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Com .I I merCIa Ma/praCti nsurance Policy

Ce

While some malpractice insurance policies can be an incomplete puzzle...

One company puts together all the pieces.

labama attorneys wa nt coverage where it count s! Many commercial malpractice policies contain a penalt y-fo r-refusalto-se ttl e clause. This clause can be used to fo rce an insured to accept an offer of settlement or, if re jected, pay the di ffe rence between the offer and the ultimate verdict. By co ntrast, AIM's policy gives its insureds pro tection and peace of mind. AI M will not se tt le a case without an ins ured's consen t and will not penalize an ins ured for refusing se ttlement and going to trial. AI M's policy even guarantees its ins ureds a voice in selec ting defe nse counsel. AIM does what most commercial ins urers refu se to do:

Serve the best jnterest 01 Alabama attorneys.

AIM: For the Difference!

O

Attorney. In. urance Mutua l of Alabama, Inc! 22 In".,,,,,,.. Cant., P a rltway Su" .. 525 B I,m lf>gnam, A lalUIrna 3524 2 -4689

TelephOne (205) 980-0009 Toll Ffee (800) 526- 1246 FAX (205) 980-9009

- "" E MB E R : NATIONAL A SSOC IATI O N O F OAR . R E LATEO IN S URANCE C OMPANIES.

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In Abroma, it's ~ to fin:I OJ! rrue ab::u the fasr:~ u wM ~'5ttm.JlNcall l-aoo.i62.s272 1OOay.

Ul\\yers Cooperative Publishing LA\\U ~~K TI!~ Rlta路IT A\S\\"F.R. R!(.IfT HERE. RIGHT ~O\\.

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IN

BRIEF

May 1995

Volunv 56, Number 3

ON THE COVER: Lin n I'IR ar.d J dfe ..... n Counly Cou rl ho,," Linn I'ark consists of flY!: ac:m of Ires, waltr fountains. colorful walkways. and ao.",n. and was named in IlonorofCl>ir~$linn, Birmingh;.m', fill! Iwlk• • md MI indl.lStriool~t with grtat vWon lor the (ity. 11K Jdft'-' County Courthouse was complrttd in 1932;m;l tw been the Iii. 01 rNny historic cuu. 8,rminghiom is the site of tilt AlibiITli Stalt 8oor'. 1995 Annml Mming. /¥win br /WI Crrnc/ord, AAJn1fllJlT>l:'¥. a mf'mbn- of1M Alabama Slait Bar and Distrid oIColumbia &r

Superior El tl le Planning I>ocumenli: Going the ExfTv Milt By l.e~r<I W,rtllti"",. , IIL. ___ . _.. _.,., ... _. __ '.' _______ .______

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Servlu 10 tho ProfK$ion _ A IIIUmarir of Profu.ionalil m:

RialrJUtility or CoIUUIMI' E>:.P«t..tion: W.vt SitDuhl "'At.k_', Amllg.;s fM

Product U#bmq On;". lAs,,? l~

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Real t:llale Mortgagu and Chapin 13 Ihnkr\lplcy J>racHu In A1,bama Cum:nl o-.",,·iew and J>racllu SuUfl liona

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130 I MAY 1995

THE AlABAMA t.r\WVER

Alabama Bar l,."titul for Continuing Legal Education ALABAMA LA WYERS SERVING ALA BAMA LAWYERS

PRESIDENT'S PAGE

ALABAMA STATE BAR SPONSORS BENCH & BAR CONFERENCE

I;) II

arch 16, 1995 wa15 ~ momentous day It Ihr AI~. rna State Bu hndquartou. On tlut diy. Ihe A~ma Sw.. B.ir &nd tho Ta.Ic on Ikrw;h & lb. R.llliions hosted /I special Bench" Bir COnffUrK • . Th. purpoJ<' of Ih. ConftroM. ""Ii to brina I~Uwr Itoldtn 01 our in-WOI. bar ~w.ti0n5 and rtprt5tn· IU;vtl of lhe judgts' u.soc:iUions to uehling. id.u and ~TW isiutl of judiWi .Itctiens and ampaign conduct and Olliff important inu•• IIff.cl ing our profusion and th. adminittnotion of jw;tiu in AIaharnL Tht m.tling was pUlicululy imporUnt in light ofthr now on·going Third Citizens' Confturn,:. on Alabama Slat. CourU. 11 was also ''try appropriate to thi. yea, ', them( stressing unity in our bar.

I h&d lhe pl.UII"" ol ..tving 0$ modu· ilM 01 1M conl.unc. alone with Judg. .Ioe Phelps who clllin OUr fISk fore. on Brnch &; Bit ~btions iUId is "Iso pm;. dmt dille Circuit Judgu' Association.

1host IIU.nding tho ronf.rtna ,",'Ut Ih! ~idtnu &nd othu rrprnmu\i\u of tht Alabama Council of J'''..,nil~ & I'.. mily Courl Judgn; Alab.!.1N Circuil J udg~t AUOXi .. tion; Alab.. "", District Court Judgel ASIociatioo; Ih~ Alab.!.ma Crimin .. 1 ~fenK I.lIwyers Associ .. lion; Alabama Odense La~rt Association; Alabama I.lIwyus ASiociation; Alabama Tri .. ll.lIW)'(rs Associalioo; AlWIN District Attorneys Associa· tioo; and U", Task Foret 00 Women in the Profwioo. Allb.!.· rna Slate Bar ~,idtnt·EI~d John Owens, EucutN! Dirtdor Keith Norman. DirfClor of 1'ro8~ Ed Patttl'$Oll ~ Dirtc · tor of Communications SUSin Andros also attended tM ~. krmct.

To my kno••dedit this it tht first lilTOf in the histOl'Y of ou, b.!.r thai "'" hM brought to#lh« ~prtWnt.aliYts of all of our diwrse ~ SpfCw,liud in OAr room to talk iIbout our mutual problems ~ posJible solutions to imprOYt the judi.

Cq] ,ystem ~ our profess;oo. This confeuna QIl truly be called 1I ·Summit on lhe I'Yofmon."

Whfn "". mailed invilat ionl for the confer.nce, ""e hid some concern al>out Iht rupon.., ""e mighl get on atlen· danee . r was veT)' plea5fd that eveT)' group 'Hpondtll Md unt

."on:.

,roups

132 1MAYI995

repruentati".s to Ih. melt ing. I think the enthusialt ic ,ts.ponsoo showt how g,eatly c;once"""d Alabama laW)'(rt and j~ IU about OUr prOblems &nd tM chlilengu "'" must men It ilsa shows thoe grol Inlernt A~IN lawyers and judgn hM in ;I(\<;I,utinl these problems and in imc>l'O'oi"ll ou' judicw l)"Ilem.

In my fi ..1 · Prn.idtnt·, Page". I discUSKd my conc.:rn with tM incrused fTagmen~ion and di";liwnus in our bar and the f~ that I KIISfd" hunger return to unity. I belieoJe this ~,i,e lor unily ""01 monile.ttd duro ing Ih. Bench & Bar Conference. I was struck by tM frank and open dilCU.5Iions and th. consensul of opinions by the pa,. ticipanl$ at the conference 00 mo.\t of the issun ~ discussed, The fi .. t it.m 00 the..gtnda (0, dilCus, lion was the ique 01 judiciil .Iections. campaign conduct ind campaign financ· ing. Everyone it the meeting Will con· cerned iIboul the da.rnagt to t.... imi# of the bench lind bu contribultlllo by am· ll'illll ~Iribution ~. and negalivr cam .... 'gn. ,n Ih. plrt iSln dtcHon of

fo,,,

;-

Some 0( 1M rtpreMn\Atives favored a form of merit select ion wilh retention eltctions ill an oplion. Othtrs expressed conctrn wilh a pur. mui! Mltelion 1)'1' lem. particululy if tht Stlection commit· let Or commission did not emphulu fairness ind dive .. ity in 1M selfCtion procus. E.... ryoM IllM metting felt lhat 5OI1\e improYfmtnl in the dfCtion or MI.clion process 0( j~s on both tht t,w and ilPP'fllat. It\-.I it nec.wary 10 avoid p,obInns ~nctd in tht 1994 .I«tions.

While lime did not ptrmit thoH owtmbltd 10 "fine tune" i SpfCific rtcommtnded procell for selecting judges Of con· clucti"ll aompaigJlS. il wu the COIlHnsUS of tht ronfell'nct Ihllt; (l) nonputisan elfCtiOf\l of bo(h t,q]

and Ippella\( judges

ill a good first Itep;

(2) aompaign mann should be undertaktn wilh I focus on CtIn/i>luro on page 1M

TH E ALABAMA LAWYER

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CllWftJlh, AI"bama Crim"",' o.r- ~ iUwialion.

Fffl. ''''''' ... AH. S<uo>! """ Cerri/vn Y. Cr<ml. bolA 0111'# lIIoba· mil

l...ai'pm 1Iuocia,';"". _ Iltftl Co."""'d

............. .1Imd#a.ltlma

KnigIII_~

A' • " .. CcunciI 01 ./ut..mJ;_Fami· !r Cocn1' Judga

• . - _loan. AhlIItmwI Cimtil Judga.woci<tlion. """ Jomd R. Knighl,AI<t/>am<I Tri<J1 ~~Iion. PfJ!I't1r¥ for IIw rot~.

J,.

_Prior to IMmW,U".JoI", w.~. Ali1N"'" TriIlI ~ M.fIxit>li6<I. tQlls tritA

William R.

eo.u.:w.. AI""""'" Circuit OJur/ Judga

.aw 25jrJdga ami i""1,ll!n Qlltr><kd II.. ~. ~Iing 1Im..1

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C. 1kJ/ma. WfI. praidenl '" ~ D. ~ righl. Alabamtl Circuil C3<;rl Judga

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"'-kllion, "",,'M "" fiN """.......,.,.

fusion. IlMd 1'"""... s.."",...

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TIn: ALABAMA U\wyrR

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• ...-.dCnr11dTopui.~ 00trit:t (»url.h4go!J~ion. """.IudtI< ff>t/pJ """" 1M {unrh«J<> fclto.dnp IM~.

MAY 19951 133

Pre.ident'. ,..,.

mow resolution ailed for II Third CitiuM' Conference on

OInl_hom_l32 limiting am~;gn contributions 100 tiehler control 0( ampaign conduct; aoo

of lay members and lawye~, limilar to tho$( al~~d» ullbli.htd in Jef, ferson, Mobi~, ~ison;and TwQ~ counties ohould be coosidertd,

(3) circuit and state commissions compostd

Muningful diKuliion. were lobo held on meaSu reS to improYf the ;!'Oloit lIOO IItrception of the Ilrofeuion, laW)'tr advertising and solicitation md Iong,r¥l~ plant of the Alaba' ma State Bar, This conference .... I arut first step in bringing togrther our kpl community to mHt tilt chalkngn our proluPon m\at mut, No otMr gn)IJp tw I greater ability to iruh.mct the impn:M"n1tl'lt of our judicial ~ in this..uu Itwlthe a...,.m 100 judges 0( AlIbIIma. No other group tw I gruter duty 10 socidy to ill'l))l'\M our $)'Stem and the profwion tlw1 we do.

Fil\3l1y, it ........ sugguled that further such bench ~nd ba r m«tings be held, indudine a panel discussion format at the July annual mutina: at the Alabama State Bar open 10 the tota.l member$hip.

I hope thot Judi benth ;and bar rnttti,.. will b«omt I tn· ditlon in AIabaI1\lo btClIuse the bentfill to our proltssion;and to lhot public af'! enormous.

Thin! Citizen " Conf.~n« Underway I~st December the bNrd of bar commissione .. b)' ur.mi-

""""" """'-

The Third Citizens' eonrtren« held ill first rntfIing at the Curawlly Con~ntion Center in 8irmingmm on Thursday.

March 23, 1995. A committed group of AI.blma citi.ens , judQu. lawyers and leading national oxpoerlJ on the judicial ulection procell met 10 discuss the ulection of judges in Alabooma. judic~1 amp.ign financing and am~ign conduct iNun.., vital to the li~ of OUr proI'e".;on ;and the citizens of

,""""-

The diy-lone conftrtnce il the fint 0( st.,-rll mettings planl\td to study irwoMng thot judicial s.ei«lion pro<:tU with a view to'.<·~rd making recommendation. to the l.gisla· turf for changu and improvement in the ..... ay we stlect judges in Alabama.

Rttired JU$tice Oscar Adims and forlntr CoYtmor Albert 8r~r art to be commended for Kitct,ng I eroup 0( out staooil\ll ciliuni and ~~~s.enlalivu 0( the legal profusion from a dMrst bJtcqn)IJnd, The rtfl)Olllt to ~ invitalions to ""rtiei""t. "'as lW!arly 100 percent .... hich indiatts the grut concern among our citium aboul judicial eltttions in AlabaITII. Approximately 140 ""rticipanlS atttndt<! and enthusiastically IIbsorbt<llht inforl1\lolion and mattriils prts.ent~d. intent (In KcOmpiishil\lltheir mission. It WQ widenl b)' the r~rtJ 0( the discussion groups that ~rt is I definite f«lil\ll thot some changes art d....

The Irtmtndous rupo!lSl' in theK con1utncu from ta..."f!rs, judga ~ ciliuns from a c~-udion of our state tells me that we are On OUr way to solid improvements in our judicial • s.eltction process. It's not jwt a drum: it's happening.

wuu

ALABAMA LA WYERS RESEARCH SERVIC E Saves You

Valuable

Time

The ALRS, a division of The University of Alabama School of La .... Library, assists the bar with their TCSeafth I\I:C:ds. An attorney manager and xcond-and third-year law students utilize the state ', largest law libnry 10 fill)'Ollr rcsealth requats.

Our fee is $25.00 per hour for the rcsealth and ..-riti", len icc:I. Computer and p/IoIocopy charp are ICplrate and \"'1 .

PIt:uc all ALRS iMormation.

ror more

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LEGAL RESEARCH

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PUOTOCOPIES & FAXES

II

MEMORA NDA PREPARAT IO N

II

WESTIA W SEARC IIES

Fax:

205-348- 1112

II AND MORE Pho ne : 20~348-0300

Box 870383

T uscaloo$a, AL 35487-0383

Fran Parker Tankersley, Manager

1lto Aw.-a ~ _mr ~ " ....,kJ 6,0 1lto ~1J1 t>/~ Sdt«>I t>/Un.""; d«s ""'""#'&" ...

1M a<tiw pmclf« t>/",... I~f~'i"" di_w.,<tI by lIN ALliS do<. "'" C<JIUh"''' 1..,1 <HMu.

134 1 MAYI995

THE AI.'.BA.\\A U\....'YE R

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT A GLANCE AT YOUR ALABAMA STATE BAR

I'\" 1

ilh the statt bar staff to bt futuml in the July Wue of The Alabama /.ou've>". thiJ if l good li_ to updat e)'Oll on IIw: Opt1101i0n5 MId programs of

1m: Alitbama Stlte &r.

!low muth 1.11 the IMmlNnhip &I'OW'II _ tho lui rlVe )'GIS? Tht numkr 01 membm IIiS incJURd ud> ye¥ for tho ~

rM YUB, for

iIJll""~

of 2.7 perunl

pt. )'0,'.

CUfftntly.

1M... art 10.524 ~rs who Ut membm in good mooing.

Of this. 9.056 lrt in-state and U68 reside out-of·state.

Counties with the largest numbt. of members are:

6,452 {This is 71 percml of uti in-slale /Q,rJll"$!

Counties with 1m {"''esl laW)'trt Ut:

)'tan with an ...Tngc of 2.162 ~n porticipalina in the Nr, worious practi~ SoKlions. Thl'ft new SoKlioos haw been ~dded sinee ]991. Thry aR tht Corporate Counsel Stellon, ProfusioNl Economics &/ld TKhllOiogy Stdion and Oi~ili · tiu l ... w Stction. With the ad dition of these thru stetions. thOR I re currenlly 19 wctions.

• Administrative !..low • &nkruptcy and Commtrc~1 Uw BtI$imu Torb and Antitrust Uw • CommWlicationl!..low • Corpon.te Counsd • Corpon.tion, 13&nking ltId B.... i~ !..IIw • Criminal Law • Di~iliti .. Law • Envi ronm. ntill!..low • Pamily I..aw Hulth Law Labor and Employment Law Utig,lotion Oil, Cas and Mintol Uw • Professional Economics and TKhnoIogy • Rull'roptrty, Proboote and Tru$lLaw • Taxation • Workers' ComlltlUation Law • Young La....,-en· Stction

Of lhese stctioru. the Admini strative I..aw Stction. Bwint" Torb lind Antitrust!..llw Section, 13&nkruptcy and Commt«:~1 Law Stdion, Pamily Law Stction, and TilDlion Stction pub-

IWI qulrteriy ncwoltlltT$. . . . Organization

In 1990.83.3 percent of SLUt b<or membtu "'tte male, whilt \6.7 pucent wtrt (emile. Prmntly. 80 porr...,! of the bar's mernlH:n an mo.lt and 20 percent ue female. In the Mint Ii"" yurs. lilt number 01 African·AmtriQn IMmbtn hu grown from 288 to 384, or from 3.1 ptrttnt to 3.6 pl'rant oIlM twl mrmkllhip.

Wh"t hu bHn the fr'OwIh of Hdion mt mbfnhlp _ the lu t n?

Totll uction m<mbership hal fluctuated oYer the last five

n"" )"..

TIlE ALABAMA lAWYER

..., h.. t do.. lho ASB do?

The ASB is the licensing and regulatory agency for IIltor· neys in the Stilt. Alab-lom.t. The stat. bar has jurisdiction OVtr the conduct of ~II atlolTlt}'S and iJ charged with stimulat· il\fillnterest and improving the adminiJtntion of jwtic•. The bNrd of comm'nionf", who," mfmbers ue elected by lawytf$ from uch judic~1 circuit, ~ poIiciu ptrUinil\fil 10 the opention 0( the Abbiml SUtt &or. Pursuant to iegisli· tM lIuthority . ...i th IIpproYll of the lIJI)RInI' court. the rommiuion prescribts rults goYtminQ admission to the N r. In addition, subject 10 rults promul~led by the supreme court. th. commiuion adopll rules of conduct for state Nr memo bers Ind has the enforcemtnt authority for them as Wlil.

or

MAV 1995 / 135

How II lilt ~r OT1&ntud?

The biI. oprralts in WI divisiom. TheK ,ix divW0n5 ~ liltir JbfI' totab UId major rnpomibilitieurt:

1. Membership Diuisitm Slofl':'l lke~ Fees M~mbel1hip Duu Pro Hac Viu AdmiSlion

Special

ijroauthoriud Pncti« of Law

LiuIlSif\i Compliin« 4. klmWions Division Stoff: 2 liar E:<amilllltioo Board of liar EQmint tS uw School Studtnt Applications Chiracttr UK! FiwA

Clitnt Security Furod Ftn />IaintVWl«' of M~mber Filts

5. CommunicoliorulPu/HicoliMs Dicisiorl Stoff: 'l.S Publi<: ~rod Membtr Rtlltions Public Info1"lT\atiOl1 and Education Member Periodicall (Th,Aiobomo LaWJIer and Till Aiobomtl &1r

2. /'"rovromsondAcIMties Diuiskm SlolT; 5.5 MClE I'rogr~m Accrcdiution MCLE Commission

~orv)

~Iization

6. Nlmmisl-ralion and F'i1I<ma Division Stoff: S.S Board of Bor Commisaiomrs Bar Eltctions

Board of \4ll Spec;"lization Committen MId TlIoIk Forcu Volunteer U""l't'rs I'rogTam

""....

Annual Busin"A Meeting

Annual Meeting elF. l' rOllram Mtmbmhip Btntfit I'rograms

Accounting D.lou Processing Ptrson ....1

l.~")'tr Rtkml Servict lq!w.tM Mortitori.,.

1. CAnter for ~I Resporuibi!it, Dit'isitm Sioff: 10

FJ.cilitits Keith • • N.......n

of Trustees Print Shop

G~ner31 Cou~1

Ethic Adviu lfld Opinioru Clitnt Security Fund ClIims Oiscipliroary Commission UK! Boards OiKipli ....

liar FounoWion Alabama State Bar Foundation Board AI.Ilwn;o Statt

In the nut iss~ wt will CCM"r the ~r's fundif\i ~nd ro.su.l ,ond /ulur( individual Ital! mtmbcn ana thri.

o~.~tion

responsibilities..

Unauthorized Practice of Law Notices Tammy Pridgen has been running ads in the Huntsville area stating, "Avoid the high costs 01 divorce.

II both parties agree. I can prepare the paperwork at a very reasonable rate. Call 828·0630: The Office of General Counsel is trylflQ to determine if Ms. Pridgen Is workiflQ for a law firm in Alabama. Please notify Bonnie Malnor with the Genefal Counsel's OffiCe immediately i1 Tammy Pridgen is employed by you or your firm. (UPL 94-34]

Marc A. Bivens 01 Birmingham has been permanently enjoined rrom the practice or law in Alabama.

Law offices in the TuscaloosaiBirmlnghamiMobile areas may contacl the Office or General Counsellof further information should Ur. Bivens apply with your firm as a paralegal or legal assistant. (UPL 94-22]

136 / MAY 1995

•

LEGISLATIVE

WRAP-Up

By ROBERT L McCURLEY, lR.

ItIJI

nINApril 18, 1995 the AW>,a.

Ugis41urc convmed for it, Rfiulu SeuiQn which t)n <;(Ontinu. until July 31.

1995. The Llow Institute lias completed and prtttnted to t ht I.egislatu r. a Revised Article 3 and 4 of Iht Uniform Commtrcial Codt. lin M~rch 1995 AJoborrw /..ou,~. and 1I1 Uninrorporatt<.l Nonprofit Auociu;cm law. stt November ]994 A/obamo Low,,,. II third major revision on p.u tnt"hip, which inel"', limitt<l LiU)ility Partnrrships. lias bHn compltted. In addition., committe. of Iht Inlilitu!. looking a\ IiwI afftdi"ll tilt family h.as fKOfTlmtr>dtd the IOIlowing four bills:

utiliztd by f;O\lples who hope for a brief ptriod of leg.al $fpolrllion while they attempl to rtconeile or it an be ~ by oouplu who anticipate I long. perhaps even permanent Kparation but 00 not want to Obtain .. divorc~ for religious or other ru,soru.

Unde r subswion (a) the court shan entt r " leg.al Kpaution if Rqutsttd by ont or both of the parties, prwided that the ju risdictiornll nquiru.... nlJ for iI diHoJution of I maniag. hav. bun

final divorce deere. absent ilrtement by the parties. This section recognius IhIt in m.&I1y instancti the parties hopt to reconcile and the refore have not attempted to equi tably divide t heir property during what il hoped will ~ only a brief period of sePl ration. How_ ever. thi5 Stctlon dotl prQYide the Hexi· bility of al lowing th. coupl. to lJIree that if I reconciliation clot5 not occur that the division of property ind the illimony prwision will be continurd in I fLtllOl deelft.

Subsection ttl pl'O'>'ides lhat "the best int~rut of the child" " .. ndud shall ljlp/y if lilt p,lrtiti to lilt legAl stpaulion liter nle for d,nolution of Ihe,r marriagt.

"Coolln.,Off Period" Thil bill is dnigntd to mandate a

·cooling-off pe riod", theftby tnitbling c(lupln 10 h.w. lOn opportunity to rontemplate t ht ramificuions of t hti . actiOni prior to obta ining .. diV<lrct.

Under cumnl AlwIN 4 ... tlltn is 00 wlIilinjl period for coupleJ 10 obll.in a

divorn. II «>IIp1 •. boIh 01 whom milk in Alabama. may now be grinted i divorce 00 the Nmt dIy 00 which tht prtition is fikd.

This bill...-ould dwIgt tht Ilw so tNt the court could no! issUl' a final deem' until at lull 30 di)'s hld ~lal*d from the dat~ of the filing of the ~ummoru and tht complaint in i divorce Xlion.

Subsec t ion Ibl of Section] lutho· riIn the court during the waiting peri· od to enter such temporary orders iU ue necunry conce rning CUJtody or support prior to the expiration of the waitins period.

The let willllkt Iffecl January I .

1996. Tht purpO$l! bthind the delayed rffKtivo: dltt il to gM: the bench and bar ;unplt limt to btcorne ........rt of tht

"""".

L~I

SIop.ar.tlon This bill is dui&ned to allow couplu who art fICing marital discord to haw a viable alte rnatlye to immediately obtaining a divorce. It has been drJfted to provide flexibility $(I that il can be

THE AI.ADAMA LAWVER

md. In SO doing, tht court must com· ply with Rul. 32 reuting to lilt m.&I1d1.

tory child support guidelines. if the couple hasthildren.

Subuction (bJ reiteraln that a deem' of legal KPlration <lots not ter· minate tilt marital status of tilt poIrtits.

Subs.tction (c) specines lhal the Itrms of a legAl sepaution can be modiflnl or dissolved only by written constnt by both poIrtiti and ratificati on by the court or by court ordtr upon proof of " mlt~rial chang. of circumn .. nceJ. Morc<Mr. the amen« of I legal Kparition does not boor a poIrty from u tu institutins anlCtioo /(Ir dissolution of a lTIlrmgt.

Subs.tction (d) contemplatei that tht terms relating to alimony or a property settlement in the legal 5eparation will not gene rally be Incorponted into a

Subsettion (f) providu that if both Plrtiu consent. property acqui red by taCh party $ubsequentto tilt legal sepa· ration will be deemed the sole Plrty of tilt person acquiring the property. Like· win. if both partin consent. each spo_ may lOla;.,. all rights of inlltri· tanc. subsequent to the lilt Itil] RpI' ration. This section has bet iocluded to proviOe Iluibilit)' to lhoot partiti who desire mou tcOr'IOITIic urUinly when I Ifill Kparalion is anticipated 10 nltnd fO<' I Iollll period 01 timt or wht1\ tM parties prefer to have those lTIllI... set· tied by tor\$tnt prior to tilt entry of lilt legal Kpautioo.

Subs.tctioo (g) pl'O\lideJ that the cost for legal sepaution ii tilt Mme as if a dissolution of the ma rr iage wu requested.

Sections 30·2-30 and ·31 reuting to divorce from btd and board ha.,. been repealed..

The act has I delayed efftclivo: date to

... _.... ......_-_L

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MAY ]995 1 137

lrtTt acquired prior to ma~. Final· Iy, tile lolll amount of IIIe .etiremenl benefits that are paid 10 tile llOI'ICO'o'tted iPOUse =y not nceed SO pt.eent of tile Tttiremfnt benefits.

Under oub.oc t ion (c l if the court determines that the CO"fred ~POU5t'i benefits Jhould be distributed to II non· ~red .pouse thost benefits iTt oot ~ to tho rlOOCOWred spouse until the ~red spouse begins to I"tttiw his or her reti.emfnt benefit. o •• oache. the iOQe of 65 )/tan old unle" both par· tiu lQ.e. to a lump sum settlement thJ.t is payable in one or moTt i05l<lll·

llno.my I. 1996 10 tn .. ble tile Mnell ind bar 10 k informed of tho new Iiw.

Property Sem_nt Until rectnt!)' tile rttlremtnt benefits wert ucluded from tonsidtr~!ion b~ the cou rt when property w"" divided upOn di..cm:t. Rcctntly. under cue law. the coorts ~ begun 10 divide mi",.

IMnt knefits upon divorce•. This bill would mw:nd the cock $«tion 10 provide ot"tutor;ly for th. tri .. 1 court to have discr.tion to include th. present 'illue 01 future or current ve~ted retire· mfn! benefits in lNIti~" P. . .rty settle""",, upon diYor«.l-\(IwrWr, <::trWn tonditions must k met..

Sub$«tion (bl d.lineates thJ.t three ccnditions must k mel in onlor /or tho judi_to haw the authority to d;...;dt tht ret irement benefil. First , the pntin must haw bttn married for .. Pl' riod 01 ten ~iB during whkh tho . etirement was accumulated. Tht ten yor require· ment wn selected beuun it is the s .. me time req uirem.nt und for a spouse to draw sociI.l $«urity benefits butd on a form.. Spouse'i work record.

Second. tile court may not include the value of any reti . ement benefits that

~,a

ThisiCt his i de~ .fftct..... da~ to J:anu.o.ry ], 1996 to allow tilt bench ind bar to become KqlJiinted.

.lolnt eLl.tody Th is bill p. ovides statulory clarifiQ· lion concerning joint ind JOlt custody of child.on incl""'i~ enumerating IX· ton fur the coort to C(Nidtr u >rtll u dtaling with the ilCttSSibilily of ruords by botll parents. Subsection Ul esp0uses the policy of encourll/in; minor child.en to ha...., frequent and continuing contllCt with botll parents prO\lided lhat

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such conboct i. in the best inlerest of the children. Tht bill specifICS tIW joint cuslody doc. nol ntcnurily require fqU.ll pllysiQ] custody. Sub$«tion (2) of the act provides de/initioru for joint legal custody and sote Itgallnd physiQI custody.

Un<!tr oubsection (31 the court IlliJ' aWlTd any form of custody that h"s been determined to be in the best inte.· est of Ihe child. Subuction (3I\aj(i) thTOtlQl! (v) deli ...lItt tile addilioN] fac· ton that Ihe court will consid er in delermining whether joint intertst is in IIIe ben internt 0( tht child. Subsec· lion (J)Ib) requiru the coort to make 5PKific rIDding of facts u to why joint custody is in the best interen of the child if it orden ~ form of joint CUI' tody without the C(ln~nt of both par· enu. Subsection (Jllc) establishes I presumption that joint cu.t(ldy will be in tho be.st intnu! of tho child if both partnts requtst joint cuslody. If the coort fails to grant joir>t custody wlltn requested by bolh parents, tile courl mUSI make a spKific findinQ of fact u to why joint custody was nol granted.

Subsection 15) provides that unless 0I11t........, prohibited by court order or slltult aU the TtCOrds Uld informalion ptrtlolning 10 tho child hit be tqUllly Mlitable to both ~rmll in;oll types of custody arrangements. Subsection (6) provide. that rult 32 reilling 10 child suppo. t guideli nes will be follo .... ed by Iht court. Subsection (7) clarilit$ that IIIe iWlrding of joint custody docs not p.eclude tile court from laltr findillJl thai one Pirenl has committed I ,'iota, lion of lilt UCCJA of tilt ]nl ..f, ..""" of Custody Act as I"O\-i!led in section 13A·

6"'5.

Subsection (8) provides that Ihis docs not constitute Qrounds for modificUion of lin nilling order of child cuslody. Thil bill h.u dtl .. yed effect ..... dale to tnSu .. tilJ,t the bench ind ~r his ~qlJil. time to ","Pire.

Revised art ic1n 3 lind 4 wer. dis· (U55td;n 1M Much 1995 edition of the Alabama LaW!If!" The other proposed revisions are included.

For further informilion, CClI'ItKt Bob McCurley. Alibimi Lt... Institute. P. O. BIll IUS. TIISCiIoou, Alabama 35486, or QI1 (21)51 348·141\' FAX (205) 348· MIl. • ltatu~

THE AI.ARAMA LW1YER

ABOUT MEMBERS, AMONG FIRMS ABOUT MEMBERS Da,·id A. McDona ld .. nnounces the opening of his office at 208 S. Warren Strut. Mobile. AlaNIm 36602. The mail. ing addrtn i$ P.O . Box 832. Mobil .

36601. Phom (JJ4~ 430\·0045.

Kathryn McC. Iluwood Inll(lU",,~ the relocation of her offitt 10 RiverbluFf Office Puk. 2207 Ri~r Road. Suite l.

TwaJoou. AIWmio l$4Ol. PI>ont (205) 159-2516-

Michael A. "Inland announces tIM: opming dhis oKlCt II 312 Mon~ry St r•• t. Suit. 2 10. MontllO"'uy.

AI._

mi. The mailinl Idd rtss is P.O. Boa ] 701. Montgomery 36102-1 701.

Ch.,l u O. Dod ..., formerly with Hardwick, Hallie &t !kg. ut, annoull«'S the opening of his office at 262 W. Main Strut . Suite 2. DotNin. Alabama 3fi3OJ.

Ro~.rt

R. H. m~n. announc •• th( nlOCition of hi. offict to 503 Cun to.

Al'tnut. Cuntenvill • • AlaNmlI 35976 .

Phont (205) S82.(1I69.

Robert E. Kirby, J r •. formtrly wi th Luc.a •. Alvis. Kirby &: Wash. announces tho optning of hi. office at 3100 Lorna Road. Suit. 132, Birmingham, Alabama 35216. F'hono! (205)979·1924.

Bndloy P. Ryokr,

formr.1y

ot Wilmrr

&: Shtpani, announ«$ the """,,ina: otitis

oKln II 100 Jtffmon StMl, Suit. 300.

HuRlSYi11r, AlibamIlS8O l. Tho mlIilina: add,," i. P.O. Sol 18095, Huntsvill.

3580t. Phono (205) ~-3288.

S. Aloe SpOOn Inrll)Uncu the ..,Iota· tion of his offia 10 631 S. Perry Stntt.

Montgomrry. AWllomll 361(].4. Tho mlIi1· ing add.u, is P.O . Bo~ 1212, Mon t· gomrry36t02. Phone (3341262·0730.

E u gen e A. Bu ll y announc., the

opI'nina: of hil offln lOt UOI ATlintton A,..,nut, 8irmin~m, AllONmlI 35205.

Phonr: (205) 93G-69OO. Richnd H. Calor. formerly of Bum· ham. Kl intftlte., Halsey, JQr\t$ &: Cale •. announcn tht optning of his office at SouthTru.1 Bank Building. 1000 Quin· ta.d Avenue. Anniston. Alabama. The mailing bdd ••u is P.O. Boll 1059, Anniston 36202. Phono (205) 235-1973Jamtl C. Curtnlon, J r., formrrly of Smith &: Cu..,nton, annouroctS the optn· inC 01 his o/I'ia II 101 N. Stction Strett.

Fairhopr. AlIbuna.. Tht lnIOili", ~~ is P.O. BolII43S. Fairhopr 36533. f'hono (3341928-3993.

AMONG FIRMS Pt rry It. Peny anoour"lCtS thai Jack M. PUT u r. Jr . has become a member.

Omen a.e located at I \ 1 Washington

Tho mailing addrus is P. O. Box S541.

Dothan 36J02. f'I1onf (334 )702·2725.

Doroth)o R. Dnko announcn the ...1().

ClItion of htr office to Riwrbluff OffICe P",k, 2201 R i~ . Road. Sui tt I. TusCJ.loo~. AlaN.rna 3~(H. Phon. (205)

,......

Klmilmy O. r ohl, formtrly with r ew & CNincey, lOnnotm,., the opening 0( h(r offin at Suit( 1015, &ll Building, 207 Mon tgomery Strftt, Montgomery, AlaNmlI 361()4. The mailina address i, P.O. Bo~ 101. Montgomery 36101·01Ol. Phom (3341269·0890.

One of Alabama's oldest Court Report ing Companies

Oanl.1 C. Bl«kbum announc .. the formillion of Dl ni. 1 C. Blackbum, P.c.

Offices ue loc.ted at 110 Courthouse Squan. I»y Minttlt, AI.bamll 36507.

Phont (334) 937·1750.

F~atu ring:

Discovery ZX Nationwide Reponing Condensed Depositions ASCII Disks Video Tape Recording AMICUS

M. Andnw Mln Un anllOunCfS tho rdoc.ation of !lis oKa 10 107 North Sick SqulO.e. lluntJville, AI.bami 35801.

Phono (205)536-5199.

A. Cn" Low • .,. forme.ly wilh Ih. diJ!rkl aUormy's offin, S~lby County. announctJ his •• Iotation to 230 Bea.Mn Road. Pelham. "I"bim. 35194. Phon.

(205)663·2171.

Til E ALAIJAMA lAWYER

252·6205 24 Hour Birmingham Number

1· 800-638·39 17 • FAX: 252·6392 I t40

B.... _ 01lI<o Alobam. 0 ..... Sulldin,

~""

U.pootd"" S.II..

14~

An_we"" ..,

M .... ~ Duiklin,

Dinnin.blm. At""...,.. J'2Ol

MAY 1995 / 139

A,..mut. Monlg.'lml:ry. AllIbarN 361G4.

Phone (334) 262·7763.

Gentle. Pk lQodl " Landon announce lhal C. Sltv'ttI Ball .nd Emily Vnlhn Frwt 11M: bwlmo: moci.Iles. Oft""1Ca ....., 1QCJ.led in Ihe Colonial Bank Building.

1928 ~'i rst A""nue. North. Suite 1500.

Birmingham. Alabllmll 35203. Phone (2051 71 6-JOOO.

Emond " Vinel announce thai Lloyd W. Calhln" ha$ bt<:ome l partntr and J. Fliat Lldolon lind Vl.-lla D. \ 1au lift uwc:iaIU . Dfficu Ire m ted III 2200 SoulhTruit Tower, UO N. 20th Slfeet .

P.O. Do~ 10008. Birmingham. Alabal1"\ll lS202-0008. Phone (205) 324-4000.

Cl" .... Scott" Sullivaa Innouncn t hat Jonn u S. Ro .... . fo rmerly of DanielJ. Kashtan Fomaris. hu btcorM an ;woeilltt. Offica aft IoclIted III Fin{ AlabarN Bank Building.. 56 St. Jowph SlrHt. 10th Floor. Mobile. The rNiling address i. P.O. IloI: 1034. Mobile. Alaba· rm36602. Phone (334 ) 433-1346.

«

Palrida T. Mandl. Iormtrty of B~It)'.

Arant. Rose &. Whitt, hujoined the legal stalf of llamert Co.,.onotion. The tn/IiI. ing ildd reu i. P.O. Boll 1291. Binni"llh am . Aillhamll 35201. Phon. (205) 981·S500.

C. \\111 i1m O.",nport.. formerly senior lri.alltlomey lor the Equal Employment Opportunity Commi»ion in Birming· ham. hu bHn . ppOinted an U.S. Admin. lslntlve 1.1.. J udge. Offices ire Io<:ated lit the Office 0( Hel riniS and Apptllts.

U.s. Socill Srrurity Adminislr.lltion, 423 N. 12th Street. Middlesboro. Kentucky 40965. I'hont (606) 248·5320.

SttTthry of S ta tt J im Bt nn t tt announct:l IhIot X.nnetb A. Dowdy hu bHn lOppO; nted legal adYiSOT. His office will be IOCllted lit 600 Dt ~ter A",nut.

Montgomery. AI .. hllm .. 36130. Phone

BtrIrooritz. Lebits. 110m" XIIIJIn'

or announctl that Richard A. PUitz. JT. hu become a member and .:II.n E. lion· dtrson has bKomt ilI\ ~ilItt. OffICU are Ioated II 1600 SouthTrust T"",·u.

Bir minghlm. Alabaml 35203·3204.

