered documanti, medlcII records ..... ~,

deeds , d,e<;It.I . anonymous letters. LEGAL RESEARCH: L . 'HUard! 1lDIp. ~ al!o!My. member 01 th e Al abam. Slata 8 a •• 'nce 1977. Acoesa 10 State Law Ubtart. WESTLAW ..

. . . . ..

Prompt ~ seardt-

IS. s..h Kilttwyn F...... 112 MooN SuiIdrog. Montgomery, AI/lbIIIII 361001 . Phone (33-1) 277-7937. No rept'eS81lta· /lOr! is made !7III,1tla QUIIMy 01 !7111 ~

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Coun,,,"IIititd . E"~,.....

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Incl. Certified: Americln Soa,d 01 f orensic Oorument Examiners. Member: ArrIIrican Society 01 Ouastionad ~ exa.....,., AmtrIcan ~ .:II)' 01 FOfIMic Saei ...... SouCt.ast. .m Association 01 Forensic Document E.amInar•. Crimrnat and r;MI mall.,... Carney & ~ oj 1"0 • • Oocument Laboratory. !\85.5 Jimmy carter ao..-. vard. NotOCU (M¥ItaI. 3(Xl71. Phone (770) 416-7690. Fax (no) '16·

a.oroaa

7&89. 8USlNESS VALUATIONS' P,o/ ' )I~ aI. accuraca. ~ ~ veluarionIl(>lIAist in Inainrog the best ponible be n.fit,. ConI act Alabama', p<amilr buslnass vliuation flfm; Williams. Taylor & Acton , P.C.• 21 40 E..."'th Avenue. South. '00. The Pat1< Suildlno. Sitmtngl\3lm. .f.IabatmI 35205. Phone (20$) 1130-9111 or (800) 87'·8552.

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Suita '08 · AB. Wllhlnglon. O.C . 20005. $39-3 month.: $69-6 monlhl . Phone 1·800·296·96 11 .

VisaIMC. ATTORNEY NEEDED: $mel Sim"Ong . ham lirm seeking a!1o'ney With $Orna existing ~.etice to "pand firm in II">"" .ra;! civil p<8dice. including ~al ion ...0 specllhias (and 10 hlfldle ..!er. r... ). Send resume to Managong Pan· ner . P.O. Bo. 531103. 8 lrm ingha m. Alaballll 35253.

DOCUMENT EKAMINER' Handw,ibOl'il Exper1/F~ Document Examrneo-. ASFOE ca'!ofled. PUI p<uldant of Southeast"n A$socl.lIon 01 FOfanlle 00crJ<Mn1 Examiners. Ameriean Acad· .:II)' 01 FOfIMic Scienc:ft 1eIow. FeO-

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arel other doeumanl9. L. Kttith Nelsoo. Stor.a Mountain. Georgia. Phone (770) 879-722• .

a;ut quaIitiod. SrtenI... years'

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TAX ATTORNEY, Map AIMlama Ia".o finn wiIIt llalewide prao::Ia Is seeking

an .110rnty with two 10 lo~' yea ,,' upII,l.ne. In ta. . CO'PO'l tl andlo, business law. Art U .M. In lax is p<. ""'-t . ....... , is lor.

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ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY: ApplI-

c ati ons ara b.lno acceptad !e r the position 01 Iulatant eily attorney with tile Clly of 00lnan. Alabama. This ,s '"pon,lbla p,of...lonll Iloal wor!< .....,.;ng undar Ihe dir«:lion 01 tho city anOfnev ~ include. buI sri not limIIed to. pros8QIIing cases in municipel COUll. IiIino 01 appNIs in •

unwIy m.....,. ~1Ing -wealed - . 1UCh . . arraiOr ••IIOICI. ~

moIionI. ~ and probation hIar· mga. hlndling Iny Ippealed cases. and IIandIroQ ~ _nets !or Ihe Ci\y 01 00Ihan .. dio..:ted b'f Ihe city_. on

Illy. SalIfy negoI l ~ .

0UaIiieati0RI;

G,adu.llon lrom In .cen.diled I.w achool wnh In LL B. 01 JO deg, ... Two yurI" .... pr",*,- Ixperienat in Alabama. MU$I t. licensed 10 prllCl>Cl Ilw in In, atlla 01 Alablml. Sand ...... me 10 PertOMII DIpar1ment. City of Dothan, P .O. Bo. 2128. Dothan . Ala!,."" 36302. Closing data; April 15 , 1998. EOEIMFD

1awbookI, Send wanlilm 10: f"" (716) ~Of

phone 1-8QO..o1WM-HEIN.

