the Date: Mark your calendars for the Annual Meeting and Holiday Party! 28 Garden Party: The Birmingham Bar Association celebrates 140 years of service. 15
Message from the Executive Director
Hi, BBA members…what a fantastic year! I hope you all enjoyed a healthy and successful 2025 and are looking forward to an exciting and productive 2026. The BBA has had an amazing run this year, increasing membership numbers, providing more networking opportunities and new membership benefits, offering unique programming and new CLE opportunities, and implementing a new membership-management platform, all while planning the BBA’s 140th Anniversary Celebration, which I hope you were able to attend and enjoy.
This issue of the Bulletin highlights many of these great accomplishments, none of which would have been possible without your generous support of the BBA in 2025. I hope you enjoy seeing all the events and programs the BBA hosted this summer and fall and reading the contributions from our Sections, Committees, and sister organizations.
Also please mark your calendars to attend these two upcoming Birmingham Bar Association signature events:
1. Annual Meeting on Dec. 12: The meeting will feature a recap of the year from current President Bob Battle and a preview of next year from President-elect Rebecca Beers. And, of course, you will want to be there as the 2026 Executive Committee election results are announced.
2. Year-End Party on Dec. 12: Immediately following the Annual Meeting, we will gather at the Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral to enjoy fellowship with colleagues, tasty treats, and seasonal drinks.
Finally, if you haven’t already, please visit the BBA’s new website and create your new profile so you can continue to register for CLE programs and other events, receive our weekly updates, and renew your BBA and Section memberships!
Thank you to the BBA Executive Committee, our Section Committee chairs and members and all the BBA members for another great year!
Jim H. Wilson
Executive Director
President Robert “Bob” Battle
President-Elect Rebecca Beers
Secretary-Treasurer Pooja Chawla
Immediate Past President Sharon Stuart
Executive Director Jim H. Wilson
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Stanley Blackmon
Anna Carroll
David Fawal
Sidney Jackson
Katie Kimbrell
Julie McMakin
Virginia Miller
Janine Smith
Jennifer Tombrello Cohn
Laura Winston
Emily McClendon, A.D.R. Section
Andrew Cicero, Bankruptcy/Commercial Law Section
Monica Graveline, Business Law Section
Michelle Spiker, Criminal Justice Section
Adam Plant, Federal Practice Section
Lindsey Eastwood, Probate Section
Gregory Ritchey, Solo/Small Firm Section
Hon. Tanita Cain, Women Lawyers Section
Chris Dorough, Workers’ Compensation Section
Denzel Okinedo, Young Lawyers Section
Richard Rice, Magic City Bar Association
Lisha L. Graham, ASB Commissioner
BIRMINGHAM BAR ASSOCIATION
2001 Park Place North, Suite 430, Birmingham, AL 35203 205-251-8006
birminghambar.org jwilson@birminghambar.org
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From the President
It has been an honor to serve the Birmingham Bar Association, and I appreciate your trusting me to represent our legal community this year. As my tenure as BBA President winds down, I thank you for keeping our Bar strong and vibrant. I end where I began, by reminding you that the BBA matters to our profession and the Birmingham community.
When I began my tenure, BBA membership had declined each year since 2017. In 2024, our membership fell below 3000 members, compared to more than 3500 members pre-COVID. Declining membership has been a national trend for voluntary civic organizations around the country. But it was clear we needed to address the issue to protect the unique camaraderie, collegiality, and professionalism the BBA enjoys.
To reverse this trend, our strategy focused on highlighting and enhancing member benefits and working collaboratively with the numerous lawyers who volunteer their time to the BBA and its sister organizations, the Birmingham Bar Foundation, the Volunteer Lawyers of Birmingham, the Legal Aid Society, and the Magic City Bar Association. Our strategy was grounded in the detailed five-year strategic plan that will guide us until 2029. We have accomplished a lot this year and have established a strong foundation, not only to maintain, but also to grow, our membership. Let’s walk through some of the highlights.