Phone (205) 328-0480.

Leon M. Capoooano. Jorome D. Smitb.

Joseph W. Warm and Thomu B. Iilln. nero formerly or Capaullno. WamPOl d.

PrtJlwood .. Sansone. annou nce Ih. conlinuation of their prac lke under I new name.

Smith, WltmI " Kiln...,. OffICa are Iociled.t 350 AIbnu A'1nu • . Monlgomery. Alabal1"\ll 36104.

1M rmili"ll iddl"Ull is P.O. Onov."tr 4689, Montgomery 36103... 689. Pho!\( (334 )

,......no.

834-3891.

Longshore. Nalnmun <II Quinn an· I1OUOCU that Cnham L. Sisson. Jr~ foc-. mtr1y doputy lltomey gmrnl. Amrrians with Disabililies Act Coon.Ii~I(Jr. Stal. 01 Alabama. Iw btrome an ;woeiatt.

Londo ... Ylncty. £IUolI " Bur,OI. lnnouncn Ihlt B..I S. Solll .. his joined tilt (,nn and Li.. Wri&ht Borden.

MlrI< D. 110... PeUl> C. lloom and A. DlVl d r awll have ~come ,,-,,,<iuti.

1M firm's Ill ..... ~ betn changed to London &: \ 'lfMlIy. Offices.~ Iocitt<! lit 1000 Park POO Tower. 2001 Park P\a<'.t.

Birmi ngha m. Alabami 35203. Phont (205) 251-253 1.

Wllston. S\lbltr. Wtlb. Anderson &: 8 aln. announrtl that Anne Byrne Stone has becomt a partner and Julil Bou. COOlMr. Cre,ory L DoooIy and Our" lIt1ml Shirl' ha'o't b«ome associll!n.

Offices au localed at f iNnciil Ctnter.

505 20th Sirul. North. Suitt 500. Birm· ingham. Alibarm 35203. Phone (205} 251·960(1. &alch" Bingham announces lhol 1M

It. Zell haJ become, partner. and Mlchul D. freomon. J i m .. H. Han·

(334) 2-42· 7205.

cock. Jr .• Robin C. Laurie. O,"iel M.

Pitru. C• ., " A1rcml announru thai Andmo C. Cb ....n and H. \\111i1m ",'.

WII.on. and J un S. \'o,lIt. Jr. h'''' bt<;l)me members. OfIicu lOU Io<:.aled in Bi rmin ghim , lI unlsvilit and Monl · gomery. AIlIbarni, and W.tlington D.C.

don h,ve become shueh older •. The finn's nune has chingtd to PIttn. Carr.

Alfo.d. Ledy,rd " Lalla. Offices iTe ' localed al 1110 Montlirm r Dri"... Sui lt 900, M obil~. Alab~mll. The mllilin g I<.Idms is P.O. 8011 6046. Mobile 36616.

Phone (334) 344-5151.

14Q I MAY I99S

Bnodfcml" "'sociiltl announceli that Tl molhy P. Don . h ut hn joined Ihe finn. The fiml"J name hu bHn changed 10 Bndror. " Donah .... Offices ITt 10cated at 2 1(1O.A SouthBridge Pam-"lIY,

Suile S8S, Binninglwn.

Phone (205)811·7733.

~

35209.

McC lln chy. Siafford " L,n , I n·

I1OUOCU th:.ll Eltna A. I.,o.'Oj' hu bKomt ;woei.l.lt. OffICes lOre Iou.ted at 643 Magazint 5trttt. New Orleans. Louisiana 70130. Phone (5(4 ) 586-1 200. loYOy;J a 1987 ALibarm Stale &ar adrnillH .

III

Robtrt P. Bynan. Jr. announcn that Bod:y A. Bilitt hu joined the form as an ;ulOCillle. omcn iTt located al 2213 f oresldalf Boul.vlrd. Bi. m iniham. ~ 35214.1'toont (20:517'9 1.0028.

Leigh 8 ea.lty Simmon. and CU mer

T. SimOftOfti announct the ior"rNtion of SimmonJ " Simmons. otrlCtS lO~ local· td al 1163 Ctnlt. Point Parkway. Suite 100. Birmingham, Atalwna352 15.1't>ont

(205) 854· 1800. \\ll1iam O. ~iI. 111. Kerry S. C.. rt ...

Lora R. Oorin. Poto Soil and J allt AD.,i. announc~ lhe formalion 0( I),'; •• Dorin. C.. rti. " StU. Associ.l.lu liT<! Earl R... thtr and ChuIH Ralcliff. OffICeS i~ m It<! in Birmin~m and Huntsville.

""'-

Ow.n. " C.r.~r announcu lhal M. Bnolity A111tOOd Iw become in ;woei. l ie. Offiees Ire 10Ciltd I I 2720 61h Sl r.el. Sui tt 3. TUICa looJa . Alibima 35401. Tht mailing addrus is P.O. Box 2487. T.. scalOlmO 35403-2487. Phone (205) 750-(175(1.

BUn" " rorman announcu the Ope ning 0( Ihtir Allant,. Ceorgia 1(lC.I.lion.

Officu Ire located al 1 Gtorg~ Cmle •• 600 W. Puchl . .. Sirul. Su ite 470.

Atlanta 30308. Phone {4G41817·3536. W. Let Thuston and A1ly.on L. Edward •. :mnounct they hive joined Burr" For· II\1II. Offocn aR Ioalt<! in Binninglwn and Mobilt.AlahafN. Johnson" Cory ,nnouncts Ihe for· tn/Ilion of Cety. ",',!son, C..-dtr" ~t· ",.y. OffiCfJ art 10Ciltd il 300 2hl Slftt t. North. Suile 900. Birmingham.

Alabaml35203. Phone (205} 328·2200.

Michul A. Anderson inOOUncU the fOrmllion 01 Horton. Maddox &: Andn". .on. om~eJ art 1(lC.I.led al Ont Central PIau.. 835 Ctorgill AvenUf . Suite &00.

ChalliflllOti, Ttnne""" 37402. Phont (615 ) 265·2560. Andt rlOn Iii 1985 ~ Stalt Bar lIdmittH.

BliniIne. Colilu. Burdine ,Q Lon , )nnouncts Ih~1 Roy Edgar Lon, hu b«ome a partner. Offices are Iocattd al ~'i rs l Fede ral Building. 102 S. Court Stnet. Suite 41 2. rlorence. Aliblrml 35630-5656. Phone (205) 167-5930.

Cabaniu. John.ton. Cardnrr. Dumu Ii O'Neal a,,.,ouOCH th.l.t Hm.rrt " arokl Wtl t. Jr. has btcome a partner. omcn an located in Birmingham and Mobile.

..........

M. Wllyne Sabel ind Mark Sahel MInounu the fonnation <JI Sahel &. Sabol.

Officn are lonted II Hillwood Office Cente r. 2800 lel<a Road. Suite 100·5.

Montgomery. Alabami 36106. Phone (334) 271·mo.

Lightfoot. f nnklin . Wblt. Ii Luell announces that . . Ie b ul l . Be ll has become a partner. Officn a~ Iocattd at JOO rinandal Centtr. 505 N. 20th Strttt.

Birmingham. Alabama 35203. Phone

(205) 581-0100.

Tommy H. Siniard .. nnounces thil

1'. (di3 .

enl, $t.ale ri AWlami. The firm i.s WI. ,d at 57 Adlm. Awnue. Montgomery.

Alab.tma 361()4-4()45. PIlont (~) 241 .

Patrick M. Lamar has become I member and Roy BruWfU has brcomf an ~i­ ate . The firm', nalm i, now Slnl.rd &.

Laom•. The mailing addrw is P.O. Box 2767. Huntsville. Alabama 35804. Phonr (2OS)

"".

.'lim.." Iknl-Ofl, WoocIwloni. Hillyer.

PierlOa " Miller .. nnounces lhal Jeu ill . Swee aey h... become a partner.

Officn an \oc.lted al 909 Poydns Stren.

Suile 2300. New Orlnn •• louisiana 70112. Phor>t (504) .569.7000. Swttney is a 19&4 Alabama $t.alt Bar admittH .

536-0770.

Bruton W. ..... be. J. Mkhatl Tlnnrr. .... rry B. Moon and Gnnt A. Wright .

formerly of Almon & ~' cA1ilte r . announce the formation <JI lbhe. Tan_ ...... MOOfI! " Wri&hl Off",s 1ft located in T,*"mbiI and F1ormt<!,AlWm;a.

Edwan! C. baan Bowroa. Ruden.

Crowe Oldlonburg mil hffrt)' L luthtf Innounce t he formation of Bow.on.

Oldenburg &. lui"'•. Offic£:! are louted at AmSouth Center. 63 S. Royal StTftI. Suite 609. Mobile. Alabama 36602. The mailing ~rw i.s P.O. Box 1003. Mobile 36633. Phont (334) (33-8088.

Bndl e~.

Arant. Ron &. ,",' hile announces that F. Itelth Co~l n gt on: Philip J. C.rtOll. III: J:uml S. Chrl$tit.

J r.: SMrrl Tucm f ........ n: St.,nn. K. Gree .. : J. Dnld Pugb : Kenntth T. Wyalt; !>tuon S. Franklin. 111 : Ind J ohn E. Goodmao ha,~ becomt part· ners. Offices an \oc.lttd in Birmingham and Huntsville. Alabama.

J ulian B. BrKlrin announces lhal Kt ll)' A. McGriff has become an associale. The

Capell. Il owa rd. Knab. Ii Cobbl thai W. Holt Speir, 11\ has become a member. and Richard F. Allen has btcome chief deputy Attorney Gen·

Nme Iw ken changed 10 Bno:klo " McCriff. Office. art located at 676 S. Md<mzie S!Jftt. Suite 131. r oley. Alaba· ma 36535. The mailing address is P. O. Bole

announc:u

_ \'\' Alabama Bar Institute For Continuing Legal Education 8~ 87038< ' T~~I_ AI. "'87'

%:_U

1-800<1''''''

Proudly Presents:

Alabama Business Corporation Law Guide (1995)

by Jamo:s C. Wibon. Jr. YOllr Guide to the Ntw Alabama 8 111111en C orpontiolU Ad Effecd ve J a lllla rv 111995

Topics loclude:

Fa ....... do •• r COI"pOndou ~""It Opo ....""".

Mtl"Jno Sluore E~cballle; So" or ,u_ Disfoludoo RepoTU& F_ F..-ri", C...-pondou CIoso Ca rpo .... dn Spodol PTobk .... " Cmaill Tu CODSIdo .... dou Fo,.,.,. IIIclllded

-""

s'." zip'

SaId "'" _

...... 159.00 pa """'" 1"IIr. T_ 011

PHM, 1.-.621-6514 or 2OS-MJ..6UO Coo!pku F..... Fax 10 2OJ..}q. t072 o o.o.t ....1ooaI to Tho Univsoiry of ~

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r ..:

o VISA

n=

~

A~S~

0 I>ioooow

E>:piI .

-

MAYI995 / 14 1

998, rolf)' 36536. Phont (334) 9434040.

Phtlps, Jtnkins, GlbllOn " F"",It. an· lhat K. Scott Stapp kw btcomt a portmr. St~n E. S_ and h"UI B. Coopn havt jointd the finn U lSIOCu.ltl.

Offias Ut IoCIted at IWI G.wuboro A,·tnut, Tusnloou. Alabama 35401.

Phon! (205}345-5100.

I"I(II.If"OteS

"'itnun, Sltaal, PI)'II. " Cf,mpbell announcn thaI Bradlty G. SI.,.la!>d Shawn Hill C....... ~ btcome mtm. btts. OffICeS Irt Iot.loled It 600 N. 20th Strttl, Suitt -tOO. Birminaham, ~I!II 3520.1. Phont (lOS) 251 -5900.

membtrs. and Patricll C. Coopn-. Pdf!" S. Fruin. Clry O. Tynu, Elizabeth G. &IUbt. and Jamtl T. Can- havt btcomr ;wocu.tts.

leonInI N. Math. formtrly of Trimmitr uw r inn. anoouncu he has joined the finn of Chamble.. " Coonfl'". The fi rm'l new _ is ctwnblus, Coootr " Mllh . Officn art IOQttd at 5720 Cannicl\M;l Road. Montgomny. AIabiI!II 36117. Phone (334) 272·2230.

~ P. FU.po.trklr. Jr. and David P. Whitu"'. J . .. fonnuiy cJ JohNton.

B.ulon, Proctor. Swtdlaw " Nair, an· nounct Iht formation 0( Whllttlde " Fittpatrick. otfocu a~ Ioc:lttd al Farlty Building, 6th Floor, 1929 3rd Avtnut.

Nortll. Birmingham. Alabama 35203.

SI.ol. " Permull announces that w. and rna Sln,fI'" I\J.,... bccom~ ihartlloldeu I/ld Michael A. Catalno. Jeffry B. Cordon. Sallluel Ma .... Hill, Roun. O. P.-yIU. Sinh Wri, hI Ruffn .., and Loun. Morrlton Sehltlt havt btcomr ;wociatt>.. Offien Irt Io<:atfd at 2222 Arlington A,... nut.

South. Birmingham, Alabama 35255.

Themailing~rusiIP.O.Bo~ 55727.

Birmingllam 35255,5727. Phone (205)

Phont (205) 320-0555.

933·7tll.

Ii,,","', Smith, Mdlwaln " BranBold lIloouncts that R. Coopn Shatt"ck has btcomt a sharelloldtr. The firm', new Nmt is liubiw1l, Smith. Mcilwain.

Bnkefi.ld" Shattuck. Offices !"limain ~t 808 Lurletn WaHlct lloultvard. North, Tuscaloon. Alabam a. Tilt mailing ~ddrtss is P.O. Box 2427, TUIOloolI 3Sot03·2U7. Phon! (205) 345-6789.

John . lon , Barton . Pn:H:lor. S..... dlaw Gl Nln announces th.t R. Marcu.

Gr.·han. fomw, ly deputy aUomf)' ~ner· II, Stlott of Alabama and Deputy District At lo rnty, Monlgomt ry. and Jo.h Mullin s , fo rmtrly circui t judge, 10th Judicial Ci rcuit havf joinfd tht fi rm. omcn are located at 29{l(1 AmSouthl Ilarbert Piau. 1901 6th Avtnue, North, Bi rmingham. Alabama 35203·2618.

Phone (2051 458-9400.

Woodlll " Maddox announces that Willi llll A. Au .tllla nd Jdfuy W. ParmI!!", formerly cJCbrlc" Saltt. haw jointd lilt finn U 1 wrtholdom.. OffICeS a rt IOQltd II Suitt 101, 3821 I.ornl Ro.od, Birm ingham. Allb40ma 35244.

Phon! (2051733·9455.

MI)"lUlni. Cooper " Calt lIlOOUnca thal.'Iutr L. 0.-. JI)'III Partain Wnar and Rlndall H. MOlTow havt btCOmt

OI~1d

1.0..,

lIand, Annall. BtdJQle. Grt_. " Johnston InnouRCU Ihal J. Burru.1I RIl. kw btcomt a membtr and Broob P. MIILu., ilfId E. WdotH Robin ....., II have become auocialn. Officn Irt located al 3000 First National Bank Building. Mobilf, AWlooma 36601. TM maili..., ~'"" iI P.O. BOIl 123. Mobile.

Phone (334) 02·5511.

Richard Wilson & Associates

. Le hr , Middlebrook . " PrOC IO. ,nnounCfi that Albert L. \·..... land, 11 and Brent L. Crumplon hlYe btwme shartholdt rlart IoCIled al 202 1 3rd Avtnue. North, Suile 300. Binni...,· ham, Abbima 35203. Phont (2051 J26.

Off,,"

3002.

Onn le Dav!. Ole....son. III and C. Wray Mo,.t . formtrly Jlrinci~1 ltgal MlvisQr lor the Birmingham ofIia of tilt FBI. anr"lOUnU the IOnnIolion cJ Okftr. ..... Gl Morot. Offices art loated al 214 lorna Square, Birmingham. Alahama 35216. Phon! (205) 979-0100.

Sttpht~ D. ApoIin.1cy IMO\IIW;a the formation of Eulman , SlI pltln " Apollntky . omcn art located al 100 Colony Square. 1175 PtaCht' H SII'«I. NorthtUI. Suilt 4()4. Atlanll, Crorgia 30361. Phone (4()4) 876-2208. ApoIimky is a 1994 Alabama SIIle Blar admiuet.

Raymo .... O. WIIdl"op. Jr. aod S. Un Frost anoounu thf diuolution of Smith " Waldrop and lile fOl1Tllllion 0( Waldrop " ......od.. I... OIIicts will remain al 1()8 Soutllside 5<luart. Suile A, Huntsville .

A.l;ibama 35801. Pilone (205) 534-84SS. W. OonaJd Bolton. Jr. InoounCfS thaI Shawn Junkin., fonmr dtputy allofTlf)' g~nual. Statt of Alabama. il now an associate. Officn Irt located at 307 S. McKmzie SlrHt. Suites 203·206, FoIf)', Alabama 36535. The mailing addrtu is P.O. BoJ: 259, Foity 36536. Phone (3341

..,""'.

Albrittont, G"'han, Clifton" AI .... , annooncu \.hat Julie s. MIIOd)', Iorme,ly of Cobb" Shealy, has btcome III usociatt. OffICeS an: Ioc:at~ at 109 Ow AVfnU~, Andlluiil. Allblma 36420.

10ft

!'hoot (3.14) 222-3177.

•

NOTICE

Registered Professio nal Cou rt Reporters

Any address or nalTll' ,bangn rtceivtd at the

804 S. Perry SUeet Montgomery, Alabama 361().4

Alabama State Bar after ~larch 30. 1995

264-6433 142 1 MAY 1995

wiff not be renected in the ]995 edition of

The Ala/)amoBar Directory.

THI-: ALABA.MA.I.AWYER

BUILDING

ALABAMA's

COURTHOUSES ELMORE COUNTY COURTHOUSE 8g SAMlJEl. A RfJ/oIORE, JR.

Til, following continu,s II Msto.¥ of Ala/>Qmfl'l count/! courlltowa-th,;r origins and _ ofllN JNOI'k who (Q'!-

tribulM la their growth. TM A/QIMImI

"""'r"" pIaru to nul one COWlI/l~ slQry

in ,,,ell issue of Ih' mag<1l;'ut. If lIoU haw Q1lV photographs of tar/II or p reHn/ courlhousa, pt_ forward Ihem 10: Samwl A Ru,.mort. Jr.. Miglioniro '"

Rumort. 12JO 8'0#111 Ma.s: TOle"', Birmingham, Ak1bamo JS2(I3.

IELMORE COUNTY

I ;II~n7:= i~ ~,i::'of Elmore County. Two riven.

the CooP )nd TallapOOsa. join in the ('.QI.Inty to form 1M AI~

River. ArchaeologiJtJ believe that nomadic [ndiMlS campW in ~ am, due 10 lilt 1'M1'1 and ~ .... me. as early u 5000 B.C. And IHSoto's Spaniards wtK lht first Europeans 10 I« prewnt<by Elmor. County when thty visited Indian villages on tht Iwlks around the ~ar 1540. n... competition between tht Frfnch and lilt 8ritish for conlroll)/ lht ri~rs also ~ j s;,nifianl impact on lilt iU'Uo iIS tIwy viti! for influence and

.ivt.

I"

with lht lndianL

In the 17th century, the fnnch Vld British wert involved in a worldwid. rivalry for colonill poneuions. This riY~! ry often ltd to war. By the urly 1700s. Fnnce Iltld the colony of louisiana that included New Ol lnns ind Mobilt. and Britain hid coIon!t$ in the CaroUnu. luYing the vut interior of puKnt~ AIaIwna and Gcorgilo (Geor· (Ii would oot M established ill l colony until !733) ill a tarad for thtir competi· tion.

THE ALABAMA lAWYER

By m-t. tilt Funch $OUght in outpost uprivtr from Mobile in the territory of 1M ~ !ndians.. TheH !ndiml ...... ,...

In Upper Cruk tribe known to Ihe F,...roch ill lilt "Alilwn<:W." They innu· enctd tht IWana of ~r in the itU due to their location on the st llttgic rivers and trade roulU. Tlltir friend.lhip rou!d give lilt French an upptr hand in the Fnnro-Brilish miry.

In July 1717. Lieutenanl Villi! de l.o l our led a detadunrnt of $OIditrs 10 the junction oftht two riYtrs in pm.ent~ Elmore County. His men built a fort on the large. !e~! ptninsula between the ri~" on land high enough 10 be safe from flooding. The fort '"'" wted I few milts downriver from lilt lallli.v d the Coo:>N RiYrT. Thcx riYtr ~ ,,... found nur pmmt~ Wttumpb. The olfkia! rllme of tilt fort Will FO<1loulouse. in honor of Admiral Louis A!eunder de Bourbon. the Count of Tou!oU5t. He "'"-' I !egillmated $On 0/ Louis XIV. and tht

dominanl mtmbn of Ihe Council of ~rine who OW~ French colonies it tIw lime.

The fort ""lS establislltd ill Ihe tulernmost ou lposl on Ihe flank of the Louisiana coIoni ... The F,...,lCh WCCU&fuUy maintained amic.tb!e ,...lations with 1M Indians and hindered Brilish rno:n.:. ment in tM region. They ilso profited from a flourishi"", lude in deer skins !hit wen: sml downriYtr 10 Mobile and thm on 10 Fnn«.

The Frmdl ad... Uy buill two forts on tilt site of FOri Toulouse OWl the}'Urs and occupitd tilt area unli! !763. In that yur events on the !lIger W{lrld stage lurned apinst Ihe FrenCh. Tht truty mdi"ll the French and Indian Wir translem.! all FmIch poswSlions t.lSl of the Mininippi River 10 the victorious British. The F,...roch IIlrrison ptacubly turned oYe r owntuhip to them. !I is interesting to nOle that Fort Toulouse Will neyer IttlClctd lnd never fi r.d its MAV 1995 1 10

gullS ~ruU ho5ti~ Ioree.

Ewn though tM British ow""d 1M Iort. they nevt1 occupied II. The french ~ t~~ttd tM Indi"ns .... tt and ~ wldi us and Frenth tr,d ..s had """n inter·married with them. Indian loyal· ties re~intd with tM .·' ench, It nMr beumt netu~ry for the British to ctuottenif thue k>r~ltits and the fort dKlint<l into ruins.

In 1176. naturalist Wil1~m Bartnm during his tnwls otmrwd tM sitf of lilt old fort. He wrote. "This is perha", one of the most eligible situations for a cit~ in the work!. , IMI plain betwHn the r;onf\UlI of two ~i(. riwn,: Aft..

I.... Amerio:an RtvOtulion this territory "nd the fort si t. btum. Pl-rt of the Unittd SIo\Q. The fort 1Ilointd ...... signirocance fol· lowing the Cruk Indian War. Andrew Jackson came into the area with his Tennusuns in 1813. Ht ddflted the Crttk natioo at the Battle of ~ Bend on the TalbpooA Riwr on Mardi 27. 1814. After the bitt~ ..... 1ed his mtn to the .it. of old Fort Toolowi' and Kt abou t reconstructing the fort thUt. Plans were made for " chain of forts 10 utend from Ttnnt5lU into C.orgi~.

FOrI Toutow.. wu renamtd Fort Jack· son by Major Cenmol Thomu Pinckney in honor d the YKtorious Andrew Jad· ~.

On August 9. 1814. tM Crttk Indian War officiatty ended wilh I.... signing of tilt Truly of Fort bduon. By this trul)' Ihe Creek ..ation surrendered almost hilf of its land. Signir.antly, its ~main· iflll Lands ....rt cut off from other Indw. tribes and from the Splni.h to th e south. The Cruks wen isolated and would no lon~r bt ,ble to ,tty them· KI .... s with any other power to become" threat to 1M United SllItes.

After the war. ngul'" army troops occupied Fort lIckson. A settlement fPWIi up nearby "nd bfamt a-..., IS Jackson Town. When the Mil$illippi Territo""l u,gisbture ulllhli5htd Moot· gomery County in 1816. Jackson Town became its first county seal. f'or whaley. er ruson. the town did not nourish.

Most newoomm stilled in ~Iootgomtry 10 tM iQUth or tM Wetumpb ~ru to Ihe north. Court WIS Mid in Jackson Town until May 1818. Aft ... thallimt. tilt fort and I""., ...... abandontd. and the sile became farmland.

144 / MAYI995

In 1971 tM ALabiIllll ItiJtorieil Com· million gai""d pO$~uion 0( the Fort Toulouse·fort Jackson silt. Archaeologists ha .... begun the task 01 e:<cavating th e fo rls, but much ncavation and study TfTTIOIin to be dont. It iJ lonticipat· td that they wil1lind a tlUSU~ trow of hisloriul information during future UCMItions.

The fi ..t I'!'rmlMnt ullle .. in the lru that would become Elmore Counl)' were soldiers from Tennuste who served under Jackson in tilt Cmk Indi · an Wilt, Other Killen came from Gror· ,i,. tht C,rolina,. and Virginia. As previously noted. a portion of land "round the fort Toulouse·fort Jacksoo lite ~nd north of the 1'J.llapoosa Ri'' tr was I pari of Montgomery County 01 this time. Most of present·day Elmore County west of the COOSI Rivtr became poort of Aulouga CoonI)' which was atfCi in 1818. The largtst portioln of pre· sent-dq Elmore County was tast of the COOl" River and remained in Creek Indian hands until Ihe 1832 truly lhat tnnsfe rr ed all territory of the Cruk n,tion to the Stilt of Alabama, Aflu this tnal)'. much of pment-dq Elmore County. indudinJl nst Wt\umpk". btt.me poort of Ihe newly eslobtishtll COOSI Counl)'.

The town of Wetumpka was sellltd as early IS 1820. Its ..ame is duived from

=.

two Cm. Indian words--wi" mwrinC "wlltr"lond "umka" muning "sound· ing" or "rumbling". It received its ",me from the shoals of the Coosa River ""ar· by. Wetumpka is Iocaled at the f~1I Ii"" of t.... Coosa and is the uppermost point of """,,,,,!ion on thf nwr.

In 1825. tho: AbbamI ugiIIl.turt con· sidered moving the stile c"pit .. l from Cahaba to Wetumpka. The WIlt was extremely clost but the resolu tion was defe.lted on Oeamber 12, 1825 by a vote 01 31 to 30, The nut day tho: \q[i$IaIure \OOttd to namo: T,,,,,,1oota the new Slott capitll Wetumpka continued to grow and prosl'!'r. On January 17.l!:W. tM por. tion 01 Wetumpka on the e... t side of tho: Coosa River ,",'as fOl11\Ollly incorpOnltd.

This portion of the town was in Coosa County. On February 18. 1834, the por· tion of Wetumpka on tho wtsl side of the Coosa. Rivtr was incQrllllRtfCi. This portion of the town WIS in Autauga County. An act of tM Iegisbtu~ unitfCi lhe two sections into one incorponttll unit on hoU.11'}' 30, 1839. This same iKt tslablid>ed a city court which continued in optration until 1844. AlSO. in 1839 the kgisbtUR placed the swe penitentiary II Wdumpka.

Wdumpka could have achitoml Mn grtittr signirocance in ~ma history ncept for IWO important evenlS th"l occurred in lhe 1830s. The first was Ihe

<lKision of ~itl Pratt not to Iocitt his induslNI compin al Wetumpka. Prall had sought I sitt for his factoriu on tilt Coos.!. RMr abow Wttumpki. Residents uktd tlorbit~nl pric" for Ihti r I~nd Ind 50 PrJU n>OYt<I on to a new site that lattr beclmt Prattvill t. Tht stcond t~n t wlS tht ronancial panic of 1837.

This timt of unstttled confidence aused the <;Ompan~ which had NSUn tilt Sradil'lll of ~ rJilroad bed from north AI~b~mllhrouSh Wttumpka to the Cwrgil lint to ctut o~ritions. The rJilroad would not oomr to Wttumpb. unlill878.

In 1846. the legislature onct again coosidered the issut of moving the Alabama stalt capital. Sinee tht Indian rtrrlOYlll 0( the I8JOs Ind tilt elUtion of new coun· tits from their territory. the ctnttr of wellth Ind POPUlltion in ~ITII ~ shiftt d 10 the south ~nd ust. Crnl growth look pbot ~ tilt Cooa.a. TaIlipoou. Ind AI~b<imll ri~tr s~stems.

Eitlh! t""TI$ rnodt bid!; for tho otatt (Ipi_ til. bul tht rul fight wu btl ween TUSC3!oosa. lhe statt capital I! thai time.

Wetumpka and Monlgomel)'.

Both Wtlumpka and Montgomtry wert 11I"",li,," sitn for the mle capitll.

Both had mort tIwl 3.000 irWbi~ts.

Both IwIlTIIIly (ilium; influtntill in statt politics. Wttumpb '''is alrtady homt 10 tilt stiott penitentiary ~ ...

Iocited II tilt hull of navigation abow Mobilt . Howeve r. unlikt Montgomtry.

Wtlumpka had no railroad. furthtr. I crucial f,ctor in tho decision was that the businus community 01 Montgomery promised 10 conslruct a capilol building " no COIl 10 Ihe slalt. This foruight won the conttJ\. Alter 16 ~lIots. Monl· gomery _ chosen tho st.Jtt apil.lll and ilS prominence in AI"NITII hu Ntn assured e\'er since.

s.......01 ... .

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Il10' ...... ' _ ... f>m .. """"""""......". _. _ . . . . . . """"""""." ... ,0lI'0 C<cuo. _ _ ....

Tin: ALI.B.AMA !.oI.WYE R

Wtlumpb. \.hough not i county seal It the time. did SUrvM. liowevtr. whm the f,ght for the upital "''as lost. many citiuns moved ~y 10 Montgomery. A numb... of buildings were demolished and the building ITIIttNII were t.lktn to Monlgomery and used 10 conSlruct new structures in the Clpital city.

In 1850 ",h~n lIancock Coonty. lat ... ailed Winston County. _ tst.Jblishtd. ~ had 52 counties. No new coun· ties "'t're cruled for 16)'Urs. until tilt RtWnSlruclion ltl1i$l~ture look offict.

F'rom Frbnwy 15. 1866. until Dturriotr 30.1868. 13 new counties CiIr\'V into aisItnct. The first of these was Elmort County established on Ft bruary 15. 1866 out of terri tory la~tn from south.,n Coosa. western NIapoo::u, wttm AuUu· ga, and northtrn Monlgomery counlies.

The ntW county of Elmort """ n;unrd for Ctnuil John Archer Elmore who wnt to the Autauglo porIion of EIIl'lO« County in 1819. lit wu a nal"'" of Vir_ einia. I prOminml cilizen of South Cuolina. having seT\'td In lhe S!.lIIe legis· laturt thert. and i Rtl'Olutionary War

~nual.

AlIt. iniving in AliNma he in the Alibama legislaturt in 1821. Ht died in 1834 !w.ing I number of dncmdmiJ ...-ho ~me promintnt in their own right. Among thtK wu II United SUttS senator from South Ca.olina. a trusurtr of Soulh Carolina. a s«retary of statt of Alabama. iI probatt judge of Macon County. and l member of Iht COn"itulionil Convtntion of 1865. II""" probably dut to tilt ;nnu · tnet 0( his descendants lhil the ronl m:orutruClion county in AliNITII W"" rwntd for Ctntnl ElrnQft. The town of Elmort In Elmore County "'as n.lmed for Albert Stanhope Elmort. one oIlhe gtntrJl's n", sons by his second wift.

Tht ",I ..... hich crealed Elmore Counly made provisions for th~ ~IHlion of county officiils ilnd tilt seltction of I coonty stit by populi. vott. The dec· lion was held on J,"ruwy 14. 1867. As I mull 0( this tlection. "£ut Wtlun'lpki" was selected "" tilt county Hil Iocilion.

Thus. 1\ long WI. Wtlumpka ~mt I upit.l.l~ht a~ital city Or counly IUt ofElmortCounty. st~d

--=-~

PRofEssiONAl IMIESTiGATlvE SERVicES OWNEd & MANAGEd By A PRACTiciNG MEMbER O f THE AlAbAMA STATE BAR

CIA,

iNC.

CO BURN INVESTIGAIlVE AG ENCY

'TNE SURVEIlLANCE SPECIALISTS' CORPORATE Offi CES nl2 18TH STREET SOUTH BiRMiNGHAM, Al }5205 205/918-0042 FAXl918-0024

--- -...--- ---------- - ---------

MAY 1995 1 145

In t~ early w.ys«~ county, «>uri was hetd in I brick build, ing cllI~d HIUorty HIli on South Mlin Strut, now cilled MOIItiOl'Mry Strul. The build· ing had I Ilw:rn, hI,be, shop, and ~r privlle businwa on ~ fint floor with I coortroom and «>unty ollku on ~ K«II>d

"_.

The county soon needed I building dedicattd uclusively;lS I courthoun. On March 27.

1884 , ground was b'oken for such an tdifice. Arthu, Ma,Jh;oIl Wis contrKlor. The oost of this brick structure wu 515,000. It CI.KlIWtd d two Jtoriu and had txkmal iron mi~ on ei~r side d I~ IiCIIX that ltd up to I second ,tloor i' on blolcony and portico. This cool'\how.t ..,rw;d ~ coonty wtll WlIil t~ present /icility OI)tfltd in 1932.

By 1930, wlltn "",mben d ~ Elmore County Commiuion dtcidtd that t~ coonty nuded , ntW courtl\ous(. thtj' l'isittd six stltU checking on designs and finandng. They chose not to inue iny bonds. lnstud the county Illociled the lint SIOO,OOO lor the pr(IjKt from ~ county gtntl"lll fund. The hlWxe was paid from increuN rrwnuu rtsulting from rtu'iluation of properties on the Til· bpoon Riw:r and by financial amngrmcnb; with t~ A~lTIlI

_d.

f'CI\<I'O!r CorrorIiny.

Tho present Elmore County Court·

howe "'~ begun in 1931 and complettd in 1932. Jt cost Il'IProxirn.ttely $25Q.OOO. I

huge sum for the ikprwion .ra. No

wood wiS!.IUd in the building e><up! in the «>urtrooms. the county commission room, and for the rn.thogany stairway.

Its blosic building rn.tterials irt granile and conertle lor the (oundi.tion, [i"",. stone lor the outside mils. and lTIlIrole for the interion. The roof i. co"".. te and tRWl and could be ~rllOI'td to Idd <IIlOlher story. " indows and doors haw: sted (1"lImes. The structUrt itself is vir· tually firtproo/'.

This courthouse was designed by architects War .. n. Knight 6'< Oavil of Birmingham and "'""" corutructtd in tlw Creek Revival style. It has ~ elauic design and resembles a Creek temple.

The facade hal eigh l nuted Doric

cotu","" The two-story structu~ with a

NOTICE Any IddI'Ul or 'lllme changes

received litho AIlhIml State Bar after March 30, 1995 1rifl not H renecttd in tilt. 1995 tdition of The

AJubtJrIUI /Jar Dirw:/ory.

146 1MAY 1995

basement i, 100 by 128 fert in dimen· sionl. It was lidded to the ~ Refiller oIlandmIrb in I9n.

In concluding the story of Elmor.

County', o:ou rthou..,., a pusing "",n· tion must be ~ 01 the t""." d Tat· Iass«, ",·hich is Ioc.ittd OIl tht easlern boundary d the county just across the Tillapoosa Rivtr from Tlilapoosa Coun· ty. TallUl« was named for an ancient Indian town, On this site. Thomas Bar· nett built a colton mill around 1838.

AI ta rly aJ 1941, an d(ort "'"U made to build i branch courthouse (or Elmort County al Tal · lNol«. But beeause of war ti"", ~ nothiflll coold be done.

The !TIOYefntnt for /I coort in Tat· !au« gained new mcrgy in 1948 with the proposal (or i SIOO,ooo brick court house, Plins ""ere again plactd on hold. Pinal1y. in 1953. II new city hall and court· house wert built in Tallasstf.

ThIs building cost $90,000 and wa l designed by Mont gomery architect Carl Cooper. Wyatt Con· Itruction Company W;oJ tho low bidder. The buildiflll is owr.td by the City ofTlI1aM«.

The 1'1'''''* oIloc.iting a court in TallassH _ to illow Tairartlldenls to conveniently try Sll\llil matte .. without the ntaS· sily of trawlinll to the county SUI. At thai ti""', the coort Iocat· td thert "''as known as the Court «Common Plus. Befort the pas. sag. d the new Judicial Article of the "Iaharn.t Constitulion in 1973, small clalms·type I rials took pIKe at TattHUt . H<:JWfI'tr, Tal. 1aM« was nel'tr II co<ounty lut, and iccording to Chid Justice Sonny Honuby 01 Tillusee. alilrials art IIIIW held it the courthouse in Wetump-

"-

The author ltknowlNgc. Chief Justice Sonny Hornsby, the lue Joe A. MKm, Jr. of II'dumpkll. Alabarn.t. and the Elmon Cou nty Commiu'on for holp in obtaining information !.IUd in thil article.

Ii/more Q)un/V is presen//g building a new cour/hOUI •. The romp/./ion il expec/"'; during the ,"mmer of 1995.

Updaled info rmation on Ihe new ElmfN"fI Q)un/V Courthouse will be feo· /umi in (J fu/uffl issw 01 T~ AlobcrmQ

""11..,.,-.

•

SourcH: lIislor, of Efrtt()rt (;{}uniV Through /816, flnni. lois Jobrtin Cmu,1939; IIWumplrtJAIdxn,... Fin· II" Tip in/t;nnQlion on (> CrI!Q/ Soolh. em Tou:n, Austin R. Martin, Elmor.

County li litorical Society, 1971; A Hislo'V of Wetumpka, Elinhth Porter, Wetumpka Chimb.. of Commerce, 1951: Fori Toul~. Daniel H. Thorrw, The UnivtfSity of Alabarn.t Press, 1989.

TILE AU\BAMA LAWYER

BAR BRIEFS • The eahnln. Johnlloa Scholu. ship is IWlIrdtd to. ruident 0( Alabima for 1m second )'tar of law school. 1m scholarship will

COYt. lUitio<1 and bool<s

to I mu;mum of $5,000. A $tOOIId plact scholmhipofSl,OOO will also b< awarded at the Kholarship oommiute'. discrt tion. for an application cont.1C1 Tracy

Daniel a\ ~334) 269-1515. Thc deadline for awlying for lilt 1995·96 school year is June 16, 1995.

• In whl.l ""1$ a ~lIabo ... tiw community tffort. 1M "'liNIN Stalt Bar and the Alah. ",. C,nttr for OJ.pp!.

Ruol 11 Uo n ho.ttd 90 Lanin High School faculty Ind obwrwrs for COIlflict resolut ion Ind pur mediation ('/lining ftbruary 20 and 21 1I .t.Iot. bar

oIioc'n.

