Lawyer 9 96 web by Alabama State Bar Association

1\:11. 57, No.6

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The ......... p/wIograp/I Jhows Alabonw Slale Hor Praidrnt II",.,...,., Li9/olfooi ""'/ his faml/Ji 01'1 1M II!I'1'IIa tJlTIw CJu& (J<~ I/>; ,*~I"'" of Bimting/li;lm, 1'rom IdI /iJ rpll.n: "'" ""'- /.iJIh11ooi. Jr.. ,,/ootyoo" II'iIIr ~ Coopor& C4lt: dmV!1~_ IWmit LifI/Ido«. -..ullin ttith 11it/NInJ .....,wa·Mr; /ifIItIIa«:- RoIJJW ut/ItIfoIIl: _ ~ A..w.,. Ug/tliw. , , _ oIIi«r,..;tll AmSauIllIblt. Mr.LitI/ItfrxN ", .. I'I<OS .. 8irmiJ.i/I..", riIh ~. F'rri/I1I 4 1I"/tiM. ,,31...,., dtimM lim!.

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IN THIS ISSUE Nt.l'.'EST ADDITIONS TO TIlE Auw.."1A STAn: BAR STAFf ........•.•..•..........268

A PRAcrmONER'S GUIDE TO

Al.AnAMA's TORT O~· BAD FAITH 8y

Sl~pht:n

O. Ileningff iIOd

Nic~ 11/,

277

I'/oodftfk! •..•... ... •277

ANNUAl. MEE1lNG HIGHUCIITS ........................288

FOONOATIO:-:S INPwRAuSM: A UARXfNC EXPfRfV,a FOIl JIJDCES

By J~ Doole Stgrest .....•..• , ...........• , ..•..• , .••. .300

Ir.TERIM r.1WlATOR STANDARDS AND

REC ISTRATION PRocEOOII£S ...•.•••.••..•..•..••..•.. .307

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Alabama Bar Institute

far Continuing Legal Education ALABAMA LA WYERS SERVING ALABAMA LAWYERS

"Serving as a faculty member of ABIClE for the put ten years has hem 11 dis!;"", honor and privi\qe. I appm:iatt and have thoroughly enjoyed this opportunity to serve. ABICLE is an asset of infinite value to our profession and client community."

J. Michul MaIWiCQ Anomey at law Montgomery, Alabama

Call ABICLE at 1.$00.627-6514 or 205.)4&6230 {Of' program inform:O\ion.

PRESIDENT'S PAGE Bllllo""" 8. Ugh/foot

The following ....... rb were ... Iio... red by the 1996-97 Alabama State Bar pre.ident, WI "" " B. Lightfoot. On J uly 26 during the annu.oJ mHUng's Gnnde (00''0<31 .... 0. At lhe condusion of this pre..,nulion. PTeliden! Lightfoot rt<:t"~' lunding o>'>lion fro m IhI' la~ ... and Judges In attendance.

e live in an age 0( images. Corporalions and individuals "'OIT)' about their i!YI/Iges. The press and the public

Age of Images

complain about our image. and my .I\S\;.. ,

10 thos. crilio is, "Wt're going

to ~ the best lawyers we can be , and our image will take care or ilself: We're in a popularity contest: we ne"". haw bun. We're SUPP'O"d to be tough. r."",rceful.dvocates for OUr clients and within Ihe bounds of propriety. ",e'1"fc trying to prevail. To the press and

not

public. 1 say: Don'! come patronizing us

and telling uS we nud 10 work OIl OUr

image. That's not a concern 1M! governs whal "''' do as 1.\O.'j.'I'rs. If J.1.. Cl\«tnul and Arthur Shores had

W......n B. Lla htfoot

"'Orried .bouttheir image. they would rw:wr lmot walkrd into those courtrooms of the '60s. If Fred Cray had worried about his image . Rosa P.rk.s would have languished in jail. and the civil rights mwement might ha,'. founderrd. Fred Cray and J.I•. Ch •• tnut are giants of Our profession. and I am proud to be associ· ated with them. We don't make the laW$ and "" <!on 't interprttthem. but we art called On to u.. them for the benef.t of our dients and that is precisely what we do. as hard as we can. And just as un,...lentingly.,..., police ou .... I'".~ and di"ip tine ourStI"". 10 a d.gr•• far beyond .ny olh.r prof.ssion. Architects. engineers. physicians. preach· ers. bankers. and journalists do 001 ..."n come c\osl:. 1M American 13\o.)-.:r is "ru· liniud more cl()5tly than any professiQll QIl earth. and we welcome it. It lhe public and il makes us belter I.wy.... Nont 01 us is perfect but all of us require

..,rw.

certain standard. of earh olh.r. Our critics poinl oul those among u~ who don'l measure up. am! not only do Ihey tar us wilh the sam. brush. they go lurU",r .nd say our profession i. reslXlJUible for many of society's ills. But thin k about it: We Ii...., in a lime of shifting mor.... of i""reasing viole"" •. of fam ily abuse . Som.limes the vel)l fabric of society reems to be tearing: a coofrontalional. in·your-face mentality pervades: we see incivilily among motori,l.I . professional alhletes. gO\'ern· m.nl employees. salespersons; we see slipsOOll work. persons without pride in their production. outright dishonesty. Our profe$.lion is a part 01 that fabric and is not immune from this gen.ral· iud decline in values. Bul more than mosl. we fight il: we continue 10 hold our colleagues accountable. "" insist on ou r standards and ".., continue to sirive for civilily among Our members. ~t ore than most. we are mindful of our moral and ethical obligatiom: more than most. we remember thai ..... rything we do and say ..fleets not only On us personally but also on OUr profession. Look al wnat we do for society as lawyers; We manage disputes. we reduce the friction generalw ",,·ery<.!ay in the workplace and Ihe marketplace ~use w. pTO\'ide an oullet .nd oft.nlimes a cure. Other socielies have f...">!r l."yers. but the gowrnmenl.l of those countries .re far mo .. intrusi...., than ours; il is precisely lhe presence of our profession lhat permils this countl)l 10 be so Unregulated. We make deals po.o;sible: we merge corporations; w. k•• p companies in business and,iobs in place. It is because of lawyer. and law· suil.llhat "",men and minorilies ha1..., Ih. righllo VOle. to se]"l.'" 00 juries. to recei,.., fair Ireatmenl in the workpl.,,: because of lawy\'rs and 1'W$uil$ the disabled are accommodated: the environ· ment is dean: civilliberli.s are p,.... se",.. d; our prooucl.l. OUr workplaces.

OUr ~ation afUf Iff: thr oafat in tilt

I0/0I'101

O\)n't COOIt ~tronizing

and t~!ling U$ thot ~')'t11 are a r>t«Wry t'Vil; most 01 thil country's btdrock v~I, Ut$ are in place b«aust oIlawyen, and many 0( this country'li Il'IOIit pos.ltiYt ch.angu occurred bfa,ust 01 lawyers. And look at what our coI~ 00 OUlJidt thr profession, In addition to tM demands of prxtidng t""" ou r 1""'Y"1l bear ch ildren and ""jst thtm; thty C(Io:K'h little Ie.;oguos; they tt~h ~ ",hooI; they It..... on <hurd! \)(:Qrds; thry pmd! a $l1'TI'IOn ocQSiorWly; thry quit~ litHalIy pul God before n\lImmon; they Hrve 00 libnory boards. city councils, school boards, United W3Y, tile)' provide I~a<kr, ship to counUw wOOIlionaJ and chari· U$

~~tiono. As ~ Speak. thr IIIrgut ~time

gathrring in world hlJlory iii ton\'tf1ing In Allanla, concti,~d b)' Bi1l~ Paynt, a

lawyer, and implemented IIII#Iy b)' his commillH of nim, 0( ..i1ich rlV! are lawyers and 001: is the 5fJOUSt 01 a lawyer. Ooo't come patronizing U$ and saying that lawyen ar( jml in il for tM ITII)nty. our proI'tnion Iti....,. mor~ bKk to soci· tty than any other in uons 0( volunt«r time, and Illonl """,I to hut tlut ...., lre l drain 00 1M KOnOITly, MaUH it is not so. W~ haw 11,000 1""'Y"1l In this stat~. and if we IU\.lIm tlut for t'Vtry ~~rthm pmonsil~

either as sUfI" o. In a W1Idor ~ity. ~ how iIf1 '''''mlry 0( 45.000 pumping lilt ral!)' billlon$ of dollan Into thr Alaron\ll KOflOmy t'Vtf)' year. in salaries. judgmenlJ. benefilJ, u~nses. fees. and selliements. So. is it lair tIut our I~ be criti. dzed or tlul our mnlnbutions to society be ignoml? I submit 10 you tIut It is not fair. but that it goeswith tile turitory.

We are tho guanIianI 0( OUr oountry's rnoru. In a rul..-nse. We are watched. ~ whi.1 ,.,. do aff«u tile mt of tho nation in a uniQut way. Alexander Sobllenitsyn ma ..... led at our legal sys· tern when he CiIf11t to this counlry, he coo .... no! gd. 'M'r our ru...wnmtal belidthat _f)' penon Iw tho right to how a!awyer's advice and protection, SoI~henlt.<yn·1 ruction says a lot about our i~ to this nalion", quality 0( life. and it is truly beyond measure. In oCher countria tht totnn or symbol 0(1 society is ~ ("",,-n, or I n\lIusoieum. or a SJ!OI. of sacred ground; in thu coontly it is a document undtr glass at the t)IIlion· al archives. ~t documenl "'il$ writttn by ~n and _f)' Ib:y u bel"ll """ served by!awyeB. I, forone,lm vroud to be among that number, and I'm proud to be your president, I'll do my best to be a Ilood on.. •

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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT 811 Keith a !';orman

There art sew."1 committees and \ask 101"«5 whose mission is to ,tudy program. that will htlp bar

Membership Programs: Services and Products That Help Lawyers

members. Among Illest are tile In,unnce I'rognm$ Committee. chaired by J. Bentley 0...,"0 of Birmingham; tho: M.mbenhip Se,,~. Task Forte . chaired by AlVA l.o.mbfrt and formerly by Jamu Jury lI'ood ot ~lont8om.ry; and the Thsk F"fa on S malll'inn. and Solo PncHtione .... chaired by Paul A. Ilra nlle)' of Montgomuy. These rommitt.." and .... k IOKe. are "spoOn,ibl. for ,.vi....,· ing and .<commending programs to

the board 0( commissioners which would provide a K,vice or benefit to Alabama l.wye~. The insurance Programs Committe.

has been principally reSpOnsible for

ensuring member access to compeli· tiwly priced ,,,,,,mnco products,

including life illSuranee and disability

insurance.

Keith B. Norma..

-:!Mild"!!'''I· "".-......

~'or

many years, the corn-

milte. has worked with the OOr', endorsed insura!l<:t plan administrator, In. uranee S1>«iall,I• . Inc. of Atlan .... 10 make oure tnal Alabama S... t. Bar membe .. have reasonably priced imur· MICe products. An important feather in Ihe cap of this long·aclive commiUtt i. the prin. cipal role it played in t~ bar', c,..,ating its 0VI'Jl Colpti"e professionalliahil;ty insurance company-Atlomey. Insurance Mutual of A1.b.ma. Inc. IAIM). After experiencing a "nard" insurance market during the early 1980s the Insurance Programs Commitl« w<:Irked assiduously to help find a stable source of c"""rage. For many lawye ... it was nol a question of cost bul rather whelher c<>wrage could be oblained at any cost. The gyrations of Ihe professional liability markel moulted in the committ •• ·• recommen· dalion to the bar's lead.rship thai a mulU1ll iru;uranc. company be .tarted. Today. AI~1 i. a successful and thriving

iru;urance compatljl that ha.o; helped .Ia· biliu Ihe prolusiona] insurance market for Alabama la~~ ... Since i~ c,..,ation .. veral ).. aTl .go, tty, M. mbership Services Task Force has recommended 5e\,'eral ouulanding member progranu providing high qU1l1. ity producu or "IVic.. to laW}'t'rs al a ,u"'lanli. 1 saving.. The.., include Airbome Expre •• discounU. LEX IS" NEXIS group membership discoun~ and office supplies diS<Qun~ through the Penn), \11 .. Company. The newest ..rviet available to memo bers is lhe AT&T Profit 8)' Auociation Program (I'BA) . After .,lens;,... ly revi .....ing thi' and other long di,1anct di>count prognnu. the task force rec· ommended 10 lhe ixlard of commission· ers Ihe bar's participalion in lhe AT&T plan . PM provides fove percent dis· counU a",""", and beyond basic plans offered by AT&T. For example. firms lhal .pend bel"''ten $25 and $200 on long distanc. tan savt' by joining lhe AT&T Small Business Mo.·an"'ge Service and savt' Ion percent on quolified tall, each month. This is in addition 10 the five perun! awarded under PBA. firms lhal spend more on long distanct can 5iwt even more on Iheir long distanct tails. A n.... program that will be up . nd running 500n is Ihe AI.bama Slatf BIT t..aw Ome...bnagtmtnt As,;,tan« Program . The Task Forct on Small Firms and Solo Practilione.. ,"com· mended this impOrtanl .. rvice as a way lor the bar 10 provide assistance 10 1""''Y''rs and law firm" particularly small firms and $010 praclitioners. This n ...... service will entail the hiring of a stall person allhe stale bar headqU1lr· lers wilh knowledge and uperienc. 10 assist lawyers in e>...1)' ph .... of Ihe management of lheir practices. The scope o( thi, .. rvict is likely to include: in·hou .. audiU and oonoul ... tioru;; (Con/mUM on page 266)

We knowyour •~-- ----------- -- - -- -------------- - --,• •• Especially For time is vaIwoble, • so ~'D COlIN!' n;n 10 the point Did you know)'OUf I1II'IJIbenhip : ••• Alabama State Bar Members • in the Avis All«iation Program enlitles you to • bosI of specill : A.is ser.ices ~od discounlS thaJ. can savt you lois of lim!' and 1fIOIle)'?

For i~~, you're eligible lor sa.,;np 0/ 10% off A.is SuperVaiut Weekly rates. 5)i 011 promotional rates and 5% oft Avis ],!i~ ~ ~ rrntll$lI aI partlcipalins locations. Shop around. Youlllind AYois lias SOI'I'Ie of \he lowesI rates in the 'odustry_ And wiIh the A.~ Yt'!Zard System, you can receivt our besiavailable rale ..+.en you mention your A.is Worldwide l)i$counl (AWO) nu m~ A5101OO.

A.is also lias w:i~ng. new innovali'le $fflices dI'si~ 10 keep you on the 1IIO'o"e.. Aigh~k'" oller! you uJHotht' mirwle nifrt inlontlatioo rig/lI in WI ar rerwn lot. ~ with ~ CIlI!IpIIIef prinl-out II map airport IocaIions. And Roule &."11110.-:' a.~ilable il select a,l'jlOIIlocations. isa poinHo-poinl direc!ions.l)'Slem thai provides you ..iIlr direc!ions 10 multiple deslinalions 00 a compuler IOUCMc!etO map aod pri"1S 0111your ftQIIE$I~ inlormalion in ~ Isn) ~ a rtlielro know IhaI Avis II'IOI'e$ jusI. as las! is you rio? For _ inlontlatioo and re5eI\-ations. all all tmploj._ 01 A.is II: 1.s00i3 1-8000. And rmlenIber 10 mention your A.is Worldwide Discounl (AWO) number" ASlOlOO.

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AVIS ~ L __________ _ ____ ___________________ _

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..,uti,,_ 01...,10".

R_porl

(Omlmuedfrom poge264) advic~ re~rding

eslabli.hmonl of • new law practice; Itltphont advisory S<'",icts; tuhnologicalaS$i,tanee; refer· ral 10 other resources. programs and coosullants; risle management guid-

anc. and sf,toms S<'lup; per><lnn.1 and financial guideline.; and tlhicai guidanu. among others. Tht LlIw ornCt Management Assistane. Program will no doubl evolve ov<:r lime as mem!>tr n«ds !>tcam. mart defined. These are ""I anlh. ""rvicos lhat are availabl. to you .. a mem!>tr 0( Ih.

Alabama Sialellar.lfyou would likt 10 find OUI more about th • .., and ather mem!>tr ben.flts. ineiuding .!hie> opinions , CLE Khedules and use 0( stale bar conkrenc. rooms, call bar headquarters al 1-800-354-6154 and ask for the 1996 membership ..,,,,ices brochure. _

Important! Licensing/Special Membership Dues

1996-97 Al l licenses to practice law, as we ll as special memberships, are sold through the Alabama State Bar headquarters. In mid-September, a dual invoice to be used by both annual license holders and special members w ill be mailed to every lawyer currently in good standing w ith the bar.

If you are actively practicing or anticipate practicing law in Alabama be tween October I, 1996 and September 30, 1997, please be sure that you purchase an occupational license . licenses are $250 for the 1996-97 bar year and payment must be RECEIVED between October 1 and October 31 in order to avoid an automatic 15 percent penalty ($37.50). Second notices will not be sent! An attorney not engaged in the active practice of law in Alabama may pay the special membership fee of $125 to be considered a member in good standing. Upon receipt of payment, those who purchase a license will be mailed a license and a wal let-size license for identification purposes. Those electing special membership wil l be sent a wal let-size 10 card for both identification and rece ipt purposes.

If you do not receive an invoice, please notify DillneWeldon, membership services director, at 1-800-354-6154 (in-state WATS) or (334) 269--1515 IMMEDIATELY I

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NEWEST ADDITIONS TO THE ALABAMA STATE BAR STAFF Rita Cny join.~ Ih. Alabama State Bar last Nowmber all communiCJo' lioollpubi iu.tioru lSSistant, b.mging ..ilh hotr 22 yean 01 administl7ltM

li1<e to lravel lhe Nasar Circuil Th<:y

haw traveled to o..ytona, Chulotte, North WilKesboro, Roc:kinaham, ~ our homtl..,..-n Nasar lTd. T:roIL1ckg.l. Thry abo lfOOO5OI' youth it lmir Iouol thurth,

Uptrinl(t. CWo

tome. Krvic:. and dloli- mtry. SM worked lor 13 yean New H(lmt, with Hudson Thomp$OO. Angie C~ joined IItr husband. 1m sli-Ie bar 1M! RITA ORAY ANOII! CROWl! Bruce, is NlfS November, too. and Ikc.mber, Cin.llimn ..... ill begin manager for Ja,y Electrk.nd ha..l:>een is the ret.ptionilt.I're.ioull~, Angie work in January 1997 to rtceiw her "";Ih 1m company for 26 years. worked all in .... minislrali'.'e OllII;stant rnutu'slkgree, She is employed by Thry haw one dloughter, Gina, for a Iouol lISSO(:ilItion. Ilfr hlHbon<l, tilt Fir$t Nitional &nit in who is married and"";l1 rn:eiw her Ed, OJ II salts ~ lor G~r WetumpIQ. iICCOUnting dtgrft from Auburn Eltctric.. An~ and Ed mjo)1l1utO!'iC' In Rita and Bruce's span lime,!My UnMrsity it Montgomery in ing and tnowling.

5<;:"""".,

%e5J.filoama State '.Bar inVites you to oe present for 0 reception Of/a ainner fwrwn'ng Senior 'US Circuit Judge Jolin. c. (joa60fd' recipient of'Ifi.e 'Devitt 'lJistillguisf1ea Seroice to Justice Jtwa ra

'Triaoy, September 20, 1996, ~ Jlchvity Center, 201 '1Je{ftr Jtvenue, 9dontgomery, Jil{aoama 1(,eception ana'Dinner 7:00 p,m. 'Tickets: $27.50 :Tor d"dails wrrta.:t ~ JI.{a6ama State '!Jar al 8fXJIJ54-6154 6!J.5eptem6u J8, 1996.

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U.. Miln •• Kan:h announces a !\arM clwlQe to Lisa .\llIn .. lIanrnck. Her office is localed al 2312 Thylor Str.. t. P.O. Orawer 906. Gunlersville, Alabama 35976. I'llone (205) $826940.

About

relocation of his office to 2223 8th St rttt, 1\Isca100$,). AI~b.ima 35401. Tht mailing ad~rus .... mains P_O. Box 2504. TI'V'Jooq 35401 1'hont (205) JU..".,

Rocky Ri,. ROid. Birmintlwn. 35216. Phone (205) 8225440.

GrtiOrY L CoH lnflO\lflttS the rdoClllion of his offICe to 200 cmw p.!,rI< Soulh. Suile 118. Birmingham. AbIwna 35242. Tht mailing iKklrus is 416 ~ Park Cir\:le. Suite IOI-t;. Phone (205) 991-9193.

\O\iUiam P. Spnluk iWIOUrlCU thtc ",location of hi$ office to 843 Puk ROid. Plusanl Crow. Alilbam;l3S127. Tht mailing address is P,O. Box 492. Phone (2OS) 744 -8700.

Patricia V. Comrr lnnOIInCa tho: OIltning 0( her off..:e at Suile .;00. Tht ~IMStY Building, 290 21st 511Ut. North. B irming~m. Alabama 3szro. Phone (2051251.1248.

Morria J. Princlolta. Jr. anflO\lllCU the ",location 0( his off," to 2100--C Al~

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Michael 8-.y Uoulton annouoces a tha~ 0( i>Ik1rtss to 1'.0. Box 160763. Mobile. Alabama 36616. Phone (334) 626-5091. Robert J. undTY. 111 annouoc .. a mange 0( i>Ik1rtss 10 thtc U.S. Bo>nkruptcy Adminiil.Blor's Offi«. N.O. 0( Abba ..... E.D.. U.S. Courtho\lst. 1129 Nobl~ SIIUt. Anniston.Alabama 36201. Phone (205) 237-8397, \ ictow 8. GriFfia lnnounc:ts tho: .... Iocation 01 his office to 2]0 rBnk Nd~ Building. 205 N. 20th Street. 8irmingham. AlWma 35203. I'I>one (205) 324.2116. Terry G. Koy annouocu the relocation of hi. office to 164 K Main Strttt. Dothan. Alabama 36302. l'hone (334) 702-4487. Tht mailing address is P.O. 80JI 758. Dothan.

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Crol1t'S £., ,,,rill, pIG,," ;II AIbdIIJ. NY~'" 0rl..1tdo, Fl. 0.111'" MlMpIn .. niI 1q..1 ' MPP/J tfIIdw., (800) 11/.1911, u,. $0).

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Am0ft9 Firm. ~ O. Waldrop. Jr. annooncu thtc (ormation 0( Waldrop " Auodal.. . SUttasor to thtc lirm 0( Smith" Waldrop;and that M. Andmo Manlier has joined the lirm as an iWOCiale, Offica win remain al lOB South Si~ Squm. Suite A. liu nUville, Alabama 35801-4256. Phone (205) 534-8485.

Mlrtin. Drummond" Woosloy announces that Marjorie O. Dabbs and Roy F. King. Jr. haY. bKomr members and lhat Linda S. Lebo has joined thtc firm u an iWOCiate. Offica u .. Iocatod ill I.Uahort PJ.rI< I"bu. 22().t ~ Drive. Suii<' 130. Bi~ ~

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2167. Mobile. AIaburoi 36652·2167. Phone (3341432-5521. McCain Ii 0(Ie11ft announcH Imt Lft T. Ozmlnl. f()fJTlerly of Espy. NfWts I< Scogin. has b«omt itn uw. ciale. Offices Irf loca!td at th~ Printup Buildina, 350 l.()Cu.! Streel. Second ~·Ioor. Cadsdtn. Alabama 35901. I'h<.>ni: (205) 547·0023. Do.wd D. LIo . .., John M. Fraley. David L MeA!!sltT and K.. Donald 5imml ~na thr /onn;slion 01 I.wk. FnIey. MeAlI. ltT & 5imml. Ke"ndh A- Dowdy. David L ~an and Bryan O. BaIoCh au wocialn. 0If1«$ an iocaltd at 1901 Sixth Aven.... North. Suite 1700. AmSoutWHarbtrt 1'Iiu. Birmingham. AWwnlI352ro. Phone (205 f 323<7100. En,el, lIal,.lon. & JohJ.n$on announces lhat 'l'Iomeri. S. [)rI. kil1 has joined lhe firm. OffICes are located iIll()9 N. 20th Silfti. 41h Floor, Birmingham, AlWma 35203. Phon.e 1205) 328-4600,

[)ltfl! Ii Sviruo itnnounc.. thai Pa ..1 K.. u.<elle has become an ~~te. O/fw;aan kattdat ZI00-A SouthB..... P:orkw.Iy, Suite 570, IIirminIfwn, AIabMnIlS209. Phone (205) 871).7900.

0 ... ,Q Campbtl! anroouncr:s that Robert ClnI_ has becc:me an awx:j. ale. orrlCH au Iocaled 01 Fi,,1 Commercii l B.>nk Bui~ S50 Mootaomery H i~, Suile 300. Bi rmingham, Alabama 35216-1808. Phone (205) 823·3900. IV, Ki .... Oa",nport and Thom•• P. Willinglwn annou""e thr formation oI O-:"port,Q I'Iilli",hJ.m and that Ted G. Meadows has become an OSSI)cUle. otrlCU are Iocaltd M 3928 J..orm Ro.d, SIIile 3(12, Birmingham. A1Wma 3S244. 1'hont (205) 988-

""Michael W. Canol! and Pt1T)'1I G. C'1"1'I)1I announce thoe new addrus 01 CuToIl Ii Carroll at 950 FiIW>Cial Cenler,505 20th Strut, North. Birmingham, Alabama 35203·2678. Pllom (205f 328·2600. lIa.". \\')'11'" Newell & N~lon annooncesthat MichHI O. "' ........ rt has become. partner and Nolan E. A,""rey has joined the firm as an

Rule 11, Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure ("Incompetency and Mental Examinations"l The Supreme Court of Alabama. by order dated M ay 1, 1996, amend ed Rule 11 , Ala. R. Cllm. P., dealing wil h .. incompelency and mental examinations." The amendment makes a significant change in procedure. This amendmenl appears in a So. 2d Advance Sheet dated on or about Augus t 8, 1996. The amendment also is available OIl MAUNC and should be available OIl WEST· LAW and LEX(S.

