SUPPORTING EQUAL ACCESS TO JUSTICE:
THE ALABAMA LAW FOUNDATION 2015 GRANTS

The Alabama Law Foundation’s yearly grants support programs committed to the foundation’s mission of making access to justice a reality for all of Alabama’s citizens. The 2015 grants were in two sections: Legal Aid to the underserved and Administration of Justice. The Alabama Law Foundation distributes 80% of IOLTA monies (Interest On Lawyers Trust Accounts); the grants for 2015 totaled $388,000.

The following programs that provide legal services for the underserved collectively received grants totaling $356,000:

The Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program which refers cases directly to lawyers in 64 counties and coordinates 2,131 volunteers, received a $59,000 IOLTA grant.

The Birmingham Volunteer Lawyers Program, which refers cases to 361 attorneys in the Birmingham area, received a $73,000 IOLTA grant.

The Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama received a $39,000 IOLTA grant to continue providing low-cost, quality legal and immigration services to low-income immigrants.

Legal Services Alabama (LSA), which provides legal aid to economically disadvantaged citizens throughout Alabama, received a $20,000 IOLTA grant.

The Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program works with 339 lawyers and received a$34,000 IOLTA grant.

The Montgomery County Volunteer Lawyers Program, which works with 447 lawyers to meet the legal needs of low income clients in Montgomery County, received a $34,000 IOLTA grant.

The South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program, which refers cases directly to lawyers in Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, and Washington counties, received a $54,000 IOLTA grant.

The YWCA of Central Alabama received a $44,000 IOLTA grant to continue the “Justice on Wheels” program for victims of domestic violence.

The following programs that improve the administration of justice collectively received IOLTA grants totaling $24,000:

The Equal Justice Initiative of Alabama, which assists attorneys appointed to capital cases in the post-conviction stage and supplies some representation to indigent defendants, received a $20,000 IOLTA grant.

Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice received a $4,000 IOLTA grant which is targeted toward reforming Alabama’s debt collection laws, increasing personal property and homestead exemptions


THE ALABAMA LAW FOUNDATION ACKNOWLEDGES NEW FELLOWS

At the beginning of each year, the Alabama Law Foundation recognizes Alabama Bar members who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to their profession and their community by inviting them to become “Fellows.” The Fellows banquet was held in their honor on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Alabama; at that time, those Fellows elevated to “Life Fellows” status were also recognized.

The Fellows program was established in 1995 to honor Alabama Bar members for outstanding service and commitment. President Board of Trustees of the Alabama Law Foundation Joe Fawal explains, “The Fellows of the Alabama Law Foundation are selected from the ranks of the Alabama State Bar and represent our brightest and best. The fact that they are selected is in and of itself an honor. But the contribution that they make in defense of the poor in civil matters in Alabama is a much greater honor.” Fellows are given the opportunity, as leaders in the legal community, to provide financial and personal support for the Alabama Law Foundation, the charitable arm of the Alabama State Bar.

Fellows accepted into membership:

Lindsey J. Allison, Birmingham – Auburn University, B.S. Cumberland School of Law, J.D. Partner in Allison & May.

Russell Q. Allison, Birmingham – University of Alabama, B.S. Cumberland School of Law, J.D. Shareholder in Carr Allison.

Lee R. Benton, Birmingham – Auburn University, B.S. Cumberland School of Law, J.D. Partner in Benton & Centeno.

Mack B. Binion, III, Mobile – Spring Hill College, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Partner in Briskman & Binion.

Karon Bowdre, Birmingham – Samford University, Bachelor’s degree. Cumberland School of Law, J.D. United States District Judge, Northern District of Alabama.

Mark E. Brandon, Tuscaloosa – University of Montevallo, B.A. University of Michigan, M.A. Princeton University, Ph. D. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Dean of The University of Alabama School of Law.

Kevin E. Clark, Birmingham – University of Tennessee, B.S. Vanderbilt Law School, J.D. Partner in Lightfoot, Franklin & White.

Ronald G. Davenport, Montgomery – Huntingdon College, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Shareholder in Rushton, Stakely, Johnson & Garrett.

Michael S. Denniston, Birmingham – University of Virginia, B.A. University of Virginia School of Law, J.D. Partner in Bradley Arant Boult Cummings.

Thomas F. Garth, Mobile – University of Virginia, B.A. Cumberland School of Law, J.D. New York University, LL.M. Partner in Phelps Dunbar.

Warren C. Herlong, Jr., Mobile – University of Alabama, B.A. University of Virginia School of Law, J.D. Shareholder in Helmsing, Leach, Herlong, Newman & Rouse.

Mays R. Jemison, Montgomery – Auburn University, B.S. Jones School of Law, J.D. Partner in Jemison & Mendelsohn. Mr. Jemison was admitted posthumously.

Abdul Kallon, Birmingham – Dartmouth College, A.B. University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D. United States District Judge, Northern District of Alabama.

Alan L. King, Birmingham – University of Alabama, B.S. Birmingham Southern College, M.A. Cumberland School of Law, J.D. Jefferson County Probate Judge, Place 1, Presiding Judge.