► New Member Benefits: This year, we began providing a new, unique member benefit. We partnered with local businesses, retailers, and restaurants to provide discounts to BBA members. If you haven’t already, be sure to visit the participating businesses in our inaugural year of providing this benefit: Hot & Hot Fish Club; Sol y Luna; Burning Tree Smokehouse; Galley & Garden; Bayonet; Red or White; and Shaia’s. I almost made my quarterly President’s column a restaurant review just so I could justify using my discounts!
► 100% Club: The BBA created the
100% Club this year, which recognizes those firms and organizations that have achieved 100% BBA membership in 2025. I am pleased to report that as of press time, 67 firms and organizations are members of the 100% Club. Thanks to each of those firms and organizations. Your support allows the BBA to continue to provide its outstanding programs, social events, service opportunities, and CLEs.
► Events: Many of you attended our events this year. Our monthly Coffees with the Judges, which we hosted in four different state and federal courthouses, were a hit and allowed our members to interact with members of the bench and bar. On Law Day, BBA member panelists shared their personal stories and experiences with the Constitution. During the summer, the famous annual BBA Member Picnic was well attended. We also hosted special events like a private screening and panel discussion following the movie “Lilly” about Lilly Ledbetter’s legal and political journey, which ultimately led to the passage of the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Last, we hosted receptions with our local state and federal judges and BBA leadership to share ideas about how to maintain and strengthen the relationship between our bench and Bar.
Left: Bob Battle handling Judge Tiara Hudson her winning prize at the November Coffee with the Judges.
Below: Bob Battle with Bert Nettles at the BBA’s 50 year member reception.
This fall, we held several events, including four in September alone. First, BBA leadership joined with Alabama State Bar leadership for a reception attended by more than 75 lawyers. We honored the survivors of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing with more than 200 attendees who listened to a panel discussion with lawyers and judges involved in the criminal proceedings, as well as survivors of the bombing. Presiding Circuit Judge Elisabeth French and Courtney French hosted a Young Lawyers Section event at their
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
home with BBA leadership and our local judges of with more than 125 attendees. And nearly 500 members and guests, including 22 past Presidents of the BBA, celebrated the 140th Anniversary of the BBA at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Those in attendance visited with each other while sampling cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from some of the finest restaurants in Birmingham, including Hot & Hot Fish Club, Sol y Luna, Gianmarco’s, Galley & Garden, Bright Star, and Kathy G. These events would not have been possible without the generous sponsorships of many firms and businesses, and I thank all of you who sponsored these events.
We also celebrated both new and experienced lawyers this fall. The BBA and Young Lawyers Section co-hosted a new event for recent Alabama State Bar admittees to introduce young lawyers to the YLS and the BBA. The BBA also hosted an evening reception for BBA lawyers who have practiced for 50 years or more. Ed Hardin hosted this event at Galley & Garden, which was attended by more than 60 lawyers. We also honored BBA members who are veterans and active military members, including a keynote address given by Sam Rumore, with more than 30 attendees, hosted at the Baker Donelson firm.
► CLEs: The BBA has offered more than 100 hours of CLE credit this year. Most of these CLEs have been free to BBA members, including the “Last Chance” CLE on December 2, 2025, which provided six hours of free CLE. I want to thank the panelists at the Last Chance CLE, which included Chief Justice Sarah Stewart, Justice Greg Cook, Judge Richard Minor, Presiding Judge Elisabeth French, Judge Madeline Haikala, Senator Rodger Smitherman, and Representative David Faulkner, along with BBA lawyers Brannon Buck, Derrick Mills, Ed Haden, Steve Mezrano, Leslie Barineau, D.G. Pantazis, J.R. Thomas, Tamula Yelling, and Hope Marshall.
► Service Activities: The BBA has also focused on service to our community, often in conjunction with our sister organizations. Our service activities this year included providing volunteers to read to local elementary students, serving at the
Community Food Bank, assisting with wills and expungement clinics, and supporting the Helping Families Initiative by sponsoring the annual School Supplies Drive. Most recently, we partnered with the Birmingham Bar Foundation and the Magic City Bar Foundation for members to volunteer their time, and also raised nearly $10,000 to help families in our community who did not receive SNAP benefits due to the federal shutdown. Last, the BBA continued to support the Students Today, Lawyers’ Tomorrow Program for Birmingham high school students, which former BBA President Marcus Maples founded in 2023.