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iUOCiate. Offices are Ioated al Sujt~ 800, The /oWsty Build;"" 290 21st St reet, North, BirminghilTl, Abbama 3520J. Phone (205) J28.S330. Chrl. 5. o.rlsi and Chrulopher -'Ictal)' announce tM r~localion 01 their offlCU 10 205 20th Street, North. SIIite 730. Birmingham. Abbama 35203, Phone (205) 252·2222. Da\id It. ,' brah. Jdfrey C. Rickard and Sun " J. Slh<emlil announce the formation of Ihe Law Offlcu of David It . .... rah. Officn .r~ located at TWo Chue COrpOrate Oril'f. Suite 460, Birminghim. Alabama 35244. !'hoot (205f 733· 1000. Dmd K.. 1I000rd and CharIu J. KeIlty announce 1M formotion d lIowani &: Ktlley. Offocu ue located it 101 Mobile I'Lu.l. P.O. 8oJ: \310. FIortn«. Abbama 35631. Phon.e (205) 718-6040. Mad<. \\111laml , II l1ygood & '>! ciAan announcu that Sonja F. BMn. has becomt. partner in 1m form. Office. are located in Atlanta. <:Wrgia and lloca Raton. Florida. Diimond. IIn"r .. F..... I announcu that SI... rt Y. Luckie has become ~~ttd with the finTI. OfficO$ art located at 1325 Dauphin Strttt. Mobile, Alabama ~. Phone (334) 432-3362. 14anlry, ~r. &: Pu,," iIIVIOUncu that K. Scott S\JtIp has joined the firm and thr fiml'. new rwne will be Manley, 1'Iv1tT. Ptny ,Q S,-, Offices

are Iocattd.t III S. Walnut Avenue. ~mopo)j., AlWma 36732. Phone (334) 289-1384. lIomiby. W. tlOn,Q ,"eginn;" annou""u lhal Ralph W. lIomsby. Jr. has become a partner in the firm. Offices are Iocattd at 11 10 ClenuglH Drive, Itunl$Vilie. Alibama 358(11. Phone 1205) t>SO.SSOO. Najju I)e.w,...., announcH that Keith J. Nadler, WallfT F. ,>!cAntle and ~1IIx Jonfl Po!neI'O)' ~ become $harehoold«s. Offien are Iocaled at 2125 Morris AvenUl' and 2209 '>!oms A'Ofn .... Birmingham. Ahbama 3520J. Phone (2()5) 2508400. Cain ... Caints" RaIlCO .nnounc.. thlol Thomn M. Utiit. C. Invid St.. bb•

and L S..... Gainu ~ btcomt ;wociattS. Offi<:6 art localN ill bl~ga. A1~ Phont (205)362·

"".

Cahaaiu.. Johnl lon . Cordntf. Dum.. " O'Nul lll1noollCtS Ihllt Sandy C. RohinloOn hu I>Kornr II part· lIor.Phone (205) 716-5200 and (334) 433.6961. OfficQ art localtd in Birmlngtwn and Mohll~. A1wma.. ~dIOD, ~~Pl'. "'illiaml &; 1l1o)~1 lllnoollCn INt J. flynn ~Olingo is !lOW "" asaocialt. Omen uc !ocatN III 301 Adams A,'I1Iue. Montgomtry. A"'b,anu 36101. Phone (334)263-6621. fish &; Rkluord ..... annoollCQ INI Oavld E. s-tll has btcomt an asaoci· alc. Offica art Ioc3Itd at One R;\,c""·IIY. Suitt 12oo.lIowlon. Texas 71056. Phont m3)629·5(l10. Langt. SimpfOn. lI obin ..... &; s..-"inc annoollCQ tluot Ila....1d E. lIalley. Jdfrry E, Holmos and M. AUlioa ~ 00" btcomt .....NtQ and that D.,·id f. o.l on h.u joille~ as a putntr. otfocu IIrt wttt! 100 Jcffel!.On Strut. HUlltwilic. Alabama J58O.I. POOnt (205) S33-3S00. p_lI. Peek & Wu,~r Ill1nounCe. its ~wtioo to 201 ~ SI.m. Andalusia. Alab,ama. The mailing ~rw ill P.O. 0.--. 969.,o\nda!.,m. 3642O. 1'hon<: (334) Z22-4103 .

Alalwno 35611. POOnt 12(5) 232·

"".

Bru« Mico, Cluorl.. Mico. Bruce Adami lind DwIght lIice announce tho IonNtil.ln 0( Rice, Rice. Adami " RI« . Officu art localed at 403 ChoccoIocro St.m. 0d0nI. AlaNrN. Tht 1Ni1illg addruo i5 1'.0. no. 3267. o.ford 362Q3.1'hono (205) 831·0098. lIaltaglia 1..0", Office annooncu thaI C... nd .... Wrighl has bKornr: an astOCCatt. Offices a.c louted at 5950 DonnichKI Place. Suilc 102. MontgOmery. Allbaml 36117.l'hone (334)244 .2983. Lamar. N.lfOn & Mill.. anllOUllCts IhlI Rid D. Norris has btcomt I

pIormrr lind I.,ynn Rondl.l1. I'ormt. assi"anl district attorney lor tilt Ccunty 0( 1'Ida\ooU.llnd 1. Stuart 1II.:.. \IH. formtr dtrk 10 tht Honorallit Tennant Smillwood. 00" btcomc ;wocialts, Offi<:6a.c locattd at 1600 FiNllCial C.lllt" 505 20th St.HI. North. BirmingNrn. Alabama 35203. PhofIO' (205) 326-0000. Ib...t.ric:k, lIuK & ~g""1 anoounc:n tNt C. Ward BftlOn. Ill. (ormtrly moff allorrn:y lor Judge frank Long. Alabaml Court 01 C'imiNI ,i,pptall, has btcomt an ;woci.lt•. Offices art located al 212 N. LeaN Str«t. Dothan, Alabama. Tht maillllg addreS$ is P.O. Box 1469. Dothan 36302.. POOnt (334) 794-4144. •

IbJch " Bintluom If\OOUfI<<$ that John S. Bowman. Jr.. David B. Cluomplln. CftlOry S. Curnn and Uonald II . JO .... I, Jr. haw b«omt poorlntfS. Offocn /I.C wItt! ill Monlgomery. BirmingNm lind lIulltMlle. A1abama lind W.... ington. D.C. "" &bton. Stabler. WCIII, Andtri.on " BainllnnoollCts lhat "'ililam R. S)·Io,·cslt r and IIONId A. IA>'ill hIIw j<)intd lilt firm. OfflCn IIU wIt<! III SOO financial C.III ••• 505 20th StrHt. North. Birmingham. AlllbaIN 35203. I'horn: (205) 251·96OQ. Sherrill. Battt & M.thcws annoo!1Cts WI tht 11000..111. lI. nry W. Btizzlord, I'orme. pr..iding circuil court judge ohilt 39th Judicial Circuit. has bKomt II member 0( tlv fi . m. The firm is !lOW Slltrri ll. Balli. Mathews & Blizzard. OffICtl aft WI · ed at 102 S. Jeff•• $OIl SIr«t, Athc"li.

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BAR BRIEFS • HarWEll E. Coale. Jr., with 1M Mobile firm of Coale & Dukes. has been elected a Fellow 0/ the Amtrican College of Trust and Estate Couru.et His election

• J ohn M. Wood. attorn." with John M. Wood, P.C. was recently chostn as One of Birmingham"s 1'op 40 Under 40"

by the Birminglwm Busirwss Journal.

took plact in March 1996. The College is an .....,.,iation of Iawy"" recognized as outltanding practitioners in the laws ofwill5. trusts. estate planning. estate administration, and related Illll planning. Member.hip is by invitation of tbe Board of Regents.

He was nominated for this honor by fel · low attorney Paul B. Shaw, lr. with rec· ommendations from cl ients and col·

leagues in the field 01 jurisprudeJ1<e. A 1990 graduate of Georgetown University law School. Wood practiced in Birmingham at the form of Balch &.

Bingham. In 1993. he founded John M. • John C. 1I~1l. Ill . a shareholder in the Ilirmingham form of Rives & Pet, ,,,,,,,. was named one of The Birmingham N.-ws "Uruung Huoes of 1996" in recognition for volunteering hundreds of hours ofhis legal time for ""rious public Rrvi~ projectl statewide. Hall al!.o rec.ntly """Ned the '1996 Children's Ad"I'ocate Award" and the "1996 Jefferson Award" for public Rrvice. and the "1996 Good Shepberd Award" from St. Andrew's EpiSCOpal Church of l:Iinningham. Hall was the keynote speaker for the U.S. Department of Justice Juwnile Conference

Wood, P.C. He

has written articles and giwn

speeches on di,,,,,ce and child custody ;.. u.. and is currently publishinga

book entilled Survival of the Fillest: A Guide 10 )\wr Pending [)iwrce. • On NoYtmber 6, 1995. Anniston attorney tlr! P. UndeTWood became board certified in civil trial law by the National Board of Trial AdvocaCY. an

AHA..... ccredited organization. He has joined a group of 1.900 la~rs Ntion · ...ide who Im'e become "mifitd by NBTA.

in ~\ay. lie il the co-founder and pr.sident of Children First Foundation. Inc. and co-chairman of the Lieutenant Gov<!mor'I TUk Fom> on School and Youth Violence and has helred d..... lop a pilot program on Adult Literacy in Alabama. • The Mdlinlt» Young Lawyers of the S'-ls r«ently elected new officers. They are; /'resident: William E. Smith, Jr. \ice·Pl'tlid.nt: Jam •• M. 1Ii\"tIOY TrtuurerlS«l't tary:- D.vid Allen Tomlin $On The McKinlt» Young Lawyer. take their Mme from John McKinlt». He was a citiun and one of the founding fathers of Florence, Alabama. He ",oved al. U.s. Senator and Congr... man from Alabama. On JanuaJ)' 9. 1838. while a relident 0/ Florence. McKi nley Wil$sworn in as the 23rd """,,,,;ate Jushco of the United States Supreme Court. •

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DISCIPLINARY NOTICE Notic. s to Show Cause • Notice is hereby gi"," to Claro nel< Blake Weot of Cullman. Alabama that pursuant \0 an order to show cause of the Disciplinar)' Commi$Sion of the AI.ha"" Siale Bar. daled Apri\24, 1996. he ha!; sixt~ (60) days from the date <>f this publication. (September 15. 19961.

to come into compliance with the M.nrotory Continuing Legal Educalion Requirements, Noncompliance ,hall result in a suspension of hi. lice"..,. [eLE 9f>.68j • Notice is hereby g;,.. n to John Archie o\c~r. Jr. of

ThSClloosa. Alabama thai pursuant \0 an order to show cause of the DiSCiplinary Commission 01 the Alabama S13le Bar, dated April 16, 1996. he ha!; sixty (60) dl.ys from the date of this putllicalion. (September 15. 1996). to oome into compliance with th. Mandator)' Continuing Ltg-I Education requirements. Norn:omplj.nce shall r••ul! in a sUSpension of hi5Iice~.ICLE 9().Ol\ Disbarments

• By order of the Supreme Court 0/ Alabama. OoUlan aUorney Cada M. Cartor was disbarred from the practice 0/ law eff""tive April 19. 1993. Carter consented to disbarment. pursuant to Rule 23 of the Alabama Rule~ 0/ Oisciplinary Procedure. based on his felolljl conviction in the Circuit (;()urt of Houston County, Alabama. $olid conviction being for a charge of theft 0/ property first degree. lASH No. 96-67J • Hy order of the Supreme (;()urt 0/ Alabama. ~lobile attorney Jose-ph Thlmadge Bnonutn was disbarred from the practice 0/ law effective May 13. 1996. Bruru.on consented to disbarment. pursuant to Rule 23 0/ the Alabama Rulu of Disciplinary Procedure. based on his felony conviction in the Unittd Statu District Court for the Southern District of Alabama. said conviction for a charge of conspiracy to po$SU$ with intent to distribute marijuana and for JIOSSfssion 0/ cocaine.IRule 22(a}(2): Pel. No. 95-031 • Birmingham attorney John Calvin Coggin. III was disbarred by order 0/ the Supreme Court 0/ Alabama eff",,_ tive May 20. 1996_Coggin consented to disba..".,nt after having be<cn corwicted in the United States Di,trict Court for the Northern District of Alabama for making false statemen~ to the Internal RO'\'enue Service and for bank fraud.IRule 23(a); Pel No. 9fK(2) • Florence attorney John O. Morrow has been stricken from the roll of attorney>. disbarred and excluded from

.... . . .... .... '

~--

the practice 0/ law in the State of Alabama by order of the supreme court effective May 23. 1996. This action was taken after Morrow voluntarily surrenderod his license to the Alabama State Bar. Morrow admilled having misappropriated and converted to his own use funm boclonging to a clien\. lASH No. 96-1501 Suspensions

• ~ allomey Willilom Richmond SI,phon. has bocen interimly suspended from tho practice of law by order of the supreme court effective M~y 23. 1996. Stephens was suspended as a re.ull of his f~ilure to respond to eight dif· ferent charges filed against him by the Offi"e of Ceneral Counsel of the Alabama Stale Bar. The charge. allege that Stephens had ""gl.ded legal matters entrusted to him by his clients. had failed or refused to communicate with his clients. had engaged in sexual misconduct toward hi. clients and had misa]l{lropriated and con,·.,ted to his Own use funm belonging to his clients. IASB Nos. 94 -264 . 94265. 95·30. 95-97. 95-121. 95·3 17. 95-352. and 96-]31 • On July 18. 1996. the Alabama Supreme Court suspended Shelby County attorney lllarcu. U.\"on Whatley for a period of forty-fwe (45) days. rdroacti,.. to June 17. 1996. This mandatory suspension was the result 0/ "'"hatley'S corwiction for theft of property in the third degree in tile Circuit Court of Jeff.rson County. Alabama on April ] 7. 1996. IRule 22(.~; Pet. No. %-004] • On May 17. 1~5. the Disciplina'1' Commission 0/ the Alabama State Bar ordered that Birmingham attorney Jus. Woodrow ShOUt b< interimly suspended from the practice of law in the State 0/ Alabama pursuant to Rule 20 0/ the Rules of Disciplina'1' Procedure. IRule 2{)(a); Pet. No. 95·071 Public Reprimand

• Montgome'1' attorney Allen W. 11""",11 re<eiwd a public reprimand without general publication for violating Rule 5.6 (b~ in connection with a settlement he was proposing in a leUer to defendant's counsel. After indicating how much he would a=1't in settlement for various clients' cases. HO<I<-. . II requested S100.000.000 as "compensation to us to agree to never. owr sue your client again: Howell withdrew the letter afler hi' co--rounsel reviewed it • few days latu. The Di$Cipli na'1' Board granted summary judgment and then imposed the reprimand .fler a full hearing. H"""ell 's appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court ....as unsocce ..ful.1ASB No. 93·2741 •

A to TOIl (Mr IlkwKn yu,rs haw

since tho: SupI'I'ITIO Court d

~ma

recogniud the

intmtionollQlt 01 b.d faith in Ant Plrt)' inI.ur.lro« actions. ~. tOlby's JUPrtfT'C COlIrt recognizes tNt tho: II. Nllliontli S«urifJI Fire & CosuoII, Co. ' court failed to afItici. Pille that the 1011 would l'fIum 10 dW~ and oonIound U~ court in the following yr;m.' &d bith hal bmlsubsIWilolly ddinutod ;11 tho: PQI. dwo;k, and continues 10 M mltfined prrior.lkJolly. Sin« ~ dl'oru. Nve been .-Ie to chronick tho: .wwlopmmt 01 first party b.d flith in the lui. tm yu ....' this article will atttmpt to addrtsund r:xpIain tho: eooIution 01 ~1'lI1 asp«tS of tho: tort as it hu btm shaped by !he COUTU of

a-.m

""."".

Bad •• Ith D.." .... The elementJ of I bad faith c.ut "''''..... t 001 by tho: wprtme court in National Securitll Fire & UuUflfl,l Co. u. Boo..m': (alAn insurance tonlra.ct betWffn tho: parti.. and a bn"d'l tht,~ by tho: defendant; (b}an intentional mlISIollo pay tho: insured's claim; «I tho: obxnct olany ~ logitimate or illlu.1lble.-on lor that rflut.ol (tho: ~ 01 a dtbio~ 1US(ln); (dlthe insum'llCtwol ~ 01 tho: Wmtt 01 iIIl)' ltgitimMe or "ramble ruson; (tl if inkntional fIIilu ... to dttmnint tho: ai$tmn 011 Ir.ofullN.sil is I1'litd upon. tho: pbintitr must proYf tho: insurer's intentional bil,,", to <!tttrmi.. whtthu t/I(1'e ila IegitilNtt or lrtuable moon to muw 10 ~ tho: ~im. In short. the ~laintiff must tIO bt)'Ond a mel1' 5howing 0( IlOIlPi)'ll\tllt and prtlYO a bad faith noIlpa}111m1 without any uasonable gro.md for dispute. Or, stattd differently, the plaintiff mU$t Jhow Il\atthe iruut1lOCe CM1panj> had no legal or factUlOI dtt'enst to the iruuran« daim,'

~--

........... ,-

In making the determination of whether an insurers conduct amounted 10 bad faith. the trial court must limit th. scope of ilS txamination to the evi · d.""e that wa, before the insurer at the time of its denial of the claim.' Thi, i. b«ause an insurer is not entitled to deny ~ claim in the ~ that it will lat.. un~r ."ide"". to support ils denial.' Accordingly. ('Vide""e that aris· es "ftu the denial of the claim is not relevant to the propridy of the insurer'. conduct at the time of the denial. and should not be consideriXl by the trial court.' Th. suprem<: court has further staliXl that an imu .. r may be guilty ofbad faith for fail ing to properly investigate the facts underlying a claim.' This is also true if the insurer ignores "critical" items necessary to show a "cognitive" evaluation and review. M Evidence 0( an insu.. r·s failure to follow e~isting guidelines and manual5 lhat art designiXl to make sur. claims are han· died in a uniform and predictable format will ;wist in meeting this burden." The supreme court delerminiXl that .n insurer's investigation was "incom_ plete" and demonstrated a "recklw indifference to facts" in IJSAA u. Wade. u In II\1de. the court nottd that;

St ........ D.lMnI. .... _O~

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......... "... ....... """' .............. 0 1 _.JD_"""'~_OI

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P Geo!n

_ -----...... -...-Nichol . . W.

W_I . ...

..........

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_011...- ...

Poa:I. _

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~- -

This Court has held that whether an insuraoce comp.lny is justified in denying ~ claim under a policy must be judged b)' ....tJat was 1:>oIon: it at the time the decision is ma.de. /I\1lior1o/ Sot'ingJ Life I"... Co. u. DIllion. 419 So. 2d 1357. 1362 (Ala. 1982). t:acll 0( the f.KIS discussed ~ was before USM "'mn the deci~ion 10 deny the Wades' claim or would ha,.. bwl before USM had it oonducttd a complete il1\'t$tigation. USM. however. did not oonduct a complde in...... ligation. Therelon:. the trial court did not err in holding that USM a.cted in bad faith ""hen il denied the Wades' cI.im under their home<rwner's polic)'." The .upn:me court fonnulated a test 10 determine when the improper inves-

ligation 0( a claim amounts 10 bad faith in Gulf Iltlrmlk Ufe lruurrmce- Ca. v. &mes.~ In &mes, the court sbted that The relevant question before the trier of fact would be whether a claim was properly investigat ed and whether lhe results 0( tilt- investigation were subjected 10. cognitivt evaluation and review. Implicit in lhat test is the conclusion that the k"""'IWge or .-.ckless disregard of the lack 0(. I.giti_ mate or reasonable basi, may be inferred and imputed 10 an insuraoce company,,'hen Illt-re is a reckless indifference to facts or 10 proofs submitted b}' the insured." In "-'Ussing what qualifl.s as a I.....ful basis for tM refusal of an insurtd·s claim, the .upreme court has sbled that a la ....ful basis is "any reasonably l.gitimate or arguable reason for rdusaL ~ debatable reason ... one that is open to dispute or qu ..lion ...... The court has further ,Iattd that: When a claim is 'fairly debatable' the insun:r is entitled to debate it, whflllt-r the debate CQIlcerns a matter 0( fact or law. Coupled with the actual kwYwledge 0( that fact impli..

corucious doing 0( wrong. Bad faith. then,;S not ,imply bad judgrmnt Or negligenct. II imports a dishonest purpose and means a breach of known duty. i. •.• good faith and fair deating. through some motive 0( self·inter.. t or ill will. " The supreme court has also r.COIInited thlot ovidene. of a "lawful basi," may be of ,uch a n.ture thlot the jury should determine whether il is sufficient (or existed in fact) along with the determination of the contr.-.ct claim." l.;l",1ul basi, mean, that the reason for the <knial would be colorable Or seriously arguable in good faith under the facls and the law. For example. if a claim for fire damage was denied based on lhe insurer's allegation 0( arson. the insurer must be able to prestnt a good faith argument that would satiSfy the legat elements of: I)an intentional fin:: 2)the in.urtd had a motive to set the fire: and 3)that Ihe insured either set it or had it set which may be pr"""d by unexplained circumstantial evi· denee implicating the insured. ~ Such evidence would hIo,.. to bt SO convincing that it wilt ,mtain no other reasonable hypoth ..is." However. that does not mean thaI the insurer must prove the arson defe~ beyond a rea· sonable doubt." Procedural qu ..tions cooceming lhe partial payment of. claim and the initio ation 0( a declaratol'l' judgment or interpleader action may affect the viability 0( a claim for bad faith." Further. the ,upreme court has held that an insurds assertion lhat it denied a claim based on the advice 0( cou~1 i, not an abso lu te defense. although it might be consi<kred as • lawful basi. for <knial." The court has Mttd. however. that this defense requires a showing that a fu ll and fair disclosure 0( all facts and cir . cumstaoces was made 10 counsel.~ and lhat this isa question 0( fact for the jul'l'," Of course. if this is claimed b}' the insurer. the file of the attome}' i, diS«Nl:'rabl. 5ince the privilege ;s waiwd. Further, the in,u .. r·, r~liance

on this counsel may mikt himrher an expert for the J)UT]':IOSeS 01 CTOiHQmi·

nation since their Opinion is plactd in such high ut«m.

the C."hwt 0.1. ....... .. DI,.cte4 V.rdlct _

I'trhaps tho: most nokworthy dtwl. optntnU in litigaLing xtioni lor tho: II.! failh bilure 10 POl' a claim hlow

ill'o'OMd the standard 01 proof. In Nali<mol Sq"ings Life Inslll'i1rl«l Co. v. 0..1100,· Justice Shorts aplaintd that:

COInPillY inl't$liglotors iboul ..."here he ~ the night 01 tho: lire, Lattr, '-~ ever, the truth about his whertibouts at tilt time 01 the fi re was voluntarily rewal«<l"off the record" to an independtnt inl't$ligator hired by Aulo o..mrs. Auto Owners paid Iht DempK)'S' first mortCaI/f on tho: loot proptrty, and offered to ~ off the remaining oou. Thi' would haw paid the policy limits. and tilt Dempseys would II'otn haw owed Auto Owners SI9.ooo. "In a fur" ther ~ffort 10 'AtWy' I~