Alan C. Livingston, Dothan – Birmingham Southern College, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Partner in Lee, Livingston, Lee & Nichols.

Troy Massey, Montgomery – Alabama A&M University, B.S. Cornell University Law School, J.D. District Judge, 15th Judicial Circuit.

Jessica M. McDill, Bay Minette – University of West Florida, B.A. Cumberland School of Law, J.D. Partner in Chason & Chason.

Delaine Mountain, Tuscaloosa – University of Alabama, Bachelor’s. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Partner in Mountain & Mountain.

Steven L. Nicholas, Mobile – University of Georgia, B.B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Partner in Cunningham Bounds.

Dennis G. Pantazis, Birmingham – Jacksonville State University, B.A. Mississippi College School of Law, J.D. Partner in Wiggins Childs Pantazis Fischer Goldfarb.

Jimmy B. Pool, Montgomery – Auburn University, B.S. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. District Judge, 15th Judicial Circuit.

Grey Redditt, Jr., Mobile – University of Alabama, B.S. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Shareholder in Maynard Cooper & Gale.

James H. Reid, Montrose – University of South Alabama, Bachelor’s degree. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Circuit Judge, 28th Judicial Circuit, Retired.

Beth McFadden Rouse, Mobile – Agnes Scott College, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Member in McFadden, Lyon & Rouse.

Alexander M. Smith, Oneonta – University of Alabama, B.S. Cumberland School of Law, J.D. Sole Practitioner.


A LETTER FROM A KIDS’ CHANCE RECIPIENT

The Kids’ Chance Scholarship Fund helps students whose parent or parents have been permanently disabled or killed on the job to attend college or technical school. When a parent is killed or disabled in an on-the-job accident, a family’s standard of living is lowered and, therefore, parents cannot help their children with the costs of higher education. Realizing that these students need help, the Workers’ Compensation Section of the Alabama State Bar founded Kids’ Chance in 1992.

Kids’ Chance is administered by the Alabama Law Foundation. Since 1993, $621,000 in scholarships has been awarded to over 200 students. More than 50 have graduated so far with help from Kids’ Chance.

Kids’ Chance scholarship recipient Jerit Owens wrote a letter thanking Kids’ Chance for the support during his undergraduate studies. Jerit explained that his father is “permanently disable from an occupational injury” and that “the financial strain on my family made college a challenge.” Jerit graduated with both an Associate Degree and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree. He is currently working as a registered nurse–holding the position of charge nurse on a medical-surgical unit. Jerit plans to attend graduate school. He writes that his college success would not have been possible without the support from Kids’ Chance. He continues that he hopes Kids’ Chance is “able to support students in need for many years to come.”

The 2015 Kids’ Chance Recipients:

Judith Burroughs-$2000. Judith Burroughs of Bessemer is the daughter of the late Henry Burroughs and Lena Burroughs. Judith studies accounting at the University of Alabama. Judith’s father died in a fork lift accident.

James Duggan-$2500. James Duggan of Gulf Shores is the son of Richard and Sharolyn Duggan. James attends Birmingham Southern College majoring in physics. James’ father was injured in a fuel tanker accident.

Kori Johnson-$2500. Kori Johnson of Birmingham is the granddaughter of Debra Johnson. She attends Alabama A&M University and studies civil engineering. Kristen’s grandmother suffered wrist injuries on the job.

Victoria Jones-$2000. Victoria Jones is the daughter of Clint and Carol Jones of Madison and Jeanie Jones of Murfeesboro. Victoria attends Middle Tennessee State University studying Biology; she plans to become a Pediatric Neurologist. Victoria’s mother is disabled from a work injury.

Kelcie Knowles-$2000. Kelcie Knowles of Jemison is the daughter of Debbie Knowles and the late Shannon Beam. Kelcie attends the University of Alabama studying political science and criminal justice; Kelcie hopes to pursue a law degree. Mr. Beam was killed in a work related accident.

Miles Lansdell-$2500. Miles Lansdell of Muscle Shoals is the son of Lisa Lansdell and the late Darryl Lansdell. Mills attends the University of Alabama studying environmental engineering. Mr. Lansdell was killed in a truck driving accident.

Russell Moses-$2500. Russell Moses of Grove Oak is the son of Dawn and Barry Moses. Russell attends the University of Alabama studying chemical engineering. Mr. Moses was disabled from injuries suffered in an accident at work.

Nicholas Owens-$2500. Nicholas Owens of Sylacauga is the son of Terry and Linda Owens. Nicholas currently attends the University of Montevallo studying biology. Mr. Owens suffered back and neck injuries on the job.

Bennett Prestridge-$2000. Bennett Prestridge of Jasper is the son of Timothy and Lee Prestridge. He attends Belmont State Community College studying advanced EMT; Bennett plans to become a licensed EMT and complete a Paramedic degree. Mr. Prestridge suffered a severe head injury in a car accident on the job.

Yana Rodgers-$2500. Yana Rodgers of Jackson is the daughter of the late Freddie Rodgers and Deborah Rodgers George. Yana studies pre-pharmacy at the University of West Alabama. Mr. Freddie Rodgers was killed in a work-related accident.

 

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