► Programs: The BBA continued to coordinate the Lawyer Referral Service program, which enhances lawyers’ opportunities to grow their practice; the Future Leaders Forum, which provides leadership and professional training and education about local bar and community programs and leadership opportunities for lawyers in the early years of practice; and its Mentoring program, which helps new lawyers grow and learn from more experienced lawyers.
New BBA Software and Website: Less glamorous, but no less important, the BBA transitioned to new membership software in October. This includes a new website
that is much more user-friendly for our members. This new software allows the BBA to automate many tasks that previously required significant staff time to accomplish. If you haven’t already done so, please check out our new website at www.birminghambar.org. Note that the first time you visit the website, you will need to create a new username and password.
► Membership Growth: In closing, I am pleased to report that we increased BBA membership year-over-year for the first time since we began charting these numbers in 2017. At press time, we had 3054 BBA members in 2025, an increase of 126 members. This growth of more than 4% compared to last year is a very big deal. It is the result of team effort and a full-time commitment by BBA staff, leadership, members of our Executive Committee, and members of our 14 BBA committees and 10 sections. It takes all of us—and each of us—to work to buck a national trend.
President Rebecca Beers is already planning a great year for the BBA in 2026. Rebecca is a dynamic leader with a clear vision. I am excited about the future of our Bar and Rebecca’s leadership. Please remain committed to, supportive of, and engaged with the BBA in 2026 and beyond.
Mayor Randall Woodfin, Judge Pat Ballard, Courtney French, Judge Elisabeth French, Bob Battle, and YLS Chair Denzel Okinedo.
140th Anniversary Celebration
The BBA celebrated a milestone 140 years of service on September 25 at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. The night was full of fun, food, drinks, music, laughter, friendship, and camaraderie!
Bending toward justice
Honoring the Survivors of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing
By TRACY W. CARY, ALABAMA PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS, LLC
On Sunday morning, Sept. 15, 1963, a bomb tore through Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church, killing four young girls who were preparing for Sunday school. Three were 14 years old — Addie Mae Collins, Carole Robertson and Cynthia Wesley — and the fourth, Denise McNair, was 11.
At least 20 others were injured. The blast was heard and felt around the world, becoming a catalyst for the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
COMMEMORATING THE LOST AND HONORING THE SURVIVORS
Exactly 62 years and one day later, the Birmingham Bar Association, together with the Magic City Bar Association and the Alabama Lawyers’ Association, hosted an event at Birmingham’s historic Carver Theatre to commemorate the four victims and honor the survivors.
The commemoration began with an idea from Jefferson County Circuit Judge Tamara Harris Johnson. Judge Johnson shared that her family moved to Birmingham in 1961 after her father completed his medical education and residency, so he could join the medical practice of his father.
As a child, she attended segregated schools and churches and lived in a segregated community.
Judge Johnson recalled that although she occasionally heard stories of violence against Black people, in her youthful innocence she believed that children — all children — were off-limits to such hate.
“My naiveté was destroyed on Sept. 15, 1963, when four little girls and two little boys were murdered that day,” she said. “The little girls while attending Sunday school at 16th Street Baptist Church, and the two little boys while
playing in their communities.”
Judge Johnson noted that more than 30 children — some as young as 5 — were in the church at the time of the bombing. Many survivors returned to school the very next day.
“They did not receive any professional therapy following the horrendous event,” she said. “They endured and had to continue as if this was another day in the life of segregated Alabama.”
She felt it was time to organize an event to “recognize the survivors and admire them for having the courage to share their stories and to relive their pain with the hope that no one will ever again have to endure this kind of hatred.”
SURVIVORS SPEAK THEIR TRUTH
The Carver Theatre event was both a commemoration and a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from survivors, as well as from prosecutors and defense attorneys who later handled the bombing cases.
BBA President Bob Battle welcomed the packed audience.
Survivor Bishop Jim Lowe of The Guiding Light Church delivered the invocation, giving thanks that “out of the bombing came forth change to make our city, our community, our nation, and perhaps even this world a better place.”