Staff from the Ptace EdlJC.llion Foundation presented tilt \t'3ining u a part of a program manged by lhe Alabama

Ctnler for Dispute Resolution and funded by the Outer Avtl\ue United Mett>odist Chu rch . Additional support came from the MonlQomery Public School System and Ioal YMCA. The pr'OiTllrn. catled -wini\\'in", will help the fuulty tnch student. the skills thty need to moM connic:t soc· cesWlly without ..wltna. ~ skills induM idontifyil\ll and f(lal>ing on tho: probltm. altxking the problem ... ther th.lon the puson. listtning with an open mind. tru t ing the puson's lulings with respect. and taking responsibility for their own ution •• Among the "fouls" .tudena will leun 10 avoid are name·calling. blaming. gtlling even. threaU. bad Linguage, IIOrcasm. hitting. pushing. lind ..... king HCU$ft.

In Much. Lan in inililted "Drop EytrythirlJl for Pnce", and clwn "''fre suspended for Iwo day. 10 trllin all 1.400 stLllltnu in conflict ruoIution. II pur medili ion program followtd. where H1tcttd stllllentJ "''fr. t ... ined to /let III Mut ...1 mtd~tors be"'-'ttfl otIwr students invoh·td in II di sputt. If dis· putanlS agree 10 participate. the media· tors (usually two for each mediation) help them ....ork OUla mutuall y .gr•• · able solution to the conniet. a,·.rting the pouibitily 01 violenef.

TIlE ALABAMA LAWYER

rn...mor fob bmu. Jr. procLiimtd May 3. 1995111 Alab.i ..... 's tirst SllIte...idt.

IAgal A.nll tant/Panl.gll R«ognition Day. The Proclamation wu co·spon· sored by the IAgat AJ$istant Section of the Montgomery County Bar Associa· tion and lhe Alaball\ll Association of IAgal AJ$istant •.

AI the infontllli celebration alth. stal. (.Opilol on ~b"h 29, 1995 ar •. left to right. fron t row. Teresa Sault, Ikcky Ship.., SI.lla Sanford, Lynn Reynolds, Cathy Hunter Hollon, and Marilyn MashaU. Back row, left to right, Ire M ie~1 lve)', fA PlItterson, 1l-oom.>$ Motm;n. Donna Sims. and Or, ~rge Schrader.

r or mort Information on school con· flict moIution and peer mtd~tion pr0grams. nil the Alabama Ctntu fo r Dispute Resolution II (l:W1269-0-W9.

• Effedi". March 10, 1995. the fol · lowing revisiona ~re made to the Vac· ci ne Inj,,1')' Table and the Qu. lirica· lions I nd Ald. 10 Interpnlltlon of the TalII •. 42 U.S.C. 13(1(111.. 14(a) & (b).

- Chronic arthritis will be added as an On · Tabl e injury for the vaccines against rubella (MMII, Mil. R). This iddition 10 lhe Table cnates the rebut· IIIbIt pmufTll'lion th.lot chronic arthritis ....... c.aUHd by the M.'lR ..-ace;...... whrn the firsl symptom or manifeslitioo of the arthritis occurs within 42 days afttT the iOdministrlition of the MMR vac_ d"... 42 U.s.C. 13OO;u.· 14. _ BeC/lUH Ihe addition of chronic arthritis may significantly incJUSot the likelihood thlt a petitioners Illeging II rubella v"cine· rttattd chronic arthritis will obtain compenAtion. an individual III,ging that In on · Table chronic

uthritil occumd on 0<' afttr M.uch 10.

1987 Iw until March 10. 1997 to file his or her cLiim with the U,S. Court of rmtnl Claims. This limitation period is an tlIctptioo to the genual limill.lions rule tlllt I pttitiomr mus.t file a clilim for I VJCCine ·related injury with· in 36 months aft.r the nrst symptom or mlnifn tat ion of the inju ry. Se. 42 U.S.C. f3(l(1.u·16)a).

- TIlt statute oIlimilitiOl1J bars the claims 01 pe~ .... hoH first ~ptom or ma.niftstatlon of chronic Irthriti. oc:currtd prior 10 March 10. 1987. 42 U.s.c. t3O(b.a· I6(b).

- Hypoton ie ·h)'llOrespOr'lSiyt episode (HHE } and Residwol Hirurt disordu ( RSD) hllv, bun delel.d IS Tible injuria for lhe diphthem., tetanus and pertussis ..-aceinu.

-M II rtsult of the deletions of HHE and IISO. the presumption tlllt HHE Or IISO ....... (/Iustd by the vaccines will no longer e.ist, and an individual filing a petitioo on or aft.r Ma"h 10, 1995 and MAY 1995 / 147

..lItging thew injuries, must priM that tht DTP VlOCcint wOld tht cause·in·flOCt altllt RSO or - Th. Quali fiu t ion. and Aid,to l nttrp rtution of th. Vlceint Inj ury Tillble """ bttn rtVistd. S« 42 U.S.C. f JOOa;o· 14(b). ~nt ...lly. Ihtst rnoisiom ..mplify ..nd clar ify Iht rmdicalltrmS ustd in the VKCint Injury T..blt. Tht rtvilions 10 tht Qwlificotionl and Ai<b 10 Inte'l'rt litions apply to .. 11 prti!iQIIS mtd on or aflor March 10. 1995.

wn:.

f or mort in form.1tion. contact o...vid lienor at (30 1) 443·2006.

• Ouring school yur 1994·95, si x mtmbul 01 tht Plchn, County Bir Auoclillon volunturtd th.i r timt to tuch .. Cout'H It Picktns Acl dtmy in Carrollton, Alablrmo, tnt itled · Stred .... w·. The.. wert 12 I tudtnl.l in the

cll.$I and il was laught t ach mor ning during tho " hool ~Ir. The r. wen a number of fltld trips sponsored by tho individ",l ItlOClw:l'J, including .. visit 10 tho jlil. a villt to Jwmilt Court. and " visil lo Aliceville Municipal Court.

The Pl'08rl1m _ 00 .... ccu.ful that tho hlr woc:lition inttnds to ~ptal it for lilt 1995·96 school yor II Mtns Aco~rny

lind pofoIibly utend tilt COUt'H offt r ing to public school!. All of tht 1a"~rl ~t td thtir Ii..... and mat~ri· als for tht cou rse.

Thost attornoys participating and tht coorsa thoy taught incIudtd: John A. Ruuoli, tII- lntrodu<:tion to law and Criminll ....w and

Jwmi10 Juslict

John Earl f'lluzzi_lndividUll Rights and Uberties

\\r,lii.m D. King. lV_ Torti Susan Milntr- f ..mily law Kothy t... Mlrim-~II Pn.>!>trty (Housing) ......

AJliJOn Andfnon--.COII$u .....r ......

• Hom ... J. Ru uomUllO. a 1975 CurOOtrlmd gnodUlIt. hu ~n named 1995 OillinQuishtd Alumn us of tho YU r by Cumbt r land School of .... w.

Slmford Unive rsity. li t rtctivtd the award at an alumni brunch March 18.

RlWOm.1nno i$ II senior partner with tht Miami. Florida fi rm of Floyd, Pear. son. Rich,",n. Gner. W.il. Bruml>augh & Russomlnno. Ho is .. magna Cum laulh ind Phi BetiO Koppa graduat( of R ut~fI Univoeuity. " "il<; lit Cumber· land. ht WOld pru~nl of tho school's SlUlknt INr A.sMIciilion.

•

POSITION AVAILABLE AI8um8 St8te Bar Volu nteer lawyers Program Director The Alabam a State Bar nas a challenging career oppo rtu nity for a highly motivated, dedicated, self· sta rting anorney. This positi on will coordinate pro bono Civil legal services. Duties will Include manag· ing the ASB Volunteer Lawyers Program. recruitment and recognition of volunteer private lawyers in the cIvil pro bono effort; coordinating pro bono etto!ts wilh local bar associations ; serving as a resource in developing local pro bono programs; and aCling as a dearinghouse lor successfut pro bono programs aroufld Ihe state and nation.

The person sought must h ave a J .D. degree from an ABA·accredited taw school and at teast two years e~perieflCe in the praClice

01 law or other equivalent experience ; be sell·motivated and self·

directed ; possess excellent commUnication skills; possess strong organizational abilities; be willing to under!ake regula r slatewide travel; and be able to work with a wide variety o f personalities and groups.

The salary is commensurate with experience , and an exce llenl fringe benelits program Is provided.

For consideration . forward the Iollowing materials : resume and salary h is10ry. INCLUDING a cover lener expla ining background and interest in position . in confidence to: Search Committee VOlunteer Lawyers Program P.O. BOl( 671 Montgomery, Al361 01 Deadline lor submission is June 15, 1995. The A labama Stale Bar is an equal opportunity employer.

148 / MAY 1995

TilE ALABAMA Lo\WVER

PROFILE

WARREN BRICKEN LIGHTFOOT

II J

orn on August 21.1938.

Warr~n 1,; 8hl/001 grew up • in Luvrnw. ~ma. whrl't 1 hr ~td from luYtmo fl lah Sc hool in ]956. He IlInn/le. ~ tI,ndtd Tht C;I~dtl In ChITles\on.

Soul h Carolina. from 1956· 1958.

•

]994. h( became the first president of th( Birmingham Bar Foundation. and CUlTtntly is " member of the ~rd of Tfl,Iltetl of the A1abim .. 4w School Foundation.

r«tiYfd his undergraduate degree from Iht University 01 AlablOma in 1960. and gn.clualtd from 1m Univtrsily d AIaba· ma School 01 Uw ;"1964. A nltrr.w. of Phi Bt\I KaplWI and Juons. ht .. Iso suvtd as I"tsidtnt of Omicron ~1t.1 Kbp!!l MId Phi ~1t.1 Phi kpl fraternity lind at leading artic1fS edi lor of The

''''.

Alabama U1W Review. Prom 1960 to 1%2. Lightfoot was on Kliw duty in the Unittd Statts Army. An infantry offi· tc1' ~ p;>ratroopf' . he Kf\'td as 1I com· pUI)' CI)mrrWlder

from 1961. 1962.

Following graduation from law sd>ooI in 1964, lightfoot p.K tictd II'" wilh Br,d lty , Arant. ROK & Whitt fOT 25 ~al'$. until January 15. 1990. WMII hi: II1d KVff1 OIher partners Iotmtd lightfoot. Franklin, Whitt 6; l llU$, now " 26· 1'~ r

litigation firm in Birmi"il'

"'~ Lightfoot "'35 tltcted pmi<imt of the Voong ~~n' Section of lhe Birmingh~m Hu in 1969. UNtd on tht city bar's f'..ucutiw Committee from t970 to 1972. "ld was elected pUlident of the Birminghim Har Assoc:iltion in 1991.

lit _

Lightfoot chaired I..... AdviJory Commit· tet to the Unitt<! States Oilirici Court fo r the Northern Dist rict of AI"bimi from 1988-1990 iI1d pmently is .. mem· bH ofthr 11th Circuii's ~~n Ado.isory Committee. H. 5I'tvtd u ro·d""; r of the program commiutt for the 11th Circuit Judicial Conferencn of 1994·

WalTen ericken LlghUoot

Itt is .. Ftllow of lht Amtrian l:oI. Itllt of Trill 4~TI lind hiS be(n I member of its .tat~ commiU ••• ince 1992. He a!so is an Advocate of Ihe American Board of Trial Adwcate•. is a member of the Internat ional Association of Otf(1lSe CouIlKI. and hiS been listed in 1kJ1l.atqn's In Anwrica sinc. 1983.

Lightfoot wl.l" charttr member of Lndulhip Birminghim (1983- 198.4) "rld Krvtd on its fKulty in 1986. A past prtJi~nt 01 the Hirminllhim K;"" anis Club. he "Iso Krwd in 1991 u pruident of the Civic Club Foundation. which OWIU the Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham. Lightfool wu an el~r at Indtptncltnl Prtsbyttrilon Church from 1912·74 m;l 197&-79. and tw frequml_ ty lINn an ""'It Sunday School ttaehtr thue during the IMt 20 )'QI"J. He is CUTrently Krving "" chii1'TTllll oflnd."...,_ dent's IIoard of Trustees. and he was a trUJlu of the Presbyterian Home for Children in Tall",hgi from 1987 to

''''

Lightfoot hu bun murled sinct

196310 the former Robbie COl ofBirm· inghim. and th(y hi~ twtl ch!1d r(n: Warren. Jr .• who pTJCtittJ J.,wwith May. nard. Coope r &.: Cale in Birmingham. aooAshley. who is ~ branch manager for AmSouth Hank In Birmingham.

•

Jtffenon COUnty·s .... barron>-

miuiontr from 1979 to 1985. wllJ" founding m(m~r of the MCLE Com· mluion in 1982 ~nd Itrv(d on th( Alabami State Har Executi;oe Committ~~ in 1979. During the firll lix Ytan of MCtE. from 1982 to 1988. he I!a'Jt CMT 45 praotnutionJ to iIfId on ~lWf of \'lIfious bar groupS. iIfId in rtCOlIOltion for thoM: efforu uaivtd the Alabama Bar InstilUt('1 1986 Walt(r P. (;(win A"'oard for Oulltanding Suvice to Hench and Bar in Continuing U~I Eduution. In

NOTICE

Any address or name changes received at the Alabama State Bar after March 30, 1995 will not bf! reflected in the 1995 edition of TheA/ahoma Bar Directory.

MAY 1995 / 149

Superior Estate Planning Documents:

Going The Extra Mile roe oIthe Hlile pWtner's n106l il1'\PllfUfll jobs is to proYidt IS much fluibili· Iy u pouible 10 .onlici· ~e the clil:nr. personal. eCXlllOI, oic iI1d IU changes.

MId 10 rtn«t the clitnfs desira "'hen the tlitnl CUI no longer 6pm> thnn.

The eltate planner must write todl.y to In t icipilte future circumllances and enable another', prutnt "'ishes to be fulfilled. Such unforeseeable changes include personal changes such <Ii mITi\1I1 Sillul. parental inut$. fo"""iIl.u«us or failurt iUId Kcomp,anyinQ prusu r. from ,redi.

Ion. hfalth-rellottd prob~oru; includ. in,llcoholism low! dru,g &ddiction.

SOcil1 and politiul changes. Also unfort$ttn ITe rrvi.ioru of nilling.

MId tnKtment of new. ti:lmtuuru.

Frequently il is impossible to prtdict Ihf c/wI# and its corutquencu, but Ihe con$Citnt ious drafhptrlOn ",ill build in al many capabililies 10 rtact as is rt~le. This oulline di$Cuss· u arns ",hue fiulbilily may be dtsirllblt, This issue is even more app,artnt ",hen irrevocable ir,ler uivru Iru.l. comprist II .I,nlncanl part of the esule pilon. Thr irlTo'OClble roalure of many tl\lSli p1loca IIlremendous bur. den on 1M e$llte planner 10 build into the trun /lulbility lind to address i!.Suu which trinscend the bl.k objfCli"l's of Ihe IrUl1. Since irrtYOtable lru..lts """not be changed by the gnntor In fulurt year., the COSI of not including nuibility In

ISO / MAYI995

~

Who Is The Trustee?

A. The tnnlor The dient should nner be the tru..ltH of in Irrrvocable trust which il t he recipient of gifts from Ihe dienl, .irn:e tM prOperty Iransferred to the trusl would be irn:luded In his estate for ftdtr.tl tllate tax purposes , The C r)nlo r would haVt retained owrly~bro.ad pOWtT$ under Internill Revenue Code Sections 2036 and

2038.

8. A corpontt t.v..tft If life insurw« is the primary cor· pus ofltrwt MId tilt ditnt'5 oto;ediw is that .. corporilOte tTUSlH man.age tilt tn,ql - " (On« they omIure into ash it the tlitnl'. dtith, hf should consid· refflOining from iP!)Oinl;njlthe cor· poflO!e In,qtH until his death.

COrporale lrust«. commonly charge minimum feu for $frving ulru$IH. and its primal')' ruponsibili!les prior to Ihf death 0( the clN:ntlinsurtd woold be the rather ,Imple tasks of sakguud· ina: tilt insurw« policy, ~na" pre· miulTl$ and monitor· injl the ..wus '"" tT

by dtsignatinjll family mtJn.beT IS initilllrwl«. with the corpoTille Irust« becoming Irust« upon the event of thf: dellih oIlhe clienV

..

",,-

C. TN.lft appoints

OW1\IUC(.uor

In addition to providing for the appolnlment of SuCCeSSOr lrustees in Ihe event the primal1' trustee cannot seTVI' for iI1ll' rea.wR, under appfO!lrlale drcumS\ance, the trusl inslrumtnt could giw the trustH lhotn serving the power to override the appointment contlined in the inll . ument and appoint hil OWII SUCctloIOr. Consider the .il .... lion .....Ut the children iTe minoO'$ when lhe trusl irulrummt is signed ind Cinnot be nlmed is trusten, Perhips the client's spouse. and then his sibtinjll art IIlPOinItd. If the Ij'OOUSt in bier ~ (On« the chilo dren havt become idults MId matured, determines thai the child re n .hould serve ill Suc«uon, 1M spou$I' .... act· ing trustee, could have the po~r 10 rtduisnalt luCCtlolOrS, eliminate the

creditworthiness of

the lruurance comp,a· ny.l1Ie minimum f«could be

nu: ALABAMA u\WYER

liblingl (who mllY hav. di.d or b«omc inaopKit.lttd). MId duiglute one or ~ 01 tilt children u SU<::as..,. trultH:l.

O. " - to femow truot ...

L Tho ....jt<:tivt Por . VlIrit\y oI rtuOrlS. tilt trust ... appointtd by tilt ~li.nt!Ny not M an ~ppropriate trustee II' future yean.

The troltN or Mnefidariu may hiwe I11OI't<l to anothtr 11~1 •. The relation· ship oftM trwt .. to 1M be~ficiaries !Ny hI.'l' thllnged be~~ of divora'. marriage or Olh.r per$OlI.I.l circummncu. The benerlCiaries !Ny simply puftr 10 deal wilh II IUttnlO1' lrusl..

01'. ..,Ihin p.lIr.unttm lot( Iorth in tilt p<.l\'Il'r of remov,,1 provilion. 10 appoiI'I anotlltr trusl ... As " common II:IQmplt. a SI)OUIe oIl1 ductndant may ~ bun "ppOinled Irml ... bul may btcOmt divorc.d from Iht dtlctndan\. f'luibilily frequtnlly prucribes giving tilt btneficilrin tilt abilily 10 r.acl to thislYl'C of situation.

2. The talC pmbltm Rev. Rut 79-353, 1979-1 C.B. 325, held IhIIl" lrusl gDnloTI reltnlion at 1 ~, to rt~ a corpont. trust..

MId ~nt another corpon.t. trmt ... was equiwoltnt to 1 I'Uotl'Vlltion ol tilt INII..'I powtT. Under tilt Itnnl 01 tilt trust inltrument in qunlion, the gn.ntor was Irtllltd lI$ havi", rutrvtd Mnofidll intnull in the prOptrty under Inlernlll Rtwnue Codt Sec· tions 2036(1)(2) "nd 2038(.)(1). Silla' tht inu.n.e of Rtv. Rul. 79_ 353, practitioners have ..it ieiud tho rul-

ing. PrKtitionfrs haw brtn roncemtd that the rtlwninQ of that ru ling would be "tended so !hilt lItrusl beneficiary who pos'"'" l ~r to "" mOVt II trulltt lind nllme " ntw trusl .. will be trealtd u having tht P<l"l'rs oltllt lrull .... eo.om if tilt ben· eficiary tlInnot !limt himstlf or her.

Kif, If Iht truslu'l p/)"l'r to di$lribult lrust income iUld principa.l is not limit.d by an ascerlainable s tandard, thtn the beneficiary will be tr"-"ted u having I general power of appoint· ment undtr Inttrnal Rtiltnut Code ~tion

2041.

3. Tht rnitallutiGn of tM

""."

Ur. Rut. 8916Ol2, which ciltS Rtil.

Rul. 19-353, taku lilt position !hilt II right given to /I trust btndicillr)' othtr ttwl tilt gnntor to rtltlllW tilt trusttt lind IPlI'Dint l suCCeSSOr trusl ... TtSUIII in Iht trust bendidary po:.5Cuing lhe P<l"l'r ol tilt trustee. If the lru~ten powers art not limited by a fixed and ascertainable standard, the trust btneficiary hn a general I'OI'l'r of "ppointmtnt undtr Internal Rev.nut Cod. Stdion 2!)4ll1nd all lrust lISSotts art lncludtd in tilt tstatt ol tilt trusl beneficiary. to SOmt tOmmtnllloTl, tht ruling mHos dear lhat lilt attribution ol 1M tnnt ..'. di$crttionlry pOWtrs to the btntfieillry Or btntiiciuiu wilh iI removil power il not troublesome whtn lhtK p/)"'us I r. limited b)' a flXtd and wertil;nable sundard.

Within siJ wttks ol the iSlUlnct ol Ur. Rul. 8916032, lwo other rulings. tt . , Rut 8922003 and 8922062. were allo Issued. I.tr. Rul. 8922003 is an

Accord,,,,

attempt by tilt tRS 10 .pply tht r.tlio!lile of Rev. Rut 19-353 to 1=1.... and gnntors ol irrtYOablt lift illlUr. met trusts. Undtr tilt terms of tht trust ins trumtnt . tht co rporat t trust.. posstSStd lIli incidtnts ol awn· .,ship in the life inlurlnce policy held by the trust. The IRS cooc:ludtd tNI btaUK tht gr"nlor r.ta.intd the right t o remove Iht \rusln. tht grantor rtU.int>!tht incidents of 0'Wfl. ership for pu rpOJU of Int ernal Revenut Codt Stction 2042(2).

Ur. Rut 8922062 irwo!ved the CrtIlion of StiIt",1 irrevoablt lrusls by tilt gn.ntor for tilt bnltfit 01 gnnlor's doughltr and _randchik!rtn. The rul. ing cit.. Rev. Rut 19-353, but holds tNt tht g",ntor's I'Uotl'Vlltion ol tht p/)"l'r 10 rtltlllW tilt namtd corporaU trustH: did not (.I~ lilt lrusl to be tutd to tht _",nloTl tstalt btcIIust Ih. discretion",y powers of Iht trust .. wert sufficiently limi!t<l to m asctrtainablt slilndanl.

4. Ihcenl de<'tlopmtnl.

II' Eslu" 01 Wull v. Comm'r, 101 T.C. No. 21 (October 12, 1993), tht ux court IlIowtd tht grantor of In irrevoable lrusllo rtt.lin tht P\l'I'l'r 10 rt~ and IppOint indtpondtnl oorpon.le trmtHl withoulldvtr5t tax c:on5tqutnctS, ewn though tilt trust ... hid Ihe pow.. to diltribule trust pro!"'.ly pUTluanllo /I nonuurl· m..I:!It slilndard. In II diff.renl factual setting. tilt court in £Jta/t of l'uk '" Comm·,. 973 r.2d 1409 (8 th Cir. Stpltmb.. 1, 1992). htld that a grantor of In irrevocable lrust who loU also II ptrmlssiblt beneficiary under I sprinkling pl'Ol'ision exerci$· able in Ihe SOlt discre t ion of t he trustee. and who rtKrvtd tht right to

•

MAY ]9951 lS I

rfIl'ICIW ~ t~ and appoint .. JUC. tnsor independent trustee. Iud not ma& ,n incomplete gift upOn Irans· fe rrin g beneficl.1 inltfnll to Ille trust. In Ltr. Rul. 9303018 UxtOOtr 23. 1992). Ihe pOW1: r 10 remow In independent truilU for "uK Wll held not to crule .. general ~r of appoinlment in the granto r 0( the lrust.

5. Plannla. !«haMiu..

A11houah tht ~ rulinasand Rev. Rul . 79-353 hive !).een subjec l 10 utffl$i .... eritici$m and ~ be incor· reCI in Illeir conclusions. and ,I .

Illougil some recent decisions luve bun f.vonble 10 the WPl)'tr, CIU· Iioul praclitiontrs should IYOMI giving I bend"ociary tht unrestricted POWH to botll TfI'OOl>l: and Tfplace the trustee.

If tile clienl wants a provision Ihat provides for TffTlO\lal of the trwtH. a numbrr d Options om "",ilablt. a. 1'1le IrwlH'S ~r to mikt dis· cretiomry distributions can be Iimilrcl by ~ lSCtrUinable JIIrl. dud and not utrciud in a manner tlul would di$clurge I 1.g..1 oblilJllion. [n sucll twIlt. the trui!H', powers would not conslilute " gene r,,1 pOW1:r of appointment even if attributed 10 lhe beneficial'}' pos$6lIing the TffTlO\lal and Tfplacement pOWtr. b. The mosl constf\-atiw lOIulion would be 10 "0..1 the removll and ITplxtment pOWtrl in dif· ferent individUIIIs. 001 emj"lOWtr· ing .. cloH rei ali .... of the ben. eficiary \Suc h u his or her s.pous.t) to KIKt a replxemenl lr'u5l« beaIuK 01 !hoe ~ of intluen«.

c. The power of removal could limit the ptTSOtl or peT50N pas.

5eMing tile pOWtr of ITn'IOv.Il to tlItrrisinC !hoeir pOWn only upon °re_ble aUK". whicll. x· cording to Ltr. Rul. 9303018.

JUprQ, may Include. for example. the following: minability 01 the carponte Ttmtn and tht btot· fie;;'rits 10 lIIrH UPOf'l rtuon· able compenut ion for lilt corponte TfUlIu; (ii) UflruKlfl·

152 1 MAY ]995

Ibly poor invellment perfor· rnanct; (iii) the removll of III cu . renl income beneficia . in from the stat. wherein the cor· porate Ttmtn is lic:tnstd to too· duct businns I I .. corponle TfUll«; rN) unru.JOnlblt i... ltenlion to the reuor.ible needs of the beneficiarits; (y) unrn · sonable lack of communications bttwun Iht Trustn ~nd th. bt""fici",its; (";) unrellOTllbly inaccurate Or unclfllr tr,,!WOe· tion sutmlfnts or sUtements d ICCOUnt; (,ii) unreasonable con· /lielS between th e corpo rate Trustu and the btnefitiaries; (viii) ",erger, xquisition or a clettriorating firw>cial condition of tht COrpo",lt l'nIstet; or (iJ.) unreasonably higllturnover of _ n l oiflCtl'S assigmdlO iIfll' trul! CTflIted under the tru.1 instrurnmL E. Oele"tion arnonl to-truslees Wlltn co-trwletJ are KfYing, taCh rnay luw ils own ulenll and exper· tiM. !'"lups the corponte Irustu should lundle invotmen\$. PtrhJ.p$ Ihe corpora te trusln should be absolwd from respOn$ibilily for 1TWl· aging lilt family bUli ntu. If Ihree chiklrtn art jointly KrvinQ ~ 1JuSltu, pe rhJ.JI$ two of Ille children sllould dtltg,Jlt 10 lilt third full M1thorily to sign chtcb and perlonn etrUln min· ister;,] duties. £.sUIe pWlning docu· menu can contain directi.... s addTfss, ing this type of issue.

r. DeIt"I"" 10 corpOrate ",,,,lor C1IlIodbon fffilutntiya IPOUst or otlltr indi· vidual i. d.. ignaled u trustte. Thi. indivi dUIII may lack 1M SO!lhislication or inclination to rnainllin accurlile Reord •. rnake in ..... lmenl dtcisioru, colltet Ind deposit income, prt~rt tstale iUId illCOlTlC tu. rtlufTli, or per· form many of the rtlporuibihties 01 a trwtn. Although in pra(tke individu· als frequently appoinl corporale fodu· ciaries 10 Str\Ie IS . n l or custodian, principals of lrust law toolloin a prohibition ag.>ifl$ttrusltts dtltg,Jl·

ame-m

Ing their

~rI

and responsibilities.

A trwt provi.ion Jp«ificaJly ,utl\oril' ing such delegation would encourage an Individual trustee to awil himself or herstlf of available profu.lionlll

.-

G. Connicto oflnterut $tfl$ilivity to situatiofl$ in whicll a family member Krving IS extcuto. or trumt IN}I haw a tooHict of interest can bt critical 10 the impltrnmution of the dim!'t I!:IUIt plan. This poNi· bilily can be c1nrly shown in I he estate of a person who OWfI$ I clost· Iy-hel d businus. Wlltn the executor or trustee will be I family membtr who is liready irwotwd in tht busi.

I'II!:IS jndJor ,,'he will RCriw a control· ling interest in lhe business under tilt clien!"s esUte pilon, rnany conHicls can arist with other beneficiaries. possibly other children .....110 lITe 001 invo~d in the busint'" Tht utCulor Ind trwln will tootn)1 the board of direc· tors. so he can tlect himself IS pmi· dtnl. and can utablish hi. 0WTl I-Iolal'}' and fringe benefits . He an control decisions repTliing lhe dtclaration of dividtnds. Which may be Ih, only IMitable ",hiclt to pnWidt iocomt 10 other family members who own minority in!tlts" in th. busint$J. In conjunction willi effectualing a lesta· mentlTy clauM equalizing distribu· tions lmong .11 /amily membtrs, the IUCUtor Q/1 stlect a frimdJy apprais· er ",1>0 "ill value the oo.int$J conK.· "'li"'ly.

To avoid the conflicls of inte rt.t which i" inlltrtnt in wsting conlrol II the _ pbn in the family member Inheriting the business. the dimt IN}I considrr the following ;o[t~matiW$: I. U.ing one or mort disinterested fiduciaries;

2. Appoinlingl $JItCial trustH to PoIr· l ic'pate in de cilion. involving potmtial conHict; 3.CIl00.in8 a committee of trusttd persons wllo must tonKnt befort cerUin actioN rnay be taktn by the actual flducbory; or 4. lnclude l will provision requiring tilt fiduc;;'ry 10 notify all beneficia·

mt: AU\8A."\A ~WYER

riel in advance of Iny conflicts of interut lind perhips uquirint the cOlIHnt of ill otlltr btndiciariu before Klion an be tUm.

Who are the aenetlclarle.?

A. POIftT of .ppotntlftfnt 10 tn.! .....

IpclUH U IiotntOwry Frequenll)o IruslJ for !intal descen· danlJ <10 not grant benefidal interull 10 SpoUltl of linul descendanls. In some siluatioN il may be awropriale 10 gnnl to II dtsctndant the ~T to dtcide whether II lPOUse u.n r«ei~ any bent/ieial inttres ls upon Ihe duth of the daundanL The ducmdanl may r«agnize the fact thil the SPOUst depend. upon income from the trwt for JUPPOrt n may ..;mt to di rtct thl! the SPOUlt receive ill incomt tOr the baluoct of the SpOUSt'. life, or perhips until remarriage. TIlt descendant may also be granted the ~r to direct thit principal be diJtribuled to the spouse. Because the lurviving spOUSt did not cre· itt tilt trust and is not the "tram· feror" for ulate w purposes, this ~r Ilou not rHult in inclusion of the trust _ts in the wrviving IPOUIt'S "tate under Inle .... 1 Rev· enue Code Sections 2036 n 2038.

B. " - ' to c .... ~ dl5lributlon to dtocendanlJ If one spouM diu n \uvtll II lrusl which provides that the remainder be divided lImong des«ndants lind paid oul ilt ceoUin specified agu, after the death of Iht surviving SpOUlt, the dtscendanu may not Tecei~ any distributionl from Ihe Irust for many )'tIn, IVhil hiP!lfRS if 1M family dr. rumstanc:es chi ....? What hloppons if tilt surviving spouse concludes thit Ollt child ",nnot prudently manage money lind nuds lin independent trustee for life? Whit if one child dewlops l serious illness and nttds rno« tIwl i pro nUl wre of the trust for future IUJlllOTl? " 'hit if one child beC(lmtl dilolbled and would Qualify for aowmmenUiI lid in the ~nce of receiving a portion of the trust? The Jurvlving SpOWe ",n be granted a lim·

ited power to rumnte the TIWUltr in which the trust wt\J J>W to descm· danu. Vi10rying the . . of distribution and perhaps the Pfrcm~ to be dilt.ibuled to nch child. ae",ust the surviving J.pOUse did 001 crelle Ihe trwl and il not 1M "Irlnsferor" for est.)!e lax purposes, this pOWtr don not result in inclusion of the lru$l _ u in tM suTViving $pOlISf'S estate under Internal ReYfnue Cooe sections 2036 and 2038.

dtsctndants for htllth, edUQlion, mainlelllllU unlil the YOUI\llUI child atuins iit 25 (the 19t at ... hich higher eduCllion should be completed), • Any prirw:ip.ai plid 10 a child, or that child's dH«ndanu,lfter that child lttlios 1ge 25 ;1 charged 10 Ihat child',shire upOn ultimate distri· bution of the trult lSSfU.

support n

o. r.~ Pfnltl of guardian In seltcting I Qua rd ian for minor it a tt!Utor i·

•

child ren. The

~"'"" n-..y nHd to rnDe iUl ~i.

to hil or her current home or 10 i new home. There may be additionll housekeeping upenses.

The cost of ;ndudinll the t"lator's il in family YKltions could be There may be addilio",,1 in the children's visits Is it appropriate.

Ihe Irwlu 10 pay the ITIO\~

•• C. Large 1# dlrrennc .. among chl1drtn Ilow fair is iUl eqUilI division of trust asstu among children if tht tld .. t child is 28 }/tars old Ind the youngtlt il 14 YUTI old? The youogtsl child will spend plTt of hi, or ht r inheri.

UflCe to provide upkttp and mainto""nce during minority and will!>iY for his or her own college edUQlion.

Th. !>irenU hid Ilready paid thtst upenstl for the eldtlt child. Ont solution 10 this problem is to irw:ruse the thlrc of the youngut child by I formula amount intmdtd to provide trut tQUilliution. Another solul;';" is tilt oelltion of. "pot" trust conUining the following lerms: " Spray il\(ome and principal lmong

Although an appropriate subjKt for disawion bttwttn the gUilrdian and the trustee, specifIC dirKtions in I IHtimenury documenl nprc..int a .. nsitivity 10 the (jroan.ciil burden and directing tM truJ\U to p;ly certain upenlt! elimina ttl Iny Quntion aboul the PTOIlrie\y of the txpenstS. E, Contlngenl mlrtt.1 deduction Ifl hUSNond prep;lres a trust for the benefit of his wile and funds the trust with an tli$ling policy of insurarw:e on hiJ life. the fiKe lImount of the lif. in.urlne....iII be included in his tsUte under Inte ....1 R~nue Code Stelion 2035 if the husband dies within Ihrtt YOTS of the ditt of the imuranct lransfer, The trust should conUlin I continllenl marital deduc· tion provision, which would <.elIle a transfer to or fOT the benefil of the wil. which Qu,lifin for the mu ital deduction, .liminalinQ elule wn. in

MAY t995 1 153

the tV'tnt any of the trust assets are included in Iht granlo " s ulale bttatUf: of an unlimtiy duth.

F. Dioortt Undtr AIaIwnI b.w. a porson ""'" is divorced from I decedent or whose marrilge 10 Ihe decedent has bun annulled is not a WM\;ng JPOll'" of Iht deudtnl for probate purpost!.

Cotk 01 A/QoomQ (1975) f 43-8-252.

If. lifter eucuHng a ..... ill, the lutalor is divorced or hi~ marri~ is annultt<!. the divo, ce 0. annu lment Ta'Oku any disposilion or appointmenl of proper· ty made bylht will to Ihe former ~. and revokes any nomination of the former s.poust·s tlItcUlor, trustee. or IIUIOnJiin, unIns the ,,;11 txpraSly pl'O"idu othc~. Cotk 01 Alabama t 1915) 143-8-137.

The aboYe AIiNrN statulu do not apply 10 non-Iullmenlary disposilion, such iLl diJjlOSitioru under the tentl$ of inler ~iVOJ trwts. 11 is. there· fore. Impartlnt to include in any inter ,,;,,1)$ trust agre.ment a provi.il)n acoomptishing Ihis lame objective.

Miscellaneous ,\, Authoriution to .....kt tifts Although II rfVOC>ble ITIIfIi#ment trust IT\I}I appellr not 10 require the wme umitivity t l) nuibility U lin irnvoabf.t insuWIU trust, this trust becomti IrreYOUble upon the dath or permlnent diubility of the grantor. One iuue ..... hich lhould ~ IIddruud in preparing a revoCllble management trust is the continuing authorily ola Irwl« II) make gifts for lilt grantor.

In an exceptil)n I I) the effective repeal of Inl(ll\lll lItV'tnue Code Seclion Z035, tnI\Jfers of property inl~r_ uts othe.wise indudible in II dKtdmt'1 emle u!'lder Internal Rey. tnut Code S«lion 2038 Ire indudible in the decedent's utale if made within thrn yu" I)f lilt dille of dUlh. Re cen t dewll)pmenu hllw included In lilt gross esutti of dtu· dents gifts mide from rtvoCllbte trusts Ihal qUlllify for the gjft tu annlLlOl uclusion on tht thWl)' 1t.,1 the property would have hHn includ·

154 I MAY 1995

ed in the decedenl's Ulilt under Inltfflal RtV'tnue CcxIe Stction 2038 if the dectdml Nd not rNdt the gifts and had retiined tilt property in lhe revoable trusl. E:stalft Qf Kisling ~.

Comm·•• T.C. Memo. 1993-262. 6S T.C.M. tCCH) 2956 !June IS, 1993); E:sIale 01 Kisling u. Comm'., 65 TCM No. 262 11993); £Slale 01 Joflrul. 96 TC 675 0991); LUtu Ruling.

9117003. 9010004. 9010005. 90 15001 and 9016002. tr the trust irutrunwnt permits distributions 10 beneficillries other tt.,n the grlnlor, the result is inclwion in the estale. TAM 9049002.

If Iht truslU wn only lliowed to makt distributions tl) the gnnlor. the , esult appeln 10 ~ exclusion from lhe emit. 1A.\I 9018OO&.

Only with an Ipproprillt IU\horiD· lion an I trustte coolinue I prtt>;ist· ing g,ft-iMng Pl'Ollmn 01' othe,....;,e makt gifts II) A1It atilt \.uts.

8. "no ~ utile wu?

The ullle of I decedent for estalt

w

purpaus often cOIItiiru property which is regarded IS an asset of the Utilt (o r utale tax purpl)SU bu t which did not ~Iong 10 the dtct<!enl :as a miller of p",*rty ~ and which dots not PISI u!'lder the tentl$ of the decedent's will. In the abHnce of i COllinI)' npreuion of inlent by tilt penon wriling lhe will, Alaboma ~ requ irtS tt.,t utite Inn. including Htitt Wti on property which dots not btlong to Ihe decedent under stalt property 10."'1, ~ Pilid from his or her res idua ry uta l e. Cl)de I)f Alabama (19751. Section 40-15-18.