In the I'lOI'lYIiJ cast in ordtr lor II pbinlifr to rnakt out , prima fxit ....., 01 ~ bith tdw.iI to pay an illSlJT1I1« cbim, the proof offered must show that the p"'in. tiff i,mtitled 10 a dir«ltd wnlict 00 tho: conlrKI claim n, thul. mtitled to -...- on tho: contract claim ~ a matt ... 01 bw. Ordinarily, if tho:; nidtnct; prOduced by either sidt creatts a fact issut with r.gard to the validity of tho: cLaim iItld, thus, the lraitimIIC)' 01 tho: dmW thtftoI, tho: tort claim ........ biln should not bo: rubmitltd to the Jury." Tht f),,/loo court thus dtlineattd 1M s\Jrol.bonl that a p"'intiff ~ to Prow that he w.lS mlitltd to " dir«ltd I'tnlict on the undtrlying contnct bo:fort lhe lrial court could submil his ~ faith claim to the jury. A liUlt mort lhan om)"tu lattr. 11K Eleventh Circuil addrtJ$td this issue in Det,lfll"V u. Aulo !Amen "lSUfOrlCII Co.· ln~.the DeIllllHYl h.>d I hornecJo,.....m policy with Auto 0wntrJ. Tht Dempoqol' houK bumtd ont morning....-ht-n nobodyw.lS homt,lII1d lhe Dempoqol madt II claim undtr thtir policy. Auto o..-ners c"'imtd lhat the Denlp$t)lS material misrepresen· tations to Auto o..mrs during lhe COUtW 01 Auto Owntrs' inl't$l~lion 01. tho:~. fire los&. fluto Owntn' investigation lI!so revaled thlot the Dempseys ~rt hta>ily in dtbt 10 the bank holding thti r mortgoge notts.lII1d tllal Mr. Dempsey had li«<l 10 insurance

ma""

nw: l1emt-v court baird iU dt.:ision on the holding in Saf«o "ISU~ Comp<mg ofAmf>ri<:o It. SimJ,- and qUOIt<! I~ Alabama Supreme Court's

opinion. explaining: This 'dirtct«<l I'tnlid on the tOnIrKI claim' tat is not to be rod as rtqUiring. in evtf)I cast MId undt. lIll circumstancts. that the tort cbim be ~rrtd unlw the trial court has liter· ally grantoo plaintiffs motion for 1 dirtctrd wnlict on lhe «lOltrac\. Indm!. tho: WOT<b 't1Ililltd 10 a dirtcttd wnlid: 50 indiQle. Rather, this test is intended as an objectiw sian· <lard by .... hich 10 measure plaintiffs COInplilira with his burdmofpr<M1I/I

that dtfmdint·s denial Will with·

of payme-nt

outMll'r~

DempstyS's claim, Auto Owners hirt<! a hilChhi~er for »to thai its agents met lioog 1 high ..... y... to '~ig up' informa· tion on DempSt)'. When Iht InI't$IigIo· lion PfO"td fruitless. Auto Owntn iOUiIht to rtlrifvt its S340: Tht jury ~irdtd Auto O"... rs· mUrq>fQOnta· lion ~f~"",.lII1d .. turned Il'tnlict in favor of t~ Dempoeys lor $3, 100,000 on the brnch of contract ami bad f~ith oounll. Auto Owners appultd. claiming tho: trl;ol court a>mmiltrd rewrsiblt trror by ,llowing Iht Dtrnpseys' ~ faith claim to go to tho: jury OOPltttho: Dempwys' failu .. to KnIrt a dirtcttd verdiclon the contract claim. Auto o..mrs relied on tht abow·ql.lOltd Ian· g~ from Dulloo to IUI'l'Orl its ugu. menL The Elewnth Circuit diAgretd with Iht imum's rtliance onDu//on. and upbintd that "Iht c:alfiOriaI staltmtnt 01 Dut/oo ..... not intendod to apply in all circumstances, but was qualifioo to apply in 'normal casts':

basis eilher in fold or law; i.~., that defen. dant's delen .. to the contrKI claim is devoid 01. any triable ~ 01 fact or ~Iy IflI\libk quulion 01 bw._ We ((InClude by stating that whtthrr there is a b.lad faith claim will be ddtrmined by oIlsicll~ facts and circumstances of

each case." Despite tho: r/Iorts of Iht EltYtnth Circuit 10 creale a functionlll standllrd that would apply in lItypical fxt scenar· ios, the Iw.>e of the rtquisite standard 01 proof beQme 50 onerous that anoth. er tff(lrl was llKts!&ry 10 pn)Vidt tho: bu with a workable SIandW. Aa:onIingly. the supreme court rt-lIddresstd tho: iuut in Jones 1:'. ~ Famr Rv1Wll MuIUQ/ UlwiJlt, Co." In.lone:!", the plaintiffs had a standard honleoo.". er', iNuranct polity issued by t~ d~f.ndan\. Tht POlicy providttl C(Mrag~ for loss or d.amagt to the house and its contmll dirtctly tMIStd by "such perils • li!lhtnina.lbutltho: policy ndudtd ~ olios.... or ~ cauotd indirectly, such as from, power surge resulting from a tret limb falling on the K!ViCt entrance lint." The Jonuu ,.,_~

.tM!!!" · ....

experienced difficulty with tl>< ~I!'ctrical se.vicoto their home one day. and. as a re.ult. there was damage to 5eWr.1I items of peno",,1 property in the house. The Joneses made a daim under their honl\'OI'o'fil'rs' poliC)'. and stated tilat lightning ilad .truck the house and caused the ruulting damage. ~, ,,. Jones filed a proof of loss claim. and ~lr. Jones met with a daims adjusttr to discuss the loss. Th. claims adjmter alleged that. at their meeting. Mr. Jone. told him that the loss occurred when the tree limb fell on tl>< JlOI'I\'r line. HOI'o'eWr. Mr. Jones contended that while he told the claims representative about tl>< tree limb. I>< also told the claims representative that the damage was caused b)' tl>< lightning .trike and not this later incident. The Joneses did not dispute that the tree limb rell on the entrance liM. but lhey argued thai "it was the lightning strike and not the llarrIage to tl>< >eNice entranctline thai caused the damage: Fann Bureau denied coverage. and Mrs. Jones filed suit alleging breach of con· tract and bad faith refusal to pay an insurance claim. The Irial court granted Farm Bureau's motion for sumffi/lry judgmenl on the bad faith claim. and Mrs. Jone. appealed.

.IUI.V :ztk

"""b"''''

On appeal. Jmti"" Adams declared that;

Although the plaintiffs burden ol prool in a bad faith action i. grtat. it shou ld not M insurmountable. Precluding a p!ain · tiffs bad faith action b)' the application of the "directed Vfr· diet on the contract claim-test when the disputed factual issue arises solely from a contradict· ed oral conVfr",tion betv.wn the insurer and the insured or a third person puts too onerous a burden on the plaintiff." The Jones court recognized that the directed ,.. rdkt standard fa\/Ored Ihe insurer when the disputed factual issue. arise solely from "contradicted oral COn· versations- between the insurer and the insured. and lherefore frustrates the purpose ol a bad faith action "b)' aIlOl'o" iog an insurer simply to m;,repr"""nt the content ofan oral con ... rsation to avoid liability.... Accordingly. Justice Adams staled tilat "under the facts pre· sented b)' the instanl~, the trial court erred b)' granting partial summary judgment in favor of fann Burtau on Mrs. Jones's bad failh claim. as there

AUCUsr

8: PII..."

S.Pr• • • •R CIfY

IS: . . """.

I'o1'Ist others Haw Said ........ •_ _ , E_ _.. DoI1Jan/.-rw .0UIstaIIcfng & ~

DooWWJonolBamv".__ T. "_"./.-rw

. . ~. _ _ _ _aft .IIa It

" I r""' ,r.loul D• • ,I,_, Il l ' -I ,MOd" !Ii "'.

1!w_ ~

' · .. .

IIGG . . . .7fIII,

~n" . '

. O-' A~ ) .,. )

was a disputed factual issue to be decid· ed b)' the Irier of fact. ... In a further effort to define the func· tional standard, lhe supreme court annOtlnced. in Kiuiah v. Go/drn Rule Imvranat Co_.- lhalthe dir!'cted Yerdict on the contract claim .\tandard was still the law in Alabama. H""""",r. the Kizziah court also rtrognized the existence of exceptionalsitualions where the cases fan OtIlsitle the "ordinary" or "00rm/l1" cases described in Dutton." The court cited Jones. supra , and Continental AssurtmO!' Co. ". Kountz." as e.amples ol extfM)rdinary instances where the directed .... rJict standard would ha ... resulted in an inequity to the plaintiff. These situations were outsidt the Dutton .tandard beca""" they focused on the insurer's failure to determine the existence of a ~alid reason for initially denying payment."1l was this inference ofbad faith. oot the denial of summary jud~nt on the breach of contract claim, that allOY1ed lhe bad fa ith claim to be presented to the jury."" The supreme CO\lrt was cognizant. hOI'o...... r. of the need for guidance as an eVfT·grOl'o,jng number ol allegedly exceptional cases continued to come before the court. In Th<lmll'i v_Ptincipol Fintmdll/ Group,- Justice HOII5ton e><ilaustiwly recounted the history of the directed ,'erdict on the contract stan' dard. Th<lmas quoted e.tensiw ly from Justice Jones' spttial concu rrence in Sofl!lXllmuf'l1flC/! Compang ofAmericu V. Silm." and listed .pedfie instances which would qualif)' as an exception to the "directed ,... diet" rule. lu.tice Jones suggelled a fact situation "where the insurer insists that ilS refusal ol payn,.nt was grounded solely Ofl a hospi\31 record, and the plaintiff denies the Yery existence of such an enlry. Merely because the insurer may be ab le to with· stand a directed verdict motion--------the existence vel non ollhe record entry being an issue of fact-would not. as a matter of law, bar the plaintiff's tort c!aim:" Jmtice Jones also cited Jones and Kountz as """mple. ol whe .. the "directed verdict" standard was deemed inapplicable and the insurer was barred from avoiding bad faith liability b)' putting on evidence ·suffieient to deftal the plaintiffs' motions for a dir«ted verdict on the contract claims." Justi«

.loots then OOItd that. "(eNnlly Ihtst r.lre eumpits "ill noI be difflCUll 10 recogn,u. nor "ill tht gmtr.ll ",Ie. because 0( r.lre uceptions. be difficuilio IPfOly_" More rKtnlly. hcM-~r. lhe lupreme coort llttrtd ito po$ilion on lhe directtd wnlict on lhe cootr.od claim illndlonl. In /.opJI Ameriam Life hrsurana Co. 11. MuIl.i<Jnio,"lhe coort"s pe"" amio:Im opinion Mid !hot an insurt1" coold 001 " rei)' on its chostn method of 'subjtctiw underwr,ting' to ereale ill awn legilimate reason for denying", claim: ~nd dl"ediwly allowed tho =eptions 10 swallow 1M ",,, "i!h tqp.n! 10 tho dir!CItd ...,nlict on tho alntrxt standard. Imt&d. lhe Natliau court prof. fered lhe qwolif>eation thaI. f« 1M plain· tiff's b.>d faith claim to go to ilK jury. it was firJl _ ..... ry 10 delermirot "wh<thor ilKre WiSllln'l aqueJtionoffacl warr.lntirlll' jury dettrmiNlion on whethtr ~ Amnic3n acttd WIthin ilJ ItgaJ rights whtn il rarindtd Ithol i.....,...,.,. policy and refu...J 10 ~." MMI~·. claim (or poIiC» benefiu.. In other words. "as Loyal Almrican entilled to rescind Ithel paliC», IJS 0 metier oIlaw"l" Tht conlrowrJY in NalliQa lrow ",hen Sue Mattiacr INdr: I cbim on i lift insul'il'l« policy Wutd by loy,al Amerian. Tht policy IIId bftn taIom out by J_ph Matl~, Sue Mattia«'$ son. on hi ......'" li(e and IUltd Sue M~ltiace is the bentficiary. When asked in the applicalion if he lwl b«n COll_icttd 01 driving under 1M innuence in 1M last fiw yUl"$. Jos.eph ~LaUiace litd and lIaItd lhat he Iud not. • Mer J_ph's lluth. L.oyal Amtncan lurned oIlhe dtceil and denied Sue Maltiaa·. claim (or pOiiC» bentfits. Loyal American claimtd that Joseph Maltiace had made I malffi.:ll misrepruentalion in his Iwlicahon, and. if 1M truth IIId bftn known. Jooqio Mattia« would ...." bftn charged an additioNl premium ."nount 10 OOYer the additlONl risk. Sue Mattii«·. attOITlq' con~ltd Loyal American and sought an explanation of Ihe urnJerwriling pra.ctices thai juslified the llenial 01 MaUiace'$ c!lim. Loyal Amerian·. vi« prrsidml 01 cla.ilN responded "";Ih .Irtter in ,..hich he OOItd lhat the company IIId relied 011 "a ~ from our underwriting mantIO.1" to o;ielermme that tho ntra p",mium would have b«n chargtd.

Tht problem with Loyal Amencan's expIaNl110Il was !hot it d,d 001 haw its ""'" undt,..Titing manual bulilUlead chost to utilize numerous urnJerwriling manual$ p~pared by various reinsur· ance companies and utili~td -loUbjtct"", underwrilinlf ba-' 011 ilJ o,rnde""rilers' Ndcground and "'-'Itdge." Siou no ~rtlCUbor man",' _ bindIng 011 any I"'rticubr t}-pt 0( rido, the coml"'ny "as frM 10 choose between mltnwoll that .... re in acconl ,..ilh ito adopted posilion. This "cruted an almosphere 01 u~r· writmilihat maku il impONible 10 dtlmnine whether a mis~rtstntotion. such H Joseph's, r$J<Iing a DUl alnvM:1ion. WiS aJo,.~ coosidered 10 be a material misrepresenllltion: Tht Ma/lm court held that thi' ....as an unltNbltpo$ilion si""t il all()l;-td Loy.1 Americln "to create iU own legitimate rusonlordmyingacb,m: Tht crilical it.Iut lor tht Maltiaa court thuI ~ "Mhtr "Ame:ri<::301 woulol 11;0,." iwoed Joseph lhe Ymt policy at the Ymt premium if ht had indicated on his applicalion lhat he had been coo· viettd 01 DUl ",.. thin the preceding ~ar. The SUpn'mt court held thai tho fact <ro>HIion mattd by ~ American ..... tho product 01 an all"t1OS(Jhtft whtft an insum 0JUId om. its .....11 debatable _lor denying 1M cblm. ~ "We c:mnot ~ sorh action and Itt .elf-ere.Ied uncertainty as to underwriting stan(lards dtleala claim 01 bad flith ,,"here that unctrtainty is tht wry toa.a. 01 tht allegltion of bad faith. Thus.- we c0nclude !hit Sue Mitlii« pmmted subIbnlill t\'idtna in WRlOrI 0( each de· menl 01.., action for bad bith." Whil.this might bltr be corulrue-d to be yd another "exceptional case" under the directed venlict standan!, it is ~r· ent al this time !hit the MalliQa holding elfmively cvixnales tht directtd ...,rdict 00 1M alntr.od count stand.mI..- In bet, 1M Mu/tiaa court explains in alootnote thaI a trial coort"nml not bJlrtssly direct a wnlict in (avor 01 ilK plaintiff on a bruch 01 contracl daim in order to JUbm,t a bad faith c!lim to the jury. The trW court mu>I >imply dttmni .... !hit the plaintiff has met 1M iWIdlonl 01 proof reqwred lor a directotd wrdid,"" The NolliQa holding prestnto a $Ct. Nrill in which...:h cbirn (or ~ (ailh must be considerw OIl a (actual basis.

and an insul"l'r"s dforts 10 pn:l\i<Ie • Iactual bu,s to justify 1M den",1 oIlhe claim become a significanl factor in the fact ~uestionlquestion of law (or Ih. Irial judge. Thus. while the direcltd verdict sWldanl. htr.llded by the supreme coort $lnce Dullon. continues to nISI, it is gulltd by the /oIallm holding that ,,11ows, plainliffto get 10 ilK jury ..i lh I ~ bith cbolm by prtsml'rlllsub!;tantial evidtnc. in support 0( ~h eI .......n! 01 an aclion (or ~ laith. Wilh regan! to Ih. ~rtstnt St.ltus of the direcled ",nlic\ mndard., tht shoe is "'-"'" pmumltbly 00 tht other loot, >iii an insurer an "'-"'" only prevent a bad laith claim from being Imt to the jury by dtlTl(llUtra\ina that it. and not the plaintiff. is mtilied to iI directed ",nliel on the bad f.ilh count.

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arguing that the decision in Chatoers .hould bo eXfWlded to c<JWr all contracts. In Bro,,:n-Marx Assocwles. Ud. v, £migrrml Sa~'mgs &mk." the p~intiff•. Brown-Marx Associates .•ued as the re.ult of an alleg.<! breach of a loan oommitrmnt executed b)' the defendant, Emigrant Savings Bank Thi: plaint iffs alleg.<! that the lender "breached its duty at law and, .. dishonored its covenant to deal in good faith, to deal fai rly, to deal honestly, and to hon, est disclosures to the plaintiffs," The defendant argued in response that the tort of bad faith W3$ only applicable to insuranc. contracts, and that it was therefore entitled to summary judgment on the bad faith claim. In a CiUe of first impression. Judge Propst .tated that -IiI! is not di.puled that every contract carries with it an implication that the parties will act in good faith_" However, the rule of the pr«ursor Opinions of the Supreme Court of Alabama prior to Ch(1lJtff$, "was, in the case of insurance contracts, to imply the obligation of evaluating and payil\ll claims in good faith 3$ a duty in law as oppostd 10 its boing an impli<:d cove"""t in conIract."IThe .upreme courtl has now taken this slep with regard to iruurance contracts." Judge Propst referred to the test for bad faith as adopted b)' the court in Chavers. and note<lthe court's ~n guage in specii}ing that the tort -arises for an insurer'. intentional reftUal to sellie a di""t claim_" Accordingly. Judge I'ro\lsl Mid that tM Alabama Surreme Court did not r«ognize in Cfwwr:s "an implied duty in law, as distingui.hed from an implied cove .... nt. of bad Isicl faith except in 'an insurance contract context'." and granted the lender's motion for .ummary judgment The que.tion ofwhethor the tort of bad faith awlies to contracts outside of the insurance context reached the Supreme Court of Alabama in 1983 in the CiUe of /lrnnetil/ Eleclric Co. v. Moore-Handlel/,Inc." In /lennedJj Electrk, Kennedy EI.dric (Kennedy) eXf<:uted a contract with tho Alabama Stilte Docks Department (docks) to supply electrical equipment based on a set of specifications prepartd b)' I third

party. Therrafl.., Kennedy obtained a quotation from Moore- Handley. a di$-tributor for Wel(inghouse Elf<:tric, to supply various eleclricalequipmenl as set out in the third-party's specifications. Kennedy ~gotiated a price with Moore"Handley and issutd a purchase

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Moore-Handley's quotation sheet. On the back of Moore-Handley's quotation sheet was a set of provisions limitil\ll Mooreliandley', liability for consequential and delay damages. Moore-Handley ordered the equipment from Westing!touu. but was told b)' the rl\llineers at Weshl\llOOuse that the oquipment o.dered ",-ould not be up to specirocations (or the project. Moore_ I-Iandley failed to pas$ this information on to Kennedy, and the equipment was installed as contracted for. A year later. a docks inspector noticed the equipment problem, and substantial costs were incurred by Kennedy in an effort to rem· edy the problem. Kennedy filed suit against M~llandley and Westinghou><, ..,d alleged. among other thing.!, breach of the duty of good faith. The trial court granted the defendants' motion to di$-mi$$ the bad faith c!aim, and Kennedy appealed.

On appeal, Kenne,J;o argued that the supreme court .hould extrnd the tort of bad faith to the area of general contract law. The supreme court handled the question tersely. and held that: Although every contract doeli imply good faith and fair deal· ing (.set! ~ 7-1.203. Cod. 1975). it does not carry with ittM duty imposed b)' law which w\' have found in the context of iruurance casts. We are not prepared to extend the tort of bad faith bt-yond the .rea of insurance policy cases at this time. &e Brown-Murx Associales, 1.ld. ~ Emigrant Sa~'ings &Ink, 527 F. Supp. 277 (N.D. Ala. 1981)." The supreme court has not wa""red in its opinion that thelort of bad faith is only .vailabl. in the insurance context, and most recently reiterated its position in a detailed discussion in 7lmrler v. Church'.! Fried Chkken.~ Quite understandably, insurance companies have bridled at the notion that the tort of bad faith is only applicable again.t them. In Uniled America Iruur<mCf! Co.!!. Brum/rl/,-the trial court entered judgment in a bad faith action against an insurer in tM amount of SI.OO5.ooo. Thi: jury verdict was comprised of $5.000 for breach of contract. and $1.000,000 in puniti"" damages. The insurer 'P!>I'aled the judgmtnt On several grounds, including its COntention tlut the tort of bad faith as defined by the supreme court violated the insurer's eqwl protection and due process rights. The ;ruurers pOSition w;1$ based on the pTO$X>Sition that "all contracts in Alabama contain a r.quire. nlent of good faith and fair dealing, (citing Chll'oers). but only in insurance contracts un the party against whom the requirement of good faith was br~ached reCO'Ver punitive damages." In his discussion of the in.urer'. cont~ntion of the unconstitutio .... lity of tho court's afll'lication of the tort of bad faith solely in the in.urance context. JuSlice Almon turned to historiul and polk), consideratioru to support the CO\lrt'~ holding that "the classification of insurance companies as the sole potenhal defendants in bad faith actions is

rusombk MId ~ not violate thoH rompanin' right to equal protection 01 the laws. '" In his opiRion, Jusli« Almon a:pIaintd thit! Ilistoriu.lly,legislaturu and courts have treatoo the inrur· ance industry ilS an industry ~«tttl with tht pubtic intfr. est ... CiYenthit iru.unn« is affected with the public inter· est. the law shoutd not permit ~ illWrMICI' cortlfDIlY to rd"uM: 0<" floil to ~ ""lid claims purtly lor perceived economie rUSOOi. Publie rolicy demands thit valid claims be promptly fIiIid.~

The court also noted that the rationale thit justified the lodoption 0( the tort 01 bid floith in Cha.l't"$ WilS tq~lIy ~ic.o, btl in this contHL "Insuranco ~ nirs au in a hlrpinirog pOSition l1lo1I1i· ~tly superior to thit 0( their insureda. Insunn« clail1lo1l1b. by ddinition. Irt atting upOn insurance companies duro ing timtS 0( need Or c';sil... Accord· ingly. the court Quatified its position thaI insurers could justifiably be deemed the sole defendants in bad faith ilICli()l"l$.

Adml. .loblllty of E.pert T_~ In . a.d Faith ActIon The rurmne court has ~t 10 ddine the rol. 01 thr expert ..-ilnw in proving 01" dispfoYi"ll ~ iruured·. cLaim 01 bid faith rtiU$.l.IIO fIiI)' oagairut hi.. own inlum. Rul. 702 oftht Alab,ama Rulu 0( Evid.nc •.• lfecli .... January], 1996. WdreS3n the admissibility 0( "pert tes· timony MId statu thit "!iIf scientific. t.dmic.ol. or othrrwist spec;;'liud 1crloIo'ltdac will ..wt the tlin 01 f~ to \lfldeT"$1M\d the McImc:e or 10 drtnmine • f~ in i~ .• witness qualifJtd as an exptrt by knowItdQto. slcill. experitnct. training. or .ducation. may lestify Ihm· to in the form 01 an opinion or other. wist." Th. Adliisory Committee's notes ....plain that under Rult 702. "il is poul · bl. thit an Ul'trt opinion or talimony on I Cllltllion 01 common knowItdgt "'OI.lld be admitted by the trial judge as helpful to the trier 0( 00..' This is I departurt from thr tr.adiliomJ f<xua 01 expert ttstimony in Alabama on sub;ecu thaI art "bt)ond COOlmon understand· ing to whtther lhe expert's opinion or tatimony will assist the tri .. of faet."