Attorney Gaile Pugh Gratton Greene introduced the speakers, noting, “These survivors lived through this terroristic act and were able to thrive and overcome, pursuing pathways to better their lives and the lives of others.”
Dale Long, a third-generation member of 16th Street Baptist Church, appeared via recorded video. Long, then 11 years old, recalled that schools had been integrated just 11 days earlier — the theme for service that Sunday was “The Love That Forgives.”
When the bomb exploded, he said the percussion was so strong that smoke and dust made it impossible to see. He escaped the church, only to realize his little brother was missing. Returning through the debris, he found him — and then their father, who had been working nearby at the A.G. Gaston Motel, which had been bombed just four months earlier.
Addie Mae Collins’s sister, Sarah, was in the same room where Addie was killed. Sarah lost the sight in one eye from shards of glass and debris and, though just a child, was made to identify her sister’s body.
Later, Long’s grandmother spoke to him about why “bad things happen to good people” and why “someone blew up God’s house — a place that always provided refuge and protection.”
Lisa McNair spoke about her older sister
Survivors, honorees, and event organizers for “Honoring the Survivors of the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing.”
Denise, who was her parents’ only child at the time. Lisa was born almost exactly one year after the bombing.
The loss of her sister has shaped her entire life, inspiring her to write “Dear Denise: Letters to the Sister I Never Knew.” The book was born of the question she is often asked: “What do you remember your parents telling you about your sister being killed?”
Lisa said, “I don’t ever have a recollection of when I was told — I’ve just always known.”
Many years after the bombing, Lisa met Tammie, whose father was alleged to have been involved in planting the bomb. Lisa’s and Tammie’s shared faith allowed healing to begin. Lisa said she begins every morning with a prayer from Isaiah 54:17 — “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” She closed by reminding the audience, “We have to keep sharing our stories.”
Bishop Jim Lowe was 11 at the time of the bombing. He recalled the deafening blast, the glass that cut his head, back and arms, and the struggle to find his sisters amid thick smoke.
“Eventually my mother found us, hugged us, and we cried together,” he said.
The event changed the course of his life.
“I had to decide whether that message would be the theme of my life,” he said. “If people would crucify their Creator, and His words were, ‘Father forgive them, for they know not what they do,’ then I had to choose whether I was going to live with hate or learn to live with love.”
He ultimately chose the latter, dedicating his life to ministry. Today, Bishop Lowe leads The Guiding Light Church and founded The Gatekeeper’s Association of America. He concludes each Sunday service by leading his congregation in proclaiming, “We were created to excel, not to fail. This is our divine potential.”
LEGAL PERSPECTIVES
The event concluded with a one-of-a-kind panel discussion moderated by Johnathan F. Austin, president of the Magic City Bar Association. The panel featured former Alabama Attorney General Bill Baxley, former U.S. Attorney and U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, and defense attorneys John Robbins and David Simpson.
Austin explained that the discussion sought to explore “not only the law but the human stories, pressures, and legacies these trials represent.”
The panelists recounted the immense
challenges of time, evidence and accountability. In 1977, Baxley prosecuted Robert Chambliss, who was convicted of murdering Denise McNair and sentenced to life in prison, where he died in 1985.
In 2001 and 2002, Jones prosecuted Thomas Edwin Blanton Jr. and Bobby Frank Cherry, both of whom were also convicted, sentenced to life and ultimately died in prison. Cherry was defended by Robbins and Simpson.
Baxley reflected that his effort to reopen the case “was hard, and there were no maps.”
Soon after becoming attorney general, he obtained the files from multiple agencies and found that “nearly everything in those files was aimed at this theory — people don’t really want to believe this — but it was aimed at the theory that Black people had set the bomb off themselves to gain sympathy for their cause.”
Baxley knew better.
He explained that while the FBI had long known who was responsible, he never got access to all of the FBI files. Chambliss was defended by Art Hanes Sr. and now-retired Judge Art Hanes Jr.