This "(\efaull option" undtr Allbama ~ Cln significantly di.tort an «tate plan. The ruidUlI')' esllte can bot substantially (\eplett<! by its obligation 10 Pill' eslale tUts attributable to nonresidual)'. and perhllps nonprobate, asuts. f or eumple. the decedtnt's utate may consisl 0( SI.ooo.ooo of slock in lilt dectdrnt's corporition.

IO.ilich is sp«iflOlly dtviJtd to Child A...d ",000,000 of "",rke\ible JtcUrilies owned by the decedent and Pilyable 10 Child 8 undtr the resid· Uil)' cliust of the decedent's .... iII. Allhough lhe dtctdent's inlenl is lhat both child rtn shlr. equllily in the

utite. Child U's shire will ~ respon. sible l'ur .~It ~s on both Child A's and Child 8's inhtritancts. The esute Illes will subllantill1y .Iiminll" Child B's inheritanu. This result can ~ Ivoidtd if the draftsperson deparU from lilt ordinal)', stereotyped lind common cb.tUf: al1oc.aling alllixts 10 the ruidue and instud drafts I claust apportioning estile wes lmong the ~neficiifits of Ihe ulate ;n propor· lion to Ihe valut of their rupeclive dtviHs. C. Reciprocal truS! dodrine

If reciprocal trusts Ife crelted "'hereby two Mttlors, such III spouse! or siblings. c nate trusts. tach of which namu the other Mitior iLl i bent/icial)' ind is identiCIII in ils tmns. och uttlor IT\I}I ~ comtruc· tiyely truled I l Ihe settlor of the trust of "",jeh he is I btntfw:iIII)'. The resull of such I construclion would ~ that I.R.C. Stctions Z036 and W36 would include in Iht benoficia l)"s eJ11l1t t he entire corpus of I Irust which wl)uld nol othuwise be intludible. App licalion of the rule don not require thll the trum are creatt<! in coruidtrlliion of och other with \u avoidana motives. E:sIQ/e 01 MI)rnr()~. CommiJJiornt. , 260 F.2d 389 t8th Cir. 19508); U.s.. u. £SIQle of lwttph P. Cr«f. 395 U.S. 316. 69-1 USTC 12.609 (1969): Rev. Rul. 8S-U. 1985-1 C.B. 329: lind PLR 8717003.

When dnfhll8 tfUlts in this situalion. the d~tr should be sens.iliw to this rule and YII)' Ihe terms of Ihe IWO lrusts to tilt exltnt necesul)' to avoid an IIrgument by Iht Inlernal Rewnue SoMee lhallhe trusts are rKiprocal.

O. Uniform Innd..... 10 mlnofllct Whtn making lifetime gifts tl) minors. draftpersons should consider incorpoTltini Ihe trust provisions cont.ined in t he Alabama Uniform

.-_..... ............. -... .. '

,

,

~, ~ ......... "'_,~ . . . . . ~d

_

"'~d"""""'_"' _ _ £fo'oy..-.." .. 1912 ..... . . .... d .... _CoOogodl...... _ ~_._d

_~._

_ _ I ... _ _ I .. _ d .... - . .

Tm: ALABAMA LAWYER

Tr~",fers to Minors Act ("AIJTMA"), Code of A/a/Hlma (1975). Section 35-SA-1 rI. Mil., I1Itoo thin drafting trust ~lr«mentJ.. The provisions 01 AUTMA tutntilily crute I trust which ttrmitlltn in fJvor ollhr child u lie 21 Ind Illows the trustu Irtftrrt<lto in At1TMA as "custodiMI; to ~y or leCumulate income or prin· cipal for Ihr tUppOrt aoo tduc~tion of th e child. Thi s informal trust i.o; fre.

Qutntly approp riate (or the client"~ circumstanctS and is mo~ «Or\Omialthan the p'e~l"lItion of trust dot· uments.

IIollo IN "crummey" kdtllcilrit,?

An irrnootiblt insu~ trust fn..

Quentl)' IlVIis to certlin d..ignaled knerltiuies tht J)O\'"fr to wilhdr~w thoi. pro I"lIt."I lha~ 0( my contribu. tions to tho trwt liypkally funds to tn.able Ihe IruJlee to ~y in.ur~nce pumiums). 10 Q..... lify such contribu. lions for the $10.000 per donte gifl lax annual uclusion. This power of withdrawal is frequently ...,fured to as a "CrumlTlt)'" pOIo"fr. Whal happens if on. of tho children his lho audatil)' 10 a<t ..... Jly exercise his o r her with· draw.al rilh!, thmby thwarting (lImi· I)' pWul What happens if Ihr g~tOl" 0( the trust wants to utili. his or hor $ 10.000 ntlusion in other wiy.?

Withoul diKtwing Ihr dtillits. if Ihr withdTllWlI r itlht ucttds tho g~atfT 01 $5.000 0, 5 percmt 01 trust corpus and" "hanlin," ~. il utiliwj 10 a"";d lapsing problems on lho rel~ of the pc!Wtr unlltr Internal Rewnue Codt Sec t ions 20t1(bI12) and 25141t), it may tK de,irable to vary the identity of Crumrnty t..""ficilri .. from time to time. Fluibility 10 dul with these issun is desirable UK! an t..lICcomplishtd by II pl"OYision giving the person tont ributing proPl'rty to the lrust the right to elimin.ate the ritlhts olIn)' CrumltV)' bendicillri.. named in the document to withdraw Ihr property then t..ing contributed.

E.

Mo~tl!)' deviNs Rathe, thin lea"';ng sPl'cifi( dollar amounts to sr>ttifi~ t..neficiari~~. an

P.

TIlE ALA6AMA L\\\IYER

est.lte pbn will hive more Hnibility if Ihr ~llIry dt"Yists IU txp1fSKd in ttrrns 0( I percentage 01 the tesllltor's emtt. If Ihr siu oIlhe emt~ incrus· ., or d«,UstS in ""Iue. the amount oIlhr dMst will be ao.ljusted IS _II. The pOttntill inequities (llustd by ~lIry devises which constitute I disproportioNttl)' ~ra:e 01" small por. tion olin estate un bt elimin.attd.

c. Bon.Octl!)", withdrawal ritlhu Many clients pr efer to stagger mandlltory corpus distributions to thoir children on tho theory thit it is wi~r to Itt the child make In euly mist.lke with Ius thin Ion 0( the proptTlY· Min)' 0( these d~nts l~ rtctptiY!' to I suatstion thit distribution II specified ~s not bt mandatory.

Instrad, the child is givm withdTilWol.l rights to incre;uing portions of Ihr trUJl ;u he or she grows oldu Ind. prrsuma.bly, belltr .tlle to tire for his 0, her money. If the be""ficilry is sat· isfied with tht trw!"s administration. ifhe 0, she is ill, di .... bled. unavailable btclUJt of travtl or other commit· ments. or just not comforlible under. takir\i I.lrl/t firwlCill usponsibililies.. he or silt rt\Iy p,der to fo~go ....ith· dra......11 ritlhts.ltlust lor lIlimr.

II. I""" tl\" planning [illte pllnnen IU incrusing1y being lIIktd to d~ plans thot include inuntiYts lor producti\."f t..hlIvior on the part 01 minors or}<lUng adult ben· eficiaries. IncentiY!' pllns Iypically reward prodllCliYl' bthavior and Pl'naI. iu non-p r oductive behavior. For aample. a trustee llkIy be authorized 10 distribute to the Sl"lIntor·s childun such pan or all 01 the net income or princi~1 01 their relPl'ctiYl' trwts as Ihr trustH shill determine in its dis,ution. prodded that the child falls ..... ithin on. of the following dtscriplions: I. The child is II full ·time sl.udtnt lit In KCrtdittd r;otlege, unr,."rsll)'. \lOCI. tioN. school o r simillr Institution 100 maintains the equivalent of a grade pOint ""'rage 012.5 or btttu on a scalt in which 4.0 is In "A" grlde, and the child·, course of

study is progrening towlTd the tonlfIlttion 0( III uooxra:radUlte or othe, <legr« lit the r~te of a full· time student;

2. The child is employN full time in In occup,ation to which the child

deYotes ~tltllSt lS-4O hours 0( worit pe, -.k or the child is pursuil1ll a (lffer which is socially productiYl' on ~ full·time basis, soch as . .... rter as an artist or I musician. to be determined solely by the truSI •• in the trustee·s discretion; 3. The child is diSlbltdlnd such dis. lIbility prtvtnts him or her from t..ingl productiYl' and ~If-suppon· inl member of JOCiely :u dtlu· mined by the tN$lH in tho lrust..·, JOte di$crttion: child is pursuinc III tdUtiltion. lIl. scientific or chlritllbte goal which the trustee his det~rmintd. in its $Ole discretion. is in Ihr t..~t inttrest 01 the child UK! the general public and which !lkIku the child a productive member of loci et y as determined by the trustee in the trwtH·' $Ole discretion: or

4. The

S. The child is occupied full-time Qlr. inQ lor other fa.mily members. and the trustH dtte,mi""s in its sole discrttion that such obligltion rea· so .... bly precludes the child from um'l"III a livil"lll (VI 0( such occupation would k motherhood).

bOo.

Conclusion Contrary to the pr~'onception of many cllenl$ and mOre than a few attorneys. the preparation of estate planning document s is not Jimply a rt\Itttr 01 pushing a ftw buttons on ~ tomputer to invoke ont of several 5landardiztd dowmentJ.. The pl"fj)al"ll. tion 01 JIJI)trior tsbte planning docu· ments requires a sensitivily to Ihe currmt needs oIthr client and II pro;tdion 0( the netd$ ""hich may ariM: IS circumsl4ncn CNonj/t in the futuu.

Onl)' by king lmSitiYl' to tht5t issues and skillfully "uting Or ad~pting fOTml to met! currmt and anticipattd needs cln the IIIOrney fully address • the ""eds 01 his clients.

MAY 1995 / 155

OPINIONS OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

By ROBERT W NORRIS, general counsel

m

UES" OS, ",\ppf<n;ilTllltdy ten yt.>rs ago. lrepracnltd "J" in lilt presentation of a workmtn's compt!U.l.tion claim while she was m emp!oyft of"K's, Inc.". E.• Alabanu, The claim and represtntation Wert srltltd wilh I lump su m CQlUtn\ settlement .nd mtdk~1 ~ntfits rem;linN Opened.

In 1988. her son IU't\ daughter wen j!WOI~ .d in an auloiICd~nt wherein hu daughter, "8", ~ killed and lit. son. ' C", u.. d,iw, of the lulo. ....u injured. As a rtSUll of this aulO col-

lIiSW'E R! You may dhic)lly repruent the driver 'nd O>o.'Iltr of the vehicle a,g.Jlrut )'OUr former clienl

I p

lision. ·C.D." and "J.O.", u parents and nut friends of noeh

minor child, imtilutfi.l a suit for ptrwn;tl injury ~ for Uori. "'" and lor the: wrongful death of their doughier, and a deriwtMt cbim lor injuries u tho ~rW.. [ ~ bem ~ to 1't1l~1 tilt drM:r of the whkk and ""''Ott 01 thot vth~ n errlf'loyrr of the drMr, "R", ...'hid! col· lided with the wOidt (lCCUpird by tho minor childrtn of the 'Os.'

•••

[ request ilII opinion 10 rely upo<110 make certain my ,.pre· slmtation d R, 1'/ (1/.• is not an ethical violation. I am ul!.d to join thi s litigation u co-counsel with another attorney who has his office in Montgomery. For this reason. I need" ~tporut as quickly as pomible t(l permit the other ~tlOmty 10 obllloin additioNl legal .wi,t.:Ior>ce. if I am wrong in my bolief I an .wist him."

II t11

ISCUSSIO~: Rule 1.9(lI) prohibits subHq uent repreHntation of a 1I"r$(lll ....1>0$0 inttruU art mattrially ack"rse

to the inttmu of " former client in the S31l'1e or in substlintiaJly related maltt •. The re lj)pelrs to ~ no It lPl rtlaliorWlipto)'OOr prior ~prntntMion of MIS. "D" Itn )'rIlB ago on a worM.s «>mpCfl$,i!ion ("1m ~ the pnsml ~. In rtlliity. Mrs.. "D" is only a l itubr \Nrty in tilt "ut(lllccideni cue. Her medial condition. past 01' pr_llI, is not lIOing to be in issue. In the Disdplilliry COmmiNion's vW. tht .....Utrs "rt not "subslllntiolly ... IaIN." Rule l.9(b) prohibiu your I<MTK UK 0( any information vioillting to the origin,,1 .epreKnlation 01 Mrs. "0". If)lO\l' dele".., in the p~Hnt cue WOUld require the a.w.rK use of Iny dient confiderl«S then)'OU should oot Involve yourHIf. If this is not /I problem, then you may enler the accident <:aK without concern lor elhial conHict with)'OUr former client. •

II

IR()"91-421

Position Available General Counsel The Alabama State Bar is now accepting applications by lener wi th resume from qualified law yers for the posit ion of general counsel. These applications should be addressed

to:

General Counsel SelecUon Committee

P.O. Box

671

Montgomery, AL 361 01 T h is position requires an experienced lawyer w ith a strong professional background. Salary commensurate w ith experience and maturity. Deadline for submission is June

' 5, 1995. The

Alabama State Bar is an equal opportunity employer.

156 f MAYI995

THE ALAf:W.tA lAWYER

A Special Oller From

The Emp~rs or Avis Exdusi\-ely

For Members Of

Alabama State Bar

Avis is proud to offer the legal community

the newest. mOSl comprehensive r1.'1lt-a-.car

benefit program , bar OOIle..

We've ....'Qr1ced hard to make this program the best e....er by aÂŤIressing all you r car

rental needs and concerns. Case In point:

The Best Case For Renting From Avis: Great Member Benefits.

ou r rates. Avis rates arc among the best in the induSlf)'. Whether you're renting lor

busille5S. leisure or vacation, ou r ratel> translate 10 excellent savings anod value. Anot her case In poi nt: OUr ser vice. At Avis. the "We try harder" commitment 0 1 OU T empl~ners means you'll

rocei..-e the quality service and attention

Ihal has made Avis the choice of travelers WOrldwide. Plus. the convenience 01 OU T timesaving services - Ihe Avis Preferred

Rente'" program, Avis Express" and Avis Roving Rapid Return ' - Ihal can make renting and returning you r car last aoo easy; Plus, ....'('Ve expaooed ou r Frequent Flyer pannerships. So. in addition to our exislinll

AVIS. We~~

~

partnerships with American Airlines.

America West. Della Ai r lines. Midv.'e$I Express. anrl1VJA, you can now receive ai rl ine miles from Continental Airlines, Norlhwesl Airlines, United Airlines, and USAir. with every qualilying Avis renlal.

Call Avis now al 1,s00-33 1- 1212 to compare our savings and value. And learn why so many bar members across the COUnlry swear by Avi$, [)on', Iorget to mention you r Avis WoI'ldwide Discounl (AWD) number when you call: AS30 IOO

OPPORTUNITIES The following in-stote programs haCfr been approt'ed for credit hfl the A/abomo Mandatory CL£ Commis-

sion. lIower-er, ;nForm(ltion is oooilobir FrYe of charge on over 4.5{)() appfOCf!d programs nationwide identified bg location, date, or specialty OrN. lAntact the MeLE Commission office at (334) 269-1515, or / ·800.J54·6154, and a complete CLE Ctlfe"dar u:iII H moiled to you.

12·13 CITY AND COUSTY GOVEItN~Em'S

3 Wedn•• da v AIABA."lI\ ELDER lAW 6irminaNm.llol~y

Inn

~roont

NaioNlBusinus Instltule. Inc. emlil$: 6.0 CoM: 5138 (715) 8J5.ss2S 5 Frida ..

LECAL Wli lTIXC Birmingham

Alabama Bar Institute for elE C re~; tt: 6,0 (800)627.6514 JURY SELt:CTlOS ASD JURY

PERSllAS IOS Binninghf.m. Shtnton CMe Center Southtuttm EduatioNl

Institute. Inc. Cmlill; 6,0 Coft: SI65 (404)457·9082 JURY SELECTIOS A~"'ER 8.4TSON BirminaNm Lorman 8wirltSS Cenln, Inc.

Credits: 6.0 Cost $]59 (715) 833·3940 11 Thursday CORPORATE INCOME TA.xATIOS IN AIABA."lA Bi rmingham. Uoliday Inn Redmonl N~lional Butiness Inslitult.lnc.

Cmlil$: 6.0 Cost: S138 (m) 835-3525

1 2 Friday CORPORATE INCO~E TAXATION IN ALABA.'o\A Ilunt.Jvillt. Radiuon Suilt Hottl Nalional BU$inU.llnstilutt. Inc. Credits: 6.0 C(l$t: Si38 (715) 835·8525

ISS / MAY 1995

OranSt Btach AWlalTlll Bar lnstitult lot' ClE Cmlits: 6.5 (SIlO} 627.6$14 IlEALTIi LA~' UPDATE Pint Mount.ain.

Ca.lblo.;I)'

ewrei.o.

c;.",,~

AWlIma Bar lnslitult klr CU': Cmlits: 6.0 (BOO) 627.6$14 16 Tu ••d., BAD FA IT H LITIGAT ION IN ALABA.'IIA Mobile. hlmi",l ~mmtS lIottl National Busintss Institu~. Inc. Cmlits: 6.0 Cost: $138 (7 15} 1J35.8525

..s.,

17WHn• BAD FAITII L1TICATIOS IN ALA8A.'IIA Mon\8CH1VTY. ~ison Hottl NitionalBusintu Institutt. Inc. C"dits: 6.0 Cost: SI38 (715}835·8525 18 Thurtd .y TRYING Til E AUTO.'tIOB ILE INJ URY CASE IN AlABA.'o\A Birmil'\ihlm. floI~ Inn Rtdmont National Business Instilutt. Inc. Cmllts: 6.0 Cost: 5138 (7]5) 83S.&525

19 Fri., TRYING TilE AUTO:-tOB ILE INJ URY CASE IS AlA8A.'o\A Hunts,ill., lIo1idiy Inn Rtstarch Park National BUSintlS Instilutt, Inc. C"d iU: 6,0 Cost: $138 (715) 835·8525

19·20 E"'VIRO . .:-tEt.TAL LAW OraTljjt Bt~h Alabama Ru Inslilute klr CLE Crtdits: 6,0 (800}627-6;;1 4

19021 \'OUNG LAWYERS' SA.'I'DESTIN SEM I1'I'AR SlIndtstin Resort Young ~n' Section. Alabama Sutt Bar CrtdiU: 6.0 COSI: $1 40 {3J4}433·3]3 1

23 Tu •• d.y JURY SELECTION Bay MintUt Baklwin County Bar A.uoc:i.l.tion CmlilS: 1.0 {l34} 928-4400

BAS IC PROBATE PROCEDURES AND PiL\CTICE IN ALABA.1iA Mobilt, Ramada Rtsort and eonft"nct Cent.r National BuSint$lllrutilult, Inc. Crediu: 6.0 COIl: $138 (715) 835-&525

24 WHIM,d., BASIC PItOBATE PROCEDURES "'\'0 PRACTICE IS Al.ARA.'o\A MontQOmtry. ~ison lIottl National Busintil Institute. Inc. Crtdits: 6.0 Cost: $138 (715) 835-8525

THE AlABA"IA LAWY ER

JUNE

,., TAX IN STITUTE OrJnl/t Bueh Al~bama Bar rrutitut~ for CU: Credit" 9.0 j8OO) 621·65 14

.., DIVORCE OS THE BEACH

Culf Shores Family u... S«tion, AI1b.I.I'NI SUt. Bar Credits: 2.5 (800) 35HI54

...

ESTATE PLASSrXC FOR FOR EST IA'I;OQWSERS

Tusea.loos.o. Bryant Conkrm« Cf:nte-r Aubo.lm I.lniwrsity Credits: IHI Cost: S225 (334) 8«·5101 9 Friday [ViDESCE

Birmingtwn &r lrulilutt lor CLE CrediU: 6.0 (800) 627·6514 Ala~

United States District Court Northern District of Alabama Telephone System Change Effective 212l/95 Main CI,rIc'J Ollk. Numbor-731.1 700 THE lIIArs SU,'IIBt: R ~'Il.L BE 73 1· ]7(10 FOR AU. SECTI OSS A,'I;O E~PLOy£ES.

The foli()l<.ing iJ I till ot.lt.ruioru for uch section otthe cltrlc's offi«. You must di~1 73 1-1700, thtn enl .. the 3-digit «ltruion. You may reach ~ particu· lar individual by dialing 731·1700 and pru.ing "I". Lhtn tnt .. the first th ru I.t· of the last n;ltrn' oilhe ~rlQn },(lU need to reach .

t.,..

S ECTIOll!

AUorT\f)' AdmiJsiQll & Naturnliution .............................. 106 Automation Systtms ............................................ 170 BuildIng ~rvicts .............................................. 192 Crimi .... l IJocktting ............................. _............. 147 Financial ........................................ . .. .... 111 Intake 6< ~nual 1nformatiO!l . . . . . .. .... 120 Jury ..................... . ............... . ...... 115 MagislrateJudgt & CJA Man.,.. .................................. 158 Pt"""nel ....................................... _ ...... 107 Pnxurtmtnt .................................................. 113

Jud~

20 Tu •• d.y TEN CO.' '''·ION MI STAKES lIIAOE IN WILL ORMTI I'.'C

Bay Minette Baldwin County Bar koori.otion Credits: 1.0 (334) 923-4400 22 Thu. . . ., AOA/WOItKERS' CO.'II PE NSATl O:o.'

Birminglwn L.orl'Nln BUJinw Ctnter. Inc. Crt4il$: 6.0 Co$t: S135 (7 151833-3940

.....

PRl"VI-: :o.T I I'.'C t,'IPWY£E lAWSUI TS

Tusea.1oof.a. Bryant Conf~renu C"'te' Uni-.-ersily ot Aw..un.

Crtdit" 13.0 Co$t: $795 (205) 348·6224 THE Au.DA.\\A w\WY£R

EXTENS ION

£xtmsion

Ack.r ........................................ 136 Blackburn .................................. 137 Clemon ................................ _._... 141 Cuin ............................................ 140 Hancock ...................................... I32 Lynne .................................. 1»'139

J.mg,

Esterlslon

Ntlsoo ........................................... I33 Pointer ... .. ...................... n l l'ropst ............................................ 134 MllL ...................... _____ ............. IU/144 Othtrs ............................................ 13(1

Courtroom Otpulie~ Aek.r ...................................... _.. ISS Blackburn .................................. 160 Cltmon ...................................... 154 Cuin ......................................... _157 HancocL .................................... 151

JudI' £xterlslon Lynne ...........................................156 Ndsoo ............................................ I53 Pointer ......................................... 150 Propst ............................................ 152

Offiet hours ift 8:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday. Yoo may date lUmp ploidingsind pLKt thtm in the drop boJ; in tilt lobby from ;:00 -Vl. to 8:30 A.M. and from 4:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. You may r~ieh a deputy cltrk for E.'IIERCESCY filings outsidt of these hours by di.-.ling 731-1700 . • "\. 130, or 956-8828. or digital bleptr 888·2410.

MAY 1995 / 159

Alabama Law Foundation Awards $808,000 in IOLTA Grants

Alabama Law Foundation 1995 Grants ...... AIoI .. .... r-

[OLT"

;l\CI,Imt

mnainN ron,l.In\ in

199~. ali(IWing the Alabama Law Foundation to award S808,890 in granlJ to 35 organiu\ions throughout Alaboornl. in March 1995. [ntneot raIn on IOLTA

accounts cnstd their dedine and showed /I slight irocruse 100000ro the mel 01 tht )'tar. ~ foundation !\ad Ixtn

loreN to reduct the amount of g1'llnll awanltd taeh of the past t...o ~B. but was iIll. \0 ilWard $8,000 more in gr~lI this yUT thon last )'I'ar.

The G.anl$ Committe •. chaired by Allan C!won of 6a}> Minette. tAd \0 p;lrt do,"" S I.336,OOO in .equests to the S810.000 Ivail1bl. for grJ.nll. Canst · qutIltly. the Ioundation could only fund

35 01 thr 46 '"quem uctivtd . OIhu ITIf1TIbe:n of tilt committtt a" Dtloru lloyd, Montgomery; Richud Hartlty.

Greenville: Tun Barret!. Opelika; Sam Stockman. Mobile: Oavis Milione, Dothan; Andy Wear . PorI Plyne; Jim !'ruel!, lJi r ming/lam; and Donna Patt,

Hunuville. Elich yeu the commiuee rrotmbtrs <It'IIOk II significant ~nt 01 tim. 10 rtvitwing g'lInt ~ppliclltion •.

The i'ournbtion is gratriullor the will. ingnt$S 0( these

m]unt~n

the wk 0( making grant

to Ulldl.rUkt

~-mrnda­

,"""-

The fwnd.ttion aw.nkd grant.! in the: categories of legat aid to the pOOr. projects to improve the administration of jlalke. ifId for local law libnriu. IApI Strvicu oIfltCS rtaiwd funding to eon· tin~ pr(Widi"llIo~1 ~ist;...Cf to the pOOr in cues involving domutic violence. DroIestic ~ shdten in Ann;'" ton. ~, HuntfYillo, Binninatwn, Mobile. Tusca!oo»a, and Shelby County rtah.-td funding to httpl>TOvidtvictims' adYocales to their clients. The adYocatu help guide victims of domestic abuse through 1M rourt S\'$tem by providinll auisWlCf in such adivit ier; u obtaining ~~~

It<<oQnizing thit rendering ItgIJ Krvicu 10 the nw.Iy is an intfgRl ~rt 01 ""')'tn' public K rvict, the /(Iundation pn:Mdtd funding to three pro bono pro. granu. The Alabama State Bar VoluntNr Lawye" Program and the Mobilf Ihr

160 I MAV 1995

Awlciation I'T(l Bono Prot!ram I~ previous recipients of IOlTA funds . The Birmingham Ibr ..u-iation Voluntee r ~rs Prognm hal llrown 10 nurnbl.r ~r 300 m]untNI'$, nects.sitating a pUttimr coordilUotor to dfki.nUy hindle we ~~rr.m. ln aLI, (mr 1.500 ALoNma bwyen p;lI'tidp;lte in pro bono ~ through XUpting astI ",~md diRCtIy to them or by voluntarily ",porting the number of hOUri they dtV<Jte to pro bono efforts. n.. foundation funded lhe first meeting of the Third Ciliun'l CoofmllCf on the ~ Sbte Courts, held in Birm· inllhim on Marth 23. 1995. The Citi· zen's Conftrent. _ jointly calltd by the Boa.rd 0( Boor CommiMiontrs 01 the AlaNma State Bar Ind the Alibama J udicial ColleQe with Ihe chuge "10 study the Klfdion 01 judges in ~ judicial camplign fundinll and othu i.. ues .ffecting the administration of justice in Alabama.: 1he Citiun's Con~rtrn is CCKhairtd by former eo..tmor Albert P. Br~r lind retired SUprelnt Court Justia OKlIr W. A<brm. Jr. For tho KCOnd yt.Ior the foundation is pnMding opmtin& funds for the A1abama Cm!.. b Dispule Resolution. "nidi was ~Iarted throullh tilt dfofU of tilt Alaba ..... Stalt fu r Committee on Dis· pute Ruolution, 10 KIW as a clearing· ~ on Alternali~ Oispllte Resolution and roordi~te Al)1! p1'OI/rImI in Alaba~ ~ foundation abo provided fwldinllto the AIabloIlUo Clipitlil Representation RtsO!JIU Cenl.. to continue its work serving ill a rUOUIU /(Ir iaw)'f:rs lIppointed to clipila.1 u.KS in the pOlIlconviclion $Iige. Law lib ruies in IJ counlies r~ceived fundi to purchase fquipment and books, A compl.te lilt of I/rInts awarded 101· kM's. Without the $Upport of Iawyo:r.; and banks thar: projKU could oot M fundtd. The fourmtion thanks )'OU for )'OUr ~rtiti~tion in IOLTA.. If you do not curl'f:nUy po.rtkipale or hi~ chan~d bmks or fimu and wish to establish a new JOlTA account. pleue contacl Tracy Daniel al (ll4)269· 1515 or 800·

354·6154.

•

. . $orYi<a Cxpootion 0/ Alobomo _ •••••••• _._ ...... IZ~ 'OOO l.rJl\$o ....... o(

_8..-_

""'" B;tminih>rn ,_ •.• ,.... ,•.• ,,$15.000

l.rJl\$o ....... o(~ ......

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

145.000

_SUUBu\'......... ~....,...

-~ ,""<"'-

"-.oM

......

TObI

lS3O.000

~-

""~ __ Co<Wy __ _ __ ... ,,, ••• _ __ _ •• 11.$110 $2,(1(10

"'"

~CoIbtt1 ~

ll'llll

c-.II CooooIy

n ...

Dok~

., ...

p ....

EIooot<~

I'oJ<Ut c:.-

II 0Dt

_c-,

p.ooo p.ft5 • ...$3.000

~CounI)r _~_

1'>Ibdtpc...nq. _..

..13.000 .....I2.ODt .... m

w. ..... c.....,. _.. l ObI

-0

'

" !' :I

01 _

11' ....

_c..u. _ _ i'fo;ocI

i'LJ4oI;...,~_S45."

........... c:.nt< • .,. ll<spuI.lWo!ution _ _ _ _ "'~ M ~Lit ..>C)'

eo...:il .......".•.••.•".•".•"".....II.(IM

_

CoU.I. _

._...... _,.13.000

ct.IO-.c, c..u.o(

--,----..... ~~c-,,

_OUIIbM', ........,CbiIftn·, c..u.

~.~_ .. _.

_ _" . .

......

._._ ~_'lll'OOO

T"""", Pwt _~ __ ._._.___ .,._'ll '.000 IIOfE PI>ot .......... " ... "" .... _ .. "." ••• 1.:1.000 The st..~" . _... _ ... ,,_ ... _,,111.000 I ... CII>n«. ..l5.ooo IJJOO l'II'CA ,,-,

-',--.... ~

,~

C•••H ObI

JII,IIO

..,.,

Im"s

.......

SERVICE To THE PROFESSION -

A HALLMARK OF PROFESSIONALISM Mid-Year Reports of 1994-95 Committees & Task Forces h;-

Edw~n1

' 1 ' 'aUc,""on. director of pro~ ... m.

Alabama Siale &r rommill=, taU fora5 tmd S«tions laire the 1",,1l role in man!l milialilJl!s, rouC(1tion. and information. ami in fostering business and socia! ron/acts u'ilhin the legal profession. C<!mmillee and task fOrce work depends on Ihe efforts of fum dreds of l<myers u.Jw roIl«tilXlly ooiunieer Ih()IJwnds 01 non-billable hours. FIIW practicing a/lomeys W()lJ.ld deny Ihe legal profession is denumdingiJolh in terms oIlime and work production, and Ihol working nights Imd w«/rmds is par fl»' the COUI'SI'. Thill 80 perr:rnl of 11K! bar's eu".",1 42 committees ond task farces OrY active is significant. This high levi!/ o/ooiunleer service is tmOiher hiJllmurlr oIlhe prof=ionalism oflhe iypirul Alabama al/omell, as 1M following summaries (rom lhe midll""r n!pOrls indicate:

Commit!.. on Acero. to upl t'. Luke Coley. Jr., cMi ,

task force was irutru"",ntal in organi~ing a panel discussion entitled "Life After Cuilt: Education as. Sentencing AllernatiVl'". presented at the mid·winter Circuit and District Judge.

Conf.rtnct. TWQ court/literacy refe .... 1 programs. On< in the Shoals area and the other in Montgomery. de~eloped as a result of task forc. interest and involwrNnt. provide model approaches for other communities to adapt to th.ir specific situatioru. Ta.<k foreo members are actiVl'ly working to get these prog ... msstarted in th.ircommuniti•• , •

~MCU

1l>e committe. OO!ltinu~, to monitor and 'I'"luate delivel')' of pro bono services in ~ivil ca. •• to indigent Alabamians through the .... labama State flar Volunteer Lawyers Program.

M«ting quarterly. the committee reviews the operations of the program and gives direction and ,upwrt to itl director, ~1e1inda Waters. The Birmingham Bar Association Volunle ..

Lawyers Program i~ now fully operational and has become a tremendous sucee .... Se\...,ral add itional local bar associations establiShed pro bono projeel!; for their memJxrship last fall including Lee County. Morgan County and Montgomery Coonty. These local bars join mall}' bar associations around the ~tat. in sponsoring projectl for their membership which are administered by Walers and monitored by the committ« .

The committee. in a joint project with the Univ ..,ity of .... Iabama School of Law. has completed a "how-to' desk man· ual for use by allo,,",e)'5 volunteering seMcn through the Volunteer La,,'Y"rs Program. Nine legal manuab were produced. each focusing on an area of law most often ne.~ by Volunteer Lawyers Program clients and lawyers.

• Taslr Force on .... dult Litera"Y Lynne B. Kitchens. chair To ern:ourage "'wyers to help combat adult literacy. local endeavors are publicized through the wk force new,lett ...

R~ad On. which also offers suggestions about a variety of lit· .... cy·promoting activities At the st.:Ilewide level. thru mem· bers of t he task forc e .erv.d on a stnring committee appointed by the Department of Education to produce a handbook entitled Adull Educalion and I"" Criminal JWJlice Sgslem. which will link providers of educationllileracy ser· vices with key persons in the criminal justice .ystem. Our THE Al..".8AMA LAWYER

Edi torial Board, r"" Ala/xlmo wwger Robert ..... Hullaker. ed itor This year rw seen incr.... ing invol,..,ment in the publication pro«.ss by members of the editorial board. Through subcommitt •••. rNmbeTl are assigned wks for procuring lead articles. Special human interest feature. will be published in upcoming issues In January. a special "",.ting of the editori al board was held to consider institution of a bimonthly ntwsl.tter in order to provide a mearu for a more timely di.· tribution of tOpical information to members of the bar. The nnancial ~iability of launching this new publication in the nur future will be discussed at the editorial board'. July meeting, and a dec;"ion will be made at that time cooceming mean. of securing apprOpriate funding to begin publication of the newsletter.

•

...

The AIQb<rmQ lAwyer Bar Directory Committee Ttfe" R. Jacob., editor Th. committee is charged with publishing the next editi"" of The ,vllboma Lau'JIIlr Bar Directory that includes a geographical telephone dirtctory and an alphabetical directory of all members of the Alabama State Bar. Th. committee has suggest.d certain format changes for the anticipated publicaMAYI995 f 16 1

liM dale 0( June I. w l>.u ulilizf<l the li&ing ton5ultlnl \0 gtnt~e ..!dilion;ol publialiM 0( the dim:1ory.

~I'\'icu

01 ~

rnof11UU

the c.... room. w~ """" oompl.ttd editil\ll the "Pliy II)' the Rulu' publication oriiimlly dW\.td by the You", L.a~rs· StctiM ul!imlttl)' \0 bt made availabk to ill tigtlth1lrNefS, usinllliaiJOrd identified by local bar U50CiatiM preoidenU.

~......

to SUpp)rt

•

A1temalr.'t M.li'IOcb of Oll pule Ruolulion Commilloe William O. Coleman. chair In August 199-1. the commlUtl' opmed the Alabama Cenler for Diipule Re$oIutiM -In AnR IfWIaIItmtnl. coordination. ruorch w drwlopmmt 0/1'0« under the supervisiM or the newly-Crtated AIabimII Supreme Court CommiWon on DiJ.pule Re$oIution. The committtt Iw; drait(d .. ~ oodt Ii ethics for mediotors to be lUbmitted to the Supreme Court Commission 011 Dispute lIesolution for approval. The com· mittu's nut fOCU$ will be on Qualifkation$ and trolining for couri appOintedinferred mediators. A subcommittee has drafted preliminary rtcOlllmtndlotions for implemtnting a mediation progl"ilm in domatk ftbtiom. and another.ubcommittee i$. by ....'nl 01 ads. public ~rvice announce· IT'CnU and bar .....'$Ieuers, ~tting ADR infOf1Tllltion out 10 all ami 0( tilt stat •. The National Confeftnce of Flar f>resi· denu ~Iected tilt Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution as om 01 iU "But &r Proj«ts 0( 19!W. •

Clltnt Secunl)' Fund Committee Joon A. o..-ms. cNir Since August 199-', the committ« l>.u mtI OI'IU (October 19941 and (Of\$i<krtd 44 ~uims. Thirty 0( thoK claims ",-en p;li<! in the tot.olamount 0( SS7.995.26 and \.1 claims ..... re denitd. Currently. there ..e 56 cl,ims p(ndin, with Ihe Client StOlfiI)' Fund.

• Committ« on Corrtdlo.... l ln.tilutlon' and f'n>cedUrH Marl< D. Wllktl'5Oll. ,,,,"i r In St\~ rtgIonII and Slatrwidt meflings. the won. 0( tilt committte his betn multi·ficeted: (I) ;wembling tilt infoi'· m:ation nteeSSal}' to prtpaft CIL and other programs to eduCite membe rs of the b"r u 10 community correction alternatiws in their a~ (2) ..vrking with AOC in efforts to ruoIw concerns owr pOtenli.l.lliability for ((ltIlmunity correc· tions prog,ams; and 0) obtaining bIT comminion~r,' endorsement 01 lO ruoIution 10 urge: the iqIiI.bIun: 10 _ funding lor CommuniI)' Cornctions ~ in 1995. which resolution "''IS adopted by the commissiomrs on March 17.

1995. Restricting ~Iicatiom 0( tilt lIabilul! Offend.. Act and coopera\i .... efforts among agencies \0 pn:w;de seed money for d..... loping eommunity oorreclions programs stalewide are being diKussed. Ron Jonu. prison commWiontr, w ~ sml.ltivu from tilt I>fputmmt 01 Comctions mel with tilt committtl' in Ftb<wry 10 .mru.. drwlopntnt 0( community corrmionl.

•

Tu k fortt on Bend! and Bar RelationJ ll0n0nbk JoRph D. Phelps. dWr The task force planned and conducted the Third Annwol Bench'& r Conference during the Circuit lOnd Uistnc! Judgu Mid ·Winter Conference in Montgomery in Janwory. Th. CQIlference wu co·spon50red by the AI.t.bama Judicial Colleg. and the Montgomery County Bar Association. Au p.J.rt 0( the PTOiram. an internting p;lncl was built around what the Bench and the Bar aped from tiCh other, The WI< fof« ,,1Jo ~red a WO<bhop on profeuiM· alism to..!dress JlO/lInution Ii AIaI:>ama State &r. This wn .. first attempt by the luduship of the Alabama State Bar to encourage unity to accomplish the goals of the b.lar upedally in the irea of ~rving tilt public. A d~rse group 01 j~. iI1d liwyers. includina: repra-tnl.ltr.u from both the plain· tif!1;' and dtf~_ ban. mtt 10 dttennm. together MlS\<l'tfl to the 1oI1owi!'\ll questions: 01 An: we ",-11m: we want \0 bt u 3 ~rofesmn? (21 An "''t H1'IIing the public? and III Do we ha.... the imago ....... ant? Plans an: being formuut.d with ~II segmenu of the bar to eneourage continued oommunication and dialogue. Topics of diKusslon at the Harch m«ting ~n­ tered on judicial selectiMand public pu~ption of the ~ga1 prOfession.