This ~ft rtfiKl.s the Tt«Illtrtnd in Alabama dedsions that "in spuking 01 expert testimony hi\'t incrusing/y used the words 'hrlp(ullo' 01" '..wt. the trier 01 fact." A car.ful ..amirulion of Alabama and Olhor juriodictioru' cast I"", r rO\'ides helpful insight as to how the supreme court may define the 5COpt 01 admissi. bility 01. expert ttstimony whtn the i..... tmltuatly COOltS btIort w court. In ft1at:o<I Cccmlg CommiJ.sioo ... s.mders!' the Supreme Court 01 Alabama held that ~ exptrt may tatify '" 10 the ulli .....l. i~ in a cast.-I~r, in Yarborough" Springhill Memorial "OSpital.- 1m supreme court held that expert witnesses art prohibited from gill. ing tI~ir upiniom 011 the ultimate iss,"", 01 I cast." Tho I~ court upLained tNt w "loni-emblishtd .. nd ilICttPled rMioNlt lor this ruk is lhit 10 allow an opinion UI'OO thr ultimate iMut in I cast would be to usurp tht function 01. tht tntr of fIct ..... Accoo:!ing!y. the rult in Alabama allflUTS to be tNI an upert witnw may gi .... kis opinion ron~ming tho ulti""t. fIKlual issu. in .. a... but is precluded from St."lting il in the form of .. Wgal conclusion. ElIPtrt testimony has been txpttSSly allowfd in Nd faith ~ions in stYORI juriodio;tions.• In C/t(mmltr 11 Slale Famr Mulual Aulomobik /ruuTtlJ'la! Co. ... tht Supremo: Court 01. Arizona addressed 1m iuut of when .. pert tat;· mony would be i<lmissible, if not 0« .... 5ary, in an insurance bad flith .. fusal to still. action. The CIt!<1rrroler court. in pertinent part. stated tNt! The fillet thit the jury did not ~rily om! the expert t.... limony did not. rtndtr the 1!:It;mony inadmiuibk. The tl:lt.i · mony was al ItiSl useful. if not indispensable. II can hirdlj> be said that tk ...... raj\.e juror was as "",II equiwed as an .~peri· meed insurance cltfenst IlIor· ntY to judge lilt good or booJ b.ith 01 ~ insurtr, Nstd upon the facts included within w hypothttic.ol qutstion.iUrthennort. w court noted thit W "admission Of rt.i«\ion of expert lesti. mony .. loft 10 the diKrtlion oIthe trial court and....., find 00 abust." This is in

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accord with the Supreow Court of Alabama's decision in Tidwell "- lipjo/m Co..· whtre lilt court ooIed lhal. in Alabama: A ruling on the admissi bilit~ of upert testimony is l.r~ly within the discretioo of the trial court and will not be ,wer· turned unless Ihere has I:>«n an abu$< of discrelion . The pur· (10$0 of expert t""timony i. to aid lhe Irier of fact where the subje<;t matter il beyond the ken of the .... rag. juror. Thus. where a witness has suffICient ·lmO\'l·ledge. skill. uperienct. or lraining ... that hi, opinion will be comidered in reason as giv. ing the trier 01 fact light upon lilt question to be d.termined' it should be admiltt<! as e~pert testimoo;'. To date. the only Alabama decision to proximately address this issue is ThfJffilU v. Principal Financial Group." In Thamos. t~ mother of a deceased child brought an action against her insurer for breach of contral:t and bad faith refusal to pay insuranctc benefit'. TIle plaintiff, Ms. ThoI!"l.lS. filed a daim an .. her 24·year--old daught .... death from cancer. The group life insurance policy that Ms. Thol!"l.lS possessed aulhorized TttO\Iery for the death of a dependenl. and der.ned the word "depend.n1.- in pertinent part. as "e:.ch unmarried child ..."/10 is nineteen )'tars but less thllll twonty.live yen. of age prINided ht " att.nding school on a full· time basi, and is dependent upon the Person for his principal ,upport and maintenanct.- At the time of her death. Melinda Warren. Ms. ThOl"l"lal's daughter was enrolled full·time in school. but had not attended for the last 22 months becau~ of her ill· ness. The clailTlS examiner for Ms. ThoI!"l.lS·s insurer ~uestiont<! whether Ms. Thomas', daughter was a dependent as defined by the policy, and made t~ determination that Melinda lVarren was not a dependent as defined by the poliq language. Thi' decision ...... then con· fi.--med by the examiner'. supervisor. and then by the supervisor', ,urerviwr. The imurer notified Ms. Th<.>mas of its refU>a1 to pay the claim. and then reviewed its decision at the request of

Ms. Th<.>mas', attorney. Upon learning thatlhe in.urer intended to stand by its earlier determination 001 to pay the claim, Ms. ThoI!"l.lS filed suit. Ajury awarded Ms. ThoI!"l.lS $1.000 on her bre:.ch of COnlral:t daim. and $750.000 00 her bad failh daim. The insurer aP!X'aled. contending among other thing> thaI the trial court had errro in .IIC/wing the case to go to the jury as the policy language was not ambiguous regarding M,. Warren', ,btll5. and therdore lhere was no ~ueshon of facl to be determined by the jury," The crux of the insure", def• ...., was the interpretabon of the potiC)' language requiring the dependenl to be "attend· ing school on a fu ll time ba,is" Ms. Thomas argued lhal the IllIlguage was ambiguou>. and thaI accordingly .he. not the insurer, was entitlt<! to. direct· t<! verdict on the conlract claim. To pTO\"\! her case at trial. ~Is. T1Ionw; offered an insurance COI\5ultant with over 20 yea,,' experience in interpreting group insurance policies as an expert witness in support of her position. The expert le,tified that ~b. Warren wQUld have been cOl\5ider.d a dependent by all other insure" ,,;thin the industry. and that al least two of the insurer's claim.< .xamin.... ··... med confused as to exact· ly what the policy language meant.- The supreme rourt found no errOr in the admissioo of this testimony.The Thomas court never directly addressed the issue of whether an expert could be called upon to le,lify concern · ing t~ viabilily of a bad faith daim. HO\'I~r. the court impliedly acc.pted Ihi. position when. in its holding. it relit<! upon the testimony of the expert in coming to its conclusion lhat "according to lhe custom and practice within the insurance indll5try, Ms. Warren ,hould have been considert<! a 'd'pendent" within the meaning of the policy..... Acrordingl\'. when read in con· junction with Alabama Rule of Evidence 702 and Tidu.>ell v. lipj(}hn Co.. it is apparent lhal the Alabama Supreme Court will probably admit e~ pert I.sti· mony offertd to demonstrate I~ "",,,. tenee or non ·existence of bad faith in IlIl effort to fa<il itate the triers of fact in re:.ching Iheir ultimate deterrninalioo, The Supreme Court of California', holding in Neal v. Famrers lru;urllru;e

£xchinlge" KM$» I bu"",,,,", in wpport 01 this proposilion. In ""ru/. an

insurf>! brought ~n action again.t hi. (Mon insurer to rtcOYtr compensatory ~ ""nilive darnagf:J lor ~ insu ...... ~ faith bil"", to pay lIIlinwRtl motorist bendiu.. In ~ pbintiff. cast in chief. t~ trial court ~1I(M"nI tht: tUli. mony 01 two upert wit~ who oIfuf>! ~ir "opinions on I ..... ubjeel of Ithe iru.u"'r·sl ~ failh 01' Lack 01 it: The iuI'Y .dumed II \p!l"Ilid lor the pl.llnliff. and the iru.um coolmdni on lfIIIUl thai thi."WaS not II proper subjecl for eXpert opinion btcau~ il was 001 II lTIIIuer 'sufficimlly beyond COOl· mon openeo" that I .... opioion olian txp«I would asmt the Inn oIfxt·." The ~ court ........ th,t 1M ..... u .. of lhe: admiWoo 01 txptrt evidtnct was within the: sound discretion 01 the trial coort and affinntd tM trial court', deci. !ion, noting lhat there wt ..., in ..ilich /I lay j"ry. in assessing the: cooduct and motives of an insur,,,,. cornPI" ny io dtnying COW"'lle under its policy. cootd benefit from ~ opinion 01 OIV who, by pr0fession and aperimn. was peculiarly equipped to = )..... Ie sudllTlllUers in \lit- contnt 01 similar disputes.

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Abo coosistmt with this iotHpretll' lion 01 AlabamlI pr«edmt isAe/JIcJ ClJuoIl, SuJ'et,l Co. ". Broadu"QII Amu Cory." In ....../''''. tM Supre~ CoYrt of Arkansas Mid tllal an attorney uperienced in insu ...",elaw was competfJlt to testify» iUl Opert in /I bIIII bith action ... long U M did not teslify tNl. in his opinion. the: insurer xttd;n bad faith." "To do 50 would not only louch upon the upon the ultilTlllte issue but WOtlld in effed tell tM jul)' how 10 <l«idt~~ ....

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WORKERS· COMI'ENSATIOS Binninahlom CumIK.land Institute for CLE CLE CTtdits: 6.0 (SOO) 888-7454 INSURASCE lAW Binningl\am Civic Center Alabllma Bar Institute for eLE CLE credits: 6.0 Cost: 5165 (205) 348·6230

When you need expert valuation or litigation support, call the specialist. CtnlIItd fnoud [u",1nn It.lIph Wi.,oaM CPA. hIldt><*d. arm 10 1i>IIdrIC" u:.rwys ",lilt exp:n 1tIIImony, d!pJoItIon ~ n:I <a!'..wd II"\II)"IIIIhII ...,... a.o'i surm\

For.,.., 2(/)'I!OfI.1IItrnOyI "' ..... ItIkdon tmI b buliiw \aIuo!iom, jo. ItItlk I«OIUllt"" tn""'tpl~ "". rountlnc (CMi n:I <iImiNI !IIOlImj, .-.l~.-.l~<llpJIa. All In III, .. ~ ho.. found his hdp lnoWlblt In QIruIIdnc ~ Ht <Jil ~""_ tt. . ".. Qud>Jlatiow.

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...... IIIII """"---LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP

The Alaha ...... Law Institute The Alabama Law Insmute;s t~

"official advisory law revision and law ,...Io,m ag~ncy" for the State of Alabama. It i.o; charged by statute with consideration of nU<led impro".· ments of both sub.tanti"" and proce-

duralla"" As such. the Institute .• in~ 1969. has presented over 40 major

revisions of law 10 the Ltgi,lalur. as ",.11 as Rules ofCouri to the supreme court. The Institute continuously si udie. broad naliornllremls. Kholar-

Iy w. itings. uniform Iawi. model acts, and SIale and f.deral dod,jorn to rec·

ommend changes to the Ltgislature. The dirf<;tor is a member of the American Law IrlStitu! •. the National Conference of Commissioners on Unifonn Stale t aws and the Amtri can Bar As.wciatioo. all of which draft uni· form and moo.l legi.lation. In addition. he is a member of the Council of

Stale Governments" Suggested Stat. Legislation Committee and is vicechaillTlan of the Legal Staff Committu 01 the National Conf<Tence of State Ltg;slatures. both ofwhich keep abreast of changes in laws around the states. The Institute. when it studies a Uniform Or Moo.l act. will obtain a reporter. who is usually a law profe •. sor or practicing 1aW)'er with e. pertis< in the field to compare the suggesttd act with tlIistingAlabama law. Acom · mittee of awroximately 15 lawyers is

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awointed who wilt meet generally """ry one to three years to coruiMr how th • .., changes will affect current Alabama law and how it will have an impact on other areas of adjacent law. Throogh this ptocess the Inslitut~ can assure a workable revision rather than just accept • law drafie<! by another body and adOpt it in Alabama. Duling the past two ~rs the ~islature h.u passed sewral Acts initially promulg:>ted by the Commissione.. on Uniform State Laws and the American Law lrutitute. TIttS<c m>;sioru ...~r. the Uniform Commercial Coole Article 3 -Negotiable Instruments: Articl. 4 "San k Deposits and COlleclions." Article 8 "Invest,"",nt $«urilies: Unincorporated Nonprofit Associations. and l'artneT5hips. Each of theS<c laws was modified to some tlItent to me.:t Alabama neWs. The Unincorporated Nonprofit Association law.ddtd a provision for gO'llf:rnance, while the r.rtntrsh ip law added a pro,ision for li mited liability partn .... hips thaI was 001 included in the Uniform Partnership Act.

Volunt. . . Efforts It is through th. volunteer efforts of lawyers that over 45 majo. revi sioru of law ha,-e been pre.ente<! and adopted in the last 20 ~T5. Several family laws ..... ro revi\!\<-ed by an In.titute committe •. Th. committe<: drafted a "Cooling-Off Period Befor. Divorc.: "Joint Custody of Children. -Retirement Benefits as Marital Property: and "1... g:>1 Separation." The"" ad...... re drafted to m""t spe· cific needs in Alabama and ....... not based on model Or uniform acts. CurrenUy. the 1n.titute has commiltee. dealing with UCC Article 5 "LeU." of Credit: Uniform Principal and Income Act. Uniform Custodial

Tru,t Act. [nte..tate Family Support Acl. TOO Accounts. Multiple Party Accounts. and Limited PartneT5hip Revision. Th... are also Sbndby com · miU •• , on criminal procedure. evi· denct and family law. Unlik. other legislation con.idtred by the u.gi.lature. the Institute's revisions 01 law alwaY" are accompanied with commenbry. This commentary relales Ih. new legislation to ' Jisting law. The annual meeting of the Institule was held Thursday. July 25. 1996 duro ing the Annual Meeting of the Alabama State Sa •. The following offi · ce .. and ,"",mbers 01 the E.ecuti,~ Committe. were elected for 1996-97: President. James M. Campbell. Anniston; Vice-President. Demetrius N....1on, Birmingham: and Secretary. Bob McCurley. Extcuti"" Comm ittee: ~th Hammett. AndalUSia: Rick Manley. Demopolis; Ceorge Maynard. Birmingham; Oakley ~elton. Montgomery; Wendell Mitchell. Montgomery: Yetla Samford. Opelika: and Steve Windom. Mobile.

Special Session The second Special Session of lhe I...gislature was called by the Go\-emor and began July 17 10 con· .ider basically two bill ,. one dealing with absent.. ballo\> and the other with voter identification . The legisla ture mel for seven daY". and 164 bi ll s were introduced. Only 25 passed. 01 whi ch all but 13 ..... r. local bills. Anyor.e wishing any other informa. tion concerning the lrutitute or any of its projects may obtain this informa· tion by contacting Bob McCurley. director. Alabama Law Institute. P.O. Box 861425. Tuscaloosa. Alabama 35486·0013. Phone (205) 34S-7411. Fa. (205) 348-84 11. •

BUILDING

ALABAMA's

COURTHOUSES

Monlgomcry Counlv· Part 1

F iftHn citits in

the Uni\f'l S\.loI.. contJ.in Montgomery in their name.

HO\'IOWI:'" only 1'00.'0. Monlgomtl')l CiJy,

and Montgomery. Alabllma haw tht diilinctioo of btillillM county SOlS of I MontgOmery County. ~liswuri

Montgomery County Established, 1818 f'l'Qf&Cled Population 214,996,000

Montgomery. Alab.uno is uniQue brca_ the city of Montgomery is named for one ~lr. MonlgDlmry ...+lik tilt county illWTlt'd for anothfr. How this camr about will soon IN: apwnet!. As ...i!h much of ~ tht first EUI'\lIlUIl$ to stt foot in ~res tnt.da» Montgomery C""nly were tho Spanish uploms of Hernando De Solo', ~tion. ln tIw: bli of 1540. De Solo ~ through the lndWl \Il1~ ol1ltw.wo. the sitt 01 which is lodly tht golf C()U1'SoI: al M"x",ell Air For« Base. On Soptember 6, 1540, the Span~rdl mMd 1I the villagt rJ EcunclW.i, manil'lll "mI bluff'" or om! ground,' Ioattd on the bluff abow tilt Alabama Rille. al1he bend ",hut ~lonlgome1)' U Ioootfd

Congr~

formally tilablished the Mis&i.ssippi Territory. ""hich included most 0( pmmt-day Miuissippi ind Alabama. ~r the nat It\<!' )'Qrs, countieJ ""I'rt orpni~td in the a .... thai would becomt Alab,ama. including WuI1ingtoo CounW (1800). Madison md llahtl.-in (18011). md MotMk and C~rke (1812). n.. Crtdllndioln WlIr took pba in ~ in 1813 and 1814. n.. decl-

,..,n..

nat signiroan\ European incunioo in t~ iIffiI did not taU pbct unlilllrTlO$t 2OO)'Q1'$ ~tu. In 1714. Ihe Frtr.ch undtr

Thll foJJoo,ing cootinues a histOl'/l 01 AJabamo~ countV rouT/boule$lheir orig;1U a1ld some of lhe people u'ho contributed 10 Ihl'jr growth . If yOIl haue U>!JI photogrophs of roT/V or P7'e$ffi/ rourthouses. pltoS41 (orILYlrri them to: Samuel A Rumore. Jr., Miglioniro & Rumore. 123() 8rou.'I1 Marx Touoer, Birmingham. Alabama 35203.

Bienville «plomlthe area with the goal 0( utablishing ~n out· post ~1l1OOII Iho Ind""" upriwr from Mobile. In 1717. thty bllIlt Fort Tou~ nor the junction of the Coosa md Tallapoou rivers. n.. fort rtmainfd in rrtnth until the Treaty 0( Paril in 17&3 lranslerred con· tmllo tilt British. n.. Bnliloh allolo"td tilt fort to deterior.ltt. FoI""'ing \he Arnerian Re.olution. tht lerritory became i part of lhe United Stattl . On April 7, 1798.

ha""'"

live Batik of Honahot Brod. whIch ended tm ""ar, "'"U fought on Ma",h 27, 1814. Following thi. hatllt.1 nlHling to draw up 1m terms of surrender took pliCt at tm old Sli. 0( Fort ToulolGe. ",tJictl AnoIJrtw hckson lad rtOOill md rnwntd Fort Jacbon. MIt!" tht Treaty 0( fort Jxkson was concluded. the MISSIssippi T!:rriloria\ Ltgislature cr.~tf<l ~Ionroe County in

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]8]S. Tht:rufltr. on DKtmber 6, 1816. lhe ]tgiWlu~ divided Mon ...... County. crutinll MonlgomtT)' County out of it The IWTIt lor thi$ ' - oounty C3Mt dirmly (rom the MIlts at the Batllt of Ho~ Bmd. Andrew J;ockson brouJthI with him (rom Tmnw« ilI1 army 01 wiunlHr soIdirn. ono 01 whom was ",*,r Ltmuel Pumo:lI Monlgomt')', for whom the county is

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Mootl/OmtT)' had ~n born in Virgini, in 1786. IIi . mothtr. whose maidtn I"IIImt w<u I'umell. was a fiT$1 oowin 10 Iknjamin ~·rill1kJin. Ltmutl mowd to Ttnna.set ••Iudied law. ilI1d

WM Idmltted to the bir unlltr , speci&l lictnot al the lit of I&. fie practiced bw in N.u.hvilk. MonlgomtT)' WH IIIlPOinted a major in tht 39th lohnlT)' lIld amt to AIWrN with AndMO htkson. AI the Bailie of .1onuhoo: Bend. Montgomery ltd hi. men up to the Indil.n brusI· works. Be "'" shot in the huod iI$ he climbed O'."tr tht birrlcadt ~ became the first casualty al the bittle. Hi. heroic cou"'ge inspired his mtn to take the Indian pOsition and win a ded· live victory. On suing tilt falltn Mootl/OllWry, il WiI$ repOrted tNt Andrew JadU(ln ~ ilI1d Wd. "The

Hower of Ill)' army has falltn." Montgomery is buried in 1lI11apoosa County. Ht WIllI only 28 )'elIrs 01. at the time of his duth. A lif<:-5iud SUlut of Ltmuel P. MonlgomtT)' tocby grxes the cntrJA« 01 the Montgomtry County Cou~. The $C\llplrns was Clyddll Fulmer. I lIl\Jw 01 MonlgomtT)'. The iIllue commtmo"'ltSlhe brillil.nt~. and valiant

The regular .... tUK "Building AbIwno's CourthouM:s" did not :tppQT in tht July Is.wt 0I111il AiaINImo L=.yw. ~ author Rumoft took timt 011" to visll courthouses in other .ut.... Ills favorite find WIllI tht /obssac

s.m

County Courthouse in Illinois. The county stilt is the city 01 Metropolis. [mttld of the tr.wJilicnll Civil War .utue on tilt courthouse grounds. Metropoli, tw I SUtue 01 its mo.t famous cit;un, , I"IIIlive of )\ryptoo. (See phoIo.) "Building Alab.lIma', Courthousts" tootin,," in this issue ",ith part one 01 Montj/Omt'')' CWllty.

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soldier for whom Monll/Olll<')' County. Alabima was IIlmed. Folkll<l"ingthe dde~t 01 the Cree~ l"llliion. new Idtltl"$ be!!>11 l1lO'>'ing inlo the formtT looian lands. On March I. 1817. ilI1ticipaling the c_lion 011"-'0 ' - ~ .... Cona;rtM dMded the Missi$sippi TtnitOfY into two parts. The Ulttm portion became tilt new Abbamo TtrriIOfY. On the third ~ in June 1817, the forst court C(II1YtI1td in Montgomny County. The first county sot was Fort Jackson. in JlfQtnl~ [tmor( Counly. at tht location 01 1M forme. Fort Toulouse. No record or description tlIilu 01 tht first courthouse. In AugU$1 1817, the lands along the Alaba.ma River in Montgl)flWry Counl)' wert placed OIl SIlt al the United SUItS L.md Office at MilltdgeYille, Georgia. Milltdgevill( "'~ the apital 01 ~ia mol a wry impOrtant city al tOOl time. InltrHti"lliy. al the bnd SIlts. Sj)tO.Ib._ tors paid tht hithrsl pritt lor the IilI1d located WIg tht bluff al the bmd "'-ht~ tht city of Mon\goo1t1y i,local· ed to:4y. Ont 01 the fil"ll purdl;lsers was Andm. Dexter. a lawyrr ilI1d mom"". 01 a prominenl New England family. whoM uncl~, Samuel Outer. had strvtd iI$ S«relary oIlhe Tnasury

under John AI.Iarnl. \ '\'.3.1'1 u.l;rr in Ntw Enebnd. Dukr had obbintd , blot thartu ..d ~ irwoMd in ~rious bwineu \'tfI.uru which had ruultl'd In his financW ruin. H~ had Ikd the Unill'd SUta for <:arwb in or<kr 10 ~'IOid debtors' prj"",. Lattr. in 1816. h~ inhuited land script in ~rgia from his f~thtr's estate. Thernfle •. he bfamt i land spro.riator

p!'tIIJptTOUS planter ~ ~ rwntd I lit...... in the Gtorg~ milit .... In t804, he buill tIw: sbt~ houK 01 Ctorg;,.. "'hen tIw: c;rpibt ~ rnoYtd from Louisvilk in Jdfenon County to Milledgaill<. in Baldwin County. Scott namtd his dewlo!>mtnt in Montgomery County -Alabama TOWTl." From the first time thfY met in 1817, Outer ilOII Scotl btwnt riv;ll$. Scott', ~ dfecliwly cut 0« the XCtM 01 Outer's holdings to the IMr. Still. 0att1' held the hither ground. ~ his t(N,'Il site gr«led KlUtrs first. bwruse it was closer to the Federal R<*i from ~rgia. He was able to att...:t rooA: people to buy lots in his wwn INn ~S,."

In 1818 il brarnr thaI lhe 10.... at ~'ort Ja.ckson wu dying and lhalthe new se\ll(flltnl.$ in Montgotnrry Counly nur lhe AIabamlI Riwr weA: prupering. The county judgu u ....d the T""'~ll.t&Wlrlu", 10 select a roo.., ... iuNe $lte for tIw: counIy seal On Febrwrry 12. 1818. Governor Will~m WYin Bibb signed lhe enactment cnating I fi\it·member rommi»ion to selttt l\tmpOrary county seat until a permanenl one could be choien. Oute. and Scott we.., in competilion ~n, uch one sttking to haw tIw: county seal in his lown. Outer M'Id his associates ~ $20.000 for lhe ronsI:ruc:\ion 01 thr courthouse and jail. H""'tVI'r. U wc:h dedsions art always influenced by polilical factors. and since Scott was a Georgian as was Governor Bibb, {ltxtu,.;x\n lfarm<! lhat his "y;onk.. Town" w;u not selected. and thai Abbunlr Town would be the lempORlY counly seal. Court tori· venW on Ju ... IS, 1818 at the home 01 Judt< Bibb. " ..... WId pnlbably a relatiw 01 the go...-emor. Despite thi' setba.ck, Outer's town continued to prosper and bwrlTM: the loaotion of many more buslnuses .han ~nl

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in thr newly opmt<I territory 10 the

Dexler and his financ:ial ba.cker. John falconer. selecled land taSt 01 ~ruenl Wry downtown Montgomery. He had confidence that his development would pTO$per. lie c~lIed his lown "Now Philadtlph~" alter the ltading Arnroon mttl'OllOlis of lhe diy. The marn st....t ~ built 140 ltd widori. ~ _ rwntd MIIrkd. Stmet oftu Philadtlph~', ~r thorougtrbre. This stmt ltd up J hill.o a IqUlOA: 01 land that [)e):.ler did not sell. It ...", rq>O<Ied INt he grued his goots on that hill.1\J early:lS 1!!21. he predicted that one Wry the apitol 01 Alabama would rise 00 INt hill, which is known today, $Omt would say prophetia.lly.... "Goa.1 tlill". On the AI'I'Ie day that Outer pur· chased his 1arwJ. General John Scotl 01 INI"",n Counl}', Gtorgi.> bou&ht land to the "ut 01 Outu's holdings. Scott w;u born in \~rgin~. spent much ofhis childhood in South Carolina, and then IOO\>td to Ceorgia. where he bwrme a

did Scott's t""T>, Scott and his H50Ci·

ata forrnl'd a new CI.lIl'Ip¥oy that bought III 01 tIw: land between Nt'« Philadtlphilr and ~ Town. Thty dKidtd 10 build anotMr I""... us! 01

A1Wm:a Town, ~ adjoining the {It.ter ~roptrty. This new lown btwnt ~nown as l!.ast Alabama. The streets in East Alabama wtrt laid oul on I pia ... in I'I'lation to the AWwnl Riwr. The main stred. rwntd Main Strttl. ~ 120 fm...-ide ~ ltd dirKtly 10 wharva ..I the riYtrfl'(lnl. All stTftIs wtA: oriented too.... rd the river and inlen«led the stTftIS 01 Outer's lown al a 135-degree angle. No doubt lhe skewed SlrttU reflected the CTO$S purposes of each tov...'s founder, The angled inlers«tion 01 stmts .. ileA: the two to\o'N adjoir.ed stiIl uisl.$ in down · town Mootg()mery loday. By the fill 01 1819. thr lown 01 East AIIb,)ma was becoming a financial suc_ cas. Businasa wanted to Iocm clole to where the two main arteriu. Mi.in ~ MIIrktl streets. intersected. The Dexter and Scott groupS began 10 see lhe benefits 0( a merger into one larger

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an acl of the legislalure passed on December 3. 1819. At a later date. Ihe vill~ of Alabarm Town would be added to the community. The namt chosen for the n....· city

10'1<.1'1. The Scott group did not wish 10

gi .... up the courthollSt. HO'oI-""""r.ihe Dexler group noted lhal no ptl11'l.l.nenl courthouse building had been conItr"ctt<i. courls Wl're 'lill held in pri ·

he returned to America M a civilian. When the R('\'()luliona." War erupted. he WM appointed a brigadier general by Ihe Conlinental Congress.ile served as second in command of the American troop.! whkh invaded Canada. His force succeo.sfully rapturN ~lontr.al. bul he was killed on December 31. 1775 allhe age 0(39 dudng an attack upon Quebec. Montgomt!)' w.u the r. ..1 American general killed in the Revolutio""." War. Perhaps it i. odd thai a smalllO»"!l in Alabarm would honor the memo!)' of a Revolutiona." War general who had died more than 4(} yea" earlier. Howe".er. in 1818. reSpecl and even rewrer.ce for heJ«S of the Rl!\IQlution was al il' height as reflected in Ihe eredion ofmany monuments and memorials aroond this time. Also. in 1818. the Stale of New York had peti· tioned for and had reJllO\·ed Monlgome.,,·s body from Canada. H. was ,...-;nlo..ed with much fan far. in N....· York City. These ~nts were fresh in lhe public mind, and so the I\IImt ~'ontgomery for the unilN vi llag •• ,,"M consid. r.d appropriate. II i. inleresting 10 nole lhat Lemuel ~'onli/Omel)'·S grandl,ther ....as Hugh

was Montgomel)'. aft.r <rl!neral Richard

vale res idena5. and lhe counly jail was lillie more lhan a comcrib. The parti.. ruched a compromise wilh . prop<.>Sal lhal a cou~ would be built on Ihe line separal ing the two lowns. The spol where Main and Markd slreds inl.~tN would be ca ll ed ··Courthouse Square." Tht north·south street whicl> had dividN lhe 10'1<.""" ,,"ould become Court Sired. The unitN town ..... incorporated by

~lonlgOlmI)'. a hero of the R('\'()lutiona.l)' War. Who WM (;rnera ] Richard Monlgomery and why was h. honored at thi.lime? MontgorMry had betn born in treland On Ikcember 2. 1736. He initially Cllmi! \0 America as. young British officer in 1757. He WM promoted 10 captain in 1762 and detached for service in lhe W•• I Indies. In 1773

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ADDRESS CHANGES Complet, the 101m boloo.> ONLY if tho .. . .. changes to)'OUr li"ing in lho cum"t A/abG""" /Jar Direc/OTy. Ou< to d....\iI<. in the $t.>tutt go..ming ,1«lion ofb.. oommllOiono ... we now ... TOQuirtd to .... "",mho..• offi« odd........ "nt... I"IOIV is ••..ailablc or • mombo, is prohihitt<! from ,....,rn;ng 51.>1. bar mail .t the offiu. Addition>Jiy. tho AJolxlrnD BIlr Dirn;tory is oompH,d from our "...iling list ond il i> .mro;>Nnt to .... busi ..... addr..... lor that ruoon. NOTE: If we do IlOI knoo;.> of "" odd .... r~. we cannot mokt the ....,.... ry <hangn on OUr r«<>r<b. '" pi ..... llOIil}> ... who")'OUr odd .... chang... Moil fomr 10: Di. .. W. idon. P.O. IIoJ< 6 71. ,' Ion\fOmcry. AL 361 0 1. _ _ _ _ M...lb<r ldonlifrc.>.I .... ISOCiiol S<cunty) Numb.. c~

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Coun~

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OIfrc. St .. d Add .... tifdifk .. nt from m;rilinaodd .... I _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ __

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Mootgornery, who ~OO fought in tilt ~ulion;.ry WlOr ~ ....ho was j cousin 10 RicNrd MontgOmery lor whom t/w: City 01 Montgomery >QS tWntd. Thus. 1M two Mont~f)'l. """ ....ho was lilt fiB! g..,....1 to dit in tilt war for Ameriun indeper.dmct, and lilt other. who was the first 10 die in ~ b.lttle for American tlCpansion. for

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-_DI::tIror_

EXITCLAYST. TODOWHTONN

whom lilt city and county ~re 1l3ITItd. wm: KtUiliy kiru.mm. In January 1820. Montgomtry electtil its first \010" council. One 01 the MO$I pressing probitmi bad bv the . - oouncil san~tion: ITW1Y dr.a.ths rflUlttll from the ~iIlng f~r'" duro ing rTI05<luito season. Awl"()!lri;otioru were made for the draining oIponds.

