April 2014 NEWSLETTER

A GREAT START

The Fellows program was established in 1995 to honor Alabama bar members for outstanding service and commitment. At the start of each year, lawyers with outstanding records of dedication to justice are selected to be new Fellows. The Fellows dinner was held on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, AL. In the elegant ballroom, table cloths of teal and napkins of terra cotta shantung were complimented by matching tulips. Legal professionals from across Alabama gathered to honor the new Fellows and visit with friends and colleagues.

Of special note during the evening were new Fellow Rick Davison’s sons, Walker, Luker, and Patrick who proudly and graciously accompanied their mother to see their father honored. Although mentioned in the last newsletter, it bears repeating that the Alabama Law Foundation Football Challenge apparel penalty was elegantly met by two members of the losing Orange and Blue Team who wore houndstooth bowties, two who wore crimson and white bowties, and Joe Fawal was a class act in red socks. Also during the banquet, Tracy Daniel awarded trophies to the winners and runners up.

In addition to honoring those who have demonstrated outstanding dedication to their profession and their community, the evening was also a time to renew the legal professions’ commitment to justice. Guests enjoyed a video on the many programs the Alabama Law Foundation supports. The overview showed the results of Alabama’s lawyers’ hard work and dedication for equal justice for all Alabama’s citizens, and the need for increased legal assistance.

The Fellows dinner was an inspiring event and a great start for 2014.

Fellows Accepted Into Membership For 2013:

Sonja F. Bivins, Mobile – Spring Hill College, B.S.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; United States Magistrate Judge, Southern District of Alabama.

R. Carmichael Brock, Washington D.C. – University of Alabama, B.S.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Covington & Burling. 

Christina D. Crow, Union Springs – Auburn University, B.S.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Jinks, Crow & Dickson.   

A. Courtney Crowder, Tuscaloosa – University of Alabama, B.S.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Phelps, Jenkins, Gibson & Fowler.

Patrick C. Davidson, Auburn – Auburn University, B.S.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Adams, Umbach, Davidson & White.

Timothy P. Donahue, Birmingham – University of Alabama, B.A.; Birmingham School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Donahue & Associates. 

Michael D. Ermert, Birmingham – University of Alabama, B.A.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Hare, Wynn, Newell & Newton. 

Madeline H. Haikala, Birmingham – Williams College, B.A.; Tulane University Law School, J.D.; United States District Judge, Northern District of Alabama.

Edward L. Hardin, Jr., Birmingham – Birmingham Southern College, B.A.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; Senior Counsel at Burr & Forman. 

Kimberly B. Martin, Huntsville – University of Alabama, B.A.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Bradley, Arant, Boult & Cummings. 

W. Inge Hill, II, Montgomery – University of Alabama, B.A.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Hill, Hill ,Carter, Franco, Cole & Black.   

David G. Hymer, Birmingham – University of Alabama, B.S.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Bradley, Arant, Boult & Cummings. 

G. Douglas Jones, Birmingham  – University of Alabama, B.A.; Cumberland School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Jones & Hawley. 

Barnes F. Lovelace, Decatur – University of Alabama, B.S.; Cumberland School or Law, J.D.; Partner in Harris, Caddell & Shanks. 

John G. Lowther, Birmingham – University of Alabama, B.A.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; District Judge, 10th Judicial Circuit.

Candis A. McGowan, Birmingham – Auburn University, B.S.;Cumberland School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Wiggins, Childs, Quinn & Pantazis. 

Jeffrey R. McLaughlin, Guntersville – Birmingham Southern College, B.A.; Harvard Law School, J.D.; Partner in McLaughlin & Edmondson

M. Kathleen Miller, Mobile – Newcomb College, B.A.; Tulane University Law School, J.D.; Partner in Ambrecht & Jackson.

R. David Proctor, Birmingham – Carson-Newman College, B.A.; University of Tennessee College of Law, J.D.;  United States District Judge, Northern District of Alabama. 

Maxwell H. Pulliam, Birmingham – Birmingham Southern College, B.A.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; Sole practitioner, Maxwell H. Pulliam. 

Deborah A. Smith, Birmingham – University of Tennessee, B.A.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Christian & Small.

Luther J. Strange, III, Montgomery Tulane University, B.S.; Tulane University Law School, J.D.; Attorney General of the State of Alabama.

Sharon D. Stuart, Birmingham – Samford University, B.S.; Cumberland School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Christian & Small.