“Chambliss could not have had a better defense,” Baxley said. “As a member of the Bar, you couldn’t have been prouder of how the Haneses handled that tough, tough case.”
SEEKING JUSTICE, DEFENDING RIGHTS
When asked whether he ever feared the case would collapse under the weight of missing or degraded evidence, Baxley admitted, “Oh, almost every minute.” He recounted how, during closing argument preparation, his colleague John Young reminded him that the day set for closing arguments to begin was Denise McNair’s birthday.
Baxley told the jury, “You can give Denise a birthday present she’ll know about — bring her killers to justice.”
Jones likewise described his later prosecutions as a “race against time.” Nearly 40 years had passed, and witnesses and defendants alike were aging.
“Every minute of every hour of every day brought the possibility that something would collapse and go wrong,” he said.
Jones observed that this commemoration might have been the first time prosecutors and defense lawyers shared the same stage to discuss the case, underscoring the mutual respect forged through their roles.
Robbins recalled that Judge Garrett appointed him to defend Thomas Blanton
just 66 days before trial.
“The judge told me, ‘You can have anything you want — except a continuance,’” Robbins said.
Jones then handed him 10,000 pages of discovery. Robbins assembled a defense team including David Simpson, joking, “I pestered the judge every moment I could for a continuance — but we never got it.”
Simpson quipped, “John was given anything he wanted, and he chose me — that may be the only time I ever questioned his judgment.”
He reflected on the honor of serving on a team facing “one of the biggest cases in the community, and in the nation,” and praised Robbins for inspiring confidence that they could “stand up to the most powerful entity in the world and give Thomas Blanton a fair trial.”
A CALL TO REMEMBER AND ACT
Baxley concluded by saying that while we have always had people who have had the courage to speak up for what’s right, “when we see things going on, we need to speak up.”
Jones pointed out that the advocacy of defense lawyers who make the government prove its case and meet its burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is important because we don’t want the state or federal government to be able to convict without due process.
Jones said that for what happened in 1963 — with Bill Baxley’s trial in 1977 and Blanton’s and Cherry’s trials in 2001 and 2002 — justice was delayed but ultimately not denied.
“It’s never too late to seek the truth and to seek justice,” Jones said.
President Bob Battle adjourned the commemoration, and the event concluded with a reception honoring both the victims and those who carried forward the work of justice.
The BBA thanks everyone who contributed their time and effort to organizing this program, including BBA Court Liaison Committee Chairs Judge Tamara Harris Johnson, David Fawal, and John Bolus; MCBA President Johnathan F. Austin, Jacqueline Gray, and Barbara Jackson; ALA President Aigner Kolom and President-elect Christen Butler; moderator Gaile Pugh Gratton Greene; BBA President Bob Battle; and BBA Birmingham Connection Committee Chairs Joi Travis, Leanna Pittard, D.G. Pantazis, and Hilary Williamson. A special thanks to all the volunteers who helped us the day of the program!
Coffee and Breakfast with the Judges
Always a Great Time! The BBA enjoyed another strong year with its Coffee with the Judges series, as each session drew excellent attendance and offered lively, meaningful conversations. We sincerely thank the Judges whose participation made these gatherings truly memorable. If you weren’t able to join us this year, don’t worry — more opportunities to connect with colleagues and members of the judiciary are planned for 2026. We hope to see you there!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
September: Butler Snow, Upchurch Watson White & Max, and Valley Bank
October: BBA Women Lawyers Section, Environmental Litigation Group, Magic City Bar Association, and Schreiber ADR
November: BBA Workers Compensation Section, Petway, French & Ford, Spotswood Sansom & Sansbury, and Volare Wealth Advisors.
Mercedes Davis, Judge Shera Grant, Pierrerasha Goodwin, and Jennifer Moore.
The presence of our respected retired judges added a meaningful and distinguished touch to our final CWTJ event of the year, making it truly memorable.
Ala. Representative Patrick Sellers, Presiding Judge Elisabeth French, and Senator Rodger Smitherman.
AshLeigh Dunham and Judge Jacquelyn Grant Jones.
Bob Battle, Leslie Rubio, and Abby van Alstyne.