•

CommlU« on Citj~enl hlp EducaU ..n II, Jerome Thomp$Qll, d~i r Wt ha,.. WI'Irktd closely with the Alabama Center for Law /,; Civic Education 10 promote ifNoMmml 01 AbbIoma "Itor· fIfYS In Ilw-rellOted education programs KTCI$S the 5\.lt~, including the impt'lWmltni and l:lqWJIion 01 tilt Bar/School Partnership Program. We btlitw the bar should take I proacti .... f{.Ole in planning and promoting law·rtlated tducation in

162 I MAY 1995

I>iuhilititl Law Tul< Fol'tt Victoria A. Farr. d~ir Tho task fore. was c"'"raed with surveying members of the Alabama Statt IIor to ooennine if tlltn: is sullkitnl interest to =atu OiJabihties lAw Section. On De«rnbtr 9. 199-1. the Board of &r CommisJiont:rs approwd the rtpOr1 0( the WI< force. and ~ulhl.>riUd the crt~tion 0( ~ Disabilities Law Section. Tho organizational meeting was held on March 8. 1995. attend«! by ~ttormyJ reprutnting individuals. oo.il\... in t.rflU. and gowmmtnl.ll lifnci ... al which time interim offi· cers of the section weft elected. dues utlllilshed. w by-liws adopted subject to apprtml ~ tilt boiord 01 ~r cornmlssion· en. On March 17. 1995 the boiord .. f boor commi •• iontrs IIlP"O"ed the by-Iilws 01 the.mion. The section pbns to mteI during lhe annual corwention ....hen it will present iu firsl CI.E prOgram. The section will publish a 11t'W$lmer informing members of recent ()eclsiom and advances in the ~eid of dis· abilities liw. Presently, the section is conducting a \;gorous membership drr....

•

...

Indittnl Dd.nH Commitl", William R. Bbnchird. chair While our committu has bun reiativl;ly inKIivl; thus far THE: ALABA.'tA LAWYER

We ~lie\'e the .. "'ill be suffident interest to lonn a kdion shortly with the required 75 m.m~rs. Today we have the names of about 53 individuals who ha"" expressed an inte ... t in the formation of this section. Our mission statement is "to enhance undersl<mding of public and private international I"w principles that undergird the world ewnomy _ induding international trade and transaction., international law and tr..lies. and immigration and nationality law - to edu· cate the membership by conducting programs and to build a stat. and global network of intemationallegal professionals, thereby improving the delivery of legal •• ...,ins to our clients".

•

this year. this commitlu'S .fforts over the lost decade s""'" a pattern of diligent effort ~imed at reform of the indigent dde!W' system. Meaningful cilangt will either haw to come from the 1'8i.latu.. or ~ forced by .tate or fed ..,,] court';.

The committ.. is watching refonn efforts underway in Tennessee. Louisiana and Indiana with the expectation that ~s a committ.. we can. by studying others' efforts and adding to that~. aid in dewloping a system whkh consistently pro. vide. .ff"Hve dderut strvicts to the poor and underprivi. legod at a ..asonable cost.

• Talk F=e to Stud» \he Cmtion of IntematioNl Law Section Rollert J. COl, chair Th. cor. ta.\k (ore. was fonned in 1993 with 17 rnem~rs.

Since then we h"w established committ..s for continuing legal education. newsletter publication. rnem~rship and a steering commi!! ••. We ha"" surveyed other similar interest groups of bar associations around the country. and have a dear id.. of what ",-e need to offer our prospecti"" mem~rs.

....

Tuk for« on J udicill Selection Robert P. Denniston. chair Lasl September the task force .. cOffiJTl<nd.d t~ Board of commissioners call for a statewide citizens' conference to address the problem of judicialseleclion and campaign contribution •. After long di,cu.,ions, several meetings and

~r::.

1995 mm;;n;~

ANNuAL MEEIING July 19-22, 1995 The Wynfrey Hotel Birmingham striving to keep our business a profession and our profession a calling in the spirit of public service."

U •••

THE ALABAMA LAWYER

MAY 1995 1 163

much work, the lull (or« hu tQr>PTlitt~d r~colTllmnd«l to the AI,ba"", Consti tution to u tabli$h .. merit selectionloominatlng commlulon method for selection of appel~te, circuit ~nd di5trict judgtl. The tuII fora hu mo fumi$hed the commiuionm ",ith a brief urty histooy 0( A1ab.unlo's judicial system, md submittfd to the comrniuion· en a 5tatement of it5 wiliingneloS to mist as rtquest«i in the prtparation for itnd the conduct of the Third Citiztns' Conkr. tna1. The WIt f<>rg: upft\.$ to submit 10 the oommissiooo,.., " COlq>rthmsM: I'tp(M"\ pnMding background. bcu md ana1ysis "ith mptCIto tht Iuoes and its recommend.1tions.

•

bar lppli<ants ~nd practicintlat\Omoyl served by the ALA· PALS program during ~ last thl"« )'Un in order to tnabl. the cornmiUH to monitor iU cumnt tfIorts md evaluate its ulili.LItion md efJectiwnw in light ol the demonstnott<l need for sud! <I program within the A1lbama SUtt Bar. •

~m~ndm~nt '

c.:.mmltlH on Lawytr Public R.botions. Inronmtlon.nd Mtdbo R.btlons Milry Lynn &In, o;tW. We a •• nea.ing completion of a number of projects that haw; bun in progress for more than I yur. The Crtltian of the position ol di.ector ol communicatior"l$ 10 loCI;as a public ~nd media infunm.tion liaison his immellSuTllbly lIUist~d this committee. We art obtoining favonble medii cOYtnal' of select«i sLlte and local bar charitablt and civic activities.

IOLTA gTllnl$lInd pro bono strvicts.. In addition. the com· mill« has p.ovided I .1Idio Spol on mediation based on scrip!S furnished by AM c.:.mmillee itnd hop'" to air it wide· Iy upon appl'O'Jal . W~ a.~ updating four stalt bar brochures: /..au"/IUS muI ~I F-. Q»Isumt'l" Finan", or "&lIing on Ti"., ". UvaI /tsp«ls 0I~. lIld Usl lVill am} Test,,· """',. for disstminiltion on IhtK and other topics of public interest. We art conducting a sludy on the fusibility of a statewide "T~l·l.....w" program to provide information to the public on Itlill topics by tlpt· rttorded messages.. We lIrt wofIIil\ll on j numbtr ol pro;ms to malIf mtmbtn of ..... ~'"e ol the otcfPity for imp.oving elitnt relation skills, including a CLE program and publications. Our focus has bun. and is, both outreach 10 tm public, and inrtllCh to our

Law Day CommjttH l"mlrn. S. Driskill. chair The commil\ee is spon50ring 1I statewide usay contest using the 1995 Law UayTheme. of. Pluribw Unum - Out of Many, OM" to ~'lIrd p. iEn in two d_iflc~tionJ. School ....... rintencltnts hIYe btcn conllldtd, md rnpOIUt ~ ~I · lenl. The Covfmor of Alaba",", wilillgain proclaim May 1 UJw Dull In Alabanu. Plans art alrtad\' underway to coordi · nate 1996 y.w ()ay ~cliyjtin for widupru.1 Pl'rticiPl'tion ~ Ioal bar ~\ions.

• CommiUH on l..oW)'tr Alh'trtiflng .nd Solkibtlon Crtgory S. Cus.imooo. chloi .

This commillH tIM btcn Glrtmtly busy this )'Ur. Thert wu II signifinnt ruponu to the anonymous survey on adv.rtising and solicitation. The rtsullS will be dutributf<l by method to soon be determined. The final pTqlOStd Rules of ProIwional Conduct on dirtd mail soIiciWion Wert idopt«i by this commit\« on Octobor 27. We are ""'1Iitil\ll ;ow..,..,.1 olthem by the board ofba. commi$.liooers.

W. will publish in summary form. with upWiation. cur· renl rules. The anonymous SUrvf)lllnd OUr ptTSONI 'nttr· views with Ll"'~rs XfOIS the state to diSCIISS the conditions of dimt Kllicitation s.how these tr~nd5: (II iI sisniflC/lm num· ber of membe rs of the pla inliffs bar u~ willing to take" """" "lIIIrtl.Jiw sbn« iIg.l.imt untthic.ol d~nl iQlicitotion; (2) untthic.ol soiicitotion is not only occurring. it is on the rise: md (3) \htr( is j misunderslllnding about wNt is or is not unel~ical solicitation uruie. t~ prtltnt Cook and what is, in rxt. constitutionilily protKled.

• Lawytn llelving Lawytn CommittH J. Sanford Mull ins. III, chair The rNjor thrust his bun 10 eumint WlI)'J to )\.~ngthen lind u~nd t he ALA · PALS work, (Po$i l ivt Action for t..a...·yo:rs), ~ bar's currtnt pfOllnom for re<.:oVtry and usi .. tanct to attorneys impai •• d due to substance abuse. The committee held a mid·winttr conftrtnce March 11· 12 in Montgomery 10 lormuLllt 1I plan of lCIion to iIdd l'tllioNl coordiniltors to ALA· PALS, pKKnt progrllmJ fo. I~ slu· dents. prov;de unifonn lno,nintl prOgrams for Al.A ·PALS vol · untem. and incrust t<lucalion and publicity efforts of thl: ...wIc ol this committu. Finally. the commitlH, within the ~ ol the cumnl conf"olkntillity rules surroonding its work, if eompiling ftllistics on the numbt. ofLlw students.

164 / MAY I995

.....

~

.

Alablm.> l..oW)'tr Rtf.......1Ser.ic.

CrtgoT)' A. Ruvu. ch.1ir The commillH is itliW;1y pursu;1\II mritw of Uw: service lIld ~f(\(d ~rfll of improvtmtnl. Before .ecommtndin, cha~s in the 'Urrtnt .. rvkt. the commi ttee is awaiting the w. iuen evalual ion of Ihe American Dar Assoc;'l.Iicm PAR Review Ttam report. At the rtquul olthe committee, I tum oll.!wyers tnintd in runnil\lllll dlKliW; merral strvi« met wilh tht commltttt:', rtp.esmtativcs and bar staff on March 13. 1995 10 nIIluate the current .. rvice, lind malee recom· lTItnd.1tior"l$ 10 imprtM' it. \I"hil. a b.~ number of tlons his bun discussoed among the comm;uH. we ftlt it PTfrnlturt to recommend changes prior 10 recfivil\ll the AM evalualion report.

•

suaes-

.II.

Tulr Foru on lAp! Educalion SteW; Rowt. chair At mid·year the task forc( is in Ihe proceu of deciding whit positions it will toke on th~ following issun: ( I) Rf· esbbiiihil\llI limitolion on Iht: number of \imQ ¥l ippIiwIt mill' \.lke the bar fxam: (2) rtquiring bar euminiltion ilpp!i · WIts to be graduates of law schools approved by the AlIA Or Association ol Law Schools: (3) whethtr or not 10 suggw to the bar commissioners ~ion of the SWIdards and I'roce. dura/or ,\ppr(Mo1 of Uw Schook not Attrtdittd by the AM; md (4) whether 10 support lilt p~d amtndment of Rule

THE Al..AB.AMA lAWYER

4(cl of tJw, Rulu Cwemi"ll Admission to the Alabarru. S~t~ Bar wi lh r~,..rd to applications by graduatts of fortigt! or out.o(·J!att nolHoocrtdilfd law schoob..

•

rtgubotion of such plllru in this t~te. We hope to soon "tablish II system to xcumubote $t.I.tistiaJ dat.t relating 10 prepOO plans currmtly openti... in AIahioma. wiln a vi~ to p...:Mde boockground inforlnlllion to AIIIIMrru. lI~rs itS ..~II &.! to pn::MOrfl,.

1Uk FOI'tt on utl,laln~ /odjo" ti« Crfgg B. E~rtu. chlIir The WI< fortt was dwl/ftI to rteornmend tJw, most pt1IIC\;. cal muns of disstmi~line infonnation rtlllrdine pendiflll kei.lation and $Iudy the ~itabl~ TIM. if any. of a per'll'\amnt .t.tndiflll commiUH on I, gi.lation. The wi< fo.to rna\k the fol lowinQ r~commendalion. to the bar commiuiont r. on February 3. 1995: (II the posilion of l .gi.lati~ counsel.l\ould ~ rt~ined to follow bills of general intertst wh ile tJw, l.egi.bo· tUrt is in susion. and publWl II wuk/y status rtp()f! aVlilable for ~bscription to mtmbrn from bar h&dquarters; (21 the role of tJw, $t.I.t~ ~r in kQisllotivo ~ti« should ~ limited solely to those bills dirtdly relating to tJw, boor', rtgulatory functions: (3) Itgisbolivt counsel's servicts 10 t~ Itgisialion is pftffnbk III lhe pmtnl time O\I!'f establishing II «mpuIuassisted ~ and (4) ltw WIc 10m: should not be -..Ie: /I standing commitlN II tilt pmotnl time. Any IIftd 10 follow particulu ItQil1ilion tan ~;oujgned to II committee or 1«. lion rno:.t ¥rectfd by wnr. or in ltw aI:Iser« of such /I committee or section.1II1 ad hoc task forct tan ~ ~ppoinlfd. •

Sola """ Small Firm TitSk Foru Piul A.. Brantley. chair The task fo.ce is currently trying 10 identify .ignificant p.obltrm and issun that confronl wlo praetition,rs and members of .mall fi rms In pa rt ieular.•'or ou r pu.pO.... ".rnall finn" includn stYen or fewer members. We are dewl · ""ing. survey to be disseminalfd to a random target group.

III1d hope to ha~ tile resull! tabulatfd by tho ~ginning of tile ..- boor yt.1r.

• Sub.tan« AbUM in Sodtly CommillH John Ott. chlIir We art currently workinC toward impkrnenwion 01 a pilot drue prtYmtion program to be presentfd in seventh- and eighth-grade cl&.!.sroornr; thrtlUihout the: lli.te. We selected two Jdfuwn County schools lor pilot prHentatlons on sub$t.I.ncubuse !hill ",ring with the assis~nce of Dradford.l'lIrII_ side. We are sul'\ltying with what types of sub.t.tnce abuse activities local activities local boors are alrudy invol~d to avoid duplication of effort! and il coordinated approach fo. fu ture gro..th.

•

,'I\ ilill ry Uw CommitlH Frank M. Cap.io. chair The Military Law CommitlH isactively~ in prtparing for. Military taw SympQllium to ~ held it ltw UniY!:l1lly of Alabama School of taw. August 18-19. 1m, iffording activt duty iIld ..-r.oe mililu)' Iaw)om and civilian ~fS with 1111 inltrest In milit.try kllli issues. conlinuiflll Iteal fducalion creditl. The 1996 Hilit.try Law Symposium is ttn\.lth.. l~ Khtdultd for August %3-24, 1!196.

•

UllIuthoriud Pnctko or Uw CommiltH L BTU« Ables. chair We rnet1 rtgUborty with QOOd .lImclanee. ind activt par!ic. iPllion. and hmdlt 1111 estimatfd IS to 20 CiSotS.t any gNtn lime. If there is any merit to tilt complaint.. i cuse ind <bHI order is issufd from Ih~ Genual COUfIMI's offict. Serious complainu art assigned to indMdllil rnembrrs for imotst;IIl' lion ind .<commendation to the commillH. Somelimn members take on ltw task of seeing tJw criminal charges art bl'OUllhl ~irut 1111 individual through the distrid attorney'. office in thei. Locale. and flU(} 1W/TIltI/O pnxefdings a"" pre. pared and fi led on ocu.ion by committee members. Th. C<lmmittee needs the sUPpOrt of th~ bu. and believes some legislation ~Id ~ passed to aid enforcement proetdures. _

Pnmantnl Code Comm lnion Williim B. HoIirston.llI. chai.

The commiUH "'"' iISktd to review. romrnent on lind clarify pl'OI>OMd iIIl'ItfIdments to Rule 7.2. Rule. ofl'rofnsion;r.l Coo· duct. &.! sullllnled by the CommillH on La~r Adwrti,inQ and Solicitation. Our commi ttee determined that these requested amend menu. directed at further rest riction. on dirtct rnail solicitation. 'o<II)Uld ~ best served is lIIlItnr,!menll to Rule 73 01 lilt Rules of l'rdessiorW Cooducc. We are cur. rently sludying to what altnt prohibition should ~ nude lIgIinsl dirtct malli"lllOlicitations. ind through ltw otrlCt of Ctne..1Counsel. we are soliciting input is to how other $t.I.la hlYt addressed th;s problem. .,.;th a \iew to submit i Pf'O\'IOI$fd draft amtndl ... Ruk 7.3. Rules of Prol... ionaI Conduct. • Prepaid IApI Str.-b, CommitlH Charlet L Anderson. chai.

At part 01 our charge to monitor th~ development of pre· paid legal services plans in Al abama . ..... e .re considering. among other prOpOU ll . drafting legislation .,,,,, rding the

THE AU6AMA LAWYER

•

&

TitSk Foru on I\'omtd;n lilt Pror, .. ion Ctc:ilii J. Colli .... chlIir A joint luncheon lJIOfISO~d by the AboIwn:I State Bar for _ n judgtJ iIld task fortt members was held on JiIlUllry 18. 1995 to initiat~ divussions betwftn ltw bench lind bar.

The task J'orc.. co-spoosortd the $Kond iIlnUlol Women in ltw LtgaJ Profession Seminar hrld (or CLf: crfdit on April 21.

1995. The romprelltru;"" ~rveyon Women in the LtgaJ Pr0fession has betn prtpartd. and we III1licipate the survey. to ~ compklfd prior to July bar convention. will be il15trument.tl in misting us in prtparing recommendations to the ba r as we continue to asctrtain the llalu. of WOmen in Ihe legal profession in thi' .tate.

• MAY 1995 / 165

I I

Consumer Expe

on

What Should be Alabama's Analysis for Product Liability Design Cases?

8/1 R. Ikm HogatJ, 11/

O deled,? The

hoold

~

difftrmt

\tjl

utiliu

~

for judg-

inS product duig" de/tcU than for judging

manufacturing or warning al\S":~r

il )'U. The rilklutil-

ill' analys;s...........m.~by tht liskl inhermt in I procIuct design om wtiahN .g;.i~ 1M utility dIlle dtsian-rrpmotnts the nllio~1 CO"K"IU! for dtsign ddtc\ eiltl. Such .. tOil is consistent wi lh

Alabama's preference for

ntgligtnc~

baud doxlTintl, and is alrtady u!iliud

in this ltate', c~tr..vrthil>tp tun.

The ... Irt thlft QltgOr1es of product ddtdl: manufacluring defects. dtsign ddtth ind mukeling/plCkaging deltru, which indudr warning ddtct&.

In I manufacturing ddtt! en". it il U$umed Illal tIM: duign of lilt product is Ia/t, and had the product bun manu- , factu~ in ~ordinu with the design. it would h,o,,,, bttn 101ft for toruumtr 1Ut. In I d.. ign ddtct U$f: tht mli,.. product tine is callN into QUtSlion. and lhe IWIdard for drltcliw;1"IW is set by the tfieroffact (jury) lind the court. It is 166 f MAYI995

"""'t

only in duign cuel tI"l the term "dded" i•• n nprtUiOn of Ihe legool ((M'II;h.l$ion 10 bf rndlt'd. nih.. than • It51 for rt.}Ching thai ((M'II;IU5ion.

Wilhin lhe past two }lfals. OUr neigh· boring sIIIlts of Georgi.!. and MississiWi t..ve -'opttd U~ risklutility UIaly$is for judging prD<lu.c1 lIuign dtfed C~$.'

The risklutility M\alysis is 1M propoocd appro»ch of Ihe Rulalemtnl (3rd) of TOfU' and is Ihe dar I"NI in r«tnt holdings.' In ITI<'l5t situatioru for prod· uclliabilil~ duign casu, il is molt lWropriate than the ccnsumer txptrta. tion IHI:.

,l.!k<: and Mobile Mk prod. urtI M"r _..,mI,..tut is. 'deftd· and by inlnenet, whal is ·um •• · sonably dangerous.' II has been held that the terms ue synony· mous. that is, defective mum unruoonably danger(Q and has no indf......... ll ~ [CiLltiono omitted]. Our MISWH is. • 'defea' is thltl which renders I producl ·un rt.....,w,1y danlltfOUS' i. •.. not fit for its intended PlII'IlO5t. and thaI .11 '(\elective' products are oowred I'o-"hrthtr a product is ·unrt...onably danIltrous' is for lhe trier 01 fact. just as ntglilltnct vel non is in a

TM AE/'IW and lilt Conl\,mer Exptdation Tul In adopling the Alabama Extended Manufacture .. Liability Doct rine in 1976. the Alabama Supreme Court made it cln. tllit it .... ;u blending ....am.nt~ law "";th 1M ResUt ...... nt oIT01'\$ (S«. ond) to dtrM lII"Ullrusonabl)' dlng«. o us " ddinilion for "ddeet" and a cOrtlumer expt"ct.llion fo r judging deftct.

traditioNl negligmct Qst.

It"

The product either is or il not 'unreuonabl)' dangtrouf 10 a prrson who . hould be expecltd to use or to be .xpOS.d 10 it. 11 it is. it makes no differtnce whelM. it is dingnous by design Of deftd. The import.lnt ~tOl" is whelher i\ is safe or ~ .....tIm the product is ustd as it _ intended 10 be used.'

THE AlABA.~ LAWYER

In Castell. the Allblma Supreme Court relemd to romment i of I ~02 "Routement 0( Torts 2nd.' A footnoted ase in lhe CJsrrII Opinion coolloins the foI..,..in&jury chi...,: A ~ondition is unrusonlbly dlnQer(lUS $0 ill to consti tute I deftetive condition when it is so da"itrotlS that a reasonable man would not Mil the product if he knew of the risks involved .... To pul it lnother way. a product is unreasonably dangerous if il ;5 danguous to an utent bey(md which would be contemplated by the ordiT\llry consumer who pur· dwots it with the ol'llinuy knowl· wjff: common to the community ilS to iU d .. OOtristia.'

In all At:MLD cutS a«pI crutrworIhiness cues. Alabama juries ire instructed thlt ·the tum ddeclive mtll'll unrU3OT\llbiy danQerous." Althe AlabalTl.l Supreme Court nplained in 1991:

The term 'defective' rmans that the product fails to mftt the rea· soT\llble safety expectations of an 'ordinary consumer: that is. an objective 'o rdinary consumer: I'O'MSRd 0( the ordi","ry know!. wit common to lhe community.'

On "nother «cuion. hoIo~r. the Court notw tm.. the origin 01 the defect definition Ilso borrowed from the Uni. IOrm Commercial Code: This Court. de/ininl I defect. has bor_d from two Hp,lrale leglll authorities. The Uniform Comrmrcial Code I 2-314 .• po>akJ! in ternu 01 unmerchantability as evidence of product inadequacy, i.e .. that the goo.U are not fit lor the ordiT\llry purposes for which such loods ITe npected to be used. The Resllotement {2nd) of Torts. I .m(&). spo>w in tmlll of 'un rtllSOfllbly dan&erous.' Com· bininQ theH two principles. and usinQ tlIch in lid of tho othrr. ~rdf

lu. Allte IrnJustries. 1m:..

335 So.2d 128 (All. 197611 U p133. stltU: 'A ddect is thM whkh renders a product un rtaSONbly danQerooJ. i.e .. not fit for its intended purpos •• and ... all delective producu are

cowred.····

Deftetive is interprotf1lto mun that the product ~i not mett the rusonlble tlCpectalions of an oniinlry consumer ... to its safety.

Comment Q of the Re$tat~ment says defective condition ~l'plie5 when. at the time the product leaves the Htltr's hands. it is in a condition not C(IIlttmptattd by the ultimate consumer."

In Sears RodJuck, tilt Court ~rsed I pllinti!fs ve rdict for injury suffered ,,'hen I tire blew out ... flu 30.000 miles. becaUst no eKpo>rt testimony had been offered in suJll)orl of plaintiff. product cltltel cll.ims. Dou Alabamlo's consumer np«lIotion test requi~ tljlfrt testim<>ny to prow dritelllJ$u;oliy. xcording to the Court: The evidtncc Ind testimony likoJy to pr'1:M the drfed _ that whio;h rendered the product not fit for its Ultio;ip,l.Iw USO! _ UId the ddrct's Unk to the [)elendilnt. deptnd upon the nature 01 the farb: but. ordinlrily. tlCport testimony is required because of the complu and technical nlture of the commodity. ICitations omit· ted), !hi.! dou not mun. howev· er, that experts Ire always required. but simply that they are U5U1111y euential to produce evi· dmu 10 whkh iurors ITa)' re. . .· Ibly inftr that tho doleclive condition of the product is the ClUH of the producfs /ailure and the pLaintlffl multinQ injury. " lI iltory of tho tIM RJllrl\]tliity Tut In I ]973 note published in the Mi$. sitsipp; I.QUJ Joumol Professor John Wade suggt5ted a different lelt for .ma· suring whether prochJCb ~re defective· ly desi&ned." ltllanclng the dlongel'$ or r;sks of the h.turd with the utility or benefit of the product, Professor Wade propoHd th.tt the jury should judge whrther the producl was defective bastd 00 sevtn bct~

!lIThr usefulness UId dtsinbility

01 the product - ib utility to the user and 10 the ""blk ... a whole: (2] The ",/ety aspects of the prod·

uct_the likelihood that it will caust Injury. and the probabl~ Kriousness of the injury;

(3) Thr l"lIilabiHty 011 substitute product which would mHt the WIlt nmI mel not be as unsafe; (.t)The ITI.Inufat!urer·s ability to eliminate the unsafe ch.tracter 01 " pnxluct without impairinQ iu usefulness or INking it 100 tljlfnsM to maint.:l;n iU utility:

(S/The user', ability to avoid danger by the exercise of Care in the UH of lilt product: (6lThe use r's anticipated IWare· ness oIthe dlongers inherent in the product and their avoidahilily. btaUH of Qeneral public knowIedgt 01 the obIIious coo· dition 0( the product. or of the existence of su;lIoblt warnings or instruction: and t7)The leuibility. on the ~rt of the .... nubcturer. 0I1prUd~ the los& by Htting the prict of the product or carrying liability iIl$UTlUlCC." The New Jersty Supreme Court. in adoptinQ Professor Wlde's "r;,lt/utility anllys;s" for automobile crashworthi ness UHS in 1978, found that it was Jupo>rior to the "unrtasonably danger· ous" tut 01 the Restatement (2nd) of Torts.. " Also ~lying on I'rofessor Wade', ..tide, the Third Ci",uit adopted the risk utility Inllysi, in &""011 II. Ch~ Corp., 630 F.2d 95(1. 957 (3rd Cir. 1980). «rl deniod 450 U.S. 959 (I98lllaffirminl plaintiffs verdict for ilutomobile cruhworthinw cue).

In 1985. JlUtict Maddox. writinQ for a unlnimOUI Alabama Supreme Court. qUOIN the Dau_ deciJion. and adopt· ed Proftssor Wade', Jelll:n lacto .. as tho balancinQ proct,U to determine defect in an automobile crashW(lrthiness ase in Alabama In ee"uQI MQIQr. Corp. U. 1.'tlwtlrrb. 482 So. 2d 1176. llBS. (Ala. 19851. In Etkwrrls. ~r. the coort was not ab&ndoniT\ll the "unreasonably danQtrous· definition of "dtfoctive.· Instead. it wu defining what would "mttt the I'tlIIONble nprcbtions 01 UI ordinlry ((lfI$lImer ... to. .. saf.ty .... • ..

Profusor StUllrt Midden. who h.ts written nteruively on the risklutility tut. explliru that: The imp(l$ition upon plaintiff of the requirement of Ihowing an alternative practiClI desiQn Cln be

MAY 1995f 167

seen as an element of the risk/util ity analysis. in which it II now acapted thlot QfW of the factors to bt weighed i$ 'the lTIItlw.:turu·s ability to eliminate the unsafe dlVacteristic 01 the product with· out i m~irinl it. usduinull or nwling it too ~i"" to maintlin its utility.'''

The ~n fildor, of Professor Wade whkh in Eduvmu expounded the con· Sumer txpectation of er... hworthiness ""ftty. represenl. according to Profu5Qr Madd. n. a separate anatysis allogtther.

This being.lO. Alabama law took its first step towa rd the weighinQ proceu of rWoIuliHty in cruhworthiness casu.

The "..,ilhi"ll prow.s of the l.:dwrmb cnshworthinw doxtrine ""'" apptio-d to marine cRdhworthiness in two propttlcr guard en••• the first decided by the Eltwnth Circuit bI.lItd on AIMwna law. and Ihe "cond decided on ce rtifi ed quutions by the Alabama Supreme Court. " In the motorcycle hetmet cruhworthlmss cast Dermis u. Amm· "'" 1I000OO Molor Co.. fnc .. 585 So.2d 1336 (Ata. 199IJ. tho coun again alluded to the EdUI(Jrds "crashworlhinus doc· trine."" Thut wt .. the 'XCf'ption to ¥l otherwise IrlIdlliooal Restate .... nt consumer expectation tut for judging elffect unde r Alahima product Ii<>bility law. until RicIKmIs.

ma product ltability law will transform its consumer txIlKIaIion tts! of dt~ into ~ rWoIutility weigl1i"ll proca.s.

In Richo,dJ. t he Ele""n lh Circuit inlerpreled Ihlll Aillblom.i h<lS already ulended ,isk/utility ,n,lysis beyond cmhworthinesa QSa to all ~ drfoct cam irMlM"lI cillims 0( negligence or ,,~tonnus. Whit a.. otoo sUtts doing about the definition oJ defect?

c_.

1M RidItmb Dod.ion and Rid:AJtillty In RicIrorris ~ Midtftin Tinl Corp.. .. the ptaint iff hlld received luious inju~ ,,-hom he alleffillted to mount a 16·inch ti .. on a 16·inch rim. ~rin· tbolfd the Ii .. and the tire txpiodtd. The complainl alleged counls sounding in both negli~1I(t ~ wanlonness .. lated to duign. manufacturing. assembling. selling. and fail ur. to warn. No AEMLO claim W<lS Hnt to the jury. In reversing, however. the Cou rt ciled the AEMLD decisioou of B«ch lind Elliott for the Pl'OlIOIition Ihiot "I tlo prove ddecli"". ness under Abbama law. I plaintiK must prI.M thaI a sarer. pr.Idicll. alternative design was lWIi1abk 10 the lTIItlufactu, · er III 1m lime it lNtIufxtumi its prod_

00.'

If the imposition UJlCIn plaintiff 01 the proof rtl\ui ...... nl oJ showing II ftaSlD!e altemativt delign is ~ past Abba· ma cruhworthinUI cues into olher product ltabilil)' design CiIHS, lhen AIaba168 / MAYI995

fnlO con"....tlon.

Other I tl l ..

It is clear thaI there is , Irend ~way from tho consu ..... txpKtalion test and 10wITd Proftllor WlId.·, risk/utility In,IYlis ill product li.bil ity design ~· 'n adopting

thr

rUklutility~.

ysis fo r lutu .. product dHiin t»n in December 199-1. the Georgill SUJ)Rme Cou rt .. pOI1fd Ihiot it hIod "conducted Ml uhaustivt rMt'N 01 fortign jurisdic· lions and 1...1i,"... IwIlichJ rtvt.aled a ~ne",1 concmsus ..garding the utilia· lion in design defect cam of, balancing tnt ,..hereby the risks in a product design are weightd agaimt the utility or

benefit dtrivtd from the the product""2' The court went on to obstM:

This risklulili!y .lIilysis incor· ponIles the oon«pt oI·...asonabI... ness: i.t~ whether the marutfKIum lICIfd rtUONbly in chosing i ~rticulllr product design. given the prolWlllity and ot~ of lhe risk POStd by the design. the IIStfulneSi of Ihe product in lhit co""mion. and the burden on tht m~nufaclurtr to lake Ih~ nocu· nry steps 10 eliminate the ri sk.

When I jury decides thaI tho risk of hum oulweiJIh$ the utility of a particullr design (thiot the product is not as safe as it should beJ. it is 1I)'i"ll thit in choosing the par. ticullr design lIIId lhe o:.t tr.>deoff" the lTIItlufxtu.. r exposed the oontumtl' to ,I..,le. risk of iT\iury than he should hIovt. Concqltually lind InalytiCilly. this approach bnpnks negligence ICi lations omittedl. 1M blollrocing le51 that forms the risk/utilily lnl lysis is thus cOllsistent with Georgia law. which hu long applied neglig.nce principln in making tho deteoni· na t ion whe l her l product was dtfect"",1y desijJned."'

In 1993. the Mississippi Sup reme Court spumed lho consumer expect.lion test (or risklutility ~Iysis in prod· uct dtsi#I WtS." Unclrr the rislt/uti]ity lIlllIlysil In Mississippi. • produc l i, "unrtlSll!libiy dangerous" if"lI rtlISOn_bl. ptrlOn would conclude th't the dan~,-in-ract. whelher fo .....abl. or not. outweighs the utility" oIthe deMgn." Coli/omil hu supple .... nt.d the con· .umH e<ptela!ion tul wilh the riskl utility test. rtalOninQ that although the product might mett consumer eXpe<:ta· lioN btciUot il ""'" identical to othtrs oJ tho SlmI' product Ii..... the consu .... r would not bt in a poIilion to know how nfe tho manufaclu"r eould make the product." In Souk rI. General MOlars Cotp., II cmhworthiness cast. Cent",] Mo tor , briefed to Ihe ClIlifornill Supreme Courl t h~t Ihe consumer upect'tion tnt is lin "unwo rkable.

Imorphlc. neeting sund ud " which should not be lin OIlIional ba.lis for find· ing design defect. ~""!'31 ~'otors argued Ihll the consumer upectation test

Tm: AI.AllA.' \A u\WYER

defin definition, focusu not on Ihe objtctive condition 01 the prodUCI but on ,ubiteti... ~nd often unnuoN.ble Opinionil of oonsumtTS MId ignores rul' i!y,In Soule, the pbintiff wmined lOki. injurin when a collision fractured l whul uumbly, and drove il inlo the SllOltd floorboard uea beneath the foot pt(b.Is, deforming it into the passmgu computmenl. The jury had bun instructtd upon the conJUmtr npt(Ution ttlt, C;.tilom" low allowJ a lTIilOu, fadu re. to dtftnd by p.oving IMt its lIuign mtl reasonable standards under i risWutility tHt and e M argued IMt on/II risk/utility was suitable for a cruhwor, thinus ~, 1M Court agreed thai the jury should h3ve been instrucled solely on rilklutility and no! consumtr Uj)CC' ~tion, but affirmrd the ""rdid btawt pliintifrl proof was sufficient under either thtor)', lt tq)wntd the /um''s proof bunion undt. the rUJ</lJtili. ty It$\;

minimum number 01 "luis md insptc. tions to usure" sakty 011 product.The I.hm1es Imt TtpW \htITQNeJ in the50 cases Ire two: III J~e Ltamt<!

Hand'. reuoninQ Imt "I whole CIOUing may 113"" unduly Ia,ggtd in tht idOption of n~ lOd available dtvictJ,'" and (2) Profeuor Wad .., admonition that con· sumers art not wff'w;ienliy I'roleett<! by a ttll which i. limittd 10 (ommonly understood dangers, btaUK the consume. ofttn d Ofl not "know whit to HptC\ beClUK he would hivf: no iw how ..fe tht product could be rrwIt .....

So ""ml'l tht DlfftTtnu?

What are I()ITIe of the impliCIOtions of I shift toward a risk/utility methodology of judging "dtfeet?" In the juri!ldklion.

11131 follow consumtr upecUtion lests,

the Open MId otMooo natul"t of 1 dilOgH will somelimes ddtat . «OYtry." In i tiskhltility MWysis. lO Oprn MId otMous h.u.ard dots not dertit liability, but is mtTtly I filC\or to be taken into consid· tration." Should the jury be told about the list 01 5O""n factors wh ich a.t uli · liud in the .i.!klulilily lesl?

The answer should nol111llly be no. The problem here i.! Iimi~. to th3t in neQligonct. The Rut.ate-

mmt 01 Torti has analyzcd neati1It/V;f;, describina il as a balancing

of tht magnitudt of tht risk 19Ihut the utility of the risk. and listed the factors which go into dete'mining the weight of both of IhtU element •. Thi. analysis is m<)5t helpful lOd can be used with pl'Oftl by trial and "PI"'l~te judges,

"""""<I(>

The manufacturer netd only show th3t gi""n the inherent com· pluities 01 <kIign, the bendits of its chonn duign outweigh the dangus. Moreo\'er, modem dis· coYtTy p.actice ntither redrum the inherent ttchniCIOI imboo~nu between ..... nufaclu .er and (on· sumn no r dicUlts thit the inJurtd consumer u.oulll bar the primary bu .don of tva luating a duign developed and chosen by the manufaclurer,"' Hawaii, Ari~ona, Ohio and Illi.

nOOlllso ~ ~ recogni«<! tNt a product'. ~~ is drftctive if it eilher vioIalU the minimum safetY npt(Utions of lO ordimry mmumtr or contains ~ thai OlIn...ifh its benefit 10 Nebruka, Arizona, Colorado. Ind;<Im, New Juuy, Iowa, and Missou ri have accomplished much tho .. mt thing by giving lTIilOuficturm a s~te of lhe art ddellH if they can mttl the bunion of ut.ablishing th31 their designs .. tisty the requirements of nch Slilt', dtfellH.- Nebrasb. has intorpTtttd ill consumer uptct.alion tnt as induding the duiQn proceu as much as Ihe duiQn i\$llf, finding that a Ttuonable coruume., for example, may Ttasonably npect a manufactu rer to con duct l

TIl E ALABAMA LAWYER

••••

• • • MISSISSIPPI VALLEY TITLE • • • • •• INSURANCE COMPANY The Flexibllily l il .. Need. Th e Swbili,y lilu TnI5' , lll"bolop<_ '

jo:boo,~JllQj . 6Ot~ · _1·11~

MAY 1995 / 169

and by sludenls and commfntaton. BUI It is no! onIirurily giwn 10 !he jury. tnslud. u.q. lOre loid Ihu negUgence depends upon "'lull rusol\iOble prudenl m.on wookl do under the same or simi· lar circunulancfs. Occ.uiorully. ...mn OIW of !he fxton has ~_ cial signi(ocar«. ;1 IN)' be lOppropr ilte for the judge 10 make rtftrtrn 10 il in su;!able bnguage. for uample. in fac:lor numbu 6. if the dangerous condilion of Ihe "roduct il Ilfrffctly apparenl. lhe judge mighl rtffr 10 this in lelling Ihe jury Ihat Ihfy lOTf to decide whelhn a rea sonabl. prude nl nwl woold put lhe product on!ht mlrkt!. or ""holher its danger ...-as so grul Ihal il oullhl not 10 be nIlrlctttd It all. despile !he oIM· (lUSfIt$$ of the dar!gt:r.'"