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Another signirocanl probitm """"" oil

~I芦tion

>QS

the

ptrnwvnt """,ty ~t

courthoust.. On Ileamb<:. 16, 1820. lilt Alabama Legislature o/fociiliy namtd Monlgomtry tht lemporary SUI of justice. On Dmmbu 17. 1821. the 1.gi,lature again, "" in 1818. appCIintw fi", commiwon... lo dlOOm lilt o;oorl路

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hous< $it~ . The Montgome." town council had previowly awropriated $500 toward the troction oh court· house and jail at the junction ofth~ original to'W1lS of New Philadfclphia and East Alabama. The legislature al..., appropriated funds for the .rection of other n«ew." public buildings. The site whe,. Mart<d Strttt and Main Street intersected w""' officially chosen. The flnt courthouse building was a t"'HtO." frame structure designed by Ceneral John Scot! as a small replica of

of court in Ian disposed of over 250

Montgome." more "isiblc when plans were 1l"I1Ide in tl>< next few ;'tanI for th~ seloction of a new state c.:.pital. The Olher ewnt was an attempt to 11"IO'JI' the courth<.>usf. \1,'hen one views • ""'I> of Montgormf)' Counly. one ClIn see that the city of Montgome1)' lies on the northern bounda1)'. The ksim,nls of the ,"""Ihem part of Ihe rounty livtd aloog distance from the county seat. On Janu.l1)' 30. 1840. the legislaturt app1"OYed an act calling lor a vot. of lhe people in August of 1840 00 the subject of moving the coorthouse to the c~nter of the county. When the geographic ""nte. was located. it proved to be in a ..... amp. Consequently. the attempt to 1TIClW the county stat failed. Montgome." continued as a prOSperous and prominent l(Mn. one that demanded to be considered a sitt for tl>< state capital. Andr ...... Drxt .. had left Montgorm." and died in Mobileon November 2. 1837. John Scott re"",ined in central Alaba"",. but I>< died on Nowmber 25. 1839. By 1830 the 1(M"rl which these two men had founded only a few ~an before was surpassed;n population;n Alabama by only four oth~r 1'1"",,-,Mobile, TUscaloosa, HunlS\'illt and Cahaba. By 1835. only Mobile was la..ger.ln a '~1)' short time Montgome1)' had be<:ome the most important town in the cotton ' producing Black Belt. By the 1841)s, a "",}or shift in political ~r to the south and taSt from TUscaloosa would start the effort to move the state capital. Andrew Dr.ter's prophetic dream of a capitol building on his "Coat Hill" would soon be<:ome a reality.

The biggest $OCial ~.. nt in Mootgome.,,·s early histof)' toolc place on April 3 and 4. 1825. Lafayette was on his grand far"".. n tour of the United Statu. He was gre<led by the largest crowd ewr a>s<!mbled in Montgome1)' after a proceS$ion to the top of Goat Hill. On tl>< "",ning of April 4, he was honored at a grand ball . He departed that ~"tning for the state capital at

""'~.

Aoo.",: O/d Siale Capital al Milledgeville. CroTgia. (Nodel for first Montgomerg (Aimtg Coorth~) Righi: Rer;r;mJ;truction drau.'ing of Ihe first Mont<JOmerg County Courthouse. bas.?(} on fhe foundution pi"" shou." in !)erter's mop, 1m" on Iht aid Sialt Hou.se at MilIeilge,:ilIe, Georgia. from tile cenlral pOrlilm of ,,:Mehthis coorthouse IWS said to be copied. the Ceorgia State capitol he had built at Milledgeville. The building was 41} feet square and was constructtd b)' a Mr. JepsQll who had worked on the Ceorgia building. It w.... rompleted in 1822. The building fartd east up Market Street. later \0 be renamed DUle. Awnue, and on the oorthv.... t .ide, the town extended 00-.." Main Sired, t.le. to be ~named Commerce Streel, toward the riwr. Court hear_ ings. church servicts and community gatherings of all kinds look plaCt in this courthoUk. Ewn though

(7b !xi ronlirl/Jed)

Within 15 years after 1M construelion of 1M forst Mootgomery court-

Sa ......1 A.

house building, a new structure was nnded. John Pigh, a con\r.u;tor, "'"" paid $10.000 to build a brick court_ houst on the .it. of the 100.mrr .true_ lure. This building was completed around 1838. lWo significant events took pia« in 184(l that had lQllg_term effectJ; on the hi.IOT)' of MontS"""'')' and ultimately on lhe state of Alabama. On. was the corutruction of the first railroad to

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Low_ . . '" _IInF~ """"' ... -

~ _ " 8;"'.0 ." _ .... firm ot MogIior>o:> & - . - - _ ..... ""'.".......

_"" .... ,(lIICWoA.fJIO<O_ ....

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Montgome." was

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AWYERS WGAL I f-< EES

TIGAL SPECTS of IVORCE ---'

. , .0. $llfI11nary 0{ basic informlllioll

on commoll kgal quesOOns and prorn/uTel [<Jr doe /,'I!'Ical /.>ublic

.alfm opriom and choices into/td in dil'orce

Alabama State Bar Publications Order Form The Alab,am~ SI~te Bar is ple~sed \0 make av.,labIe 10 individual anorneys. flrms.nd local boll' associatoons. at cost only, a serIes 01 b<ochures on a variety olleg;il topics of ;1l1e.~ 10 the general public . ll.elow;~ a ClirreM Ii§lillg oi public inlormabon brochures available from the Alabama Stale Bar lOt di~rib,mon by

local W. associations, uOOe< esublir.hed gUIdelines.

Brochures Lawyt'f'$ .md Lcgal Fees ...• summary of basic infonnation on common l<?gal

q~Hon~

lasl will & Testdmenl

$ 10.00 per 100

•.. COVer! aspects of estate planning and the impor1ance

Leg.ll Aspects of Divorce ... oIIers optIonS and choices involved in d,VQfCe

• • • • • •

Qly. _ _ $ 10.00 per 100 and procedUre5 for the gent.'fJI public

Qt y. _ _

of having a will $ 10.00 per 100

q" . - -

Conmmer Finances or "Buying on Time"

$ 10.00 per tOO q" . - ... outlines impon..nt considC'ral""" and p",,,,des advice on fi""ncial maners afiechng the individual of family

MNliaf;on .. .Anofher Method for Resolving Disputes

$ 10.00 JM'r 100

. .. provides an overview of the mediation process in

qU~'ition.and.an>wer

q". - -

form

A(r)' li( Rro(hurf Sland $~ .75 each q". - ... ind,vi{!ual ,tdnd imprinted with indi"Odu~I , firm or bar 3»ociation name for use.1 dislribution points. One ~dnd per brochure ij recommended. N~tnf 10 imprint on .1~nd: SubtOl~1S

Ma,hng Address Shipping & HandhnSS 5.00 TOTI\lS Plea~

I""

r"",it CHECK OR MONCYOROCR MADE PAYABLE TO THE A,"",BAMA STATE BAR for amountli.led on TOTAL line and forwa rd il with Ihis order form 10: Susan H. Andres, Director of Commun icalions, Alabama Stale Bar. P.O. Box 671, """"tgorneo'y, I\L ) 6101, (3)41 2(,9·1515

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- .'.'.<•••••'.',<.0,___ -

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0" '~mb<, "".g~ ""' "'""

'""0,'"the ".Kellogg Ctnter •• on

Alabama j.mg.,s will gathe, at

tilt campus of TU$k"gee UniYersity for a highly ;nllQY-

ali.... oollClltional program. The fQl!cMing e5$.ly, ..... it·

ten by Judge Dale Segr<$l, hal; been adapted from Judge Seg,,,,r. description <If til< projrd: f(}. a grant application to the State Justico Institute. The grant applicat ion has been tentatively """raved, and the

spOnSOrs expect to """'" fOlWard with the """nl. Judge Segrest is a ci rcuit judge in Alabama", 5th judicial circuit. in which Tuskegee Un;"" ...;ty i. kx.atf<l. He was irutrulTM'nlal in ~mbljng the mate.iab and loculI)' fur a seminar which occurrtd in October 1995. which WO$ the pmlectS$01" of the "I'oondlitions in Pluralism" proj.ct described hert. Judge Segrest in cand>dat. for the Master of Judicial Siudiu degrrt at

.... ...... ,-

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the University 01 Nevada. He has oompl<'1oo all course work and is curTfnti)' working on hi. the,; •. 'The State Justice Institute ha.o; ;wisted in funding 5Qme of his

MlIClItional ende",'Q'-';. He hal; authorr<!. book on jurispn.xlence entilled Ct:In5de»ce Ili!d Command, ...tlkh "'"as publWled by Scholar', I'ns.I of Atlanta. Georgia in 1994. and r..ls thai the tllf:(Iri.. described in his book wl're influential in the vision for the "Poundatioru in Pluralism" prQject. He curr~n t ly

chairs of the Board of Trustees of Huntingdon ClJllege. a church related . libonl arts oolle~ located in Mootg<>mel)l. Alabama. He ,,'as ~ntly selected by the General Cooferenct of the United Methodist Church tQ""'" 00 the C<>nnectional Process Team which " i ll ~tudy and impl,,",,nt chang.. in the structure of the United Methodist Church during the next four years. He has served 00 the rontinuing educaliQn rommitt« for circuit judg<'.$ in the Stale of Alabama allllO$t ronlinuously since beo:>ming. judge in 1983.

lilt/In

n.. Aml:rian peopIt ~ kMlly _

of tho fld tNt TKill beliefs ;md racill ttNions tv.'t an impact on tho dtli.'try of justi«. But to undtrstand t~ ~ problem uists is not to toM it. We Iv>'!: ~ iffilt daJ 01 diftk"lty dtl.ising ,tntteia to CClI)t with tho difrlt\lltia tNt raul! from meill betiri:s Jnd Itn· siGns. UnfortUl\llttly, wt are ofttn \'try aw.or. 01 the TKill bias. a 01 ot/ten, but tot.'llty una ......... 01 our own biasa. Wt hlo\'t difficulty optnly facing tht rulity that tacll of uS Ius m ir;evitabt. and ir.di,ptnw,l. frame of ref.renee-,J body 01 ••!><'ri.nct or background-on which ..." rely in th" formation of our ptn:eptionl and judgmenu. Our ptrctptiOl\S art Ihloptd by our ~kgrounds Ind e'ptritnets. Often. the groups to whicll ...... belong intlutnct our perceptions. n.. grouPi con· sist 01 othtr pt,5OI\$ with ~kgroonds and uperienca simi· br to OU' own. Bi.ua 01 which wt an tot.'ltly unawa,e art ....,td and WlIJIQrttd by tilt trooPS of which wt a.. a part. Early Itgilrealisu weh IS Jerome Frank pointtd outthlot judga ITt not ifTVTIunr (rom tho inftutn«' 01 thtir ~k· groondl.' Ukt otlltn. judan a .. intlutnud by ~kground and ~ritnct. Thty 1ft inftutnud by thoir gToops. Judgmtnt is tilt product of OUT peJSONI aperimct and 00' tducatlOO. Our aperimct and belids-oftm shaptd by our groul*-.. fttct in our judgment ~M d.-cisions. In tilt legal artN. wt ha\'t al..... aY> betn mort or It" awlTt of tilt uistonee of dil· f..encts of opinion md belidt>.ued on rac;"land tthnic background. Thr .. 1M-to .. lu\'t liltir imprimatur on the human psych •• just IS rtligion and OIl1tr poo.'trful cultunl (orca haVf m impact on OUT ptr5ON1 idtntity. Our ~"Utness of lilt txistena 01 wth difltrtnCtS has bem inteO$ifotd by «<tnl mrdi.o _nU such 15 the O. J. lrill ind thr vuious castS arising from tho Rodney King inci· elmt. ThtH hi", proI'ilt mtdi.o _nu not only Iv>'!: inlensifltd our _rtness oiIM aisten« 01 difftring altiludes bastd on racill idtntity< Ihty hlo\'t rnWt US uncomfortably ....art 01 tilt illusiw 1"I.'QlilV 01 tilt abSlractionl lhlot form tho foundation of the jU$lict $)'$' tern. Abslractions such n juslict. good , trulh. "";1. and even law itself. art the prodUCI 01 £"I1IIwlsus rtali/v. Thl)' uisl bmoust oIwidesprtad belief aM acCtptanct. TIlt probltm is Ihlot wt ~ .. IIO'W becoming aw.ort 01 t~ poMibility 01 ~k 01, ~ruus. If penons from diff.,.nl ~kgrounds and groups IooIc at the IImt Itl oIempiool facts thlot evidtnce a connie!. ~nd lilt IImt sd of pouible rtmtdits or conclusions. but dis~ • to lO'tlich cor><;lusion is proprr. thr constnsU$ iIObout juslice dillppe~n. AfttT tho \'trdie! in I~ O. J. cast CNN carritd;u camtru 10 tho Emory Uni.'tnity Lo ... School, ,,-he", they C3jlturtd viwa! 'rnag6 and spoktn words tNl .. nedcd thr racially difftring rtaelions to t~ vtnlicl. TIlt rtaction 01 futurt iawytn ...-as t}'Pial oItllt rtaclion lhlot l~ cameras found and r.-corded in the g.neno) pOpUlation. In tho genua) popuiation, division along racial tints was not uni\'trsal. bul it .....u preltnt enougll

lor media to GtpIu.. and cornmml on it Tht Rodney King dilJlla}'ed some 0( tho IImt Itndtncits • lilt O. J. trial. Tho f.act thlot tho buting admlO,steTcd 10 King was apturcd on film and :appt>rtd to bt brutalltft leu room (0, difltrtnca 01 opinion thin 1M rault in tilt OJ. trial, Tho looting and pillaging thlot fol""-l the ""nlicts in t~ R()dnqo King CISt.S wt .. ~rtainly 001 uni\'twlly appl'CMd amon.g blKb. castS

N_rt~leu.

there ...'trt difftrtncu along Taclallines in

inl"'J.Sitv of fee]iMg$ about thnt events. Pwplt divided along racial tint!; in Iheir intuprttation of tht events evtn lhough thl)' had walched tho vtry lime vignettes from mtdia. The O. J. Irial and tht Rodr\fY Ki nglTi,ls aust thoughtful persons to wondeT whtTt wt 8el our abslractions of justice and iniusli~, 01 right;md wronl!. 0I1IOod lind evil. It is cleaT thlot thtst abstractions do not It:ap full grown from tilt evenls IhtmKlvH.. Wt obviously add _ 01 the t(lnttnt 01 tht abstQC\ions in thr process 01 mttrprtl."llion. ....1wrt art tho notions iIboul ...... and juslict lhat ItffIl indispt..w,lt to /I juslict systtrn---.ld to tivil;UI~orcd ~nd prestrvtd? n.. idu undtrlyong tilt ·Foun<I.ations in Plu .... lism· pro;.ct is tNt history tmd IitlmJfurt II.. impOrtant storage places fof thtst crilial abstTaclions.' History and iiitr~lur" embody oor roIleclir'il uperitn« ar.d art t~ sUbsl .... •

In the legal arena, we have always been more or less aware of the existence of differences of opinion and belief based on racial and ethnic background. ta for OUT inltrpTetation 01 currtnt r\'t11\i.. I'luralism'. the e~istenc. 01 groups with differing opinions iIboul justice. challenges 11K ability 01 11K enti.. I<Ocitly to arth.....1 II comeru;us on core .alues. The -Foundations in Pluralism" projfci recognizts pluralism's challenge 10 theviabilily 01 acCtpltd meanings in tho traditional "inttrprtli\'t community: n.. phnst 'inltrpTtiM community" w.os UKd by 1$1 phi~r RorWd Dworkin 10 describe lilt aggrtg;olf community of I;rwytn. jud#ts and ItgaI sd>oII.n "flo coILtcti.'t1y rnaint .. in beliefs iII1d skills thlol tnabIc thnn \0 wSctm tho muni"'ll of Iti>llnU.' Tho chlol· Imgt prestntcd by pluralism is dtar. Each cultural trouP inculata its 0_0"11 group ""Iuts. inttrpTdlOtioni of_nu and dncripti.'t bnguagt into its Thr ..... ning 01 Ian· guagt is affected. Llngwgo ,tstU i, impoirtd in communicat· ing usignW meanings to members 01 differing groups ...·00 do not lha~ tilt meaning. n.. inttTJlrw\'t community 0( .... ... tlltn \w; difficulty ""~urattly diKtrning meanings thai apply wilh equal foret in all groups. Il enet Ihe importanct of the

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• • • 1I . . . . . , _

,.,.

study ohulhoontic

~Kt$

fJ the i<ltu and rm.. nings pOSited

by and within differing n.ci.il groups. TIloIe rmllnings. <ltrivrd

from the storitt-the Pirabla lind 1I~logitt-that gi~ muning for that group. <.I«pIy IIffm the thoo(ht pr\'lCe5Se5 fJ lhe group! For ins\inC~. if 11 $pUke. teU, the story fJ II lynching, u.. story will haw II proloundly d,fferent meaning n tffret on !host who hur. dtptnding on their group pUlpmiYt. llw: gTO\lI) ptnptdr.... i, ~ by interprrtiYt n't1>I-NmI\iva. recO'iwd through lamilia lind closely knit groups 1I~,t put uptrittlCe .... Ih Iynchi"", E...... '""'" Kb~ "",,1$ haw flldtd in\(! tho rfTTI(lIe pisI. u.. affretiYt mults reINin.lInd .. u transmitted from gtrotQtion to gerotmion. through the inttmilitation ofllUiludes fJ the group. Thud'ou, Ihoo impKI of .. Pitliculi-r ~rmion fJ "'ml$ can ~ comidtnbly dif· fer",1 fore. dtpmc!ing on u.. hurtr's group identity. Throughout tIv United SWts. tIv judiciary is confronted with vtfY ~rxticlIl prolllotms that irise from the powerful foras pr0duced by raciil IItlitudes n Of)inioN. ~pla art plffitiful: (I) ~ Balson' cast ohtn requi ru judgu 10 d«ide ",hetMr or not aUOlllq'S"rtc discrimi~ting ag&iml rmmMn fJ an identinablt group wmn they ~rtise ptumptory " rikes. To mak. such. jud,gmt:nt. tIKjudgt must ptrlttr.. te 10 the he.ltl or motivalional force. Is the tx~lanation that tilt: ~r offen for tilt: slrike rtally tne~.uon for the strib, or rmrtly IratiI)nalization thaI muks the rtal reuon? Is the real rtllS(lfl tmt..ddtd in undisclosed. Jl(lMibly unconscious. moti .... s inlerN1liud from group attitudtJ and I»ckground1 121 Tht ptT«ntagt 01 blKkl convictw of crimn and >tn· Imced to (ncar~ration far «ceeds the percentagt 01 bl""ks in tho gtn..al pOpUlalion. Bl""kl ofttn assert that this disproportiooilnw clearly evidtroca n.ci.il bi.u within lilt: justo« sys. t.m. Whitts mpond lhat bl""kl commit I disproportiooite sh."ort 01 crime. Neitllt:r group mncrdts that itJ explanation is possibly consistent with that offend by tilt: orher group. Neither group considtn othe •. mon tomplo npb~tiom. For instance. the lKk fJ il«ept.ln« of tht historically ..... il. justice s)'>lem in tIv black community migtlt ClIwe blackl to .ts(lrt Il"ICl« oRen 10 >tlf-hotlp rtrmdia. ...ilich in tum crute probkms with Ihoo \Iw. This npb~tion may not $OM: u.. porplaing problem of diSpnlflOrtionalt blKk prison po()U~. lions. but it dmlonstralts !hot kind fJ thinking lhal lilt:

Richard Wilson & Associates Registered Profess ional Court Reporters 8O~

S. Petry SlTeei

Mo<ugt'lomI!fy, Alanama )6HH

264-6433 ~--

"f oundations in Pluralism" project will encou~. (3}llw: inttgrity 01 tho judiciary ilotlf is brought into ques· tion by c~ 01 raeill bias in tht $tlKtion fJ judgts! Such chlrgn un have an undesirable tffeet on !hot collegi.ility 0( judges and un destroy tho inttrprtliYt community that is thot custocfian of law. This bmf description of issues thiot life ~ry mud! alive. and furled by n.cw motivu. is pun:1y iIIustr.ltM. not uhaustiYt. ~ inttrprftiYt community clurly nmIs I ilronitr grasp fJ Ihoo background from ..... ich isMIt:s .. list. Tho: "Foundations in Pluralism" project approoochts the tdUCllliom\ wk with 111 iIJIIfOI>Tiltc combinlltion of daring and subtlrty. It \.loCklu !hot issuu It multiple levels fJ tonKiousna.J. and i, ealcullltd to loCh~ tmotiooil ~ and harmony It u.. _ time that it impub valuable specific know\edgt.

The Need in Alabama Montgomery. "labolN is c.>lIw-pe.haps oot lIS often lIS it 'Cradle of the ConfederloC)'."" star on lilt: steps of lilt: statt capital marks lilt: spot .... hut Jt rrerlOll Davis tool< the oa.th of offict." rouple 01 blockl down the ,t.«t stands tho Oat•• A""nuo Baptist Chur<h whert Dr. Matlin l.ulher King, J•. and his fellow "'''rken ~t rullift to lilt: modtrn Civil Rights m(IVI;<ment." couple 0( blocks ove •• the Civil Rights Momo.ial co"n".mo •• tes the ""rots who died in the Civil Rights struggle. Tho: Judici.i! Complu. which hou$ts Alabama .. ppellate courts and the AdminislDtive Office 0( Courts. is surrounded by thut historic sitts. Forty miles to lilt: west is Selma. from whtnct civil rightJ marchtl1 procud. td to Montgomery and 10M: birth 10 tilt: 1%5 Civil Rights Act. Forty mitu to tilt: em is Tusktgtt. home ofTUskegu Unr.... nity, Iounded by lIooI<e. T. Washington. lind one tilt: elofly rne<:UII for black wuc:.otion. Surroundtd by thts.e historic sitts ....ilich lin: natioNl in signifiCll1«".!hot courts fJ AllobloIN make decisions thiot irM>h... emotion;ol. racillly c~ is.wts. Trial judges in AIWnu. du.1 with 8oflOtl iswts on I dlily bisis. AlWma recently wcctSSfully dtfendtd il$ method 01 $tIming lriol judges, lIgIinsil chlll",ge nkd by tht Southern Christi.in u~ip Con{umcc-loundtd by Or. King himKlf-undtr !hot Voting Rights Act. llw: method of $tIming IIppelli-le judges in AIab.l.ml is !xing chall",ged in (edtra] court for alleged discrimillllion "''hik thif esMY is being prtputd. llw: ptruntage 0( ~ in AbboIN's prisom i, W grt~ttr tlw1 the poruntage 01 blac:kl in !hot ge""ral pOpuli-tion. Alabama hi>tOf)' dramaticolly displays tho criticalslgnifi· ClIncc of the dichotomized cultur. lind tho impact fJ thai dichotomy on tho administration of justo«. Alabima has bttn ~n archt:\ype in tht myriad probltms that spring from .""i;li division. If Alabama can draw on its own histOry. its own insti_ tutions. and il5 ......'11 cullur~1 .~sourcts to crea!t an educational .... hicle Sp«ificall~ 1G•• d to wist the judiciary in ~aling wilh racial issues. this ",ill M a signifiCllnl acromplishment indetd.