Our October Coffee with the Judges event was well-attended, exceeding all expectations.
Judge Kathryn Alexis, Judge Debra Weston-Pickens, Judge Patricia Stephens, Sen. Rodger Smitherman, Tanglea Calhoun, Randy Gibson, and Judge Jacquelyn Grant Jones.
Judge Marshell Hatcher, Judge Brendette Green, Tevin Wallace, Twala Grant Wallace, Judge Patricia Stephens, and Judge Maria Fortune.
Cara Morse, Lisa Singer, and Alan Crisologo.
Devan Byrd and Judge Martha Reeves Cook.
Kevin McKie, Jordan Cade, Yahn Olson, and Gregory Cade.
John Durward and Honza Prchal.
Judge Debra Weston-Pickens, Judge Stephanie Hunter, Debbie McCune, and Judge Kecia Davis.
Jaleel Washington, LaTonia Williams, Eryka Slaughter, and Judge Tiara Hudson.
BIRMINGHAM BAR ASSOCIATION LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE AND MEMBER TOOLS!
WELCOME TO YOUR NEW HOME! IT’S
TIME TO LOG IN.
We're delighted to announce the launch of BBA's new online member portal! This updated platform is designed to offer you a more streamlined and efficient experience.
Rest assured, your full membership history and records have been securely migrated from our old system to this new environment.
For security purposes and to activate your account on the new site, all users are required to establish a new login and password. We strongly recommend doing this promptly, certainly before the renewal process commences, to avoid any service interruption.
Begin your setup here: https://www.birminghambar.org/?pg=login
After you’ve created your new account login, visit your myBBA Dashboard to update your member profile, add a member photo, customize your communication preferences, and register for events.
If you’re a section member, you now have access to our new section e-Communities, making it easier than ever to work and learn together.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Jim H. Wilson at jwilson@birminghambar.org, Alexis Jackson at ajackson@birminghambar.org, and/or Ginny Thomas at gthomas@birminghambar.org.
Birmingham Bar Association
2001 Park Pl, Suite 430 Birmingham, AL 35203
Tel: 205-251-8006
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Join the BBA’s Social Events!
From networking mixers to leisure-focused gatherings, there’s something for everyone — come find your next favorite event!
We
Tikesha Marks picking up school supplies for Hemphill Elementary.
are honored to service those who served and protected us. We are thankful for our veterans and active military members.
Women Lawyers Section hosted another successful Pathway to Success event.
Rachel Sims, Amani Moore, and Karolyn Thompson.
It’s a privilege to celebrate our members of 50 years—your loyalty and dedication have helped our community thrive.
John Brown, Virginia Miller, Alicia Jett, Ben Cohn, Jennifer Tombrello Cohn, and Rufus Elliott.
ASB Commissioners and BBA leadership gather for an evening of fun and fellowship.
Thank you to everyone for their contribution to our Annual School Supplies Drive.
Cheers to the BBA members and new admittees at the BBA/YLS mixer.
A night to remember with ASB new admittees.
The Probate Section held its Annual Day of the Dead Social at Rojo this year. Thank you Probate Chair, Lindsey Eastwood, for putting it together.
Dr. Raisa Long with her family after ASB Admittee Ceremony.
Mercedes Davis with her family after ASB Admittee Ceremony.
Wyatt Huggins, Blake Cordova, and John Koo.
Students compete in the 3rd annual Students Today | Lawyers Tomorrow mock trial competition
On Oct. 16, the third annual Students Today | Lawyers Tomorrow mock trial competition was held at the Jefferson County Courthouse. Congratulations to Woodlawn High School (coached by Cory Watson and the Serious Injury Law Group) for taking first place in the competition. Congratulations to Ramsay High School (coached by Bradley Arant and Daniel Fortune) for taking second place. Jackson-Olin High School (coached by Christian & Small) received the Founder’s Award for fielding the team with the most returning students with several students participating in the competition all three years. The competition was tight among all schools with Jackson-Olin coming within one point of upsetting Ramsay in Round 1.