Pro(usor Wade has s"",,sled lhe following jury inil,ucl;on for product duignwa:

ImprotwT '*'ign. Ther. is liUle dilf.rer« hotrt between I .... negli g~ncc Itl ion and lilt IIction for strict liibilily. This is 1""'.111 kMI for the mlnUfKlurer. who nOrnlilly tither knows of !he dar!gt:r which the duign ertilt! Or should know (i.•.• is negligent in nor kl"lO'o<1ng of il); il is less lrue 01 lsupplitr. woo IN)' likt lhe prod.

8y oontmt. !he tlewnlh Circuil Pal·

Qlmfti Qt" fH'rllculllr n"m /" If

, /",Ift product.

km Jury Ins!rocbons ~ products liabili·

ty wa .:onUoin the following oonsumer

cptCtilion definilion 01 drfm: II product is in a dtftctive coodition . un,usonably dangerous 10 Ihe u.ltr, when it has a propensily or lendency for caUling physical h.arm I>tyond lhal which would be conlemplal.d by Ihe ordinary user.luving ordinary krn",.-If<lge of the product's ChiUCltri.lics commonly l!no:IIo.., 10 lhe fo«stt. ible diU of persons who ,,"WId nom\illy UK I.... product....

Whou a prodUCI l~jJity design cue p.oc:t.dl (rom I risk/utility arulysil, th ... il hllle difftrtn« Mt..."ftn strict lilobility .md a ntgligence ClOSt. As ProfU$Or Wad. upllined. mortoYr r, that rNku it more suitabl. for design ~s in lhe fil1t pile';

110 HtAY 1995

It milcusmse !lut!here would be dif_ judging II nwlufaduring deftet llun for judging /I design dtftct.

Th. consumer .xptctalion test is suitabl •. and virtually unive r.... ll y u ... d, in ases lIimed It /I Il/Irt;cular Aaw in a ,in' glt product. Whe .. /I manufacturer's duign is ,hal leng.d. so th/lt the ca ... might Iu...e nationwide implicalions and possibly Iud 10 finding. 01 coli/lle'lIl estoppel. I.... consumer nptctations of a giwn community I'e nor is togia,l i tts! is !he .... ighing proc... of rislllutility. ~rtnt ItIII b-

The diAkulty comes wIltn it is nor just the single MIle .....t.;m is

II Iproductl is not duly...r. if it is 10 likely to be harmful 10 pmo,,"

lor prOptrty] that l reasonably pru· denl mlnufao:turtr Iwppli.rl. wflo h."Id adual knowl~ 01 its haon· fill dlirxter. wookl not pbet il on the mlrlctt. l! is not I"I«fWry 10 find !Nt this de~ ~ knowl· tdge of lhe lurmful clura<:tu of !he Iproductl in order 10 drt.rmine !luI it wu not duly loife.'"

g.n t per It. Selling II produCI which il nOI duly .... f. is ntgli· genct within ilKlf. IIIId no mort n«ds 10 be prowd. Whet ..... this is Cilltd ntlll igmce or strict liabil· ity is not rnlly signifiCiTlt."

utt from lhe nIlnuflclu ... wilhoot inspecting it in detail. Under duign is includtd the failure to mllct proper ufety de",,". Otsign mly include !he poIIrts or elements which do or do nOI go into Ihe mikeup o f I product. if il is intended 10 be in llul condilion.

ICiwion/. om'Utd].EI_heTt. Profusc" \\'iIdt mlkt! il dtit llut I"" liability -is imJlOlStd on an objteli .... bisis. wilhout .... ,;ng to find negligent tooduct ...:" lle pmlictnl; Th. timt will probllb!y come when COUrtl art rtady to declare Ihlt on. who sells II products which is unduly un .... ft ;s negli,

to be cWstd unW". because 00IIItIhinil " ... nl wrong in tht mlking 01 it. but I whole group Or class or type which nIlY be unsafe because oIlh. natu rt of the d•• ign. It is here lhallhe policy is.\u.s botcom<' very imllorllint and Ih. factors which were enumeraled IIbov. must be colltded lind carefully .... ighed. It is here that !he court - whelher trial Or apptllillt _ dots "",-,lJer lhese issues in dtciding whether to JUbmil lhe CiSf 10 Iht j ury. If /I pll1inliff Iun Ihe mlnUfKluTtr oil butchu knife becaUK .... CUI hil finger on the $Ole ground !luI lhe kni~ ...-as 10 sharp Ihit it WiS likely to CUI human flesh. th. cou.t would probibly take Ihe CiSt oul of lhe hands 01 the jury and oot givt it Iht opportu nity to find thaI Ihe knift wu unufe. Similarly with an aspirin manufacturt •• when an

..... . _ ....... ..... _ __"'0_.... '-'

Il._H-.1II ~

. .... ...

".-~''''' _rnolu..,...

......,1>0' .., .........

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~-.­

-

'"

~aI

'"-"

.... _

.... C'.P'" "'

on_

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THE ALABAIo1A U\WYF,R

ordinary tablet .tuck to the lining of the plaintiff's stomach and causW a hemorrhage. or the man_ ufacturer 01 the Pasttur t~atmfnt for rabies. wh.n th.~ _rt unt()ward rraction •. The problem in these cases is likely to be called one of law and decided by the court. Court control of jury action is mort e.tensive here than in the ordinary negl igence action. And yd. of cour~. if the C(lurt decide. that it would be rusonable to allow the jury to find for tile plainliff. the issue of lack of due safety will ~ submitted to the jury even in Ihe... case •. " Under the r isk/ulility analysis. the design of tile product musl ~ we ighe\! against an available alternative design that would ha", prevented or les.sened the severity of the injury." Under the Alabama analysis the burden of pM'ing the availability of Ihal design ruts on the plaintiff." Some states have rejected the COT\SUllWr up<:ctation tesl in design case.." Other statrs expressly rrcogniu thai a produc!"s design is defective if it either ,iolates the minimum safety el<j>eetations of an ordinary eonsuowr or conlain> dangers which outw.igh its benefits. " In Soule, the California Supreme Cou rt justified a continuing role for the consumer ",pectation test in design case.: 11'. fully understand the dangus of improper use of the eon,umer •• pectation test. HQWe\'tr. we cannot accept CM's insinuation that ord inary consuowrs lack any legil· imale expectalions about Ille min· imum safely 01 the products they use. In particular circumstances, a product's design may perform SO unsafely Ihat the Mfecl i, appar· enl 10 Ihe common r.ason, expe. ience and underslanding of ils ordinary consume". In such ca,.", a lay jury ;s competent to make that detenninalion."

Slates which follow the CollSumer e,q:>eClat ion tes\. olher lhan Alabama, do not require proof of a safer, praclical. alternaliv. d.. ign in o.de. to ell.blish defectivene ..." Other states allow Ih. state of the art defense by statute Or court deci'ion, a lthough placing Ihe THE AU\I!AI>IA u\WYER

burden of showing that the challenged design mel state of the art on Ihe manu· f.clure .... If Alabama i, to take lho:: 'lII!' g .. tion of Ihe Elev.n l h Circuit in Richards, and impclSe a burden to pn.>ve the existence of a safer alterna t ive design in product design ease., then the following policy issues mu,t be addremd: (l)Will Alabama continue to .llow Ihe consumu expectation test to be an optional ba5i, for PTaI" ing design ddect' II 10. what role will be plo)'l'd , if any. b)' evi· dence of allernalive. safe . designs, and whue will Alabama place the burden of proving the exill.nco: of such d..;gn?"

12111'ill the ri,k/ulility analysi, be Ultd for all ca5e5 alleging defective de,ign? Thi. would expand use of APJI32.n beyond crash· worthiness ca.. s 10 all d .. ign defect case" to establi,h ""c..,ive preventable dang••. On the olher hand, the ri,kf utility weighing process in AI'JI 32.22 is >101 tile consumer expectation lest, and ,..,terence to <:OTlSumer upectation ,hould ~ .emovtd from that char~.

(3)Assuming that Alabama adopts a ri,k/utii ity analysis for product liability de5ign cases. tllen what are tile proof •• quirements of a feasible alternative safe duign?'O Conclu.ion Product liability design cases in Alaba· ma which haw required the plaintiff to pro..... the e. islence of a feasible altemati," d..ign ha,'., in .ffect. introduced the r isk/utility analysis into Alabama product liabililY law. The cOllSum er expectation test is not entirely consis· lent wilh thai analy,is. since a con sum e . do .. nol know how nfely a producl can be made , There a. e occa.ions when there may exi51 available technology. guards . or .Iternative d.. igns who,., lack of use jmlifi .. the finding of defect. To date, Alabama case Taw has not dearly delineated the differ_ ence ~tWttn coru;umer e.pectation and riSk/utility tests, whereas other statu ha,'e distingu ished the two methods of analysis. The pr imary role in Alabama for the continue\! use of the COn,uOWr expeclation lesl should be in manufac· luring defect cas.., or where the prod· uct's d..ign contains a safety defect of ,uch import as to fail the intended or for• ...,abl. use oflhe producl In such a

Notice to Policyholders, Claimants and Creditors Re: The Stale of Texas V. Employers C",..ally Com~y: Callsc No. 92-02 133 in lhe 353rd Judicial Distnct COOl! ofTrnvi • Counly. Texas;

The Stale ofTe.us v. Employers or Texas Lloyd's and Employers of Texas Lloyd', Inc.: Cause No. <).l·00949 in lhe 353rd Judicial District COlIn of Travis Coomy, Texas: 1be Stale of Texas V. Employers Naliooallnsw:lnOO Company; Cause No. 94-00950 in lhe 53rd Judicial l)i,triC( COOl! of Tr:wis Coomy. Texas:

Please be ad,·iscd thallhe aoove-reren:n<:ed companies were placed in by onIc.- or the above-referenced Courts on February II. 1994. 'Ibc Claims Filing Deadline is July 31. t995 . To requw a l'mol 01 Claim Form, please call (512) 44 1-0440 or raJ< yoor req!lell to (5 (2) 44 I.(l604. penn~llttCivmbip

9-' >r.)<# Jad: M, Webb.

Special Dc:PUly Rocch'Cr For Employers Casually Company, In Roceivcrshlp employen; of Texas LIo)'d's and Employers of Texas Lloyd's Inc., In RC<:Civersltip Employers National lnslJl'allCe Company, In Receivership MAY 1995 / 17 1

un. proof of i ftuibl, .Utrnltivt dt$ign is not nt«SSary undtr the amly. sis of the COn.umtr Upedition ttst uKd by most states. Or by At,,~~·s Unifonn Commtrcilll Codt.

The di rec t ion of product liability dtsign CUtl is toward .. risk/utilily '1IIIysis. This requires tht proof of Ihe uiS ltnct of a fusible alltrnUive dtsign. Such. d.,ign muSI. II mini · mum. hive lessened tht pllintiffs injury .1Id ~dt tilt proooct SlIfer. in onkr to Htablish mlmet 01 acasive prewntablt dar!#r.

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cor;..nction wilt! ~ upr;omlrog ElIMInIh Circuit ~ CoroIerence ...

As/IeviIt, Noo:th Carolina. The seminar. 110w to Catch "" AppeiIaW! ~'I AHen· Iioro, and How 10 Lose k'. will be held Thursday, May 25. 1995 from 2 p.m . 10 5 p.m. I t llle Grove Pari< tnn. The roc:u. of the program will be two,poo"g.-:l: (1) How • !he pet'speelive from IIle lederal app&iale bench dil1er!<l11rom lilt pet3j)8Clivl 01 11M! district (XIIIrt. stale IIIlP8hIe (XIIIrt and pr.ICticing lawyers. and (2) How can IIPP8IaIe Iawy«s impro\>e !IM1if perIotmanoI and !IM1if """"'" 01 pr ...aiIing on ~? .).Idges Lanier AndIrIon. JoII Oubina and Rosemary BarMm wi pan;o. p.- on. 1** willi Slew 1GrtI.-....... COrtIerenat anorn.y tor the ~ crQrit. and two 1>:pIH",ad I(l~ hUt potaauws. InIotmation about ... ""~ , Ie _ and .... ElewonIt! ~ ~ 1Ot ill all. . . . . 1rom the Circuit &ecu1iw. IJni!9d Stain Cor.or1 01 AppeaII. 56 Forsyth Sireel. NVtI. Atlanta. Georgia.

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MAY 1995 / 173

Real Estate Mortgages and Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Practice in Alabama-

Current Overview and Practice Suggestions

III

h' Bllnkruplty " " " ,"K'm,"' Rdorm• Act <h' !"Act") MId decision!; r:i Unit· rd Statu District Courts MId 8;r.nkruplq Courts in Alabama. the .:Ievcn t h Ciftuil Cou rt of Appells and tile Su~rtmt Court of tilt Uniltd State, during the pasl two years have pr(lmpted consid..able discussion ilbout lilt rights md remedies of hoIdors <Jf rnidtntilll rul utale mortgages in tho Cliaplu lJ contut in Alabama. 1lN: topics of ,nttrut include; (1/ tho ability of /I ClIlopltr 13 debtor 10 (ur. "prepdi/m mortgage dtfloult in tho ((lUrK of the typical non-judie;).1 mOrlg..g. foreclosure procedure; (2) tho ability of /I CiwIclt.r 13 debtor to "it';p 00..,," tho dtbt SfCUrN by /I homo ~ to the v.ll~ of lilt home; (3) tho: right of fully Kcured mort gag. holden to receive jn t erul on pre _ .nd posl·petition arrurages; (41 the ability of II debtor to cur. posl.co"limwlioo defaulli; and (5) tho dltet of II confi rmation ordtr on motions seeking .. lid (rom the automlItic stay and requests (or ~dequate protection.

PmiMnt Banlmlplcy Stalutoty Pn:wiJionl $«tion 1322 al the Bankruplcy Code: is the kty $tatutOfy p1'OYision dieding matment o( s«ured cL1irru; invol"ing ruidenlilll rul estate mortgages in II Chapler 13 un. Section 1322(b) prG' vide. in relevant part as (0110.....: 174 /MAYt995

H, M. DonI/a D~ cjs, Jr.

ITIIIt plan ~y .

...

(2) mOlllry 1M righll ol holtk ... o( "cured claiml. other than a claim Kcurtd only by a Kcurity internt in rnl prGprrty that is the debtor'. principal residence, or of hol<.ltr$ of uns«urW claims, Or luw unaffected the rights of holders of ilIly eWi 01 ctolinu; (3) provide (or the cu ring Or

"'aMrIII alllny default;

• •• (5) notwit~tanding I'l'ragraph (2) of this lubaotction. proo.idt for

the curing of any &(lIull within II rrasoruble time ~ maintenance o( payments while t he cUt i. prnding on any. , ,s«ured cI"im on which the lut payment is due after the date on which the final payment under the plan is due (tmphasi. Iddtd).

Sedion ]322 wu IImtnded by the Act A new sub$edion Ic) was lidded lind in conjunction therewith, the existing subsection (e) WloS re<lesigNted. The new sub$edion (e) pl'OYidts 11$10110.....: Notwithitandiniliubsection (b)12) and applkablt Low _

til /I <Ie(ault 'lith respect to. or that give riu to, a lien on the debtor', principal relidence may ~ cund undtr paragraph(3) or (5)

no,-

of subsection {bl untilluch dmct is told at /I Iondosurt Sile that il conducted in IIccordance with applicable nonbllnk ruptcy

"'" "'"

(21 in /I use in which the last payment on the origiNI payment schedule (or a claim s«ured only

by II Hcurity intertlt in real prOjlerty that is the Ikbtor', principal ruidenc. II due M(ore the date on ....hich the final plyrTltnt under tilt pLon is due, tilt plan may pro-",oX lor the plyrTltnt 01 the claim IS modified pursuant to 1325(11)(5), Stction 1325 of the Banbuptcy Code

confirmation of I Chapttf 13 plan and it specif..s th~ star>dards the binkruptcy courts are to ult in deter· mining whethfr to confirm such a plan, SKtion 1325(a)(51 provid.. as (ollow$:

conctfTII

IWjith rtsprct to each allowed s«uml cLoim pl'OYidtd for by the

"w. .

or

(AI the holder luch c!aim has IICCtflttd the pLo.n:

(BHil the plan pn:Mdes that the holder of such clllim ntain the lw:n IKUrillll such cLoim; 1100 (i;) the Vllue. 1$ of lilt tffedM date olille pLon. of PfOIltrty 10 be distributed under the pllln on iICCOlInt o( such claim il not less than tile II~d amount of .uch claim: or TH~:

Al.'.IlAHA LAWYER

(C) tilt debtor 5umndtu tilt I'roptrty securing such claim to

JUeh hokItr •.•.

Cun: or Pft·~tiUo" default.

Prior to tilt tr\Ktment 0( the Att. the Elevtnth Circuit had not rulW at what POint a C~pter 13 debtor lost the right to dtctlu~te a mortgage. Courts and members or the ~r in Ala~ma d...... l· oped differing views on this issue. All .um to lOgr.e that prio, to the actual fortdosure sale, the Chapter 13 debtor clIn Curt and reinstue I rut utate mort~. ' At tilt point 0( the forKIoSur. ule. di''f~nce 0( opinion lri-.

One 1.Ww is tN.1 the right 10 dealeratt conlinUH until lilt fom:I()I;uu ule is cornplelfd and lille I\U5fJ to the pur· clwer.' Another view..-as lhat thr right to d«eleralt continuu ilfiu foreclosure ;as long u lhe debtor h;u a legal orequi· u.ble intertlt in the ~roptrty (...... n if Ihal Inle rnl was only the slalulory right of redemplion).> Th tse rulings continue to ha~ sig nificance in their respective districtl as the amendment to Section 1322 wu not retroacti~ in aP!llitlltion. Howevtr. tilt debate should • nd Joon U Ihe Eleventh Circuit presently h;u lilt iuue before it in the C«n~ Federal /Ikm~ case.

MOIl Abbatl\l twIkruptcy poactilionus (imililr with this debue hive illumed thu the d.bate hiS been resol ... d gi ... n Ihe ucent amend"",nl to Section \322. lIowevtr. closer rtvitw of Ihe statute and the aCcomf)<lnying I.gislali ... hIStory inditlli. plMiblyoth. erwin. Sedion 1322(c). a5 amended, SlaIn that the right to deulerate and cur. encb when the residential property is sold at a foreclosure sale conducted in accordanc. with applicab le non~nkruptcy Ilw. It O'ol--e ... r. tilt legislative hiilory ucompllnying this pr(lYiJ.ion clouds the liIWlI""'" Under AII~fT\i Illw. at I fom:losure sale 0( mortglifd property. legal lille ...JtJ in tilt purclu$er II the ule.' Howevtr. in onler (or litle 10 IraTI!i.r. a coovtylInu of Ow Iinds sold must ocrur.' A parol sa.1. 0( bnds uTldtr a power 0( ...Ie claun contained in a mo rtg~ge has been held to be a nullity .' although it has been held th/ot txKution of a deed is nol neCUSiI)' to wst the purch/oser al a foredosure sa.le with equitable title to TilE AlAIlAMA I,AWn:R

tilt for«losed real pr~rty.· Between confusinQ Alabama law in term. of ",·lItn a for«losure IIle is concluded and tilt lesislitiw history KCOmpanying Ihe r«ent amtnd_nt to Section \322 by the Act. tIw ~\It 0( when the r'Qh l to decelerau ind cure in the Chapter 13 setting will libly continue.

Tht be~1 aduiCI thol Con be gi,'m to than who do "ot u'O"/a Chapl~r 13

Wbto,

/0

rkctleralt and

CUr/!

a rno,t·

gage default is to hat'" the foreclosu re deed~ P""p<Jnd o"d filed 01 record as Quicklv as POJSible.

Rutructure 01 mon~ debt comin, due durin, lire of Cllapt" 13 plan The Act Iiso cliorifltS how Cha"tu \3 do:btors tlIIl fUlruC1urt home !llOI'I,ga,gt debl -..hen tilt mortgage d.bt rmtures and btcorrws p'yablt during the life of tilt Chapler 13 plan. For e"imple. tilt mortgaQe debt may includ, a balloon payment (eature that com .. due 18 momhs after the Cllapttr 13 cut is commenced. Under the pre·Act ver.ion of Section 1322(b)(21. bteNion 0( Ihfc ~I· loon Pi)"fTItnt due dite wu roruidered lin impe rmiuiblt modifiution o( Ih • mortgage debt. Tilt rev,sed provi.ion permits tilt Pi)'ltl.nt of Ih. mortgage debt utmcItd IhfOUihoul tIw IiI( 0( thr plan. 11 $hook! bt noted that if a Ikbtor is 1II1empt,ng 10 atend a b.illoon pay. ment OYer Ow lile 01 a propos.ed Chaptn 13 plan. the debtor must still mw tIw requi rements (or the Ir u l ment of secured cbirns under Section \ 325(.1\5).

of the cbim plus interest and the UTUtcum! portion btinll tTtlt.d .imibr to otlltr u!'lH<:u"", clloims in thr Ikbtor·.

Chapter 13 plln. In such iJ1 inslilnU. Ow UTlHCUred pOrtion of the cbim ullirn;It,1y would bt discharged.

In Nob/.mon ~. Atntrico" S(wings &mk,' lilt SuPUmt Court 0( the United States unanimously held lhat Section 1322(b)(2) prohibits a Cha pter !3 d~btor (rom relying on Sedion 506(~) to reduce an understcur~d homestead mortgagt to the (~i r mUktl ""Iut or the mortgaged premises, Th e Court cOncluded that Chapter 13 d.btOTS may not "Jl.rip \k7.o1ll" I home mortgage debt to lhe .... llIfe 01 tilt home.

In Nohkmon tilt debtcm' Chapter 13 plan PTOP<Iftd to rnaU piymrnls tIl",,1 to tilt ....1... of tilt IKUred cbim ptJrMIiflt 10 the terms 01 the TTICII'I,gagt ind the plan did nOI aller Ihe mortgage holder's riQhI u tilt holder 0( a secured c!aim. Additi()l'l.l.lly. the debton' Chap-tor 13 plan provided for p;lrtial p;lymtnl 0( the unsecured port ion of the mort· gage holder's debt. In NoiJl"""1!I the par· ties agreed that modification of the righl1 0( the mortgage. was prohibited

-

-

f _

no OA.SHER &

~ ASSOCIATES

HEWLETT-PACKARD I

REFURBISHED HP EQUIPMENT TO Fill Al l OF YOUR Slripdown or debl Meured by hom. mortgage lit n.

C.ne"l1y, the ,ingltmosl !"ent promptinQ individWlI, to _k Chapter 13 relief is the rommtnument 0( a foreclosure proceeding in"olving the dtbtor's home. Loeially. ore of lilt pri· miry purpose. or Chapler \3 is to enable debtors to cuu tlltir mortgage defaults and ut.l.in t1wir hotnn. H0wever. tIw ability to cure. ;as diSC\J$Hd abow. is not unlimited. Prior to 1993, a nalionwide debate exi.ted u to whether an undersecul"ttl crediIO" , claim could be bifurcated. with the deblor satiJ;/ying lilt full amount of the secured portion

fOR lMlI£l)\lTE OELIVERY. CAU OUR

TOLL FREE IlUI&R FOR AY.t.l.A£UTY

A FUllY STAF~II iItEP.lIR OEPARTIIIEIfT IS AlSO AYAlUBlf fOR All Of YOU R PRlIITfR I PlOTTER SEIMCE NCEIIS.

4117 2ND AVENUE SOUTH BIRMINGHAM, Al35222 800-638-4833 205-59:1.-4747 F A X 59:1.-:1.:1.08 MAY 1995 / 175

by Section 1322(b)(2). The debtors vgued: (I) tIlti. plan did not propos.t a modifl(2l~; (2) IMt Sttt~ 1322{b)(2) onl~ protected the mo.tQllIe hold",', "KCured claim;" (3) lhat unde. Section 506(i) the KCUnd tl~im only equalled tilt 'lluo of 1M property; and (4) that the UJUKUred pOrtion was not prottded

by Section 1322(b)(2 ). The debtors' IrQumenli "~.e rejected with Justi« Clartnce Thomas findinQ lhat their inttrprfUt~ biled to Ill<t inlO IoCCOIJnt Section 1322(b)(2),s focus on "ri ghll" ralher than "da irru." While it was oor· rtCt to look at Section 506(i)to properly ",h.e iIl1d dttermi~ lilt ~ture of 1M hoIdtr's claim. tilt Nobkman COurt held thai wch did not man thai Ihe "righu" of Ihe morlQllgu, which were protected by Section 1322(b)(2). were limited by the ",IU/ltion.

Nobleman is significanl concerning the Supr • .m Court's discu ... ion aboul Ih. t.rm "rights;" which il nOled was not dtfined in the BlInkruptcy Cod •. " "thoul controlling fflkl10l .,.... J",ti« Thomas Slaled thaI it W(lIJld be usumed lhal Congress left Ih. conlrolling deler· minalion of property righll in ......11 of lilt bankruptcy utal. to Sllie ~ sinco lhost property inlel'Hl.s Ir. cnaltd and defined by sIlte ~, That rights we", nott<l a> including tho righl to repoy. .mnl of principa,l in monlhly ins.tal1· m.nu OYer a find lums at specified adjustable rales of inlertsl, Ihe righl to retain the litn untillhe debl is paid off, the right to accel.rate Iho I~n upon debult and proc«d ~insl the deblOt1' ruidtnct by foreclosur. and public Silt, and the righl 10 bring iIl1 Kt~ 10 .«OYer any doficiency remaining after for«!osur .... Juslico Thomas reasoned lhal white Ihese rights mighl be affecl· ed by Ihe initiation of I bankruptcy c;lM, the stalutory limits we", indepen. denl of tilt debtor's plan, which ilSl:1f is prohibited from modifying t ..... rights

by Std~ 1322(b)(2), While discussing Noolemrlfl KV't,,1 additional points deSfrvt comment.

I'i<ll, Ihe limilalion to modification applies only to the rights of hold... of KCUrity inleruts in real property that is the debtor's principal midmct. Second. »a result of tilt Supnlllo! Court's doeci· sion in JoI>nwn u, IfcJnw SIQlt &.nt." a dtbtor 1m» not circUffi\~nl application of l'/r.IMlrmm by filing a Chaplt r 7 Com

mort"

176 / MAYI99S

and oblaini ng a Chapler 7 discharg. belore _kingChapte. 13 relief,

Curing polt-«>nRrmation mortp.go default.

The abilily of I deblOr 10 cure ~ post. confirmal~ default of I resldtntW real estate ~ II» been tilt oubjtd of much debate iIl1d fiV't publishod dto:i· sions. four of "nich .malUled from the Weslern Division of tM Northern Dis· trict of Alabama. U In ,ach in!Iana" th.

Bankruplcy CourU permlued the Cur. 0/ a post·confirmatlon deflUlh in I C!\Ipt.. 13 CISQ, On appeal 10 tilt Dis· trict Court. diflt",nt results occurred.

R«.nlly. in the CiK of In Rt Hoggltl (C'"nlru AcctplanCtl, Inc. /1. Hog. 9ft)," th, Eleven th Ci.cuil Courl of Appeals, in thr.., coOUOIi<ialtd cases con· cerning claims stcured by mobil. homes and real estale lhal were lhe pri· mary .uidencu of the debtors. held that the bankruptcy cou rl had the aulhority 10 modify a confirmed Chapin 13 ~Lan 10 allow a debtor 10 cure a post. confirTnation defaull with rduen« to a $fcurtd claim on a deblors house. The Elevenlh Ci.cuil bastd iu ruling upon the "pWn mtmiot' ofStdion 1322 and 1329 of the IliIl1kruP:cy Code. Tht Court noted thaI ilthough Stttion 1322(b)t2) prohibilS modificalion of lho righll of hom. morlgage lenden, Section 1322(bl(5) of the Ihnkruptc~ Cod. "expre ... ly authorizu pl~ns to provide 101" the timtly curi"ll of Iny default and ~inttnar1a of ~ts duri"'ll tilt lif. ofthepbn." Tht Court st.ated; Congress could have easily inKrted the word pre petition 10 modify dtf.uil but f.iltd 10 <10 w.

Th. omi ... ion is significant. The plain maning of Section 1322(bHS} p.rmits cure of any default whtthtr occurri"'ll prior to tilt fil· inQ of the pelition or .$UMtquml to confirTnalion of the plan. Thus, Section 1322(bH5) would permil cure of post·conflrmation de · faults."

plin confirTnalion helri"lllare handled ",ria among,t 1M bankruplcy courU in tho Jt.II•. In s.l.m lreu lhe practice of cndilors holdinQ I real estll. mort· gag. on t ht principal rtlidenc. of a Chapt.r 13 debtor when I plan contlin! objectionable provisions, hlos llten to ignore objecting to the C~r 13 plan and pnxttdi"lllO a moIion _king relid from the automatic stay 10 fo..,· c!(lSI: on tilt proptrty. The tfftcl of the filing of such i motion Wlf for t he debtor to n. gotialt wi lh the ucur.d credilor in order 10 keep lhe residence.

Ollen this resulled in ,ide ~r'~rrN:nts betwttn tilt debtors and lheir cmliton..

The bankruptcy judga 01 tho Southtm District of AIablIma hr.'t indicated lhei. cooctm about thi' pl10Clitc becaw;e the order of confirmalion of a Chapter 13 plan h.u rns judicata andlor collateral esloppel effecl as to issues regarding whelher ~ steured c",dilor's interests u e adtquit.1y prottcled. Quoti"ll Cc/. littn On &rr!JcnJptq. one bo.nkruplcy eourt II» held;

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II i! lherefor. incumbent upon credilors wilh nOlice of Ine chap· ter 13 case to rtvi .... tho plan and obj«! to the plan if IMy lltlieve il 10 llt improper, IMy may ignore the confirmation h.~ring only at their peril .... ICmlilorl ~y not take (:.Ition to eoll«t dfbu which are inconsi.tent with the method of payment provided in lhe plan .. .. Onct the plan is confirmtd 1M only (:.Iw;e for ..,Iief from lho stay that may be ",Iidly _rted i$ tilt debtor', material failu .. 10 rom · ply with the plan."

Thus, provi.ions in I proposed Chapler 13 plan concerning cure 011 default (pre· or post·petition) p.\Yffitnt of int..•

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THE ALABA."lA lAWYER

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client'! in/f!TI5lS in corVuncliQII ",ilh

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nmJ.s 10 ~ QlflTl rolh, pfO<!isirms 010 propOMrl ChoptflT 13 pion arwJ lid orr Q timel, bosis to prottel his or her

Int,",l oa arnarqu Prior to June 1993. Chllptn 13 debtors in the Eleventh Circuil ~rt not nquirtd 10 PiY inlnut on prt·pel!· lion a..ea ' agn on !otcu,ed claims lhal Wert beinll curod Ih rough th.i, plallll.

This rule changed in Roh IJ. 11'0<1#17 and WllS lIt., 1TIOdifi.d by the Acl. In Rah. lhe Uniltd SUlIK Supftl'l1e Court hold that Chapin 13 debtors who curt a default on an overstCu,ed home mort · ~ must pa~ posl·petition inl.~t on lhe arrearago ..... n tII.ou£h ~ mort· IIi8't ilKt! did not prtwide for aTl'UrJit intt rul. This rulinQ r.sol~d II splil bet\o,... n various circuit tOIJrts of appeal on the issue." The Court r. lied UpOn its urlin decision in Uniltd Siaies of Mwric>:I u. Roo Poir Enterprises, Inc." lInd $Ktioo 506jbj of the Bankruptq Cod •. which stllu that OVtrstCured credilon "'i th "lIow.d claims should include 'int~rut' on such claim, and lny rusonabl( feu. costs. or charlles ul'kkr th.t agreement under which $\>Ch claim lIrost. In Roke. paymenl of inltrtil "'lIS held to not eonstilut•• modifi · calion of Ihe morlgag(. prohibited by Sf't ion 1322(b}(2). Addi tionally , Ihe N"ke Court hetd that $Ktion 1325(lJ(S) rtquirt<! that the Chapter 13 plan provide SKUrt<! crt<!ilors with" SItU... of futurt plIymtnts that must equal the prestnl donar v"Jut of the claim lIS of th( ~lan confirmation dale . whic h impliu lhe pay.... nt of interest.Tho Act modir.td Sfdion 1325 to provide lhat tho iImO\UII nt«SWy 10 CUrt de(iult ("tlkh tOuld indude inlernt} wll be dttmnintd in lICCOrd.mce with tho underlyi ng agrtemenl and applieable non\),an kruptcy liw." The Act ,ignir,cllntly curUliled the scopt of Ralre. It should be noled thaI lhe n~ imtnd · ....nt lIpplits only to ~mmts mlert<!

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YOUNG LAWYERS' SECTION

By HERBERT HAROLD WES T, JR.

I 11 I •

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y the tilTlf Ihi5 utklt publish~d. $lVfr~l of the Young

Lawyers' Sect i on's major projec ts will be underw,y.

i."

Minority Participation conrerencc

iJ KhedUItd for ~y 5, 1995. in Mont· Qomtry, Alib .. mll. Tht <onfutnn allows minority high ochoolstudtntl10 mttt with minority la~rs and judgel to lurn mort about Carter opportunl · ties in Iht legll profession. This iI only the stCOnd ~"r of thor ronftrfnc:•• but the rwmbu of !lith schooilludtnts pa.ticipating il npecltd to ncted ]SO. Fred Cray. Jr. chl;n Iht commilttt ,uponsibl. for putting on the confereoct, ~ he ind tlv other me"" of lho commitlH lift \0 be commmded lor IMi. tfJOfU. The ","UlUi) Sandulin Slmlnar at tho beach is schtdultd for May 19 and 2(). and the attendal'lCt at this ye.ar's seminar rmy t'o'tn =«d lui )'t'a,'sl'fWl"lllllttn<Wlc•.

AI tho lime 01 this wrilin&, ~in IW t(lmpltltly booked th. block of rooms

reserved for tht uminu Ind wu alltmpting to reHM additional rooml.

To my knowledg •. the section tw newr btfore booIctd all tilt m.ervtd roo"" in tho .. minar's hiUory.

in<:rt~ inttrf1t and tho .. minar tw lire.." from averaging 1m than 200 rtII· istrants to oYer 28<1 registranl.$ Lut )Our. Another Pmitct the seclion organ in May is tIM: Ipring admililoni un· many. The C"tmony is s.c:htdultd for MIIy 23, 1995 at the Montgomtry CMe Ctnter. Of an the projtCl.$ in which the Sfction is involved, the a dmi~ions cere· mony prob/lbly requirn the Il>OSt work.

T..... Albritton and Bnan lIonley were ruponsible for organizing last f,,1I"1 admissions ceremony arw.Ilre allO orga· ni.ing the sprinQ ldmi.. ions certmony.

They art commtnded for their efforts.

One projKI we did not h.l.ve to under· take this ~r is the tmtTftllC)l relponM protram In cooptf;llion ",ith tIM: ff<le:r· II ElTIe1lItntY Iobnaft ..... nt Admin,stn· t ion. The sect ion is responsible for providinQ lawyen 10 answer victims' q\>e$tions in tilt event of. an .mtr~ncy.

Thi. )'ur an emergtncy hu nOI occurred rtquiring 11M: SKlion to pr0vide ta...")'t'rs. but we mll5t be prepued to do 50 on short notice. ~r, hope this trend continues.

I look forward to see ing you II the bt~h and at the JulJ' liIate N r co"","tion in 6irmingh.l.m. _

HAL WEST

In prior ~ars, the YLS sponsored the lotmi ... r. bul much of the organiUllion lnd administration of the .. minar wu uncItrIaktn by ABICI..E. Two ~rs ago. in an dforl 10 Qtl more )'Oung lawyus invol",d in the lotctioo·1 xtiviti.s. the stCtion took l"I'SflOIUibility lor the enlire lotminu. Since that time tilt number of YOU"ll ""')'trs invo"'f<! in pulling 00 the sominlr hu dra ml ' icaliy increased.

Along wilh QrtaItr irMllwmml his comt

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DISCIPLINARY REPORT DI.b ......nt.

• •'1 ith._ Staftlt)/

I Birm;nglwn ~ I , _ dillI»rrtd from the practice of la .. by ordtr of tlw Disdpli,.."y Sh~ic-r ,

8<),ord. Panel II. fo r tngagi"ll in conduct in\'olving diJt!onHty,

ft'3ud. deceit and misrepresentation in oolation 0( Kule 8.4«(1; for failing .(1 safeguard client property, for failing La promptly lleliv!. funds to i cl~nllxlonging to I~t client ~ fl'lr failing 10 nWnt.oin clim! funds in ""'pllra!. xcounl in violation 01 Rule 1.15(1). (bl and Ie); for willfully nt1Iltctill/il • Ifgal mann entrusttd to him in \/iolalion of Rult 1.3; wr failiTlll lo proYide compotenl rtprUtntation t(l a cHent in viol.tion of Rule 1.1; for failing to keep a client reasonably informed in vioL1.tion of Rule 1.4(i); for InmilllOting repruent.otion of i client without prOIrcting tIwro\ climt's ;nteRW ,n violation of. RI.dt 1.16; by knowingly mlIIc.ing" f.tJ1ot statemtnt of I mat..i.l1 fKt in I dis· ciplinary mattu in violation 0( Rult S.I(e); and for failing to respond to iI la ...'ful demand fl'lr infofllliltion from I bar diKi. plirury ~uthorit~ in viol~tion 0( Rul~ 8.I(b). Shein wu found guilty b)' the DiKiplinary Ilo»rd ilfter Mar;ng;n tI", following ITIIIU~""

CO.l4PUt INT ONE IASB No. 94-066I·ln 1992. Shei.. wu rdai!lfd in In UUoI ~ lTIIIu~r by the uecutrix of the tsUte. At that lim~. Ihe u tale co"';sl~d of I hou~. bank account Or accounts. $Kurities. U.S. Covtmment retirement boener.ts ami pt"rsonal PfOl)trty 0I:an undelennintd amount. The follo",";ng ~u Shei.. "'~ the howt to be .old for ;opproxilTllltely $71.