1>I'\a ....as--thc

Tho prutnt project JIf'IPOMS to do just thn Not only ..ill "",h a pro;ea be lignifiQl1t in AIab.unI. but it his potential oppiia.

tion for judicial education throughout the United SUtts. The -FOIlt'llbtions in Pluralism" project will bring together a di~rse group 01 approximately 40 judgu from throughout Ihe s\.att 01 Alabama. It ilSpoIISOred by 1M Alabama judicial College and the Continuing Edu<:alion ~iviJion 01 Tuskel/« UniYersily. Tho J.pOnSOn r:lIpKt loaura<:\ [e_le, _It, black, white. lrial, Ind apptllalt jud,gu from lhe ilate of Alabama.. Enrollment will be limited in order to accomplWlthe educatlONl ooj«tiveJ of ItIt project. Portions of the ~L wch as ~turu and vidm prnmtalions. will includo thr totol group of 40. Tho ctntroll focus of lho projKt. ' -I',..·ill be diK'llS' sion groups of approximlliely 20 judgts each, with discussion led by highly Qualified faculty. I,imiling th.si~e of the discus· lion group.! will tnCOUf"l!e full inluacli~ parlidpation by all participants. Pnor to the twnt. participanu will rnt! theAulobio9raPh¥ of AAlfcoIm X and selmed tsSlIys by Dr. ~lartin Luthrr King. Jr.' In ~ilion to thr rmJi"ll maleNI. inlorm/ltion about the hittoric.al oonlm and background d thr writing. and ... th.on will be p.-nled by faculty membtn. Allomty FffiI D. Cr;),)'. Sr. will shar. somt of hi. nperionct in the civil rights ~ menl wilh the enlir. group in a one·hour lectur •• followed by a que51ion·and-answer session. His presentation will add unquestionable authenticity to the twn!. He i. a preemin.nt civil righl.! lawytr, and represented Mrs. RO$.O Parks and Dr. King in lhe Mon~ry Bus Ilo)'cotl. He his rectnlly authored hilllutobKlgraphy, .ntilled Bus IlitX to JusJia.' He is put prui<itnt d thr SationlJ Bar AI.Iotiolion.

Law and L~erature Movement While this project is far too issue·specific to fit squarely within Ihe traditional l.w and literature genre. it draws heavi· lyon the law and 1it~rature methodoloaY. DiscUSlion will c~n· t~r on Sp«iflC luU and hutoric evtnu. Currtnt ..... nt.!. and ttlt tmOIlOI'IS tNt u..,. nalurolily tngn\dtr, will be wholly inci· dtnt.lollO the discussion. Although cumnt ~\ issuts will i........ t.Iobly tnt~r thr discussions, the locus on JPt(iroc tuts and .......,11 witt ~nab'" the Ieadtn to avoid thr kinds 01 debate tNt entrench I'Irticipants in committed poiilioru 1100 brtak down the colleg,ality of twnlS. Tho discussion of history ~nd JPt(ir.c texts i.likely to ha~ more affecti\'t impact in 1M p.!YChotogy from whence judgment emanato! than I mort heated debat. of current issuos. Tht discUSliolU will subtly invite partido plnl.! to I« ttlt relevance 01 ttlt hutor;uJ tul.! 10 the i5WU of today. Similar to the ""'l' law and Httrollur. seminars invite I'Irticipanu \0 set thr r«llning thrmes d guat literollure that refl«tlhe "",lues. belief i)'SIems. iInd P6YChoIogiaJ Ioous 1Il10\ undertird the 1cg>1 i)'SIHTl. TIlt -Foundations in Plurollism" projtct grows out fAa seoo dla ... and literature Itnlinarslhlot were lJ)OIISOred b)' tho Allhlma JU/JiciaJ College and Montevallo Uni~ .. ity for Alabama judges. Th. core of thai pTQgram was the Brand.is

UniwQity serits. A number of OIlr judges hoM: participated at Iusl four Or r"", fA thr IIIw and littrollure ... mi......... Tho coli.· gillhly, the rewed atmosphtrt-lWiy from the harried ~y to ~y twnu of a judge's life-antl th. stimulating .nvironment of a college CIImpus all contributed to make those evtnlS .... 1')' mellning/ul learning experiences, They allowW judges to ulal. to ~3ch other on basts other lhan Ihe pur.!» techniC.lI aspecl.! of law and judging. The seminars relatttlthe work of judgts 10 tho larger context d the cultu ..... Tho Irchet~1 "",I· ues on ..tllch cullure is ostabIWIed an imbedded in thr ......... t"'" of gualliteratu .... In October 1995. the sporuon dlhe · Foundations in Pluralism- pro;e.:\, with a gtlltTOl.Ul"",t from the Slit. Justice Institut •. conducted a highly lucce..ful ... mi .... r Ihiot is lhe direct pred.cessor of the current project. Approximately 20 judges II"thered on th~ campus of Ttukegee Uni .... rsity to dil<:US$ four piKes 0/ lit .... tur.' /Jp from S/11'''''1I, by Book.. T, Washington; The Si1ulJ of Black FoIlr, b)' W. E. B. Dubois; 811m Bumm. by Willillm Fllulkner. and Sormgs BlUd. by J~ Baldwin. Tht tvtnt was I successful adaptation 01 the t.- and Littrl1ure seriu, lind Mtl'OlCted Ilimilllr. but 11"10«

WE SAVE YOUR TIME ...

~arnell

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Now \tpt re...llreh ,~avaol.bIt ,",'hm you need II. "",Ihoul lilt

""'''''''y of

L EG A L Res a areh

add,nJ' fun-llmt HI>O<''', <0' d.rl .

W"h K«" 10 'he St.t. uw L,br:ary and W.,t1.", ..... pro.,de lost .nd dflc .. nl .\CfVICC. F<O' d..dlinc work, " '. ( .... dohvcr ,nformOloon 10 Y"".I& common cllrricr. Fnlcral upn' .... or FAX

Famdl usal Re'itllreh ..am .... ' lilt ,,,..,'" '_Ihly Ibrough q\ll.hly ...\Careh. br .. r

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Ou, ",r.. &lC SJHXJ por hour. ",,"h a Ih= ""'" m,n,mum.

For

Rese~ rch Assis t ~nce

conlact;

Sarah Kll thryn Farnell 112 Moore Building

Montgomery, Al36104 (ll4) 277·7917 u, ..... _ . . ' .. _rw",~d", • .~_"'~d

•

.....,..,I>fJ»b".,

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inclusive, audience, The spo!\S<}'" hope that mQj;t 01 the 20 participants in 1m 1995 e"ent will rdum for I.... present project. They will ~ dividtd Ntwttn the two discussion groups, and will help to prO\'iM leadership in the discussions, a.'l ",ell a.'l expanding t.... ir own bast of knowledge and experience, Their enthusia.'lm for t.... eartier evtnt will help to promote t.... present twnl and make it succ~ful. Gradual expansion of the numNr 01 partic· ipant> in a continu ing ..,ries i, a part 01 tilt plan for achi ...ing long·lenn objectives oIt .... project. The Spo!\S<}r5 hope to make this an annual evtnt and to devtlop a bod)' of appropriate historical and literary tellt> for a ..,ries 01 umill/lrs. The sponsors feel the lime is now right 10 introduce 1M "Fou"datioru in Pluralism" project ""' a free·,tanding educational projoct, simi· Iar to but di,tinguishable from the law and literature series. Th<:r. is an abundance of I"O/It.riallO form a cor. 01 historical literatuff that is iMue'5J1fCiflc to t"Pico of di ..ct inte..st in juri,prudence. The project is a pilot project dealing with the difficult issues of racial pluralism. The Spo!\S<}rs a.. unaware of any similar awroaeh in the Unittd State. to thi. unsiti"" and compelling area 01 interest to the judiciary. The evtnt wil l increast judges' sJlfCiflc knowledge of black history. The I"O/Iterial has bw1 chosen to include information important 10 the understanding 01 divergent Nllef, about the nalure of law in today', world. It will aoo bring about an

NEW IOLTA PARTICIPANTS Now JOLTA Participan ts for May Whittington &. Waldrup, Anniston Carr, Alford. Clausen &. McDonald, Mobile Don A. H",,'ard.l1untsville Caston &. Caston, Mobil e Luther D. Abel, Cadsden Joe Vate., Florence Najjar, Denaburg, Binningham Now JOLTA Participant, for June Binghllm D. ]';dwards, Decatur Crtgory A. Reeves. Decatur !'aul ~: Meyers. Dolhan Phil D. Mitchell, Decatur Lyons, Pipes &. Cook, Mobile Mil.i Se31"$·Steuer. Opelika

.. . ... ,~"

~--

in<:reased awareness and sensitivity among judges of pluralistic differences in belief concerning key abstractions, .uch a.'l jus. ti"",law, equality and faimw. The chosen I"O/Iterial will provide specific historical conle><t for pluralistic diffeffn<:es in Nli~f. The evtnt will provide a c~niaJ learning ""pe,ienco for a diwrse group of judges. The fOl111.lt and environment ha,-e been deliberately chosen to build collegiality rather than acr~ntuating diffe .. n<:es among the judges.Nuts and bolts sem· ina~ucationaJ evtnts thai Simply tell judges "how 10 do it"-do not produce cullural understanding that is the neces· S/lry basis for sound sUbjocli>-e judgment. Sound ,ubj«t;"" judgment is n",eWlry in dealing with racial issue •. The "Foundations in Plurali.m" proj",t will help to med that ne.d. As menliontd previously, the program will consist of an in depth treatment and discussion of the AuloiJirJgTap/!/J of Malcolm X, and sekcttd writings from Or. Martin Luther King, Jr. The foll""'ing points demonstrate the viability of the materials for jurisprudential diSCUSSions: III Dr. King's leller from the Birmingham jail is an eloquent appeal to natural law. Do law and rights elIiSI indepen. dently of hUl"O/lnly created instilutions? (211loth Dr. King and ~jalcolm X ,penl time in ;ail. The par· ticipants will N invited to compare and contrast the reasons for their incarcoration. What can "",learn from their e. ptri· enCe about incarceration? Whal viow did each take aboul the reasons for his incarceration? What act.·antage, if any, did each obtain from incarceration? Would the incarceration of a white person likely produc. the ... me effects? What, if anything, doe. their .x~rien<:e t,,11 u, about the usefulne .. of incarcera· lion in combaling crime? (3) Both ~talcolm X and Dr. King "'-ere ffligious leader5What was th" effect of their religious view, on thei r views about >ociai poliql How importanl w""' religion to Ihe work of these two individuals? (4) Dr. King receivw an earned doctorate degree. He was well wucated in the clUl;iC$ and philosophy. Although Malcolm X dropped out of school at the eighth grade, h...ad extensively while in prison, and his reading included ph ilosophy. What Wa.'l the impact of education and philosophy on each? Did Dr. King find in philosophy 3 "r<eeived truth?" Did Malcolm X' Can we account for the differences' (S) Both Malcolm X and Dr. King Weff d«ply aff«ted by the legal system. Their f«lings about the legallystem "'-ere .. nected in Iheir writings. What are the ,imilarities and the differenc •• in their views concerning thel.gal.y,tem? (6) Both Ik King and Malcolm X had viows of the future of blacks in America. What were the differences in those views? (7J Dr. King's attitude (""'ar(! whites Wa.'l conciliatory. M.alcolm X', attitude W,,", hootil • . Does eilher attitude rep ..· ..,nt the view, of bladts in general? Whal can we learn from the attitude of Malcolm X t""'ard whiles and the legal establishment Ihat will enable us \0 adopt sounder policies for Ihe administration of justice? From Dr. King? (S) While Dr. KinS promoted integration. Malcolm X wa.'l

highly criliclll of inttgrnion. Do Ihtir f'lptewnt an lWr_prQtnt dichotomy? II thtrt ~ny W<1)' to ~ !tit ttncknoty fur ont of u.- \itwpoinls to draw OUI!tIt othtr? To who! mml to ~Imiblion dHirabll:? Iloes ~imibtion ~nts

haw dn.....bKks? The "Foundationl in Plur3lism" project will provide a practical forum to te.t the theorits describtd htre. This proj芦t does not mef'lly talk ~boul ract rtlations. II doet ran rtblionl at ,round IlWl. It draws on ruou rcu ihatlre f'I""ily available in Alab.lmll. but Hldom called on. Tuskegee Univusity lind otlltr historically black institutions I;3n be highly inJIrummlll In bringing aboul :an undtn~路 i"ll d thr vWpoint of blKks.. The judicio.ry Ihould ~ ..a...n~ dth,s imporUnt cultunl rUOUrce. Authenticity is inlltrent in U~ procus. Soch institutions Ire 1M I\IItur31 repositoriu 01 Vl.llWlk i<r1o(M路ltdgt and insight thllt ITt not f'ladily lIVlibblt with tilt same.starer of authority ebe...+.tTt. Utilization dlhese tllents and rUOUrce. represents I closing of fanks in the interpftli~ community ofb_in a ~ry inclus~ fashion. It also demonstrale. a possible mi!$ion of insl itullom luch al Tuskegee Un iversity for the 21st century.

St~h..

of IOGh.

Washlngtoll 011 tht C/IlIIpUI of tuakegee Unlwllity

Education lor judgn in thill kind of tnvironmtnt can im~ on decision-makin(. n.. pro;eet hUm:an1zes 1M problem.. The faculty hu been choHn with II high rtgIrd both lor qu.o.Iifoation and lIuthmlicity. Th_ of the four .re faculty IT\lmbtn lit Tusktgtt Un~rs'ty with II ~.lth of ezperitnct both personally and as loachers dlhe wb;tct mailer to bt considered. The fourth. Or. Kathleen CltllYer. grew up In 1\Jskegtt, but h/l{llI.Ibstintilll connection wilh lilt cMI rights fTII)velTli'nt through ilNQ!vtmtnl in lilt Black Panthers.nd otllt r efforls. Currently. faculty membtr al the Emory Uni~ .. lty Law School. Ilt. ",ademk credentia", both In both

~--

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

history and law. ~ ~nhanc.d

impressive. The quality 0( discussions will

by the inclusion 0/ judge! who participated in the

1995 seminar. Interaction t>.,t.....'ffn the judge. and faculty i. an essential part 0( the plan. The $Ominar w;U ~ condw;tt<l on the campus 0( Tuskegee University at the Kellogg Center. Th~ Kellogg Center i. a slIlte-of-the-art cooferenc. center located in the heart 0( the Tuskegee campus_Th.latest electronic equipment includes the ability to conn~<.:I with satellites. as ..... 11 as both audio and video recording.. Meeting on th~ campus of the university founded by Booker T. Washington adds to the authenticity of the experience. for a diverse group of judges from Alabama to med in this setting is significant. •

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

Endnote.

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s.--'

James W. McElhaney

Writing to Win

America's Master Advocate Returns to Blnningham! Friday, November 22, 1996

Results Oriented Writing fealurlng Steven D. Stark December 12, 1996 in Binningham

MASTERING EVIDENCE

Once called "the David Letterm an of CLE." NPR Commentator and nationally acclaimed speaker. Steve Stark w i!! guide a hands-on exploration of:

USING TIlE RULES THAT S HAPE THE CASE

AW! OPENING STATEMENT & FINAL ARGUMENT TALKING TO TIlE JURY , MAKING MEMORIES

-orglln0ng and e<iting more

All ... McEtlatleif; 1~ progNm in Birmingham. ~ ou' coIIeag .... haod thas, comments: .,.... I M n P,ofessor McE l1aney "" 3 other occasions ~ nd .ar:h . . as IUpem as It-. on,: ·'McE l1aney . t«ayt; <:orrmJniC81"" en ell'odive le$lonto No

·Telling your sto<y with bene, statemlHlls of fact

audience: "GNa! Insight and prectical help on compIe. !sIU"": Sp,c. Is liml!ed 'nd this prog""" !ill! flU up FASTl Cotl Cum t..r1ud Sc hool 01 Law ClE . t , -8004U·7454 TOOAY e nd ..-gister1 _

..... _

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~--

.......

'Writlng better briefs.

e~ntly

lett .... and memos

-One _ I at!en<IoM WIote · 1.......... r laughed or Ioamaod 110 much 111 eLE slHTina,r Regllte, EARlY to ,eserve you, place! Call Cumberla nd S<:11001 of law CLE at to regllter.

• _ _ '" omploymo" """ 04 ...._

l.aoo.a88_7.u.

............ " .... ~ ;O ....

JO'g'_' 0'

Interim Mediator Standards and Registration Procedures Caml/In/a /I,.. fJl('OlIITlgtt/ (PI III/trim MtdilltOl' StamluM. ThtIlnlt'Tim M(~/illior StOllihrrb Itnd R~'jJIstrullofr Prua!dures u-hkh I1C'cJJlI1IJU11J1 this note U~'IlI drJlled bv 1M A/olxImQ Slulu £Jar Ccmmitloo (JfI ,I/(I!rflulk. lolli/hods ullJispulll Resolution. ulld fheJ/lt\'nl utIopIl!d uith ttl,warr bv (MilJabtt/7Hl SuiIlFlTW! Court C()mm/WQn 011 Disputl /k$)Iuliotl to lJ«,),ffll dfoclm,.hlluars/ I, 1997. T1HI h!ten/Is to dcL~ (JlIilmamlohl a rosl~ of 0/ /1"tI1;/ milllimtfly froined mrdialors lI#houl se/lillf/11w initiol stumkml$ $0 high (IS10 flXC/llw most persons wlffit1lJ /0 St'l".\" /( is eJ.p«/Lod Ihll/ rlllll'll sldHU!!I1/ stmuJanh """ fxt ullopl,~/, bul willi WI e.ffeclll'll (kIll! ob/() ('(Jrliw 111I1II.k,IIWIlfJ/ /, 1997. 1*"1/('1' romments or slIg' gesliofls 1Ir11 ClkYJ(lrogM wid sool.lld ~ $(11110 the NoIxmw C01t.'r for Dispute Hl.'SOIuliotl 0/ P.O. Bo:t 67J, Non/fJfJmerv. Ai. :ftilOl.

1. F~: As court DllOOtd INdia/ion is relatively new In Alabama. aod thea\'ail~bniIY of Quali6td mtdlators in this slllle remains Iimlted,ln/(!fim mcdililor Slllmbrds (or rcgi~tratlon hnve been adopted. 11w:sc interim sUlIldal'ds should enable the ltale coufU to continue with their currenl mediation JlI'Oll~ms ....-hilt allowing lhe$e PI'Oll~ms III orportunity 10 devtlop further Into m:lture and organized l)'StelTlJ. Towal'\llhls end, the interim meuures describtd tl\:ll'in 5holiid be recOllnlzed lIS minimal under Ihe present ci rcum· ~lIInccs with tht undcl'lI\.IIndlng by both nl\:dlatlon llStn alltl providenlhal fT'II'lTl' $trinsenl s\.lln<bn.ls will be forthcoming. II, IX nnlt!on: For the pul'JXl$t ofthdc interim ~1lfU. the term "rellistratlon~ and the nlnted fomu fA this word ~11 mean only

th"tthe Interim standiirds ~lId procedures set forth herdn hlllIt hl!en met to the ..'tisfa,tion oflhe Alabama Ceillcr for DioS\lutc RClOlution (he reafter "Ihe Centcr"). This tenn does not Impl)o any (\tit'" of mediation skllli or o:)ITlpttcncy on behalf of an~ mediator " lb;CC1 10 these provisions. III. IUft(U,'il Dnl,: Effective Jnllual')' I. 1997. all.~tate wurt ·~ppollll· cd mediaton shall be ",,,i,,tered on the State Court Mediator Roster (hereafter ',he Roster") maintained by the Ctnlcr. This I'tqull'tlmnl sh:ill nut atlllly to mediators who h&ve been stlcctcd wlulltarily by the ()3.rtits in litigation, or to mediaton for ....·hom the parties ha,,,, bllr~ed to walw J~cl15Iallllards. IV. Siale CII~ rt Mrdlatlon ROller: The Center "lOill ma.intain a Roster ...-hkh COfI!ist.s of !host ffitdiaton who m«llht Interim IN'dlalQr stAn<brds. Thil Roster wll be maintnu\ed Iltollr1lphitally by counties nnd 311.,11 be made available to all $U1te COli rt Judlles, atlorney511nd the gcner1ll ()ublic.

V. Inlerl n, ~lflIutor ReglJtntlon StJnliaflb : To be I'tglilertd on Ihe Roster. a mediator must meet certl'lin minlmal5landanb which Drt spt(ilied In Appc:n~ix I. 10 Ix rewstertd $llCCilically a5 a domt.slic relatlolU mediator. an individual must mutthe minin1ll15tandards specified In AllIlenJix II. \1. Stat_ Court ~Ifd l.lor ROjltr Rtglstrallon: IndividualJ ....ho meet the inlerinl media'.Or standards. and ....ho stCk 10 Ix T'tIIiSlntd on the Roster. sh.,11lubmitto the Center 11 oomplettd nppllC<1tlon fonn, Should the IlIdlvltkJal meet the Tl'Cjuirw interim SUlnduds, his or her I\iImc shall be registered 011 the Roster as 11 mediator. To rem:.in a ~mlxr of the Roster. the mcdiator mu.n m«t such additional or diffel'tnlltandards which may Ix htrcafttr Imposed for registration. VII. FH.: Individuals aptllyinll for medlhtor I1'gi5tration by Ihe Ctnler shall PilY a 520 application fee. If reillstrlltion is apprOVt!d. an annual fee of $100 for I1'gillratlon will b;!~. Failure to PilY the I1f1nual;wessment ....ill result ill the indl\.idu.ll bell1lll'tlnOlled from the ROi!itrr. •

App. ndlx I

Interi m o\h d lltllr Htlll~t ntl\ln Stlndlinl, An individual rtgl'IHfd by the Alabama Cent~r {lIr Dilpule RuolutlOll .hall, at 1 mln;mum. meet alilhe following rrquire· m~nt.s;

l. Be IICenscd

A$ nn ~ttorncy by the ,IMe lind In 1I()()1.1ltbrnllllll. with fOIiT years IIf c~perltnce In tht prattlet of law. 2. Haw: lU(cw{utly oomplrttd a 20·hour mtdletor traln.'11 pro' IIram approvtd by the Cenler. To be apprlM'd. tralnlnll pro· IlrarnJ mllsllnc:luo:le as pIIrt of Iheir ~lIrri(ull. at 11 mmimum, mock media lion exerdsu nnd ethics e~u~31illn. :.I. Allree to subscribe and adhe re to tht 1\1~lmnlOi Code of ~thlCJ for McdilllllTi and tM rulfs of tht Center (or mtdiator rtllls,

Iralion. 4. lie Wilton!! til provide, upon request. at Iwt 2(1 hOUri oonllll· I~ of pro 00110 mediution Jtrvicts to the publle.

AppIIndIx II

Interim Domeillc: R~btkin' Mediator StandlnlI IndMdu.lls regi!leTl!d ....'lh the ecnur 'l)rdrlQ)ty to fIlg.iIgt in IlIr'IIiauon In the art"a oIliomQlk: rtbtions muM meet the foikll<o'RiI rtqlilmncnl.!.:

I. I'" Ilcti\kd 11l1li attorroey by the 1~le III'od In IlO(ld st..t(I~ina. ...,th four ~~" ~rkoo: in tht prnctict of law: or lit IIctrutd as a pI~1o\I\ by the $lale III'od m good !\AI1d'1lIL ~ ct1l1f!fd In the 1)I3CI1Ct d adull or child psychi."otry. lIT ~ li«mtd as. Cert,r~ llublieAtwunlMt by the SUIte and In I!OOd stilll4linl!- With four )'tars' tXl1'mencc in the pracllct of tICOOUnt!ll'ot)': or lie mg,1I!Cd in a practic:f, for four ~..." in ~I work, mental I"callh or bth.monl Kimca. With. badwlor', or IIM\nccd Ik;m ,n one or more of thnc: rKIth. 2. 11."M: $\~ullyoompleted 11 "O·i'oour mediation «III11C on 00mts· Ik: rellltiQl\j 1u\1t$ whicl11w I>«n (al certified by the AcIoden)y ot Family ~tedl."llon (AIo"lot) or Ib) ~ by thtCcnltr as function ally ((IUMUwt or wpenOI" to ~ AI'M 4O-hour C(lUI'W. 3. ~ IIIIlib!cribe and dim to Ihe AI."II.wrIio co.k ot EthN::i for Mcd~'loD Md Iht II.IIC!I d the Dmter for l1'1t1.hator rrlliJlr.ltioo. 4. lie wi!hlllllO I'rmIde. upoo rtq\ltM. bt ItMt 2(11\01.11"$ nnnuaJ~' of pro bono mcdl."llioo strviw to lhe public:.

IEPnMnfR ,,01> 10.