Wenonah High School students made their first appearance this year by serving as jurors, and we are excited about them returning to the competition next year as advocates. I3 Academy made its first appearance as well. With only a moment’s notice, I3 Academy student, Zion Rivers, stepped up to serve as team captain for the bye team and gave a remarkable performance. Coaches who witnessed that performance commented that “it was fun to see a mock trial prodigy at work.”
There were 38 students and five schools participating in this year’s competition.
The Students Today | Lawyers Tomorrow
Initiative is grateful for Presiding Judge Elisabeth French for hosting the event at the Jefferson County Courthouse. We appreciate Judge Javan Patton Crayton spending the day with the students and judging Rounds 1 and 2. Special thanks to Municipal Court Presiding Judge Andra D. Sparks for presiding over Round 2. We appreciate the support of Birmingham Bar Association President Bob Battle and the BBA. We are also grateful for our partnership with Terri Harvill and the YMCA of Greater Birmingham. The UAB Mock Trial Team provided incredibly valuable assistance in running the competition. Special thanks to Baker Donelson’s Danielle Smith for working tirelessly on all of the logistics for the event and helping to execute on the vision.
Next year’s competition is set for Oct. 15.
The Student Today | Lawyers Tomorrow’s Vision:
► I see our students continuing in the program and encouraging more students to participate.
► I see internships for our students, so they get a real world understanding of what it is like to practice law.
► I see scholarships for students to continue their training at the collegiate level.
► I see students thriving in college mock trial programs.
► I see our students graduating from college with honors.
► I see an increase in the law school acceptance rate.
► I see an increase to the Bar passage rate.
Judge Crayton presiding over mock trial.
► I see the percentage of attorneys of color in this state rising from 7.8% to 15% to 20%.
► I see more diversity in every aspect of the legal profession.
► I see an end to the false narrative that there aren’t enough qualified applicants in the City.
► I see an increase in the number of talented Birmingham City School alums that decide to return to practice here in the City.
► I see those alumni returning home to West End, Norwood, Smithfield, Ensley and the surrounding communities.
► I see those students protecting their communities, providing resources for their communities and seeking justice for those in their communities that have been harmed.
► I see a city, where it doesn’t matter if you are a student from “Over the Mountain” or in the “Shadow of the Mountain,” you have the same access to education as anyone else.
► I see Birmingham City Schools as the nation’s leader in high school trial advocacy.
► For our students, I see every barrier broken.
Food, fellowship, federal court
Lawyers
and judges break bread over barbecue to build better federal court relationships
Anthony Bourdain, the celebrity chef, writer, and documentarian, once said that while he and Ted Nugent had nothing else in common, they both liked barbecue.
The quote famously goes that barbecue “may not be the road to world peace, but at least it’s a start.” The Federal Practice Section of the Birmingham Bar Association didn’t take on world peace this year, but we have tried to see whether Bourdain was correct that barbecue can be a pretty good start toward a better way to practice in federal court.
Around Thanksgiving 2024, Chief Judge R. David Proctor ordered lawyers on opposite sides of an employment dispute to have lunch.
Judge Proctor ordered “that, on or before Dec. 31, 2024, counsel for both Plaintiff and Defendants are to go to lunch together. Plaintiff’s counsel will pay the bill; Defendants’ counsel will leave the tip.” Doc. 7, McCullers v. Koch Foods of Alabama, LLC, et al., Case 1:24-cv-01496-RDP (Nov. 26, 2024).
Counsel for the parties had lunch at Saw’s BBQ, and as a tribute to those lawyers — and to head off the need for similar orders from the court — our section took on the challenge of building closer out-ofcourt relationships among our members. We also wanted to build a closer relationship with the judges and court staff in the Northern District of Alabama. This idea became a new series for members of the Federal Practice Section called ’Cue & A. Sean Pierce practices at Wallace Jordan and typically represents defendants. This year, he has consistently attended Federal Practice Section events.
“The Federal Practice Section’s ’Cue & A has consistently satisfied me professionally, relationally, intellectually and gastronomically,” Pierce said, adding that the ’Cue & A program has been “one of the best for interaction between bench and bar.”