198. Although the four MMficiaries of the tsUtt promptly returned documents Hnt to them for execution. they hurd nothing fu rther regarding tht utate until the lalt er part of 1993. During this time. the bentlicillTiu made numerous r ~quuh 01 Sheirr fa r informlltion to which he d id not re~. In NOYCmber 1993. Shelf< Hnt tach bt .... fl(:iary a dwk in tho ~ of $10.000 but tlvy hurd nothing there· after. In februllry 1994. the bentf"ilriu filed /I complaint with the AlabalTlll Slate Bar against Sheier for failing to complete the probation of the estote and for failing to provide /111)1 infor. mation regarding the tsUt •• i",ludi", i15 sin. She"r was ... nl a copy of the complaint and requested to rupoml to it but b iled to do w. II. was so:-nt a second reqllW b)' regular IJId certified mai l and agoin failed to rupond. At tta hur;ng.

fACSIMILE (lOS) m..lJl6

ANNA LEE GIATT INA ~~. "'DoIBEllOIF AI.AIA.\M

MIl SI.-..Ia IWl

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Sheier admiUed that he com..,rted tta remainder of the tsUte UHlS to his ""''11 UM.l>iscifoline irt'l(105td·OISBAR."I El\'T .

CO,.,PUt INT TIfO IASB No. !M·092I-SheitT wu r(tained to incorporate a busine15 and P<Oid a fn of 5600. He f'iled 10 incarpor~te the business and did not ft tum Ih~ fee to hi. clifnt. The cI~nt mod a comp!;,int with the bar in th is matter in Much 199-1 ..... Ithough the complaint WIIS so:-nt to She~T ..,th I request 10 mpond on two different ~ he failtd 10 do w. l>iscipli .... imposed-suSjlt1Uion from the practice 0( law (or six months.

CO."PUt /fr.7 TIIHb'b' IASB No. 94- 1191· ln NO\'tmbtr 1993.

Sheier was r~tained 10 fil. habeas corpus for a client and rKtiwd II fn 0( S1.5OO. He t>trfonned no ]egal services on behalf ofhis client nor did he rdund IfIY of the fH . The diml filed I bar complaint in April ] 994. T'ht:re.fter. Sheier wu requested to rtJpond to the romp1aint bUI failed 10 do.o. Dis· cipliM impoU<!·DlSIJ,ARMENT. CO." PLAlNT FOtJR IASB No. 9.\·099I· ln June 1992. Sheier agrud 10 reprtltnt a dient in a Social S«u rity disabilily appeal. OYer the nut 16 monlhs. the diem attempted to con· ta.-t Shein stVerlOi timu a month and could only lellve mes· sagn on his answering machine. Sheifr did not return his clien!', talis. In Augwt 1993. Shtitr informed his dientthat hi: hid a rrfttin.g with an IP\ltlIIs j~ in October and would con· txt his dimt coro«ming ..-htn IfId "titre to mHt. In Otctm· ber ]993. the dim! tailed the Social Security AdministrlOlion Offf« and ..-as informed lhat his file ..-as iNd ive and hid bun returned to Balti more. Maryland . Ite uked that the file b. returned to the local Social $tcurity Offiu and, aft .. re-.iewi", it. detennintd that no appe.alto his denial 0( disability had ever been filed nor had IfIY «her inforTNtion been requuied. The client filed a bill cornpQint in March 1994 10 ..'hkh Shei.r did noI rupond lifter being requested to do so. Discipline impOSedswpt",ion from the practice 0( law for si. monlrn.

CO,'IPLAIN T FIVE lASH No. 94· 1801· ln f ebruary 1994. was awoinled to represem a criminal de~ndant in lhe appeal of his criminal conviction. In May 1994. the cltrk of the court of crimiNI appu,ll informed Sheifr by leller that the apptllate brief should have bun filed in that court on May 2.

1994, He was also .tlviiW that if he did not file a brief within K\'tn <bys. 1M Dii"iplinaf)' Comm;15k>n of th. Alabarn;a Stot.

Bar would be informed. Shei.. biled to filt I britf and the aH wlIS remanded to the circuit court with inltructions thai sm~r be relTlOl'td from tilt aH for taust and a MW counKl be appointed.l>isciplint imposed·DI SIlARMENT. She~r

COi" PLAfNT SIX IASB No. 94-19O(A)i· ln Jul~ 1992. SheifT wu retaintd to reprtso:-nt a criminal ddendant charsed with tl'llff"ki"l[ in totline, On advi~ of Shei .... the criminal deftn. <bnt plead guilty to a ~r charge and was Hntmctd to $tYm )'Uri confinemtnt. Aft ... IN pica of guilty. Sh~ier cha~ the criminal ~fendanl an additiOfl.lI $6.500 to appeal his ronvic· tion. !Ie charged this fee knowing that there Wi\5 lillie o. no

TIlE A1.ABA."IA u\WYER

ch~nc( for, succeufullppuL During 1992, the crimin~1 d(/(ndlont '''is fornd to Slll, t>orT. ~t I\( hid inheritfd from hili PIorenU to ply Shei(r', During hi!; ifIC.I.nnlton, the crimi""t ddendlnt ~ .... Shei(r JlOW"r of ~lIomt}' to hindle ~ procffib from ~ $alt. tit llso .torn! hi> ~hotd JI(IOXb MId midt unn~mrnU with SMitr 10 PiY sto.age pIIyr'Mnu of S70 per month. Siltitr '~itfd to Ploy the storage PIoymtniiOO ~ howthold 1I(ICXls ..... «' sold ~t public luction. Although tM d(1.ndlnt W 'tttmpted to C(Kltact Sl\(i.. on nulntl'OU$ oeg. sions. Sheiu would nOI return his telfphone calli. Shein alleges the re il no money Idt in the criminal defendant', Kroon!. HowtVtr. he had rdused to ptOYide an}' lCCOlInting of these fundi. t)iKiptine impose<!·DISHARm:NT.

'tf.

CO."'PLAltvT S£IIf.W lASH No. 94.108j.ln 1990. tilt Alabi· IHpllrtmtnt of Mental Huith contrKted with Shein to inoorponte ten ,upport groups and was paid, It< of $750 per group. Shein f'iled to provide tl\( A1.'Ibima IHpartmrnt of /okn1.'l1 l-lallh with copie, of tM Articles of Incorponlion 01 ~h lUpport IlrouP llthoullh ~~ \0 do so on nulntl'OU$ ocr;oSion$. One of tht lUppOrt groups to br incorponttd ~ tht Obsess;.." Compull;"" Disorder SuppOrt Croup of ~ In Junt 1994, SMier "'U COII\.Icted by the vice·pruidenl of ~I group ilJId informed thit tilt group had not .«tWtd ~ Articlu of lnoorporation or Hyl.'Iws ilJId ~t tho OJgir1iution ..as not listed by II\( Alabama Secretary of St.'Ite. Siltier admitted that tilt Articles of tnwrporati<m "'ere not on file in the probate court in Jeffer$Ofl County but that the original docu"",ntl _re stitt in his computer, He provid.d tho elient with a COp)' 0( the Articles of Incorporation at that time. UPOI1 review. the client d(tennined that tl\( Articles 0( Incorporation provid· ed Wert not the Mticln of Incorporation of the ObItSJI~ Compulsive Oi,order Support Croup but were Articlel 01 Inrorpoootion of an enli"1)' dilkre ..t group. I.. h .. rtspOr\M \0 a bar compllint. Siltier wbmilled a COpy 01 the Articles of Incorporalion of tM ObHss~ Compull~ Support Croup.

Th, articl", submi tted by SMier wtro actually Artiel", 01 Incorporation for the Support Croup 01 M~ntally III ArtilitS ...i1ich hid bttn altem! by Siltier to appor to hive bHn p«,. pIIrtd for tilt Obsessi .... Compul5M Disord" Support Croup, DiKipline lmpose<!_sU$pomion from the practin of liw for $ix months. ml

Co.tfPLAftvT EfGffT lASH No. 94·090l-In July 1993. Sheier was retained by a cl ient to file i bankruptcy potition and paid a 1ft of S320. The client explained to Sheier t~t I\( wanted to file bankruptcy in order to pro/.(ct hi. truck lrom bring repOS· It.ltd. After Sheitr was retained. the client CllIed him on numtrool oc:clSionl but Siltier would fIOt «'tum ttis ails.

Sl\(ier did not filt I bi .. kruptcy petition on brhillof h .. die ..t and the clitnt" truck was "po$$t~. DiKipline illlpo~.cd· DISBARMENT. CO.tlP(AI,W NINE lASH No. 94·211I-1n July 1993. SMier was ..uintd in, divor<elrustody matter and j)lid a 1ft 01$868.

With", (8 houl'li. tht dient inforrroed Sl\(ier that lilt flO Jonacr duired to punue the mallu and """nted a refund. Sheier ,greed to refund the lee Ius court costs which would M approximately $100. The«,alt ... he did 001 refund an~ oItl\( fee and refused to return the dient'. phone Cll1s or to ,"ept .. gi.tfrod mail from her. Discipline impOsed·orSIlAR,'1ENT.

THE AI.AJlA.\\A LAWVER

Siltier was .e~ from the Roll 01 Attorneys ilJId diwrrro from the prxlice of liW by onkr of the Supremr Court of Allbloma dited february 7. 1995. dfecti .... llnuary 26. 1995.

(Prior public discipline cons,,'ertd: lwo thrft'~lr luspen·

. . .1 • Hinningham altorroey \\i l1i1m Eu~n e Rutledge was dis· birnd from tM pr.octict of 1.'1.0 in the St.'Ite 01 Allblomi tfl'tc· live January 20, 1995. by order 01 the Suprtllle Court 01 Alabama. Rutl(dgt·. di.bannent was bl~d upOn his ~ving executed an Affidavit and Con~nt to Order 01 Disbarment baSld upon his felOll» conviction in federal court , On June 12, 1992. Rutledge was found guilty in the United St.'Itts District Court on c~rges of making (,Ise statements to a government agency. making, lalse stattment on a loan appliation. and embrulemrnt lrom an empk!yft pension ben· efit plan.IRule 22(11(2). Pel. 92·021

S .... p<tn.ion.

• H,nningham atto..-rory J . SCflII Ll n'ltt, was suspended lrom tl\( pr;Idi« of 1.'1.0 in tht StIle of Abb.l.ma for, period of 30 dlys. ,fftct;"" Fobn.u.ry 7. 1995. by ordtr 0111\( Sup«'me Court of Alabama. Langner's SlJSptnsion "'U butd upon hit pita 01 guilty \0 chirgn thit he had engaged in ethial mis· conduct ;as • lawyor. (ASH No», 92-493. 92·544, 93·232. 93· 373(8) & 9.\-03 11

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&CHAP7**13 MAY 1995 / 181

• Pelham al10mey Nkkty John Rudd. Jr. has boten JUlp!nd_ td from the priClice of Iiw by the OiscipiiNory Commilllon of the AWr.I.~ Stile &r lor noncompli.lnn with the 199-4 Client Security Fund ,,",,"mtnt, Rudd practic.d law in Binningham. 1M iuspensioo is dfectM fdlowry 15. 1995. ICSf No.

"...,

• Mont8Omtry IttOl'Tlq' o ..-id Co,",man , ·.rbrou,," "''U illJpended for a period of 45 doys btgiMinll febowry 21. 1995.

VubrouQll plead lIuilty to ...illfully r>tQlectinQ a leQaI rTIlotiu entroned to him. Tht Disciplinary Board impoJed the ' US\lt1l · ,ion loll<)lo.·in, a h.arin, on the disciplin. inue. Yubrough agreed to handle a seriou' carltruLk accidont case 10' an out· of·state plaintiff. Bttwetn July 1989 and AuglL't 1992 he rom · municl.led infrequtnt ly with the clitnt. bUl alwayJ assured that thin~ were boinQ handled properly. In AuQu't 1992. the plaintiff, father requuted a cOpy of Yarbrough', fiI •. Alter m:eiving thor file.hor ,",amod that the case had n.tWr boten filed.

The: suM. of hmiullOll$ had expired on Ml)' 21. 1991. In lhor filt was a Ittltr which Yarbrough ostensibly hIod Hnl to an insu .... nct adjU>ter declining a S75.000 Hlliemont oller. 1M ltlt.. was dattd nine months after thor stitute had ilrudy expired. Yubrough had professional liability insurinee. but Iln'tr notified hi, insu .... no;e arritr of the possible dl.lm. IASB No. 93·1031 • Binninjfham attorney Donald T. Trawick was iuspendod from the practic. of law by orde r of the Supremo Court of Alabama for a period of 181 days. said su.pen!ion dfeclivt Nowmbor 14. \994 . The Disciplinary Boord of the Alabama State Bar. altu a hearing. found Trawick guilty 01 failing to provide compe tent representation to his clienti. willfully neglecting legal malleTS entrusted to him. failinQ to adequately rommuniute with his cl~ntJ, and failing to rupond to alawful drINnd for information from a disciplinary author,ty in viow.ion of RulH 1.1. 1.3. I.4ta) and 8.llb) of thor Rulu of ProfessioNl Conduct of thor AWr.l.ma St.te &r. IAS8 No:.. 93.(173.

93·133" 94 ·2 121 • Binnin,gham ~r C"ftnu Dortch. III was publicI)' ftTI· rimanded on March ]7. 1995. In Augmt ]993. Dortch accepted a S1.500 reuiner to usiS! ~ former gowrnITKnt tmploy« .... ith problems regarding his retirement pay. Bet .... een $tplembor ]993 and Ap.ill994. the cHent was unable to get in touch with Dortch ~bout the Italus of hi. legal problem. The client Cllled regularly. I:lortch Ignored ~ ctrtifit'dlelttr in Febowry ]994.

In ~ of the lact that Dortch did liltle Or nothing on tho! rTIlot· Itr. tht Diidplinary Commission found that Dortch had neglected a legal malter entm.led to him. and failed to rapond to ftasoN.ble ftquut for information by a cJionl. In addition to the public rtprimind with ~n ..al publication, Oortch Wl$ ordered to ftfuoo the SI..500 retainer. IASB No. 9-1-15(1 • Opoliki Ll"'l'tr John S_ Thrower. Jr, "AI publici)' repri. manded on Much 17. 1995. The Disciplinary Commission determined that Thrower had viol~ted Rulu 1.15(b) and ] .15(d) of the Rulel of Pro/usional Conduct. Thrower accepted that decision and the diKipline imposed. Thrower incurred S17.570 in COIls htt"'«n 1992 and 1993 in connection .... ith 182 1 MAY 1995

work dont b\' a VlXatioml rehlobiliution npert. This export provided services to HWrJ.1 of Thrower'J worker'. rompelU.ltion clients. As certain ~....,re Hilled. Thl'tl"'-er did not pay tho npert. 8y August 26. 1993. ThI'O"'-er had onl)' paId $995 on tho outstanding balance. On that dm. Thrower issued a check on his trost xalUnt for ilWOices totahng S2.31lO. This chtck ...... refuted "''ice by Thrower, bank. Thro.... paid SA.760 in Nowmbtr ]993 and pn:wni$fd to "hand drlNt.- the balance of the imoo:Mces by April 26. 199-4. H. fallt'd to do to, and a .....'}Itr reprtHnling thor consultant filed a cornplllint in the INtt ... !ASB No. 94-Z36) • On February 3. 1995. Anniston a\torney C. Co~ William. recei,-ed two scp.1rate public reprimand.! with general public~· tion. Th. t.... o public reprimand ..... tre bued on \\'i lliam.· pleading guilty in two sepa .... tt malleTS to having violated his prolusion', codo of .thics.

In Ont matt ... Williami al/retd 10 represent a client in a criminal INlier. Hooo-rwr. he failed to quote a ftt to the dient. telling tho climt not to WOITY MIouI hlJ ftt unlil the mailer had boten roncludrd. Tho diont ...... abo ltd to bolieve that the criminal mailer would bo ~d ...ith tht diont', m:en-ing a possible fine and being pIxtd on the SI R p«Jllr.lm. Based upOn Williams' ~dvice. the dimt pled guilty. but ...·as senltr.ctd to inQorc...tion.

Th...afler. the client ~nd hi, wile e~perit""ed sub.tantial difficulty in communicating ....ith Williams about the matter.

The wife mado rtpeated reques15 of Williams to submit a final bill for his services. finally. Will iams fOI'W~rdw a Itatementto the clienl demanding a fe. 0/ $10.000 pill' cos15. The client's wife then req~stt'd an ittmi.w statement from Williams. H~ failed to prO'Jidr any such Itemized statement.

Formal charges ...-err filtd I.II/I;rut \\"llliams in this matter.

He sub5t<tlltntl)' entemll pl~ of guilty. admittinl/ that he had violated Rules l.5(a) and 1.4(b). Ahban'II RulH 01 ProIeuioNl Conduct. in that he enteml into in lirttmtnt for. Or ~ I c,",arty acessM fee, and. further. that hor failed to nplain i INttu to thor utent nt«Ulry to pennit hi, cli.nt to INh informtd decisions "'iIrding his ropruenution.

In the second malttr. Williams agreed to ""rsu~ a climt', attemptS to prevent operation of a blL'iness in the client's residrntial neighborhood. Williams med initial pleadings on bohllif 01 the di.nt. H<)Io.'IM'. th. client t~per~""td inertaSOd difficul · Iy in communicating with Willia ms about Iht . tatu. of hi. cast.

The dient subsequently discovt red that his case had ~en dismis.sed with prejudice due to a liCk 01 diligent prosecution.

Tht client thon filed l formal ,omplaint I.II/Iirut Willi~ms .... ilh thor Alabama Statt &r. A$ of the date of the filing of the c0mplaint by thor cI~nt. \\illiims had still failed to notify the client that his case had botn dlsmi:lStd. Further. Williams /ailed to file itimtly rcsporuo to the bar grirvanct. lI'iIliamJ, following thor filing 0I1orma1 clul~ ag,loinst him. enltrtd a guilty pltL In wid plea.. lI"illiamo admitted thathor had ...;lIfull)' ntglected a lega,l mluer tntTUltt'd to him IDR 6IOI(M). that he had f~iled to keep his tlitnl rtuonibly informtd about the status of a matter and promptly compl)' with reasonable "quem for information IARPC l.4(a)]. lhal he failed to explain ~ matter to the utent reasonably ntcessary to permit the client to make informed docisions regarding the reprelOntation \AHPC 1.41bll. and that he koo\o" ingly failed to TilE A1AllAMA lAWYER

rupond to a lawful dtnww.!1or infol'llV.tion from a disciplinary author,ty IARPC 3.l\b}].IASB NO$. 92· 190 &. 92·3841

in conduct that lIdwrstly unects on his fltnrsslo pooice .......

• On ftbfWry 3, 1995. ArmiJton IUomty Cnnt Alltn Pari.

• Mobilt IIltomty \\lUiam CI'O\", Jones. IJI ,,'U IIdministered I public reprimand ..ithout gentol publication March 17,

l'Ktiwd I public ,.."rinww.! witt.lut genenl publication.l'loris

handled a 1000n transaction wherein the borrower pledged as collateral land jointly owned by the borr<)\oo'u and hi. wift. 'l1lCrufttr, it was discovered that the borrower's ... ife·s signa· tU ft on the mortgage and OOIe wtft forgtd. II review of tOOK documenu disclosed thit Paris had nolariud the mortg;oge dud. and witnessed the mortga,e note without adually OKknowltdgmg and witnessing tilt bor'Jowfr'. wife,'s $ltnaturu.

The borl'O>ftr substQuently died. The Itnder Ihen leamfd that the mortgage dud and mortgage note (ontained the f~ siiNwrn of the borrowtr",,·ife. Paris then paid to the lendlr the nmaining bobnc:. on the IoIIn noIe aoo btame lhe OWIltr of tile mortgage on the property in QueJlion. Paris lilen r.led a daim against the decused borr<)\oo'e r', estate lor the amount of the mortgage . In l dej'l(llition subsequently con· ducted in the matter of the ..tate of tile d«eased. Paris lesti· flld that he did noI OKlually 1ft lhe bor~r's ..ife $ign the documenu in quntion.

II hearing ...... held on 10.......1 charges filed agooinst Paris in thi. mltter. The Disciplinary Boird round PlIriS guilty of vioAt· iog Disciplinary Rules 1· 102(11)(.).Iii (61. in lhat he engaged in condud i!WONing dishootsty, fnud, d«eit, misnpresmtation. or willful misconduct, it1Id thit such con<.luct aIMrstly nOect· ed on his fllnns 10 practice ilo .... lASH No. 92·1621 • Ashland attorney Jeflrey Alan \I'ilU, wu publicly repri . mandod. without genenl publiQlion. on Iobrch 17, 1995.

Willi. hid bnn retained to appeat a decision 01 the U.S. Parole Commission denying his dien!"s parole reQutst. The client ~n«d to Willis the SUIted fu. Therufu,r, tilt dienl IItlempted unsOCC:oWully to oonlOKl Willi. both by lelrphono: and by Ittttr.

E:,.. nlually the client learned thit WiIIis"'illi no lon~r in private practice. but had become lin usislant di,trict .lIomt)'.

The dient then filed a bIor complaint against Willis contending that he hlld paid him II fet to represent him in the parole IIl'1'1'al. and 11150 10 stek a rtdudion of his sentence thfOl.lgh the fedtnl court.

A copy of the b;or compillint wu sent to WiLlis with tM uqunt ttwol he pn:Mdt a written response thtrtlO. WiIIiJ liiltd to limely nSpOnd to the .:amp... int. ~n though t...:o ITIIm Itt· ten were sent to him from the Disciplinary Commission dtmanding II reoponse to the ~r griMr'I(e.

Willis dtmandld formal chars ... but subsequently withdrew his request lor a due process hearing, agreeing to accept the decision of the [)isciplinal)' Commission that h< r"""i,... pub· lic nprimand withoulgeneral publication.

The DiscipJi1\,l,1)' Commiss,on determined that Willis h;td vtot.I.ted _nl provisions of the AIab.lmaRults of ~I Condud. specifICally, Rule 1.• (11, II hoe liiltd to ktrp hiJ client reasooWlly informtd lIbout the statu. 01 hil nprestntation.

Rule 1.4(bl, in lhil \1~1Ii. f.iled to expllin II malter to the u\tnt rtilOnlbly necessa ry to ~rmit the client to mllke inlormed decisions nsarding the reprtstntation. Rule 1.5(b). for failing to ad.qualel~ communicate to the dientthe basi, or rat. of his fee for repnsentation. and Rule 8.4(g). for engaging Tfl E: AI.AIlA."1A LAWYER

IASB No. 93-4161

1995.

In Septembe r 1990. Jonn agreed to represtnt a dient in pursuing collection of certain open accounts. E:vtn though the client provided Jones with the nr<:t .... ry informalion to purJue thest e"'i>m. Jones failed to do lO. lind lail.d to adequllttl~ communH;.J,tt with the dient/lbout the malin.

The client filed 1 grirvanct "",Irut Jonu.ln ftstlOrlding to that grit\-anor. Jonto Wnitted!hlt he ~ failed to Idtquately com· mumcate with his climL contending tllM his failure to 00 50 .... due to peTJONl problems he W/IS f!oj)f ' iencing lit the time.

The Disciplinary Commission determined that Jonu' coo· duct violated lour se""nte provisions of the Alabama Rules of f'rofessional Conduct , specifiQlly, Rule 1.3. in that he ... illfully ... ,Iected II I_sal matter entfUlted to him. Rule 1.4Ia). in that he liiled to keep his dient re~ly informtd ibout the sta· tus of the malter, Rult !A(b}, in ttwot he failed 10 upl'IR II matter to tilt aunt re~1y nt«Ul1)' to permil his dient 10 make informed d«isions regardin, the upre:srntation, and Rule 8.4('1. in th.t ht engaged in condud that advtrstly nOtcuon his fitnrsslO practice I.Iw.IASH No. 94·2251 •

WE SAVE YOUR T IM E ...

bb arne II LEG

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R&sear ch

Now kpt i.

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a;",UlM'f

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,... """".!I'I< ....,e""y of

add,ng. futl·llme 1I,,,,,,,i.!. Oi ck'rk,

Wilh IC","SS 10 11'1< SIOI. Low Litnry alld W... la"'. "".

FOi dndh"" ... <>t\;. "". can doth •••• n(omuII"" '0 you ..... ommon eamo-, provldo f.~ alld off",,,,n,

.Ie"'''''',

F.... ~t E>.pre .... Of FAX

famett ~l!.1 R.~."h .. am"~. 11'1< , ..,,'" lhorou,hly Ihrough q ... tny ...",."h, br,.f ",r",n, olld analy" •.

Our ,.,<s .re S35.00 pet """,. "'nh. 'hrtt no", minimum.

For

R~a rch

Assistance contact: Sarah Kathryn Farnell 112 Moore BUilding Montgomery, AL 36104 Calt (lOS) 17N<J)7

,.., .... ___ ' . _ ... ",~d",.-...IOM ..bj'""' .~,...",~d""""-...'**""""'''''_~

MAY 1995/ 183

RECENT DECISIONS

By DEBORAH ALLEY SMITH and WILBUR C. SILBERMAN

SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA OSHA In&pectlon " POrt admiu iblt U n«pll"" 10 hearsay ru l~ Smilh v. Interoolionol Paper Ca.. MS 1921699 (Febru.J.ry 17. 1995).Th. plain. tiff ippul.d rrom summary judg"",nt for ~ dd.nd.an\ prtmisn OWM. in ..

",rolliful duth ~I ion. ~ plaintiffs d«tdent. an tmployft of in Ind..".". \kilt conll'1Ctor, died when 1I brKk "'"111 collapKd on him. ~ pbintiff "Ilegtd 1M! 1M premistl (lWM ' b.. lIched i{J duty \0 pn:IIIi(k , 5afe ~ 10 work when it did not proYi<k b~ing for tht ron· tractor \(I Install against the brrl ...,.I1.

Th. iliun t llud on appnl "'U. whdMr the circuit court erred in hold-

AU TOMOTI VE RELATED LITIGATION? Automotive Consultant and Expert Witness Charie!j Reylfolds

ina then wu 00 iu~ of fllcl .. to II brueh of duly, Ind in granting 1I motion in lim;"" pr.duding introduc· tion of a rePOrt "",dt by an in5~ctor for the Occupational Health I< Safety Adminiltration (OS flA ). The OSHA iruptctor's report ir.c;ludtd a statement that an employee 01 the premiRI owmr tw told an emp\oyu 01 thor contr.octor tNt the Will did oot nud to be bracrd.

The trial court granted the premiRs owner'1 motion in Iimimt to pruludt the ICCidtnt H'POrt on the tround that tilt report contained hunay. On appeal. the Court ooted that iI common Liw nception uisled tt) the hnrpy rule for writlm reconlJ and uporU 01 public officials under a duty to ma~e them. The Cou rt also noted that al· though both the employee of the con· tndor and thor employee ()( the pumis.. owner denied that the statement had bun made, there Will no evidence of lrl)l rnoti""tion on the p;>rt 01 thor OSHA inspector to fallify his report. Thul, thoru WiU no indiation that the report WiU not trustworthy.

1lw Court the~ horld that tilt cir· cui l court erred in holdinllth.at th.

OSHA reporl was inadmissi ble. The report provided substantial evidence thlt the premiUI ownn advised the cootTKlOr IS 10 whether it 5hou1d bn«' the wall and theuby Wldtrtooic to proYidr the dtctdent with a safe ~ to work.

,."

Bad f,lth cLilm properly l ubmilltd to

40+ years experience in all phases ofthe automobile industry Phone 970-60 I 0 One P.,imelcf Pork Soul/>

Suile! lOON Alabama H241

Bi""ln~,

l 84 f MAI' \995

Aulo-Ot.mrs lruurana Co. II. Ogdm.

MS 1930368 (r ebruaryIO. ]995). AutoOwners appealed from a jud gment mItred on I jury verdict awardin& ~.

Igts lor bad fa it h refusal 10 pay an 'lIlIu"nce claim for ptnonal pr.rty dtstfO)'td in a fiu. 1lw rmted home 01 the plaintiffs, Mr. and Mrs . Ogden. aughl firt and one of tlltir thrtt sons was killed and anoth .. se rioully injured. They had I $25,000 policy of insurance «rverinlltllti r personal prop. erty with Auto· Own ers. Whtn thei r

cWm under the policy remained unPlOid fwe months after the fir •. the plaintiffs sued Auto·Owners aUtginQ brtach of contract and bad faith ufusalto PlOY or to timel y invntipte the claim. Auto· Owners dtfended tlK action on lhe poli· cy nising the deftrue oh/"5OTl. Auto-<Mntrs presenttd the tostimony of Iht re8ionlll Ind dtputy state fi re mars hats who tutified , based upon "splllli n8 " of toncrtte in I he room whtu the flu IU.rttd. that the origin 01 lhe fi , t wu incendillry. H~ •. the tvidtnc:. ' ndiated thaI wmp," IIIktn by the stale illYtStillllon ..... neg.>\i'" for xceltnnll iOO INt I dOlI tnined in sniffinll out KCtlennll WiU brought 10 the house and did not dettd anyaccel. erants. Tht dtfendanrs tJlprrt t.. tifitd thaI the fi rt was incendiary in origin bul was unable to identify Ihe actual ignition .IO\Ir(e. or off.. any dired or indirect evidence that ei t he r of the plaintiffs ,et t he fi re. The evidence offe rtd by Auto·Owners showed only Ihat the a.dens wen pre .. nt in tht house wlltn tho fi •• started and thlt they hid the OPPOrtunity to ..1 the firt.

In an effort to " - I motM for set· ting tht fi .. , Auto-Olo..... rs oIfeud tvi· dt~ tNl the Ogdt ... hid tw finandal difficulty and had filed for bankruptcy four )'ellrs earlier and tNt Mr. Ogdtn had recently applied for additional term tife insu rance for himKlf and $25.000 on uch of his childr. n. The Ogdenl. however. ttstified that they had never betn in betttr financial condi tion. In ilddition, it was undispu ted thlll the OiIdtns wore not informed until after the firt tNt the lif. illllUranct poIidu hid btm approwd. f urther. the undis· puted tvidena indiattd that the Vl.tut of Iht personal proptny destroyed in the firt w:«dtd $50,000.

Auto-Owntrs moved for dirt<ttd ver· dict on the bad flith claim and Ihe Ogdtn! movtd for directed verdict on Ihe contrAct cllim. The trial court Conl,;,ued "" MfI' 18$ Tlr~;

ALABAMA u\I'lYER

"

ee:'

"LEX/S" tl/VP gives lIS IIlI/ill/;led Olllillt dÂŤeJS 10 our slates klW for a jill!, low mOllthly ftt w:ilhOllllne IIS/lnl Olllillt 11U!I.S('J(fiOf/ COSIS." U nlimited use of Alabama sta te law on LEXIS for $130* a month.

"We'd been using a limited form of elcctronic rescarch for several years. but it !eft a lot to be

desi red. It vcry good for looking up C'J,SC law. but that was it. If I had 10 flush OUI my research - and ninc times OUI of tcn I di d - Ihal meant a trip 10 the library an d hours of scarching thc books:'

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motion electronically. No more (()flying from books and then retyping. All that for a COSt we can anticipate every month. I JUSt wish we'd done it sooner."

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1-800-356-6548

MVP ~

MICHIE

-

000tPA.'<Y

Recent Decisi on s

denied both motions. The jury retumw a ""rd ict for the Ogdens both as to the breach of contract and bad faith claims , assessing 580.000 in compensatory damages for bruch of contract and $500,000 in punitive damages for bad faith.

Auto ·Owners argued on ap P"al that b«ause the trial judge denied plaintiffs' motion fo r directed verdict on their cont . act claim. the plaintiffs did nol make out a prima fucie case 01 bad failh and Ihat the tria l court erred in submitting thai claim to the jury. The supreme court noted thai ",'en if the insured is nol entitled to a direcled ver· diet on a conlract claim, Ihe bad failh claim should be submitted 10 Ihe jury if the plainli ff prestnts evidence thai Ihe ;",urer intentionally or recklessly lailed 10 pro~rly inwst igate Ih. daim or to subject Ihe results 01 the in'~ligation to a cognitive .,'atuation and review.

The Court held thai the evidence rai",d

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factual i"u.. wilh re,p«t to whether Auto·Owners deliberately refused to pay or deliberately lait , d to investigau within a reasonable lime. and whether Auto·Owners genuinely relied upon a beli ef that the Ogdens stt the fire based upon reasonabl e eviMn," 01 arson by the Ogdens. The Court stated: The trial court correctly recog· nize<l that und .. the facts of this case the jut)' could condude thai arson was raised a5 a ddenst not hecause the fact. supported thaI defellst. but m..ely as an excuse for failing to promptly i''''"sligate the claim. Auto·O".... " .Iwed to stand on a deft n•• Ihat the jury was authorize<llo reject under the facts here. It could haw protected itse lf from to.1 liability in the event the jury rejwed its ddellst on the contract by depos iting the .mounl of t he claim under the policy with the courl until its liability under the policy was det .. mined . Much .. li"bility carriers Irt<'luenUy defend actions under a •eservation of rights until liability is determined when cover. ge ilo1;ue.:; are p.... nled.

Thus. the Court aflirmed the entry of judgmenl in favor of Ihe plaintiffs. ~'aln statement. in lnouranco >J>IIliell· lion do not nocenarily b.r recO\~ry for brelch of contract and ~ f.lIh Miller v. OOO/Js Mo(JiI~ Ball. Inc.. M5 1921552 (Februaf)' 24. 1995) . ford Ufe Insurance Co. den ied palm."t on a credit life poliC\i i:;sued to plainliff. decea .. d hU5.band contending that a health terlir, · cale executed by plaintiffs decedent Wa5 fal.. and that he had been in bad health when he purchased the insurance. Plain· t iff lued Fo.d Life and an automobile dealmhip claiming fraud, breach of con· lract and bad failh relUMI to pay.

Mr. ~1i lln purchased an automobile from the automobile deale rsh ip and during the nel!<ltiations CQncemi ng the sale the repr ••• ntaliv". of the dealer,hip and Ford Life insisted that Mill er needed cTedit li fe insurance despite hi. reluctance to buy it and despit e his advice thai he had health p.oblems. The Ford Lile .ep resentati~ stated that i( Miller did not buy the c!'edil li(. coverage he could not buy the elIr and indi-

CIIted that the insurance would be effeetive notwithstanding the state of his health. Consequently, Mill.. . igntd the necessary pap"rwo.k for the cred it li fe iruurance cowrage. including" health certificate stating that he Was in good health. ~1iller was diagnosed with lung cancer ,hortly aft .. purchas ing the car and died app roximately eight months later.

Central Bank had financed the ca r and was the primaf}' beneficiary of the credit life policy. Upon Miller's death.

Cenl ral Bank filed a claim with Ford Life which FOTd Life denied CQntending that Mill.. had not been in good health when he boughl the pol icy. The ban k then .epossessed Ihe vehicle. wid it and sued Miller', .,tale lor Ihe deficiency balance. Mrs. Mill.. then sued the auto-mobile dealership and Ford Li fe claiming fraud. breach 01 conl.act and bad faith refusa l to pay. The Irial court granted summary judgment. and M...

Miller awealed.

The Courl affirmed lhe entry of sum · mat)' judgment as 10 the fraud claims on the basis that they did not su",i"" Mr .

Miller's death. The Court also affi rmed the entry of bUmmaf}' judgment on the breach of contract claim against the automobile dealership because the deal· ership was acting only as an agent for Fo.d Life and could not be held liable for its principai's breach 01 contrad With ... ptct to the daims against Ford Life. lhe trial court had held that the credit life insurance contract was unenIOfC~"bl . because M•. MilleT made f.audu lent statemenlS concern ing hi, heallh. The Supreme Court noted thaI although Mill.. had signe<l a certir.cate .tating that he was in good health. knowing that he was not in good h.alth.

Ihe facts alleged in the complaint took Ihe cast out of Ihe o.dinary situation.

The Cou.t stated that the ... idenee vieo.o.·ed in lhe light tnO$t favorable to the plaintiff indicated that Miller never coo· tended that he was in good health, lhat he told the defendants' repruentati,·•• that he did not want credit life CO\~.age because h. Wa5 .ick, and that he purchased the insuTance only after the Ford Life representativl' ;nsist.d that hi. pOOr health would not be a problem. The Cwrt nOI.d that an insurance company could not defend its refwalto pay benefits o n th e ground that Ihe insured

THE ALAIlAMA LAWYE R

made ~ misr¢presentation in the appli· cation if the misrepresentation wa.s the fault of the agent without the participa. tion by the imured.

The Supreme Court disagreed with the triat court's conclusion that the Ford Lif. representative as a ""ticitin~ agent could oot legallf bind Ford Life. notin~ that the evidence viev.'e\l in the light most favorabte to the ptaintiff indicated that the Ford Life repr..enta· tive knew that Mill er had health pr®. tern. but issued the policy anyway.

Therefore. the Court reversed the entry of summary judgment in fa>'Or of Ford Life on the breach of contract claim and the bad faith claims.

Court ubblishu ru lu forchallengu to jury !H\'ice of employee of party csx rrunSpOrlalion. Inc. v. Dansbg.

MS 1921512 (February 24. (995). Dans· by. a retired employee of CSX Trans· portation. sued CSX for damages under the FEU alleging lhal he had sustained a h.. rin~ loss from e'poSUTe to ai r horns and locomotivt noise durin~ his emplOj'ment as a locomotive engine. r with CSX. The jury r¢turned a vtrdiet in favor of Dansby for $\05.000 in com· pensator}' damages and CSX appealed.

On appeal. CSX argued that the trial court erred in refusin~ to remove for cause a prospective juror who was emplO).·ed by CSX. CSX eventually exer· ci .. d one of its peremptory strikes to rem~ the juror. The Court ooted that at common law an employ« of a party was subject to challenge for cause.

H<n<'eV1!r , the Court held that the better view wa.s that if the emplOj'er makes the cha l len~e it mu.t make a showing of prejudice Or bias On the part of its empl~e when it challel\lles for tau .. the emplo~e's quali fications for servo ing a.s a juror. Without such proof, the trial court could oot strike the emplOj" ee for cause. On the other hand. the party opposing the employer of the prospective juror should be all(w"ed to challenge for cause the prospective juror under the common taw rule with· out a sh(w"ing of blas or prejudice.

The Court explained the two-prong.-d approach a.s a rttognition of the unique relationship betwffn an employer and its emplOj'ee. The Court held that the r¢lationship implies a partialitf On the part of the employee in favor of his TH~:

AlABAMA lAWYER

employer and that the court must pre· sume that the employer and the empl~e ha,'e a friendly working rela· tionship. If that relationship d~s nOI exist the employer must show the court what the true relationship is. in order to challenge the empl~e for cause. In contrast, the party opposing the employer should not be required to show prejudice in order to challenge the employee because prejudice in favor of the employer must be presumed to exist. and the trial court is therdore left without discret ion in ruling on the chal lenge for cause. The Court therefore rejected CSX's claim that the trial court erred in failing to remOve the juror for cause because none of the employe'" voir dire ..5pon.., demon. strated that he would be biased in fa,'Or of or ..gairut CSX.