OPINIONS OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL fly). Anthony MclAin, !l(meral evullsel

The Disciplinary Commission was ask~d to rtconsider formal opinion IW-95-09 by a third part)'. The Disciplinary Commission did modify this opinion as follows: Qu ••tlon:

"This letter is written pursuant to our recent telephone convcrSlltion In which r had requested your advice concern· ing conniets between the Sunshine l.aw and the obligation of attorneys to hold invioillte the attorney-client privilege. Our fi rm represents il number of public sector clients Ihal are subject 10 the SUll5hine 1.,1Wand are ,11SQ often involved in legal mnllen which require confidential disc ussions with the members of our firm. ';11\1: only realiluidllllct we have had in the pll~t is on advisory opinion from the stille oor association rendered in 1>1ay. 1985. until the Supreme Court visited this iS5ue In Dwm u. Alaooma SWIll Unioorsilll Boord o('n'uSIl!(>S, 628 So. 2d 519 (Ala. 1993). In DWlII, the Court appears to carve out an ellception to the Sunshine Law which allows atlorne}'$ for public bodies to meet with their attorney concerning pending litigation when the public body Is actually named as a party in the lawsuit. ~The Dlllm decision appears to be at odds with certain commeni.5 to the Alabam.l Ilules of Professional Conduct which provide Ihat 'Ihe confidentiality rule applies notmtreIy to matters communicated In confidence by the client but also to all information relMing to the rcprutntation. whattver iu $Ource: Ala. It Prof. Conduct. l.6, Comment. The Comment further provides thll!, 'Whether llnother provision of IllW sUI>ersedes Ilule 1.6 is a matter of interpretation beyond the scope of these Ilules. bUI a presumption should exist agaitlSt slIch sU(XJrsessio1l. · Id. (Emphases added,) These comments appellr to indicllte Ihat an attorney has a duty to protect client confidentiality in relUlrd to all matters and not

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jU51 those matters relating to present or Pf:nding litigation. ~ I will appreciMe IIny guidance you ClIn give me regarding this apparent conmet that exisi.5 between the decision in Dunn and the comments to the Alabama Rules of I'rofessional Conduct. Does a lawyer have to discuss trial strategy with a public body client in an open m~et ing? If the public body wants to discuss the possibility of filing a lawsuit with its attorney. docs this discussion and relatiye strengths and weaknesses of the client's case have to be dlS(\ls$td 11'1 a publk meetinQ: since the lawsuit is not yet flIed l In Dunn. the Court aPl>cm to hold that if there is any discussion of ~elllemen t of the CDse involving II public body that such discussion must occur in a public meeting, Does this mean that if the public body's attorney gives legal advice concerning the seulement in a closed meeting the meeting has to be opened to the public if one of the members of the public body asks the attorney II question relative 10 what he or she thinks of II body hai facts concerning the proposed settlement Ult11 should be brought to the attorney's attention, should discussion of these facts occur in a public meeting? As )'(1\1 can:;ee, the Questions which arise in this area are too numerous to list, but I believe you get the navor for Ihe problems we encounter on II fairly regular basis. Again, I would very much appreciate any guidance you can give me." Ans we r: The Disciplinary Commission has previously determined. in nO-85-0S th:J.t: '1'he provisions of 113A-14-2, Code of Alabama, 1975, to the contrary notwithstanding, if an attorney representing a public entity that comes within the scope of this statute makes a good faith professional judgment that a meeting with his clienlls for the purpose of imparting legal advice and discussing strategy concerning pending litigation, contemplated titillatioll or other purely legal matter, the 1Itlorhcy would not be gullly of viola lin II any of tht provisions of the Code of Professionlll Responsibility of the Alabnma Stille Bar by hlslstlnglhllIlhe meeting he held in closed or executive session and If the attorney is of the opinion that it would be detrimerltallo Ihe Dest interest of his client to ..!low public acceu 10 the meeting. he would De guilty of a v;()lat;on of the Code of Pro(ess;onal nesponsibitity should he not insisl upon II closed or eJlecutive meeting.~ Preamble: The detenninalion 0( this ethical inquiry by the Disc;plinary Commission is limited to the application of tilt Rules of ProfeS5lonal Conduct and a IlIwyer's responsibilities to his or her client pursuant to said rules_ The Oisciplinary

Commission hils no authority or jurisdiction to interpret statutes, nor render opinions which require an Interpretation of law. The Commission further recognizes tilat in some instances a laW)'tr's ethical duty to his or her client may con· flict with statutory or case law. The- opinion of the Disciplinary Commission grants protection to the laW)'tr only as it relates to the discipliMry process and enforcement of tht Rules of Professional Conduct.

Discus.lonl Rule 1.6 (a). Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct. requires thlll a Illwyer not reveal information relating to the representation of the client unless the client consents after consultation. This prohibition is carried forward in 112·21· 161. Code of Alabama. 1975. which stlltes: ''Testimony or attorney, etc.. (or or against client. No attorney or his clerk shall be competent or compelled to testify in /lny court in this stllte for or ilgainst the client ilS to an~' matter or thing. knowledge of which may have been acquired from the client, or /IS to ildvice or coun$cl to the client given by virtue o( the relation a~ attorney or Iliven by reawn of anticipated employment a5 attorney unless called to lestify by the client. but shllll iii! com,>'!tenllo tC$tlfy, fo r or against the client. as to any mattcr or thi ng Ihe knowledgr of wh ch may have been acquired in any other manner. (Code 1907, ff3962. 4012: Code 1923. U7658, 7726: Code 1940, T. 7, §438.r The Comment 10 Rule 1.6 states that, '1'he confi· dentialily rule applies not merely to ",,1tters communicated in confidence by the client, but also to all information relat· ing to Ihe representation. whatever its source: This position is an tlCpllr'lslon of thai previously ildhered to under the for· mer Code of ProfeuioMI Responsibility. which more restnctiwly defined "confidence" and "stcret within the context of confidenti"IiIYof information in the attorney.dienl relaticn· ship. In representation 0( a public agency. Ihe altorney shOutd adhere to the provisions or I IJA.14.2. Code of Alabama, 19i5, which provides: ~Exec(ltive or secret seuions o( cerlain boards. No executive or secret session shall be held by any of the follOWing nllmed boards. commissions or court of Alabama. namely: Alabama Public Service Commission: school com· milsions of Alabama; board of adjustment, state or county tax commissions: any counly commiuion. ;IIlYcity commi»i(ln or municipal council; or nny olhcr body, oo<.rd or commi.~· sion in the stale chnrgcd with the duty of di5bursing alty funds belonging to the state. counly or municipality. or board. body or commission to which is delegated any legislative or judiCial function; except. that executive or secret ses· sions may be held by any of the above named boards or co:n· mi~sions when the character or good name or a woman or man i~ involvcd. In reviewinll the attorney's responsibility in such a situa· tion. wherein the ethical requirement or confidentiality appears to conflict with the statutory provision on open meet· ings, the Commiuion is of Ihe opinion that the reasons for the confidentiality rule oulwtigh the statutory TeQvirement as to public meeting.,. To hold otherwise would abrogate tht long·recognized cornerstone of the attorney·cllent relation-

ship. thai being confidentilliity of information which is Imparted by a client to lhe attorney during the attorney· client relalionship. In Dunn /J. ,tlobomo Slale Universily lJoartJ ofTruslee.t. 628 So. 2d 519 (Ala. 1993). the Supremt Court of Alabama adopted the holding of Ihe Supreme Court of Tennessee in the case of Smith CounlV f.'ducolloll AssociallOli v. Andersoll, 676 S,W. 2d 328 (Tenn. 1984). Therein. lhe Supreme Court ofTenne$SCe Cilrvcd out an exception 10 the Trnnessee "Open Meetings Act. The court held that discussions between a public body and its attorney concerning pending litigation were not subject to the open meetings act. with the CiI\leilt thai the exception applied only to those situations wherein the public body was a named Po"ty in the law!uit. A fu rther review of the Supreme Court of Ttnnes.see opin. ion recognizes Ihe possibility that 1111 overboard exception to the open meeting., act could be abused whereby the public body could meet with ils attorney (or the 05tensible purpose of discussing pending litigation and instead conduct publiC business in violation of the open mcetingsllct. In D/IIlII. supril. the Supreme Court of Alabama determined Ihallhe "inheren\. continuinll, ilnd plenary" control of the court over attorneys as officers of the court could not be abridged by legislntivc action. At p. 529. I~e lying upon Smith once allail\ the Supreme Court of Aillbama dcte~mined Ihal the legislature had no authority to enact II law which would impair an allorney's ability 10 fulfill his ethical duties 1\5 an officer of the court. The recognition of the supremacy of the attorney-client N

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relationship is further re«>gni.ed in the Comment to Rule l.6:

"In addition to the5f- provision,. a laW)'« may be obligated or permitted by other provi.ioru of law to gi"" info"",tion about a client. Whether aoother provision of law ,uperstd~ Rule 1,6 is ~ malter of interpretation be)'Olld the loCOpe of the$f Rul." but a presumption shoold exist agaimt such" SlIpeTS<illion .• (Emphasi. added.) The Commission would encourage strict adherence to the confidentiality provision, 0( the Alabama Rules of Professional Condu~t. In ord.. for an altomey to eff&tively represent a client. the cHent must fe.1 that any and all infor_ .nation imparted to the attomey in the auorney.client rela· tionship will remain in";olate. ab$fnt consent 0( the dient or order of tribunal of competent jurisdiction. With regard to public meetings and attorneY' who ~Id represent public agencies covered by the open meetings law. said attorneys should insure compliance with the confiden· tiality requirement. and recognize the long·e:;tablished prin· cip le 0( privileged communications by the dient to the allor· !ley. The attorney must make a determination as to whethu a particula, .itUlition constitut.. a true aUorney-tlient di,. ~us.sion and take whatever ,tep' a" necessary to gUII,anle, the confidentiality of such communications.. The Commis.sion note, that the Supreme Court of Alabama in the DUI1tI case, adopting the Tenne$$« Supreme Court', rational•. d... lt with the specific ;"u, invol" ing '"p~nt or

pending litigation", The CommiloSion roncludeslNt. pur.Ullnl to Rule 1.6 and Comment thereto, this protection would also C<l\It:, any diloCuloSion. with Ihe client which would otherwiK be deemed aUomey-tlient communications. and thereby pri,·ileged. f inally. the Commis.sion would also note that the D",,,, opinion and the ,tatute applied therein concerned a gQ\1!m· mental entity and its ruporuibilitie:; under the .tatule. The Rulrs of Profes.sional Conduct deal .pecificAlly with the lawyer', resporuibility 10 the dient which should not in any way be diminished by ,btutory or case law provi,ions to the cont,ary. As the provinc~ of the Commillion doal! ooly with the ethical re.pon.ibilities of the la"')'t'T to the client. the CommiloSion', opinioo limits ilKlf to an application of the Rules of ProfeloSional Conduct to lhe fiICtualsctnario posed in this inquiry. The Disciplinary Commission urgesla"')'t''' confronted with thi, dilemma to ensme that the dient is aware of the r~quirements of the statute as well as the la")'er', ethical resporuibilities under the Rul•• of Profellional Conduct. The dient mu,t be a<ieQu.llely informed in order to mat<., a deci· sion on what ~ion it will pursue. DiloC\O!ure by thelaW)1!r ofhi. or he, ethical obligalions under the Rule. to the client AIIC1vI.. the dient to belter unde .. tand the ramifiCAtions of the laW)'er"s advice and counsel. and ,hould involve a discus.sion of the requirements of the ,latute as enunciated in Dtmn. • IR0-95·091

~UNG

L AWYERS' SECTION

Bg Antiy D. BirchiNid. Jr.

AlvIuaI Meeting The InnUllI meeting of !he Alabama State liar Young u"'Yt'r1' Section "'as held July 25. 1996 allhe slate bar's ~ual rnffiing in ~ Bt~h.. The oK~rs eltcttd for !he upc(lITIine Imn

wm: Robm Ktd#. PRJidrnl-*!«t; ConIoo1 Atnutrong. Ma'dal)': ~ Tom Albritton. 1ru511l'11". [ takt this cwortunity I(llhllnk immediat. IWI I'resident 8 uddy S mith fc.r all

of his hull worI<. Buddy', lulltnhip ..hi). ilitl and orpniDtiorW skila guidtd !he Young~' Stdion !hrou;IasucasWI and producti»t )'Ur.

Bar Admission C.remony In May, ildmiltees partkipaltd in the 'Pring admi~jon Cf~mony thllt was

coordinated by Tom A1brlllon in con· junction with the stall' of the AlibirnlI SUit Bar. The «remony indudtd -.ldra.5a by \\'uTm L.ightloot.1hm pmidtnt~ltct of !he AlWI11lI St."Ite Bar. Keith Norman,OtculM director of !he A1abalflll Stale Bar. and IllI'mbtrs of \II( A1ah.un;. Suprellll' Court. Coort of CrimiNiI Appals and Court of eMI Awuls. U.s. Magistrm h",* John ClIrroIl condockd !he _rinlHn ~ mony for mWion to the U.s. Middle l>i$trict 01 AWwna. ~'ollowing the admiosioo ceremony a lur.cl1eon was r.eld for adminttJ. their friends and r:unHy membm. The ktynok $flUIttr " .... US. ~~"'te J",,* \'lnzett.ll ~kPhmoo. ,.too cltl;'"

md :an inspiring spHCh cone"",,,, !he rapOniIibilitiD of)'OUlli ~rs.

And, D. • ' "Chlleld, oJ ••

Minority High School PN-L.-w Conf_nee EKh "Prini tho: YOUIli ~ ..' Stction oponsors tho: Minority High School Pn·t.aw Coo(erffl« ...... ich is ~iMd to pnr.'id( minority hi'" KhooI JlOOtnto; considering II legal career an inside loolc into the prof"·

sion . •'rt<! Gray. Jr. lIOd Eliubtth Smithart worked diligently to produce a trermndo\Js ronle~llce on May 3. 1996. (Ntr t30 higll ,,1>001 JlOOtn\.! Jla,thmd at AlibIITIlI SUte UnMrsity whm thry divided mto SITIlIIi groups 101' Instruc, tion n di$/:uMion with M>cnWut and diJlinQuishtd minority mtmbus of tho: Mr. OM highlight of the coofereon was the mock tri3t where the high Khooi studmto; participated alongside minority O&tll)meyo lIOd j..Jgu.. Kryoote spunr Clmlit Judge Charlel P'ria delMred an tnligiltminQ sp«eh ...ith his uwaI~. This project is one of the ~ lI'oWlingful programs ~ by tho: Young l.Ywyt ..' Section. lind the participation is increasillg tkh )"tiIr. The targtt for oe.t year's cooftreon is 200 hi'" KhooI Jludenll. ~WY"

Mentoring

The Young ~~ ..' Section is dtYtl· oping a lawyer rmntorillg progt1lm to old~rus the concern th.lt ITIlIl1)Il'Kent law school Jludtnll an not tlIught tho: practical aoptCU of pnaicing law. The ob;Kt of this proeram is to Pl'ir new atlornfyl with -s.iknt" nptrien«d attomry, throughout the JilItt. This progl'llm is in tht dtvrlopmenlllstagt and the executive committee wtlcornts

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--~ Sande.Un Semi ..... Juruon Well&. Robort !tedlt and CordOfl Amtltrong orchutt1lltd an out· JIlIOdil\ll CLE: ~mi~r. Approrimately 200 1awyt...tterUrd. ~Iltnt sptaktrs. IUptrb m terUinmmt and eood WOf'" combined to make an unllmt Wftkmod at the br.adl. •

RECENT DECISIONS 8g lii/bu, C. SilWman

Banknlptcy

Supnme Court hold. that equitable l ubordinalion may not be u~ to chang. prioritin .lIlIClt<! by Congro .. U.s. v. No/tmd, 7huI« for FmI 'TI1idt; Una. 116 S.CL 1524: 64US.LW. 4328 (~13, 19%). This

the powtr 01 a b;ytk. ruplq. <;0011 to equitably lUbord;na~

QoM: CClIIUmed

"tax penalty cio.im which otMrwi~ would ha1... a first pfiofit~ pOSition as an admInistrative c~im. The drl>tor filed a ct..... II petition in April 1986. In iU~CT II oprl'ltion. it f.li~ to PilY WeI to the IRS. In AU8\U1 1988.1ht caK C(lI1Vtrtrd to dll.pter 7. The IRS filtd IiX claims accrued in 1M chapter 11 prior to the coo~rsion claiming them as IdminisI.ative upenses. The tl'\l.\l", did r>Ot 0(lI'I1U( IIw: tu, but contHldtd that the ptmltia ........Id not be aMn priority. The binkruptcy court Jfl'ttd.1t ddt.mintd tlli! .. It hough ptnaltin we~ administrative uperuu, &nkruplcy Cock ~ction SIO(c) authoriud the ilankruptcy court to equiWlly subordinate lilt ptnalty 10 the claims of genmil cmlilOl'S. Both the IMtrict Court and tl-c Sixth Circuit iffirmtd ~ling tNt to atCOI'd the ptNlty priority trutmmt would I"'nali~ Iht credilon who slIPf:")rted the businw during its U()r~ni:ation efforts.

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The Sul'«'me Court rewrsed .aurinS to tIK Fifth Cir(:uit (Alabama) au of Nobile SI""I whkh r~quir~d misconduct resulting in injury to t «'<lito.. or confrrrilllllln unflli r ilMnt..,. on 1M d .. ilNl'lt. It tonfirmtd 1M ~.wr.1l equilllbl~ principle th,t equity anOOl lIffeet tho: righll 01 lin in~nt party me«'1y bKlI...., an lnequitabl~ «~uTt ~nsued. In Ihis instance. the court rtaSQn~d that it was cle.or that Congress inttndtd t .... t a post -petition In ptnally should have Nministrlltivt priority_Tht court did 001 6«idoe wIlttho:r crtditor rniKonduct mll$\ ~ found Ixfou a cWm may ~ $Ubordinated bul ho:ld t.... t "( in the abstnct 01 a n~ed to r~conci\~ connicting congressional cboku) Ihe CiTcUn\Su.nces t .... t prom~t a court to ~r ~ta.bk

subonIi!Wion must not

OCCUr at 1M lewl 01 policy c~ .. t "flieh Congrw i\wlf OIlmted in

dl'llhing 1M Bankruptcy Cook." It 5IOid COfllIr~ss did no! ,xoy non-wropensalory POSt'petition lax penalty the first priori\}' as an i>dmioislrati~ upelUot.lInd. tlKr.forc, boonkrul'lcy courts could not dwlle 1M su.tu\( un<kr lho: guiS( 01 equilllb~ $Ubordination.

Comment: It will tlIc~ lime 10 dttermine Ihe significan« of this au. The Supreme Court did 001 actually Q)' I.... t 1M rt(jui«'menll of Nobile SIM would t....", to ~ lnI't in order for equilllbit subordjrwotion to ~ 1Il1owtd. but it did rule thaI it Ihould 001 occur on the me« det~rminalion of the tr ..1 court that equitable subordination was ne«ssary to avoid an intquitable result Ctnenl unw<un:d crtdit..... b....1d W a\trt on deblor lUumia, ... upen.n.. Iuw: S«oIMl Clm.iI holds lhal cWm. arioia' ....1 ollu umfd Inn an: nOl limiltd unlit. ~ion 502(b)t6) of ant-yelr n:nl l1mlu.lian

hl~KleinSJ«p~

78 F3d

IS. 28 8.C_0. 8]6 (2nd Cir. ~-tb. 16. 1996). Aft.. filing .. chapt~r II reorga· nization. debtor assumed the lease. A )'elIr lind II half b ter. the trust« «j«1td the Ieut. The landlord lIUtmpttd to ~r the enli« future rm!. Tho: boonkruptcy court decided tIwot 1M w,dlord was entitled only to accrued renl la lhe date of rejection. The di.trict court .lfirm~d. but the Second Circuit rewr$ld. Tht boonkruptcy court hid ruled that to ~Iow an adminiSlrlltiw: tWm for tutun: rmt would ~ unfair 10 gc.wrlll creditors. ~ Second Circuit rwnirwoltd on lhe c~ betwttn two comptling blInkruplcy philosophin---<>/)t.lining a n:tum for uns«ured prt-petition ned· ilon lind !hal 01 protecting ldminisITIIIM treditors who by tOopCTllting wilh .. ~ilil\lil dtbtorwill help in tho: grmd scheme d «Ilabi!iwion. Tho: Second Circuit, in rtyjtwing past jlTIIC\ice. referred to lho: Bankruptcy Act in holding that da""llcs ~ri!ing from an iWUmed luse mUSI ~ lreated as ~ ...tministrllti~ u:pense. In basing ill decision on "",.code Iiw. the court citfd 1M Dal:snup case (502 U.s. it '19) lor its owthority. It abo held that bea.use 1M ~miwion under 1502(/»)(6) to one )"tar ! future renl 1P\llies only to a "claim Or inttre!t. proof ofwhich ;. filtd under seclion 5(W, the limillO_ tion did not lOWly to administTIIIr... t b ims under 1503. ThtrdOn. 1M Nminiwatiw: upmst tbim twfd upon tho: lSSIlrntd 1 _ was 001 subject to the one-)'elIr limit.llion. Comm~n t: The court. afler S(Uing ou\ ill bolding, di$cuwd what cou ld ~ done to prtvent the i~uiUobIt ruul\. Jt SUggesltd thaI: (I) the bank"""cy court may find that lIWImption of .. tong.term It_ is not in 1M ~st inltrOSll d 1M ~Ie: lind (2) tho: (CQnUrourdrm _314)

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oonkruptcy court cou ld delay ilS order until confirmation. which could facili · tate a Te·negotiation of the lease. In this subordlllaUon case, the Suprtme Cou rt holdl lhat a len perctnl "tllll " addd to lin EIUSA defi· cle ncy paymenl waft not an exclfte lax enlitled 10 507(a)(1)(£) pri ority. but rollowl!d U.S. u. No/mId in nut allow-

Ing it to be subordinated below other general creditors U.S. u. Reorgallized CF&/ Fabricators of Utah, Inc.• et tIl .. 64

U,S. L.W" 4548 U.S, Supreme Court (June 20. 19961. C~'& I Steel and nine subsidiaries (ailed to make $12.4 mil· lion in EIHSA I'llyments due December 31. 1989, and in November 1990, liled ch(lpter II. In 1991, the ms liIed tax claims, Including ont: ror $1.24 million. which Wa$ claimed to be 11 Itf\ ptrcenllllx Of) lhe dencitf)cy or the EnlSAamount. The ms

claimed priority as <in excise tax under §507(a)(7)(E). or as a penalty under §501(aI( 7)(C). 'rhe bankruptcy court allowed the claim withol!t priority lind then subordinaled it to general creda ots because rJ lis "non-comptn· ~ t OI')' penalty" clwllcter. While this issue was on appeal to the district court. the bankruptcy court con· firmed a plan which placed Ihe penal . ty claim in a sepa r~le lowest priority cla55 to receive not ~ ing or, if the court round subordination inappropriale. in the next higher class to receive I\Omt fu nds, Through .~ppeal$, the i$~u e reached the Supreme Courl. 'rhe Suprefl1e COllrl first ~id that Congress could 1111\le termed the len percent penalty an excise tax which would place it in the ninth priority calegol)'. but it did not do SQ, Mr. Justice Souter then expounded on precedent in determining whether <In exaction was a tax or penalty. and defined a tax as an enforced cont ribulion to op(rale lhe government. while <I pen"lty is punishment for an unlaw-

ful act or omission, Under such definition. the exaction of the len percent for failing to maintain the plan is a penalty, and not entitled to priority. but is ollly lin ur\secured clllim. The court then relying on U.S. u. Noland I!)reviously reviewed ill lhi8 COlll11111) staled that "categorical re.ordering of priorities that takes place at the leg· islative level of consideration is beyond the scope of judicia! iluthority to order equitllble Slfoordinalion under §510(c). The order in Ihi5 c(Ise wa~ a5 much a violation of that principle a~ NQ/and:~ order WM." Comment: The court ~pecifically refrained from passing on the quesLion of whether tht resuit ~ughl by the Debtor could have been realized under 1122(a) or chapter 7liquidation provisions, as such provisions were not considered by the lower courts, Thus. it has left Ihill method of "subordiniltion" (or (ulure consid· eration, •

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MONEY BACK GUARANTEE

CALL 800 BESH-13

1996 Directories are in! Members - $25 each Non-Members - $60 each Orders must be pre-paid Mail check to: Alab;una Bar Directories P.O. Box 41 56, Monlgomery, Al 36101

MEMORIALS

\\'ali born on October 3, 1919. In Mobile where he attended ~l urphl J ligh School. and (ollOWl'd \0 underAl'lIdu~le Itudiu:

Whereas, Judge Holl in!!!

William O. Bolling, Sr. lerw, lhe l路lororable William D. w,Boiling, Sr" distinguished

~ member of died (m N()I.'tmbcr 17, 1995. und the Mobile BIIr ~lallon dulm to remember his namE arKl rfCOllnl1.t his coo路 trlbutl()nj both to our profeuion and 10 this community: \\'"hertAS, the Iionor.abit William D. Bolling thi511~iatlon,

underllr~d\JlIte

Sludiu wert Interrupted by World War 11 where ht &ervtll as a navi",lor In Ihe,\lT Corps, was shot down OYer the (omwr YugosJavilland avoidtd captUft. and was laler honorabl)' di$C~I'Ittd: Whereas, Judgf: 8o1llnll retun)f{) \0 hili s\udiu and rcccivl!d hb unde rgradll/ltt lind law dCllrt~1 from th e UniWr'l\it)' of Alnlmma and be""n pr~ct ice in Mobile In 19.18 as It sole practitioner btforc bc: ng ciected ami servlngu Mobile County Circuil Coort Judge 'rom 1962 to 1979; Whtrus. Judge Bollinll prac:tI芦<Il~w SfIecI~lIzinllln probate law. II'IS appointed Mobile County tOnscrvatol, and sill on the bench ror mON: than 17 ~mi and was rWlII路 nlzed Rnd ~dll\ired by his fellow lawyers as bclnll skillell lind able 11\ Ihls ~nd oth er areal 0( the practice: l'o'herus, Judge Bolling was a man with strona devotion to family and church: Whtrw, Jud~ Bolling was predecell$l!d by

his daughter, Vi rginia ROM Bolling: and Is survl\'~d by his wife of 48 year!. l.JIurle f.lnlone l)ol1injl: his two iliaughtl.'l'l, ~;I1Z11bet h Uolling l-lamnc r ~nd Catherine nolling name)': his son. Willillm Dunn !lollillg, Jr.: his two sisters, Mrs. Dougl;u Williams and f.lrt. t:lIClyn l llIoon: three grandchlldrtn: and numeroul other re latiws: and Now, therefore, be it ruolllCd, by Iht memo bers of Ihe f.loblle Bar iUsociali(l"lln th is ml-etillg IWI:mbl~d 01\ tilt 151h of March 1996, thaI the A.'iliOC:ialiOIl mourM tht piW' ing or Ihe ! lonorable William D.llollinjl, Sr, and dOtI he reby honor the memory of O\lr frlerKlllOO fe llow member who tKmplified throullhout his Ioog C.1rttr till! l1ighf!ol jlro-fr5$ional principles to YJt\ich the IOfmbtrs of thi, Asaoclation aspire, aOli requall this Htsolutioo be spread upoo Ihe rrlnultl of thil A.uotialion lind of the At,11),'ma Slate lliIr ~nd thllt h COil)' be presented to hi~ f~mi ly, - \Villlam A. Kimbrough. Jr. Pre. lde nt, Mobne Bl r Aswc:lallon

Preston Copeland Clayton Eufaulfl Admitted: 193 1 Died: June 20, 1996

JameS Love Birmingham Admilted: 1939 Died: April 14. 1996

Ray Oscar Noojin, Jr, Birmingham Allmittcd: 1970 Died: June 17. 1996

Earl ClIlIan . Sr. Montgomery Admitted: 195 1 Died: May 16, 1996

Charles Watson '1cKay. Jr.