Anne Stone Sumblin, Kinston – University of Alabama, B.S.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; Sole Practitioner, Stone Sumblin Law Firm.

J. Glynn Tubb, Decatur – University of Alabama, B.S.; University of Alabama School of Law, J.D.; Partner in Eyster, Key, Tubb, Roth, Middleton & Adams.

Michael E. Upchurch, Mobile – James Madison University, B.A.; University of Virginia, J.D.; Partner in Frazer, Greene, Upchurch & Baker.


ALABAMA LAW FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES NEW GRANTEE
Montgomery County Volunteer Lawyers Program

The Alabama Law Foundation is proud to add to its list of grantees the new Montgomery County Volunteer Lawyers Program. The program began in April, 2013 and is located in the Montgomery County Courthouse/The Phelps-Price Justice Center at 251 South Lawrence Street. The new Montgomery County Volunteer Lawyers Program received its first grant, $14,000, from the Alabama Law Foundation along with the IOLTA grantees at the start of 2014. The foundation hopes to be able to present a supplemental grant to the Montgomery County Volunteer Lawyers Program, and the other grantees, in the spring.

Executive Director Mike Martin is excited to be setting up the new program. Martin worked 20 years in Public Relations for the Alabama Education Association; he then served as an attorney in private practice, and most recently as Chief of Staff to Lt Gov. Jim Folsom.  He is assisted by Intake Specialist Barbara Ann Symington. Martin explains that the Montgomery County Volunteer Lawyers Program was formed as a natural outgrowth of the Montgomery Bar Association. For several years, Montgomery County attorneys, working through the Montgomery Bar Association and Alabama State Bar, have provided a monthly legal clinic for underserved Montgomery County residents. The realization of the amount of need spurred Montgomery County lawyers to “step up and do more to meet legal needs of low income residents of Montgomery County.”

The Montgomery County Volunteer Lawyers Program provides legal assistance on civil matters such as child custody, housing issues, domestic issues, and some probate situations. Clients may seek assistance directly, or are referred by Legal Services Alabama; clients are also referred by Montgomery County judges when they see citizens in need of representation. Operational monies depend on the availability of grant funds from organizations such as Legal Services Alabama, and the Alabama Law Foundation. In addition, Mike Martin credits the generosity of the Montgomery County Bar and individual attorneys–430 have volunteered so far. Martin states that “Far too many low-income Montgomery citizens are denied access to justice simply because they don’t have the wherewithal to hire an attorney. Our goal is to provide, free of charge, the assistance they need to face their legal adversaries on equal footing.”

The Alabama Law Foundation recognizes that volunteer lawyer programs are an integral part of the delivery system to get legal assistance to low income citizens and is proud to welcome the new Montgomery County Volunteer Lawyers Program to its list of grantees.


IMPORTANT NOTICE – DEADLINES FOR SCHOLARSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES LOOM

It’s time for students to apply for scholarships. All scholarships are applied for online under the “What We Do” tab.

JUSTICE JANIE L. SHORES SCHOLARSHIPDeadline May 1

In 2006, the Women’s Section of the Alabama State Bar, along with the Alabama Law Foundation, established Janie L. Shores Scholarship to support a female Alabama resident attending an Alabama law school. The Justice Janie L. Shores scholarship is named in honor of the first female Alabama Supreme Court Justice, who was elected in 1974.

KIDS’ CHANCE SCHOLARSHIPSDeadline May 1 For New Applicants

Kids’ Chance scholarships are awarded for technical training or college tuition to students whose parents have died or become permanently disabled in a work-related accident. Previous applicants do not have to reapply by May 1 and do not have to complete another form; look for an email that will provide a form and information asking you to submit a transcript after Spring Semester.

CABANISS,JOHNSTON SCHOLARSHIPDeadline June 6

The Cabaniss, Johnston Scholarship’s aim is to recognize and assist academically outstanding second-year law students who are also Alabama residents, and, further, to help promising law students become lawyers who will make a positive impact on society.

Please remember that the Justice Janie L. Shores and Kids’ Chance Scholarships are funded through donations. Now is a great time to invest in your future–the next generation of young professionals. Donate online or mail your donation to Alabama Law Foundation, P.O. Box 4129, Montgomery, AL 36103.

 

Ensure access to justice for thousands of low-income families facing life-changing legal issues. DONATE