BANKRUPTCY AMENDMENTS Profeu ional feu after 1994 amendment.

Bankruptcy Code SKtion 330. which amended effective October 22, 1994. applies only 10 casu filed on Or aner that date.

In the orig inal 1978 legislation, the bankruptcy lawyer was entilled to be compensated at rat.. the same a.s that charged for comparable non-bankruptcy services. Prior to the 1978 Code. bankruptq attorneys were paid on a theory of "ecoooTll» of administration", Rates at that time were lower than those of comparable nOIl·bankruptcy legal services. Accord ingly. bankruptcy practice generally wa.s not ""ught out. and a.s a matter of fact. wa.s looked upon with some d isdain by the "ivory·tow· tred " law firms who simply did not encourage bankruptcy expertise among its members.

Section 330 of the 1978 Code was enacted to place bankruptcy practice on a par, but with the 1994 amendments. we may be retrogres.sing. n.e amended !<Ction which. aner allowing reasonable compensation for actual ne<:essary ser" vices and reimbursement for ac t ual necessary upenses. states that in deter· m;n i n~ reasonab le compensation in add ition to time spent and rates charged. conta ins added f.ctors to

include (I! whether the .. rvkes were necess.ary to the administration of. or beneficial at the time at which the S<r· vice ,",'as rendered toward the comple" tion of the cue: !21 whether the .ervkes were perform.d within a rea· ""nable amount of timo: commensurate with cornpl.. ily. importance and nature of the problem, issue or ta.sk addressed: and (3) finally. whether the compen$1O' tion is re.""nab!e based on customary compensation charged by comparabl~ skilled practitioners in cues other than in bankruptcy.

The amended act then sets out a neg· ative that the court shall oot allow compensation for unnecess.ary duplication, Or for s<rvices not reasonably likely to ben~fit the debtor's estate Or necessary to the administration of the case. It ~s provide for being paid for preparation of a fee application. but limits such to an amount ba.sed on the level and skill reasonably required to prepare the application. The question has been con· side.. d a.s to how this is diff~rent from what was forme rly practiced b)' the courts. Ny reaction is that fonnerly the ca~s varied consiMrably according to the particular judge and that this prac· tice probabl~ will continue. H~ver. now the court has an admonition that if the ~rvice. are not reasonab ly likety to benefit the debtor 's estate. Or if they ,",'ere not necessary to the administra· tion of the estate. no compensation

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should be alta.-!.. Formtrly, it _

dis· cr'!tiQNl'JI with tilt court u to ",t.etlltr to IIIIow I r« (or dotfmdi"llil debtor in iYI obi«:\ion to di$Chirgto or nnpt,n,lI debt from dischirgt. Certainly. tllere l$ no bendit to the utate in such a dtfellJ( and tven if it might be COII5id· trtd neCUHI)' for the administration of the CUt. the prohibition ;s written in the disjuncliw and not in the conjunc· tM. Thus. it would s«m thit i(the suvicn did not mut tither tnt. no tOmptll$llion would be illowablt.

Anotller qUHIion "flich could llrise l$ thit 0{ iYllttomey for tile IroSite losing II voililoble transfer case. Shoull! this occur. there i, then the decision of whether the services were neCUHI)' to theldministration. or were bener.cial.t the time rt~rtd toward the completion 0( the ~. I suppose this would dtll'l'nd upon the opinion 0{ the court ;as to the merits of the use when filed.

One un visuiliu tilt lawyer bei"ll in /I dilemml I I to whether to /ite I ~r~i..al action. The Lowyer might be guilt~ 01 malpractice if the action il not fited, and convusely recei"e no compenution if the case is not decided faYOl'ably. I'trhipS this Iw ilways bun tile Low. but the revision 01 Section 330 certainly UllStS /I focus on that points.

RECENT BANKRUPTCY DECISIONS

EI_ nth Circuit interprets right . of debtor lito funds originating under IInU_lIilgnment act n'JI !Hmk of Undm D. Slomo. 43 F.3d 637 (lIth Cir, Jin. 30, 1995I. Sloma accepted iYI awud 01 SI80.000 by ft(eipt of an iYlnuil)' ~rutturtd for p.lIymenlS eMr a 21).year period. p.lIyable by in insurance COmp.llny, The p.lIyment Will due by reawn of a negotiated settle· menl under the LonQShore lind Harbor Workers Compensation Act which con· tiined .n .nti ·/lSsignment provision. probably timilu to IIlO;5I federalac:lS. Ewn In the fxe 01 the anti-lISSignment plWision. First Bilnk oIl.indtn acnlll,d an anignment from Sloma of the lInnuity p.lI)'ITItnlS. liter. Sloma. after II fllilure of the business for which the money was borrowed. med I Chapter 7 188 1MAYI99S

petition in ,,·hich he cbimtd fUmption

01 the p.lI)Tl"lfntl due from the insuTlln« com pliny. He "lio hid notified the insur.uxe a)mp.llll)' to diKontinue p;lYmenlS to the bank and to send them to him. Fint Bank did not contest the exemption cLoim, In in ad",rsal)' p...,.. ceeding filed by Sioml, Bankruptcy Judge Briskman htld the assignment void ab initia with the lInnuity payments bei"ll eump\. The district toort ilffirmed. but tilt Eltwnth CiTOlit. in II two-to-()ne: dtcision in motrs.ing, rolN thit tile lISSignment wu \IlIlid b«cause once tile lI"'1Ird W/IS mid. lind the p.lI)'ment. were fuhione d by purchase of the ~nnuity. thert was no real difftr· ence than if the S ISO.ooo hid been paid directly to Slo~ who would haw had the absolute right to do ... h. pleased "ith the money. As to the uemption cbim. the EleYtnth Circuit $bted tNt il Wi! not ntcUliry to ru le on this b«cause if the _ianment to tile bank YI't"' ....Iid. SIomI hiKI no cLoim"""'l»",.. r to the funch "'hich would obviate the necessity for II cLoim of e .. mptions..

Comment: Circuit Judge Hatchett, in an extrelTH'ly .trong dissent. referrro to the Tenth Circuit ClISe 01 In '" lX/gallo, 967 f.2d 1466 (HUh Cir. 19921 as a prtndrnt for his jlO5ition, In my opin_ ion. lIS il may tlkt the U.S. Supreme Court to d.cide the inuu. lenders should be careful in lIccfpting l$$ignmenlS in the fac:t of an inti·alielliition s\."ltule.

.'1~ IocII gowmM. nt collect post·peti· tion penaltlu. costs iYld . ttornoys· fftl for fal lul'O ta PI)' tan_if nal. i. theft >iobtion of Tenth Amendment? hi '" 8rerllwood Outpalient, Ud.• 43 F3d 256 (6th Cir. 19941. The prirllil)' q~stions in this Clllt ..... re: Assuming the IU lien is owl-secured. porsw.nt to the 11I{M·ar.ce under 1506(b1. in I Chapt.. II ca.., ~y a local gowrnment col· Itct COSls.• ltomeys· fees and pellllilies accruing post·petition. lind if so. whether iYly allowable penalties. casls lind kts art due to iht lime 01 p.lI)1l"IfI1t. or if only to the date 0{ fili"ll the Chip. tu II petition? Additionally. is ther'! II Ttnlh Amendment issue of wh.ther interferen« with colltclion 01 Matutol)' additions to tun ,,;olates the statts' re.., ..... power. to till< toc.l pTOP\'.tylln

August 1989. Brtntwood. o..Tltr 01 a S4 million fxilil)'. filed II Chipter 11 peti· tion. Ad vlliortm lHn on the f"cility bea.me dut on o..-tc':ftr I. 1980. lIndtr Ten_ Low. the lUes b«camt cltlinqutnt March I. 1990 lifter which thert was lISseIKd interest of I percent per month lind ~ penalty of 0.5 percent II'I'r month. plus COSls and attorneys' fen.

B~ ruson of the Illw. all o( thue chirgu \Otre KCUr'!d b)'. firM priority litn on the property ,,·hkh hiKI. mllTktt \IlIlut in aCflS 0I11le IU and lIIIditional chirgts. Thert "'"IS i bondholders comm,tt« in th. use which filed tile pLon 01 rfOfgllniz.ation. The committee objt<:ttd to payment of statutory pe..altiu. attomtyS' fees and CO$t., Thele Will no issue /IS to the p.lIyment of post·petition inttrest. Bankruptcy Judge Lundin ilJoo,..-w the delinquent pelll.ltiu up to the eff«ti,.. dott oIlh1: rt(lraaniution plln. but diu.llowed costs Ind iltor· nrys' fftl. The diRrict court ./firmed .nd the Sixth Circuit. on IppUI. re"erud. It fint discussed the bad· ground of tile rejection of allowance. in bllnkruptcy of internt and penilit its, See Se;rlon v. Drevfu •• 31 S.C t . 256 (Hill. Justice Hohmsl. The exception IS to post·petition interest on O\'fTucured cillims wu IIttOWed by the Supreme Court in Ron Po;r t:nlerprr"ses. 109 S.Ct. 1026(19891. but the Jlme opinion stilted that in tho ibsence 01 iYI a,glfflTH'nt. polI·petilion internt is the onl~ added rtCOVfT~ .vail/lble to non-.con.sensuallienors. The Sixth Circuit then held that regardless of its own feelings, no penalties ~re .IIOWiblr post·pttilion indo thus. it did not make illy difftrenn whelher il _ to date 01 KCrual or date of p.lIymen\.

The opinion tllen discussed wheihtr ill ruling impinged on the tuing authority 01 Tennessee by rtllsoo 0{ the reorg.niution proct$S uusing. ITVII' ftr of real u tate frtf lind ,Itar of the countis lien. The court. after giving respect to TenneIKe's contention that this ~iol.ted the Ttnth Amendmtnt. rejected sllch argumtnt stating Ihil Iltho-ugh thert might be i te,hniul ~ioilltion. this W/IS subordilliite to tile iuprt ..... cy cLou~ 01 the Constitution.

Thert is nothi"ll in tile bankruptcy Low which il destructi .... 01 s\."lte KlWrtignty or violates IIny constitutionll provi. sions.

• TIlE AlABAMA 1.-III'YI':I1

l\-Iacon Weaver H£Rt:AS. Cod. on hLl ;nfinlt~ w,sdom. has ta k~n ~Iacon Wu'"tr from OUr m,dst. and .

WIIt:R£AS. Macon "·as a lifelong resident of Iluntsville. Madison Coun . t~. Alalxlma. and, lv\lEIIF.AS h~ worked ti,..If$llly in his youth to SUPI'Ort hi' family. and at an raTly age ente red the United States Anny from ,,·hich he " "lIS dis· charged,n 1945 .... lst lieutenant taming tht Purple Heart ... "-"til as <'llhtr medals and CItations. and.

WIl£Rt:AS, th ... aft ... h• • nt .. td the Uni'"tTsit~ of Alillxlma and ",·as graduated from the Uni,·.rsily of Alabama School o( l.aw and '00"' admitted to proKtice in the State of Alabloma. and. l\lit:II£AS. his pr.KIice ,,·as replete

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wIth outSlandin" a<:complishmenl5 i""lulling bting Itis!rict Attorney of Madison County. Alabama. United Statn Ililtrict Altorney for t he North .. n Il ,st.ic! of Alabama. and Unittd States Magis!rate. aoo in all of hi, professiona l undertakings. h. stood for the rule of law .. the cementing (",to. in our soddy and inQU' gowmmenl. and. \\'H£R £A.S. dunllJl all of this time. ~Iacoo Wu,"tr ""as a kMllJI and de-'OI. td h\l$band and father. a fritr>d and comp'lnion to many ",ithin the bar and many in HunlS\-i11e and AlaI:>am3..

I"'"td and •• s~cttd for his ,,·it and ...-iIdom. his kindness and reason. and. \\llt: Rt:AS. tht HunU'o-iIl •. /obd,SOI"l Count)· Har Auociation wi,h .. to admo,... I~ to ourselv.s and to OUr fellows as ",.11 as to the family ilnd fr i. nds of ~'acon Weaver . our deep

William Hut chins Cole

VIrgil K. Sandefer

Binnillgham Admitted: 1943 Died: February 12. 1995

Binnillgham Admitted: 1946 Died: January 4. 1995

"'"NOW. "" """TlIEREfOR£ . BE IT RE ·

SOLVEIl by the lIunWJiII •. Mad,$Of"I County Ba. Auocialion that our bar and our community ha,"t suffered a grl'atloss in tilt passing of our broth· er lawyer. Macon Weaver, and that ~ sympath~tically join with hi$ wife.

Tillie lI'~aver. wughters, Ttr i Faulk.

Rick)' Shtldon and Ltnn;. IIOpkin$. and othrr member of his family and loved ones in mourn,ng his pusing "ilile honon"lllll$ rwnt. and by th;" resolution. ,,·e in some small ,,·ay extend to h,s family our si",,~~ and hurtlelt 1)"I1lpathy. C()mJIaS$ion. and

""""~.

8tnjamln RUlull Mire Pn.kltnt lI unl',i lle·.'IIadlton County Har Auocll.tion

Please Help Us -n.~~'MomorioIf"

..mon.do$ioInfd IOpn:Nido .........

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dww..thdtt.. :: ' ..... Tho ~ St»< !lor >nd dw r.di&orioI

William Edgar Davis

Inger Marie Sjoslrom

Bimu·ngham Admilled: 1935 Died: February 24.1995

Metairie, I-Quisiallu Admitted: 1986 Died: ~! a rch 14, 1995

William Inge Il iIl

John H. Tappan

/IIol1tgomery ,Wlllilled: 1931 Di,>d; ~larch 24,1995

Poil1/ Clear ,!dmilled: 1941 Died: ~'e bruary 14, 1995

Hu gh Anlhony Nash

Robert S. Wilbanks. Jr.

Oneallta Admi(/ed: 1950 Died: February 23. 1995

Alexul1der City Admifled: 1940 DiL>d: February 24,1995

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THE ALl.8AMA LAWVER

60n ... tho fl"IIItI,Wnt. pIu.st 1Imit)'<IUI """,~,IIS to 2S(I-.lo and omd ... a pGuro;r -"""- w. _tho riCh! totdit all ~..b tho ~. aaion. ""omd noIific:olion"""""" Iotho

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7IV iI'

_\IOII>t')". AI. 36tO I MAVl 995 / 189

Huntley Johnson IERE:AS Hun!lry Johnooo. a respected and d,stmgu,shed member of th~ 1I0uston County Bar Association, died June 27, 199-1, and, WIIER~:AS, this Anociahon dtsires to record this memorilll of oor collnl/I>l' md to publicly recognize some of the a<hil'Wments of hi. professional carur, NOW. Tm: Rt:FORE, B~: IT In:.

SOLVEI) THAT Huntw, Joh""", was a mm oImmy t.11 ...1> md who pos.

5eSSed a kWl intellttt aoo sharp ·.M. Aner receiving h" law degree from t~ Uni""Tlity of Alabama in 1966, he

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Albert Gordon Rives "EHEAS. Alb.rt Cordon Ri""s: an acli,·o membor of the Smllingh.am Bar Association. dej)llrttd this life on Seplem· bor 26. i99-l. at i\ge 93; aoo, WIIER .:AS, Albert Go.don Rivt, ....... a skilled athl~t., having pla\",d football at the Uni\"l"$ity of Alabama. ""here he laler .. rve4 is assi,tant athlttic director; 00.

WHEREAS. Albtrt Cordon Rivt. ""as a lifelong resident oISmningham and was a ITI\:mher of SouthsIde Bap· Ii,t Church. havins sen... d as board chairman. 1rw;1~ 00 <kacon; and, WHEREAS. Albtrt Cordon R;vts graduated from th UniverSIty of

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190 I MAY 1995

openl!d a pri,,,,t. p~tice in Dothan, AlWIN. Within the Ifllal profession he "'as rnpKtl!d by his 1'«1"$ lor hIS dewtlOll to his ditnl>. To hi.o ext... • "Vli clientele ~ wall not onl}' an able allomey but a friend and confidant . lie •• hibited faithful and dedicated service to tile profession iUld to tile court, in whkh he puche.d. As a past prWdent of Ihis bar ;wociation. he 5trved the bench and bar wilh grace ~nd dignity. lie W/IS a man who Wall wiWng to Si"" of his lime. both professionally and personally. to those ,,+.0 sought to ernbn« the \aIo'.

11. was uniquely int..uled in the arts. He listened inlently to the Nuse of ~' u,ic and followed hIS hfart In Ihi, regard. An accomplished plajll'r of numef1)llS slrins ill$lrumenl>. h. of len u.fd Ihi' laient nOI oniy to rflu and reflect on hIS 01011 lif•. bul to entertaIn us as " ..II as othel"$ WIth hi, Invol""menl m the Dothan Dix· i.land Band. Ihe S~:ACT Orch .. tra and various Sluegrass bands. l1e was a gifted tellcher of music and his pupils will king cheriJll the time he spent with them.

Huntley Johlls on was also an ucellent mas;ci~n who u.~d his

AWwna and tht Un"..nity of ~. ma School of Law. During World War II he sen.'f<I as lieutenant com· mander in the United States :-.'allY. lie "'as a 3200 degru Mason. mem· bor of the Soru of the Am..iean R",,· oIulion, and lhe ALlIIwnlI ltistorical Society; and.

Wllt:REAS. Albert Co.don lIi ,·u was a founder of the firm of Smilh. \\1ndham. Jackooo" Ri,"'. which is now lIives " Peterson. During his urly years at the bar. he ...·as enSlg.d primHily u a defense lawyer. but most of his legal care.. wall devoted to tho representation of injured railroad employees. Through metICulous pr~paralion, dogged detumination. uRS".. IV;ng 1o)·lIlIy. and skillful adVOClCY, he ~ch;f\.. d

slight of hand and sense of humor to entertain thou ~roond him. lu h,'fd lift to il> full~51 and shall bo remem · bored not oniy for his contributions to the community bul also for his quick wit and jll}' of livinS. He m.lde the \i,'u of lhoH Iw louched fuller.

A duply Christian individual.

Ilunlley Johnson ,,-as '''ry active in his chUTCh. As an elder aoo cleric of Ihe 5eS!ion. dWIT member and Sun. day School l<aehor at Evergreen Presbyterian Churth. h~ cared about his religion and lis principles, In tim.s of trouble ht leaned on his faith and when ile saw othel"$ in need he used his faIth 10 aId and comfort them. Hi. exampks of Christian Hv· ing ha,,,, .. Ned .... touchstones to ottH:rs..

Our colle~1>l' "''as a fine altornt)'. lie "''as a devoll!d husband and (ath..

WhOM IO$S IS ftlt keenly 11)' all .... ho knew him. lti! many cont ributIons 10 OUr proftMion and our communi· Iy qualify him as most o.\u(rving of our g....le/ul T«OIl«lions.

Ruful R. Smith. Jr. Prel idenl lI ouston County 8 ..

A..oda tlon oul>t~nding

."".

resuits for his clients;

WHEREAS. the Executi"e Com . mittrt of the Ilirmingham liar Awl· clalion duire, to upre!.$ our deep reg.ud for Albert Cordon Ri,"s and our profound Sfn.e of 101$ in his passing.

IT IS. THER.:FOHE . m:1I~:BY HE· SOLVED. b» thl' ~:x..:ut;".. Comnlltt ... of 1M Sinningham Bar AssociatIOn. that this Resolution be sprud upon the minutts of thil Commltt .... and that copitl bo senl 10 his ,un.'iving neph",·. Robert A. Kiws. and to the law finn of Ri,"s '" Ptterson.

J. F.ur1c In,... m Presidenl Birmin, ham 81r Association

Tilt: Al.A8AMA l.A\YVER

Eleanor Oakley Gordy m :R t:,\S t:lranOT

W

O~kley

Cordy. a respected and distinguIshed member of the

Houston Counl)' Bar Anocialion. ditd March 31. 1994. and: \\,tEREAS, th~ Awxiatioo dts,rts 10 rtcord thi. memorial 0/ our col. lugut and to publicly Ttcognizt .!(>In< 01 the achitwment. of h<r pro-

fesSional career; !"OW, there/ore. be It resolved lllat: t:lWlQr Oaklt)' CQrdy W"S a lady of many facets. As a I.",yu .he was

grully ••• pecud by he. peen, her eli.nb. and tho courts in ,,'hich she pnchctd. Min recti"jllg h.. law degrtt from the IJnn~rsity of ALlbama in 1931. she and he. husboooo Ojleool a p.r...!. practict in Dothan. AWlloma.

Silt dis.;onlinutd her practice M ,he devo!w her ......rgy to being. WQndt.· ful and caring mother. In 1%5 she rdumOOlo the active practice of law

and in 1966 'he became a United Statu NagiSl."!e fen the United SiaM niSlnCI Com'. ~l iddle Oi!!nc\ of Alabama,. posItion ".. hich she held wilhdi.linction unli11978.

As a bank dim.1or she cartd greatJy for the needs 0( the peopk 0( Columbia. Alabama and Ihe surrounding arus. Silt brought to this posllion a unique perspecti,~ .... hich enriched tl>o$¢ ....,th ....hom she dOd bosinw.

As 3 farmer ~nd \imlltr ~""'.. r silt . ecogniud the !tru~ln of those who worked by he. side ~nd as a result d",wlo~ a sense of undtrstllrui,ng of an individ ....l'. plight which ma<k htr deCisions "'hile on the bench and Iltfore lilt bar root only grounded in ~I principles but abo gr()l.Uldtd in dignity and "",.. I COI1'fflnw..

Mrs. Conly's achIevements within her community were numerous and were Ihe result of a lireltu effort to ser", those wllO surroonOW her. She g;n.. generously of her time in coun·

$tlin~ Iroubled youlhs. She was a strong sul'JlOrter ci lhe American Red Cross where she served as e x.cuti,~ secretary 01 tilt llouston County empler. as'Iisltd in nbblis/ling Watt< Safe , I)' c~ at all city and county pools, serwd is i fir:>\ aid instructor. and trained key ptl'$(ll'lntl "ith i00i1 industry. Silt also worked with the Army Community Sf"';'ts and other arta se",ia health and welfare ~its to coonlll\~le se",'kn for the needy.

Our coliellJlue was a thl"'" cm"'pl ' on of the opp.turd and needy. She ....as a worthy adversary and excellent juri,t. Shf ""~trated a cha~ter and integrity that ,,;\$ an txampllto lhe entire ItgaI community. Her many contributl(lfls 10 our proleuion alld our community Qualify her u most dHt""ng 0( IlUr Itralriul rocoIledions, Rulu. R. Smith. Jr, f'ru ldent lI outon County 80r ,\ u oclalion

NATIONAL COURT REPORTERS ASSOCIATION HONORS THE TOP 130 COURT REPORTERS IN THE UNITED STATES Ttsl resull$ are in for the NCAA', ~stered Diplonwe Rcponer(RDR) oxamil\3lio.t. Of tile lWOciation', n,ooo members, 3,000 Registered Merit Repot Ie.. -.e eli&ible for DIplomate testing. Examin3ll;o.t for this new certificalion _ &iwn lIW past ~ IIIId consisted at a cortlJRl'ImsM: wntten mo..1~ tea. The RDR is tile hi&Jltslll>'el at certification ;n"';IJbIe tocourt reponers. To become • DiplomateoiNCRA. a reporter m\lSl exhibtt exemplaly JIoIIJ in ~Ina. tntnscript proob:!ion. tnana&e"""nt, ........... marUll'" IIIId profO$Sional i _. One dIoUId be able to draw eff«tiwIy fr<tm personaIlIIId ClUWde r•• be involved ill court reporting.,rewed lCtivities and..,~ l1li a coruultant or leader to attorneys. other reponen and eou1t reporIing. personnel

"."as.

Oft'" 1)0 eou1t

r~.

.. in the nation wIto pIUed tht RDR examil\3lio.t on the lim try, thoso four an: front Alabama:

Debra Amos IsbeI (1sbeI & Associates, Md>ie) )emy M. Osn (Qrn, Kng & K~tridc, Montgomery) Roy IsbeI

TIlE ALABAMA LAWYER

~lrict Cou't L Tlnler

and IsbeI & Associates, Mobie) & Tlnler. .

MAY 1995 / 19 1

CLASSIFIED NOTICES RATES : Member.: 2 free 115110\15 01 50 words ()( less per t)ar member per calendar year EXCEPT lor ' pOtllllOn want· &do 0< 'posrtion offered" IISIIngs - 135 per insertIon 0150 words or less, $,50 per addllions.1 word: Nonme mber.: $35

per insefllon 01 SO words or lese, $.50 pel additional word Classified copy and paymef1t must be receIved accordlllQ [0 the following publishing sehedllle, Ma, '9S I..ue - deadline March 31 , 1995, Jul, '95 l.sue - deadl.ne May 3 1, 1995; no deadline exterl$lOflS wiI be made.

Send classified copy and payment. payable to The Ala08m.9

LlI~. 10:

A/atlamII La..yer CIassilieOs, c/o Margerel

Mufphy, PO. Boll: 4156. MOl'lIgomery. Alabama 36101

SERVICES MEDICAL EXPERT T£ST1MONY: flCAI

wiII....-- r<U paMnIiooI ~ ~caseslor

...... n c.e

gr• • yru case .... no l'i'lii'ii or cau· 1I0O'I .. poGf. we vol """'"'" • lNot WIlDon .. port. Slaia ."id~Y'lS .tI .v,ilable.

Health AudiIots. Inc., 1"J5T7 Fulhlf SaunII Driw. Suite 690. CIN<wa... FJI;ri. cia 34622·5552. Phone (813) 579·805<l; Ia. 18131 573-1333,

c..

PROPERTY SETTLEMENTS: 0tss0kI· lion 01 marriage. ReIitwd ","Y ~ M ...... In seMce or

cr.'1

~.

".,.. typa

tel"'"

UiIiIary. slale and munlciploi. All

01 ''''60'''4. S240. Retnd

Pay~. Phone (719) .7S-7S29.

1 -800-~7529

or

DOCUMENT EXAMINER : C8rl,U.d Fo"nlk Document bamin" , Chief cIocutrIent ..amine<. Alabamll o.part· ~ 04 Fonnsic $cir(::ft. -.cI, B.S., M.S . Graduate. u.w.rsity-baMd fali· dam IiCIIooI irt cIoc:urMn1 a~. ~~and~. """ - . j'MI'Ilrili a"l*"'IOI, ltataltedlrlll

c:oum 04 Alabama. F"'O"'Y.

~.uorts

and drx:umant auth.nticity "Imina· tiooI. Crimilal and non..:rimtnal mIIl!o<s.

Amefican "'cademy of Foran.lc Sci· encea, Amaricar1 Board of Forenalc Oocu~ Exanwwrs. ,.".. .... , s-.,. 04 Ou. .' ioned Documant Eoemln" • . ~ MiIIt. 33:25 lorna RoIod. n-3t6.

P.O. 80. 3IiO!lI99.

AI80bama 35236-0999. Phona (205) ~t SII.

&0"_,,.,...,.

• DOCUMENT EXAMINER : El8i'I'iio'IaIio of Ouestion&<! Document • . Cert,f lad 192 1 MAY )995

Forensic Handwrotlng and Document E. aminer . TWInty·elght yea rs • • pen · M10I irt .. toransk: do<;:ument p",IlI""" .

Formetly. Chill OvestOr>ed DocrJment -"""YsL USA Crir'rIiIW In\ II ..........., laboraIOriH. OopomIrle lcenrfied)-&tjsh FSS. Dlptomate (certlfied)-ABFDE , Member. ASOOE ; W ; SI\FOE; Nl\COL Resume and ' " acn.cu. upon mquesL Hans Mayer Gidlon. 2'8 Marrymonl Drive. AuoI'"a, Georg<a 30907. Phone (706) 860-4267.

LEGAL RESEARCH : Leoat research help. ExparIarrood anomer. "",,,bin 04 AIabamII SIal. 'in. Accea.I 10 state taw ~brlry. WESTLAW avail·

e. _

_ . Prumpt .,..... -.ct.s. SaraIr Kathryn F"nen. tt2 Moora Building .

Mont9" .... ry, ... tabama 36'0.. Phontr 1334) 271·7$37 . NQ "pres6m.rion i. made llull 11>6 qualily QII1>6 klgal S/If· ....... II> ~ p/tf1(>tmfd is gaml/lf /han rtre quality 01 lagal .. ~s ptIIfomJ«J Ily

"'"'-

FORENSIC DOCUMENT EXAMtN ... • noN : HalrdwIUir~. ~. aUered ~ ~ reoonIs, wills. contraclS. deedl. chaQll, anonymous tel· ters. Court quahtied. Seveoteen years experlenola. Canifiad: AmericaI1 Board of Forensic DocumenI EJ<aminers. Meoiler: Amencan SociMy 04 Ountioned ~. men!

American I\cademy of "-lIic SDInoIs, SouIheasIem Assocj. aDon 04 1"90.... DocumenI ~ Cromlnat and cMI mlNarl. Carney & F....... DocumenI1AbQr;rrli;>'Y. 5855 Ji'nmy Carter BouIrIYarti. Nor· cross (... d,nta). Gtorg" 30071. Phone (404) 41 6·7690. Fax (404) 41 &-7689.

e.............

Ha,.,... "

IN SUR ANCE EXPERT WtTNE SS: Sad tait!1 fir. daims. Origin and cause rxrnau~aml.. pM. licenMd ttdju.ter tor 29 yearl. Cert~i&<! fira I!"Id ..pIoaiQrr .. vHtigator/rlstrudor InvHI",.ti.. & F... ConwiIatlV1l SeMceI. 111(;.• 32S8 C.haba Heights ROad . BirminOham. ",I.bama 352.3·t6,. Pfw.n. (800) 5t1· 82!M. Jim Posey . prurden! Fax (205) 967·2521.

TR ... FFtC ACCIDENT RECONSTRUC. nON ' Case evaluation performed ..1t!1 r.spect to issues. No-a>st prllimirtary ...."menl 01 call viallitrty . Back· g.ouncl ird.des tId..cal and COIM'IU' nic:J,tJonI 1I<ilIs. - - . a t ........ oce. and legal pnx:ess lam~ Evderoce ....luation and acadenl 'n.I!yIa. f>ro. lenrGNIt '"'IIiMHIf. Tachnbl toeiaty member. Tr.1Iie "-cQderrl Investig.ation Training. Tcastmast era. Indus try OA ;>oI~ion., tn bvsineSi tince 1992. Call tQ dlacull your ca ..... John E. Rain· hatdl. P.O. 110.. 63013. Hunt ..... I\laba. mil 3582• . Phone (205)837-63<11 MEDIATOR : AltQf"'Y wit!1 ••1....... m4IOhtion GraduaWl aducallorr and .""" ... "" ... I'$l'ChQIooy. 1U!)'peI 01 ea.... Wi. travel $\8tewiOe. RaaSOi'l' .bIt I... M~issa G. Math. Ch.mt>1en.

Cooner & Ma th. 5720 C"mlch"t RQad . MQntgomery .... Iab.ma 36111 Phona (3:M) 2n-2230. Fa. (3304) 2n·

Iranno.

''''.

FOR SALE LAWBOOKS : Save 50 pe<Qtflt on your lawbooks. CaP National Law ResourOll.

Ama .. ~a·. la,O. .I I.wbook, dul" . ~ ...... Il00_ ~ prieM.. EI<CaIIItnl _lily. Sallsl;tC1ion gua,.nIHd. can 1,0$ 10 MIl your ullflHtlrtd boob.

Nnd .....lving? W. UII n.w. brand ....... $leal and wood s/IaIWIg __ . . counl prien. FIM quoteS. 1.8QO.27Ij. 1799. NaUonaI Law AesouraI. LAWBOOKS: WiA,.m S. Heln , Co Inc .• UrYII'Ig !he legal COtIImunily tor owr 60 years. We buy........._ .. .. ..t:rooks. Sand WIllI IistI; 10: f .. (116) 88J.SS95or~ l-a00-828-7571 .

COLLECTION SOFTWARE: The Col· IrtctIOll T,acklng Sys*" ;.. tomt:rII!. $yst,m 10' manaOlng and tlmplil~lng t he wo ,k 01 ~Oll'cting outstanding debts. ElY ill 10< atlo,neys. CTS t,aekl the cSebts. pcry.,."ls and aclMty aHO' eialed wllh Illes from IhousandS 01 cHenl. and _ •. 11 JIIiru. ~I"'" and pcryment '_i9ts. alrt~. P8'lOIlnai wfth 1001ow·up ,eminOltrs and JIIoteels YOU' data wrltr high ,...;u'iIy. Fcrr mora inlor' mallon. call Roga' Ma1"1 It MIllar Compcrny. Inc .. (2O!i) 7~·'888 or la.

(205) 7~·8600.

LAWBOOKS : IIegrMrng Monor (book I) through 80 AI • . (.olD -.oil.) (sa<:OIId edijion); Southa,n Raporll HI8 (88 voll.) (69 lrtatt...·OOUndtifSi .oit..",); Ala. R,p0rll. 206·226 (23 VOlt .): Southern ReporU 1"3·200 (53 veil.).

Than books Ineluda all Alablma

s..p-..... Ccun .,... 11I2I).1~ I tad J. Ray W.".". P.O.

(;on.

eo. 2302'S.

Montgomary. Al.blma 3ti123·02'S Phone (3Jol) 2£18.6111

POSITIONS OFFERED

Rapr;rn!rem: F _ Repm. 1010 Ver' mont A......... tffl. Suile4()8..A8. Was/>. inolon. OC 200.05. $39-3 months: S6i-6 morrIhI. PIw;rie (800) 296-9611 .

Vrsa:MC. PARTNERSHIP: I\.uorney WIlli trust.

ness law lirm eIparienoe seeks part· .......... WlIh anomey drIsrrinv to slow down or ,etrra . ...... esIe<l ... !he po$' libilil"'. pltl.. wrill Atto<ney. P.O. Bo. 3301B1. 8i'mino~am. Alabama 3S23MI781 .

ATTORNEY WANTED : Alto,ney nHdId tor ChIIManooga law lirm speClallrlng In Seelal Sacu,~y Disability.

ExperierOOI in this area hig~ de1.i'abIrt bul no! ,*",~«I. Strnd ,esume to Dal<!

Buchanan & As$or;:iales. 6 tOO Building, Easlgale Canllr. Suill 4200 . C~at · taneoga. T""",""" 37411. Fax (615) 89-1· 182 1.

AnORNEY WAtfTEO: Regrorraliaw firm ' " " anomey tor it. Now Orleans oIIiee willi 10<" to eIg~1 years 01 mar· iti .. e "pe<ienca. lpecializlng in ea,· ' Iaga 01 goods and "I Dle d a,ea •.

Srrong academic aadentials raquored.

Send resume. trantcr'lpt and wiltIng lI.,pla to Atto,n.y R"c,ulter.

McGIinctrey. Stallord Lang. 6.013 Maga. l lna SU"I, N_ OIleanl. LOUIsiana 7(1130. EOE. AnORNEY WANTED: e..mlngham law fl,m II . .aking I Slrono. wall· rounded ~ with _ 10 15 yean •• pariarOOI . ~ I1IJIIie!t wiI be ..... ie,,1Id tty managIng pa.ln", only and will remlln strictly conliOtrnt'al. Replies IIIOI.IkI be "'ectad 10 P.O. Box 20M. 81trning1\am. Alabama 3520 t ·2OM_

Send resum" to Human Resou,ees Dittrc1or. P.O. eo. SS727. ~.

........ "'"

CLAIM ATTORNEY : S tili Fa,m Insurance ConrprOIos is -.no eandj. cia. . tor .... PQII1IOfI 01 dlrim anornay.

T",s posmon will btl loelted II II" Montoomary or r.IoI*. ~ CIarm

""".

Respon&i)iIiIie nctuda legal resetICh. Iraining and prDIIiding -.II1II to mati· 'II""'Itf'I. n. ~ willIto ....... tIWr I conIinuovs liudy and 'aYIIW QI ~ an:l oour1 deciIioM atleding ttIB insuranoaIdaorn .. _ . EltorIiiaoOOl rn Insu'ance del"'H and eMf proce · dure, and I wo,.lng knowledOe 01 Alabama gowrmmerrt end/or Irtgi.... tivl process II preflrred. Admittance .nd good standing wiltr 1tra Alabama Slate Bar is , ,equir,.,."t.

Salary Is eomml ns u,." Wilh "Pln· ence. Stale Fa rm p,ovldel I compre· hensive benel it l pac ka"e w~l e~ inctude. prolit str.ring. eompllny·lund· ed ,elire"anl plan and cost 01 livIng salary adjusl"""''' .

Plea.. respond oNt in writing 10: SIII18 Farm Insurance ComparIiaI. AM: Par· sonnet Dept. P.O. eo.: mi. Brn'nIrIgo. ham. Alabama 3S2SI7.

FOR RENT BEACH HOUSE : Gull Shores. AIaba· ma. Hou58$ ... bueII; !WO. Ifw. . and lou, lladroor"•• FoIIr tumishad. ~ (2(5) 1IJ6.0922.

NOTICE Any Iddrus or NOme chinges

ATTORNEY JOB S :

Indls~nsabla

monthly joMunbng bulelM'l Iittrng 5(1).

600 currant jobI (oo.e,nman!. privata _ • pubic interest). RFPa. and legal

... arch

oppor1~

lor attorneys II ..

...... 01 experience '" Washinglon. DC. nalion wide .nd ab,o ad . O,de' the National and FecIe<aI Legal EmpIcvmant

LEGAL ASSISTANT : Montoome,y olliea. Experlenca required . SI,ong orginizallC1N1l ""ills. atl8<1tlOll to deta~ and good eommunk:atlon II<iIIs a must _ RuponllibihlieS Indude d,afting ir'K:of • po,atlon documents. e m ployment ag,ee .. e ,.,ts .• ssal purchase ag,a.· m",t, end 011>11' cor"",ate documems.

'Kti\-ed ~t the "I~b,ama State Ilar

.ft.. March 30. 1995 ",ill not M reOtcted in the 1995 edition ()( Tho<

Alabumu IJar DiI'f.'CIOf/I.

Move over Nexis.

Now Westlaw has more business and financial information.

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mon::'full<1fx1 ",met :tnd

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Ild..jj"g .~ 1h.nurm..s1el1it :il l. for~. 'I'ESI1.\'I' gi>15 roo om fu ll·text u.s. ~ F..:.:Mi~ ao::re» 10 1)(>0' Jones ~;""-

Id!ooIogy ~ lhm)'lU .., II find

.., Ibis.

Nll ~1llt~ iW tile beginning. ~ ~' re~~ "_iIMnatio:JllO

",,:mAW ~ t\lIl~ 1)-.0 SOO/lr Ior:all !'JU' ~ .00 --..m r«ds.

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It's ............. m3l'" "\;IIl'!' .", making

m. ...itdl 110m laif./Noxis.

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......

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