Joseph O. Phelps

S.IJ/acauga

MontgomerV Admitted: 1958 Died: June 22, 1996

Robert Edward Hodnette, Jr. MobillJ Admittell: 1935 Died: April 30, 1996

Daniel 'lora n

Admit/ell: 1946 Died: Ma)' 24, 1996

Ilu71tsIJilIe

Admitted: 1965 Diell: April 21. 1996

Harold Eugene Walden Columbiana Admilted: 1962 Died: June 15, 1996

' EPlfllolDfn ."UIII

,.~

Reginald Harrison Stephens 'I.JIlereas, Heggie Harrison Stt("!helU. a disW. tinguishetl member of the Mobile lIar Iwodal;on, 11IIVinil p:LS:!td ~WJ>' on ~'ebnl1lry 23, 1996. at Iht 1Ii!C of 62, and the Aoociation d~slrlng to ~rn~mber hiJ name and rtrognlu hi~ cont ributiol1,~

to our profession lind to this

community. now, tlwre{ore, be il rememl>el"\!d: Heggie l-Iarri5a1 Stephens WlIS born in r.lcridirul, ~1i55i5S ppi and l.Ir<uJualcd from the Urli\'l:~jl)l or AJ~b.1ma in 1958. AfI~r Spending sevtr~1 yo1al1 worki!1j:l In the bMkl1ll1 hlduglry, Reggie compleled his studies 11\ Ihe Cumbedarld School of I..lw. Solmford Univt rsity, nnd earned hi~ LLIl degree in 1968. He entered UIC()ri· vMe practice of liIW and became a member tht AJabama St~le Il"r hnd the Mobile liar

Vann Waldrop "I&7hcreas, I I, \'antl Waldrop, it li(elong resident of Tuscaloosa County, was abruptly tOIkcl"I from ou r midsl (111 De~embl:r 21. 1995, IIllht age or 66~ ~nd, Whereas, he tAmed his b.'lChdor'$ ~Ild 1111'.' dtll/&S (rom the University of Alnblllllh where he distinguished himself as a member of the Alabam~ Lilw Ht\·iew and chartcr member of Ihe ~'arrah I..:Iw Sociely; and, WhertJI. he st'IVed the legal prort~ion wdl during his mort than 40 years in the practice of law in 1\ISCJItOO!.ll, sh.uins his time IIlld lal· ents as pre~idel1l of the ThscalOO$3 County Bar Association: and, Whcrcll5, Vllnn Wal drop honorably 5ervt:d his rl:lilol\ hi Ihl: Uniled Sl~td Air f'oT(e from 195110 1953: bl\d, Whereas. he rend~red uempl~1'Y !re",lce to his community bl taking leadershij) rolc$ in the United Way, the "tUscaloosa ~;xchange Club, the lloy &oulA of America, and Ihe IndustrIal Development Boord of Ihe City 0( 'l\rscalOO$ll by helping pTl:pMe a «ll,mly·wlde

AMociation, Reggie WlS a member of the Alabama Trial LaW)"CI1IAMo<:iation and the Mobile Ilorl'ltb\lildcl1!WOci~tion. lit \I'M a vetemn of the United Stilies Nllvy a,\d ~r\-ed during the Kor~an Will'. He WisS atso a MMQn. He WisS surviwd by his sister. Jean S. Buell. of Mobile, and a brothtr, Dr. Joseph William St~phell.s, of Wawrly, Tcnnt!oSICe, I Ie is also s\IIviwd by his two nif«s, Courtney Stcpherl.S, of W~verly, Tenrll.'~, ~nd Or, f.lizabelh Hom, 0( VaJdI)sta, ('.t'(,)11I~1, lind two nephews, William J~ Horn, o(ValdllSta, Geargia. and Joseph S. Stcphcn~, o(Wawrly, Tcnnc~. llCj.lgit nlo\inl1lirX-d I gcncrnl practice durirlg hb CMeCf. C(llvir\ C I~). who lllid lItel\ ~ frier\\! 0( lleggle'siince 1",,' school d.~~, s., ld. '· lleJll.li~ "'enllo law school ruttr a successful ca~r In banking. I· I ~ was a IT\lIl d~lermineti to beller himsdf and 10 be a professional person:· He was cI~lraclcri~ by his two longUmt: friends, C~rI OC\'ine ~nd Cer~ ld I~oper, both of Mobile, ~ ··a flO$ltlvc Innuer\C( 10 bI: ~round, ~llI'a)'S ready 10 laullh and to help a friend." N!1.\'. therefore. be it furthtr resolwd that the iWociatiOl1 mourns the passing of Heggie llarrison Slcphcru an~ docs hereby honor the memory of our friend ~nd fellow member and reQ\IUllhM th is resolulion be Illread upon Ihe mlmrles of Ihis assotl;illon and of the ,\lab;un.' St.lte B.lr lind tll.,t ~ CClp)' be p~sent~d to his family.

- WiIIlnm A. Klmbrough. Jr. Prtsldi:nl, ~loollc Olr A.uOdalkm

rccrc~tion

plan thilt rnulted in the ThKaloosa Hecn:~ti on Authority, at\d as ~ mcmbtr ~1\d I)/\SI ~rdidcnl of the CreMer T\l.sc~IOO5n Chamber d Commerce: and, Wherea.s. V~nn \ValJrop W<IS a lellder In the business community, having been it founder and president of SeCUI!t)' fedcral ll~nk and II membe r of th~ board Qf dir~ctOlll of ~'illll AI~b.\m~ O:ink; ~l1d, \VhUt<lS, 1\15 COI\lrl~uli()Il$ 10 Ihe comlnu· nity lI'ere honored In 1972 when he w;u j"!r't sented the Citi1.cnshipA"'Md by the Thscaloosa Cillilan Club: and, Whereas, Vann Waldrop cndcallOrcd all his life to be Mt only ~ ICltler ill hi5 community but a !eNanl as well, ~ntl has touchcd the live, of the cltl1.ens of 1\I!IClIlomli County In Counl.)' Ilark lind

innumerabl~ way~;

Therefore, be it ri$Olv~d thllt the Thscaloosa Count)' Ililr A.o;sociatio, wishes through theS!: 1l1tal1~ tll honor Ihe lilt of Atrvicc of It. Vann W~ldroJl, hlld furlhtr txllrtU ou r SYlllj\.\lhy And 1055 at his delllh. -G, Stephen Wiggins ~l'1:tal)',

Thl(:aloola Uar AlIoclaUon

Judge J. Paul Meeks ""IalhereM, the Ilinningh~m Uar Arn>ciation " lost one of Its distinguished members throl1llh the de~th of J\ldlteJ.l'~llll>l eeks on December 5, 1995, at the aJ:e Of 89 yealll: Rnd, Whcr~as, Judg~ J. Paul Meeks was born in Ihe 51~te ofCcorgia but mO'~d with his family to Bhmingh~nl, AI~b~ll1~M ~ 5m~ 1I bo)'. He Wall educated In the Birmlnjlh~rl\ Sehool System. Al a young mr.n. he worked for Alabama I)y Products Company and attended the 1Jirmingham School of l.aw at nighl: and, \\11crc."I5, aner hi5 admi5~on 10 Iht Alabamn Sible Bar ~nd the lIimlingham liar A$$Q(IMlorl in 1937, he krved Mont oflhe original membel1 of the Jefler:lOll CO\m(y BOMd of Equalization un11l1946: nnd, Whereas. in 1946. while engaged in the practice of law in Birmingh~m, Judge M ~ks was elected 10 Iht AI~b:!ma Houl\(! of Heprt~ntati~s. ~I is ~ Ni ct in Ihe SIMe lellis. lal~jre dis\lnlllrbhed him as one of the state .. out5\jmdinlll~RI5I at ors ~Ild led to his seNlnR mallY )'tar~ as cJloli rman of the Jffferr.on County ~gis!at ivt' Delegati\ln; and, Whcrc."l5, in 1956, J. I'liul ~1telu wa~ electtd to Ihe office of Judlle of probale fur Jefferson COUflty. AI~bM!\lI. He ~tvtd Ihis ofnCt with IlTeat dignity &nd hOMr for 20 )!ears. Ilis tcnure as probate judlle of Jefferson County ended in 1976 when he was precluded from fu rther I-CNicc due to ~ge; and, Wlwreas, Jvdge Meeks' dlstinguishe<t liefvice to the people of JctTcrsro COU llt~ was marked with his killdne~ ~lld love (or ~Illt$ cilizcn~: and. WhereM.Judge ~' eeks left behind a IOYing wife, two lillullhtcrs, a :IOn, numerous grand· t hildrerl, ~Ild ~n Innumerable host of col· leallues and friends who moum his llaSii!\jj; and, Whereas, this Resolution is offe red as a record of our admi ration and affection for Judge J, I'null>lcclu and of \lur condolences to his devoted wife, son, da~htm, grondchildrt1\, ~I\d other memberS of his family. Now, therefore, be It tesQNed by tht EKe(utive Commillee of the BlrminQham Bar Association in It.s regular meelinglLS5tmbled: Thai the sUNiving membm of the fami l~ of Judge J. I'aull>lceks are hereby assured of ou r deep ~nd abiding s~m[)o.'thy. That a copy of th is l!esohAlon be .spread upon Ih~ r'tcords of Ihe Binnlnllham Har fuwciation 1I.~ a rem-umen t mcmori~1 to Ihis dcparted brother. 1'h.lt COllics of this llcMllution be furnished to his wife,:I01\ ~I\d d~ughtel1."15 our (:~pn:5SIOlU to them of our detPtil symp.\thy. 4 1, CIa)' Al l paugh

IJlnnlngham Bar Anoclatlon

Alice

~1am')l ~Ieadows

'.7he re~s,

the Mobilf Bar Auocl:l\ion wishes to honor the memo!), of Ali« louilC Manry ~lead0w5, ~ promirnml memo ber th is A$5ociat lo!1who died on October

2{/, 1995: Now. thcrtforf, be it remembered: Alke t-Iamy McOMlows was born Q(I June 15. 1923, in ~Ionlltomel)', Alabana. She was • 1939 grnduale of Ml.rphy High S!:hool in foloblle. Upon grnduation from high school. Alice btlliln working u! 11 Itll~IICCTtlary (or T. O. Howell. who encoul'iIged her to go to law school htrkJr. Shr; began college in 1 9~6 lind gradUIIlcd (rom the UniverSi ty of Alabama School of Law in 1951. In law Ichool she made a IOlal of two IJs. wi th the ttll ~II As. While In law school ABet round· td Ihe lirst Itpl50ror Iy In AI~bama and KrYtd u bwitlfll manager of the lAw Rt'tWIIJ, While waTkin!! for the Alabama State Legislature In M ontllonl~ry, she met lmd married lack MC3dows. /I mtmbtr of the Alabama IlighwJ)' PallQl, tht (ornunner 01 the Alabama SUIte 'fI'oopers.

James Love

leteM, the Oirndnllham flar AssoclMlon lost one of Its distinguished membe rs thl'(MJgh the death 01 JalllU Ltwc on April ]4. 1996. at the ~e 018.1 rears. James t..o...e "'ill a "radl~'te ol Birmingham Southern Collfge lind the Blrm(nllham School o( l.!Iw, He was an actille membe r o( f.lcCoy M~m{)flal United Methodist Church where he bught Sunday School (or many years: Ind, Whereas, Ie",ing his country 11$ II \',Ior]d War II membc r the L'nited St~tes i\rmy, he galle tire lessly of him~lr. A memller of two 01 the piooeer ramlli~ of Birmingham. OW~1l and Nicholson, James l.bvt attended collellf: at Birmingham Southern on land donated by his Rr~ndfalher, Hoes Wellington O"'tn. The

~'ivt children Wi!ft born of thei r marrlllge: Judit h, Sandra, Rebecca. Jamu JIlek, Jr.. ~nd Willard. III 1970. d-.ortly ~ner gllting the younllest ofhc r children off to p\lbhc Khool. Alice returned to the private practice 01 law, Alonll with Keener Blackmarr, Allee brought the first 1111" firm to west ~Iobile, hanglnll oot her $hinilit in the then new Bel Air ~1~11. Iter practice was prifl\:lril~ 111 the famil~ law fitld, She r~ for the newly created domutic relatiOl1s judlleship against tht Ilol"1Or~ble ~l lch&e l Zoghb~, Al though she ,",'M not elect· cd. Al ice continued to ~do her civic dul~.~ Alice sel'"\ltd as an officer or the PTAs of John Will and !M:lIrboroulth elementary schools. She also stMd /l.\ PTA preJidenl and band pMtllt president of Shaw I1 ll1h School in the 19105 atl(l'805. Beginning In the tale 19101 and f04' the rest 01 her Ii(e, ,he dev<lted her -(fft time" to two cillic endeallOU: doing something llooul domestic lIiolmce and Olentnl henlth/mental relMdMion. She was II (oun(ling mother o( l'crwlope House, the b<ittertd womtn'S shelter in Mobile. because', IIlIshr: said, .... .I got so lired at sedng women in my Ill" practice who halle been beatell by thei r h1l5band~, and ~n I could lell ttwm to do ,",'iIS lOgo back home •. , ." Addltioll."llly. from 1979 through 1983. J~ iiCrvW" II member o( the IIo<lrd of dircctoTJ and in 1984 IS president of the MobHe ~lental Ilcalih Center. Through hfr leadershi p, Mobile Mental He31th grew to bt a drillinll (orce in tht f.lobile communIty (or impfOYo hili tl"lt Iiw5 at so many (IImfliuluA"ning from the diM'1I5e of menlal ilineu, Ittr (avorite "eillic memento" Is an enllrB\'ed plaqlle she rectlwd In 1984, bearing the 100· plus signatures of all the ~Iobile M~ntlll Ilulth Center eml'lOj-'«S With whom she had ((Intact ill II board member,

In 1984, sht was !elected by the COIItmor to seTvt liS ~ membe r o( the Cre~ter ~t obi1e· Washlnglon County f.lcnllli Health Boord. Meadows travtled to MontllOme/")' to lobby On bthaj( of ttw two ((IulltieJ ard thtir men1/11 htalt h J)rOI/.ranu alld she 0IItrs&W a budget as bo"td I)resident of mlillOI15 o( dollars annually. She was COOstn by the atatr organization III the National AuodMion III Sodal Workers as itJ MI\Jbtic Citizen of the Yur.A sudden IlineSli gripped Alice In Ihlt October 1995, and sht die(l peac~fully on Sulll1lly morning, October 29. 1995, after hay. ing watched her bdowd Atlanla 8raYeJ win the World Seri« With her (3mlly al her side. Alice MallT)' ~tcadows Is sul'llJled by her hllsballd, Jamcs 1. Meadows, Sr.. O( ~lobllt; three d"ughter5, Judith S. Mrl\OOY.., III f.lurphy, Nort h Carolina; Sandra ISandl! K. ~Indows, a member III this a~ialion: IIIld Rtbetca lieu. both of folOOlle: tv.u sons. JIII1li:5 J. r.lcallows, Jr. and \',IUI,ltd J. folclllIow5, both of Mobile: eight gran\khll(l ien: lind two grellt-grandehi Idnn. NO'.I', therefore, be It Ttsotwd. bJ the r-lobIle Bar Auociatlon \h~t the AsJociat on moul'N the p~ssinll of Alice M~nry ~1~adows and does hereby honor the memory of our (rlend and fellow mt:mbcrwho extmpliflW Ihroughout her long career the highest profeuiollllt prill' dplu to which the mcmlx-r:s of this Awlciallon aspire. and r~qucsts thatthi! res· olution be sp rud upon the minll~es of this &:I.SOCllltion and of the Alabamos S~t e llilr and that a copy be presented to hu (ami I)'.

area where the college \\.;u leloated (rom Iiale County, Alabama. \\'iIS known as o,..'t'nton: lind. Wh ereM, Jamu LOllt Idt su",lnll /I niceI', Ikmnie Sue l.ove Svirslw of Phoenix. Ariwna, and other memlxn of the pioneer faMily: and. Whereas. this Hesolution I offered as ~ record of Our lIdmi mt ion and a((cetion (or James I.(M alld our condolences to his family. Now. therefore. be it ruo]vt(l. b~ tbe f.u<:utiYf Committee of the Birmingham Kar Auoclation In 115 regular meeting MKmbled: The Birmingham B.u M'IOCln tlOII IlreMly mourns the P<lulnll of JameJ 1.(Wt, an(lls pro(oondly grateful (or tht ell.3mple that hillonl!l and U5eful life hM brought to the member. ship. both individually /Ind collectivel),. Th3lthe su",illlng memb\rs o( the famll),

ol Jatm. I~ arc htreby assurw 0( oor!kep and abldnlg sympathy. That • COPY orthis Ilesolution be $pftlld upon th~ record1 o( the lJirmingh~m Imr Association as a permanent memorial to i\.5 de~rted brother. ThM copiu 01 this Re$Olutlon b.: furnished to his (~ml l~ as our ullreuion to them of ou r deellestlymtlo,thy,

- Wllllanl A. Kimbrou gh, Jr. I'rtltd~ nt . Mobile Ih r AlIIoclaUoll

-fli. Cb,y Alspaull"

l'Tt.l6tnt. Ulrm lnllham 8ar AJ.ociallon

UPTG ... &R 10 1)(1 1 ~n

pr~!idenl of Associated Indu5trirs of Alabama: chairmm\ of the ~Iobil~ Co\mty IklMd 01 the Amer'iClln Red CroiS: lW'Id Je"'td on the i:IcxItd of the ~Iobllt Infirmary Medial Cenltt; and, Where;u, l'elt \\'.u (()I.Inder and chainnan 01 the board o( Weslmirutcr Village: \!Jhfrt»,l'rte Alltnwas a CONtant and solid contributor to Lhe COITmunity 1O.'I\11t he worI!td

Richard H. Allen

in many capacities not limited to those listed above: and. He was a devoted fatht!r and family man, lravinglurviving him thm sons. Richard H. (ikttyl A1ltn, III, of Orange 1k:teh. Alabam.l: ChlIfles CICMO/\ (C~rol)ll'll Allen. of ~I ton, Georill3, (md Ronald Thon ...u IGrnee) Allen. of Atlanta. Georgia: $f\ICn grandchild",": two Weat-grandsons: nie«l, ne~: and other relalj\~s.

'1.1hcr~iIS.

R.lI, AII~n. ~ di~tlnllul~hed ~m· ber of \his A$soCiation. pa$SCd from this life on ~·ebru.\ry 24. 1996. and the As.sociation desim to remclffitr hi! IliIIm ~nd recognlU

hi$ wntribution to (JlIr profession lind 10 lhb community; Now, the:m<>rt, be il ruoh'td thall'ete: Allen was a rl.'lllvt of Slull!,.lrt, Arkaru.as and a gradu· ate o(the University 0( Arkan~s l.aw School. practiced law ear~ in hlJ career in lJlythtvillc. Arkansas lind Litllf Mock, Arkamaa.lInd

arrivtd In ~Iobilt, Alab.:alllol shortly alter World

Now, thcn:fore, be II further rCMlIVl-d by the As$ociatlon tholl the Aoociollion Il\OIJms the PMSlnll of l'tte Allen, who ~lw;l)IS tool! tlmt I() help OIhel1 1lerson.111y 3nd professionn!ly. therefore, Ihe As..'\OClallOn don hereby honor the meloory at a true dyic ~adcr who utmphflfd the hightst pn*ui~l prh'IClple$to which the n~mbers oflhls I\ssocilltlon MPirt DIW requests 1I...'t Ihls I'UOlution be st)read ul)Onlhe minutes of tIlls Association and of the Alabama State Bar and that a (op)I be pre",ntn! to his family.

War II towork (or Inletnlltioo.lll>aperComp,my

as a compliance officer on 1l0000mmcnlai regulations and af'f'ail1. He relimiu an txeCuti\,t'

_ William A. Kimbrough, Jr, I'''tlldenl. ~t oblle Hat N.udatlon

'Aith lntematklnal Paptr Company. I Ie ....'3.5 pM!

Ernest W. Weir lereas. Bu~ Weir \'o'a5 a highly resp«ted and enthus asli, mcmbi!r of the Birmingham Bar Association. lie W<l5 a gr3duate of Iloward College and the UnwtrSity of A1ab.'lma School of lAw. He prO)Ctked Ill"" In Bl rmlnllh~m for ~ years: and, Wherell.', he WIS a 33rd degree ~IMOn and a life-long member 01 the t:ast I.ake United Methodist Churn: lind, Whcrta.s, Bud cared ~bout lift, his family. friends, ChufCh. cor1l1l1unlty. hls llfofession, :md his country. Ilud's nfe WM Important to all who ClIme in contact wilh him. Ite \'o'iIS always rt'ad)' to Iw:lp wmthcr it be legally. community or ch urch. lJud WM Ii penon of gr~lit energy and entilusia.sm for life, lit lived hie \'o;lh a l\USion. Your ILlY wa$ bfighter If you encountered him. 11i$ friendly, outgoing ~tyle enriched all who came inlo contact with him ~li s legal advice was prac· tical and logical: and, \\!hert"', the Apostle Paul wrote In his second letter to TinJJ\hy, ~I have fought the good fight. I havl! finished the race. I havt kept the ~'aith. lienee forth Ihere iJ laid up for Alf the cnwm of rightCOUSl'lClS, which the

l.ord will award to meon that~, and not only to me but also 101111 who hallt lowd his ap~arlng": ;md,

\Vhcreas, Lhis Ruolution Is offered as m record rJ our ~dl\11rntiOfi and affe~tlon for Bud Wtlr .nd 01 our condolcl'lCtS to hil wife, his 50N and tbughters and members 01 his Camily. Now, therefort', be it resolved by the ~:xecutivt Committee of the Ilirmlngham Ililr IUsoclatlon In its rtgulu meelinlC wtmbled: The Ultminllham Bar A.s.Iotlation IIrt"Uy movrN the PM5inll oIt:roest W. Weir Ind I, profoundly grateful for the eumple thllt his long and uSt!fullife has brought to Ihe members 01 the Hinningham Bar AuociatlQll, both indiYIdually and collectively, Th,1t tht ,ur\livinlt mcmbel'1 of the family of !o;rnest W. Weir Dre he reby mu red of our deep and abiding sympathy. That a cop)' 01 this Ilesolution be sprt'ad upon the records 01 the IJinningham flar AMOclation as II p(:fmancnt memorial to this lkp.lrIed brother and that copies of this RuoluUon be fuml$hfd to his widow lind hls children as our exprwion to them 01 our dccJ1fst sympathy. -~I , CII)' AI. ""ugh I'ru ldtnl. mnnln~m IMr Anoel.llon

Richard Dale Durden ,ereas, tht 8irminWll.rYI Bar lost one cI iu youthful W members through the deal.... of Dale Associ~tion

Rlch~rd

Durdcn on December 17.1975, at Ihevcry young age of 37 )1('3(5. A product 01 ~lontgomery and II 1976 graduate of the Jeff Davis Illgh School there, Richard I)ale I),Jrdell grAd uated frorYI Auburn Unlver$ity at Montgomery in 1980 Dnd rEceived his Law degree from Cumberland taw School in 1983: ~nd. Where3S, ht .rerved as II Knior sUlff Mlor· ney with the Soutlltrn Comrany SeNlcn. holding membership In Ihe AJabama SUte Bar, the tlirmingham Har Association, the ~l asonic Lodge and the llapti5t Church: and, \Vh~rcas. Ilichard Ollie Durden left survivinll hll wld()'o\', ~I n. Cln~er l'atteriOn l>Urdtn. his fOIl$, Zl\Chery Dale Durden lind MUIln Warren Durden. along with hi' parenu. Colonel M. Durden and Shirlty Glenn Durden: and. Whtreaa, this Resolution il ofrcrn! a.s" record of our ~dmiratlon and affection ror IlIChMd Dale I)'Jrden nnd of our condo· leoct' to his wife, IQnS and his plIrent~. and Ihe other members of his rvnily_ Now, therefore, be it rt'MlI~ by the ~xetulivc Committee of th~ Bi rmin~hDm B~r Msoc:illtion ~t ItJ rtltlll~r meetlnlt IIssembltd; Tht BIrmingham Har Association IIreatly mourns the passinll of Richard Dale Durden and Is profoundlYllrateful for the example that his useful lifc 1\11$ brought 10 the membership, both individually and collectively, ThM the lurvlvinll members of tht fami ly of I!lchard I)~te 1)urden nre hereby IISJu red of Qur deep and ahidlng sympathy. That. copy of this Rrwlution be spread upon tilt record. 01 the Birmingham Bar r\uocilltion M a permantnt memorial to this departed brolher, 1'I'o;\t COllies of this Resolution be fur. nished 10 his wife, his SOIlS and his parents as our exprusion 10 them 01 our deepest sympathy_

_'I. CII)' AI, paulih l'ft ,ldenl, Rlrnl ln«h. m Rar AUQC.Ilt1on

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