LAWBOC!KS S- 50 per....r on ycu

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.... cal Na1IOr\III L.aw Resoo.I«».

~·. ~1a " bocIko_. 1tJge

mv.ntoriQ. Lowell ~a. bceDen1 ",*",. SM'llldion 17U¥..-:L cal ...

to ..II you, unn..o.d books. Need r"IIW. brand .... m •• al.., Ind wood an. lYIng al di$COunt pricea. F,. . quet ... 1·800·279·7799. Nat""" LIIw R"ol"ce.

....""ng? Wa Ill!

FOR RENT FOR SALE BEACH HOUSE: Gull Shorss. AIaba· lAWBOOKS W.iam S. Hein & Co. , Inc .. serving .,.. ~ community !or

tour bedroor"a. f..«y~.

.,..... 60"f'Mr1- W. buy. SOlI. ~ se II

(205) 836-0122.

ma.

on beach; two. ....... and

Notice

Guidelines for Client Trust Accounts • Commingled client Irust accounls must only be interest-bearing if you participate in IOllA. Attorneys are reqUIred to particlpale in an IOLTA pfOgram unless an aH,rma\lva -opt our notice IS sent to \he secretary 01 the state bar wUh'n si)c months of their admiSsiOn to Pfactlce or retum to active p!'actice. Funds of a substantial amount or which are to be held for a long period of time should be placed in an interest·beamlQ account for the client"s benefit • Immediately secure funds received for a chenl in your client trusl account. ie. take care to deposit funds promplly. • Lawyers should take care that a suffiCient balance is maintained in their trust account to cover all checks wr itten on the account • Chenllrust accounts may not be taken into conside rat ion as part of your overa ll banking relationship Lawyers may not benefit, even indirectly, from clients' funds unless the lawyer is specifically authorized to retain any such benefits for himself. The term benefit means not only Interest wtJich accrues on any such account. but also any other preferential treatment. rebate. or other reward earned because of such financial arlangemenl • Costs that anse as a consequence of cIo+ng business should not be paid from clieflt Irust accounts or the interest generated by chenl trust accounts. Examples of charges ale check OI'ders, wire transfers, msuHlclBflt funds charges and stop payments.

• Be sure to familiarize yourself with ~"

128 / M,\!lCH 1996

Rule 1 1501 the Rules 01 ProfesSlOl1al Conduct and its com-

QURdd What's The Value Of YoUlt' ClReJlli' § Com,allllY1 ' I)I E I RS (OR" m:J>AKIlN(l PAH11'IE~ OR SOON-TO-BE- I::X-$f'OtISf( OR "11( F.XIClfrOR Of' TIle ESTATllj

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...."SWIR RIGHT AWAY .1.1"0 1I1U. NOT LOOK KINDl.Y ON "

RF.'lI'ONS& CO~AlNISG Tm: WORDS ·"PPIlOXIMATFJ..v" AND "1lOl!GIILY".

cyou HAVE TWO CIIOICES. BEST :

CAll. W ULlA.\.\s, TAYL.OR & II,\VE

~W R

AeroN, THE .'IRST f<CO)IJNTING ...." O CONSULTING FIRM IN BI RM INGIIA.\I TO

CER'nfn:o VAUMTION ANALYSTS ON Pf:ltl.lANENT STAFF, AND Il.\NKJNG INnl.:

TOP fJGIIT 1't:R(':FJ>,"r O F AA':COUNTING 011(:,•••"1/..1.-1101'15 NATlON\OolDE IN OUAlIIl' OF CLIENT RUORTS. ·

2N[)·B.:sr : PA."IC. G o WlTIi TIn,: BEST. CAl.!. 930-9 1 11 TODAY A!IOUT A FREE flUS IN fSS VM.. UAT ION CONSULTATION.

WI LLIAMS :fAYlOR ·AC1I'ON 21;fU Ill..EVEN1H "VENUE, SOUlll ' TlIE PARK BUllDH<O. SUITE 0100 ' BI RMINGIIAM, AlABAMA (:!Ill) 9)0-911' • ($00) 37f.3 5S? · FACSIMILE (lOS) 930-91 ·SJ..J, P"fo<-'~·

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