Leslie Palmer is a solo practitioner who does mostly plaintiff-side employment litigation and an officer for the Alabama affiliate of the National Employment Lawyers’ Association.
She agrees with Pierce.
“Discussing my federal court practice with my state court friends, it’s always been clear that state court provided more face time with judges. I’ve heard stories of docket calls and Friday motion dockets.”
But Palmer believed federal court practitioners could enjoy the same relationships as their state court counterparts, so she joined the Federal Practice Section. After joining, Palmer has “noticed an uptick in my ability to interact with our federal judges over the last several events.”
“I think the most beneficial event so far has been the small group ’Cue & As.” Palmer said that the fall ’Cue & A with U.S. Magistrate Judges John H. England III and Nicholas A. Danella of the Northern District of Alabama was a welcome
experience. That session “provided all the attendees a chance to see our judges in a more casual setting. As a solo practitioner, I have no doubt that these small group opportunities provide me with a necessary practice tool.”
But Palmer did not limit her remarks to ’Cue & A. She also mentioned that “the annual Barons with the Bench is always a ‘hit’ and watching Judge Maze throw the first pitch was an added treat” of the well-attended July 23 social, which was attended by more than 30 lawyers, judges, and judicial law clerks.
During 2025, we may not have walked the road to world peace. But we did start down the road toward a kinder, more reasonable way to litigate in federal court. And barbecue lead the way.
Adam Plant Partner at Battle & Winn, Chair of the BBA Federal Practice Section
A word with the BBA Committees: CLE
Why should you read this very brief article about the Birmingham Bar Association’s CLE Committee? What could possibly be revealed in this article that would give you any useful information? Doesn’t the CLE Committee just present CLEs - so why should there be an article about it?
We asked ourselves the same questions and realized that there are, actually, some interesting facts that we want to share with you:
► By the end of the year, the CLE Committee will have presented 24 programs for a total of 27 CLE hours.
► To date, the most popular CLE topics have been the ones on artificial intelligence.
► You either just attended or just missed our 3rd annual Last Chance Day of CLEs featuring 6 CLE programs to help finish our members’ CLE requirements for the year.
► Our CLEs are free to BBA members so this is one of the many privileges of being a member.
► Our programs are developed around you, our members, and the topics you tell us you are interested in, so if there is a topic you would like for us to have a CLE about, please let us know.
Roman Shaul on the new lawyer communication rules was a great way for all lawyers to ensure they are in compliance with the new rules, which take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
► The very well-attended program by Alabama State Bar General Counsel
From your co-chairs of the CLE Committee, Judge Monica Agee and Jennifer Buettner Bates, we thank you for attending our CLEs this year and we look forward to seeing you at some CLEs in 2026.
A word with the BBA Committees: Future Leaders
The Birmingham Bar Association’s 2025 Future Leaders Forum has commenced its program year, bringing together emerging legal professionals for a comprehensive leadership development experience.
The program kicked off on August 7th with a networking event where class members connected with Future Leaders Forum alumni and judges, establishing mentorship opportunities and professional relationships.
The first formal session convened on Sept. 4, featuring prominent bar leaders including Alabama State Bar President Fred Helmsing, Birmingham Bar President Bob Battle, and President-Elect Rebecca Beers (FLF Class 2011).
Participants engaged in a panel discussion on leadership, bar association involvement, and practical career advice with distinguished Birmingham Bar members Hope Marshall (Class 2010), Katie Kimbrell (Class 2016), and Kristin
Waters (Class 2013).
On Oct. 9, the second session addressed Professional and Business Development following a class lunch. Freddy Rubio of Rubio Law Firm and Zach Peagler of Turnbull, Moak, & Pendergrass shared insights on marketing, branding, networking, and professional growth. Cooper Shattuck of Cooper Shattuck, LLC moderated the
discussion, with additional commentary from hosts Kristin Waters and D.G. Pantazis, Jr. (Class 2013).
Looking ahead, the program will explore critical topics including criminal justice, team building, the future of Birmingham, and the non-profit sector, continuing to prepare the next generation of legal leaders in the Birmingham community.
Co-chair: Judge Monica Agee
Co-chair: Jennifer Buettner Bates
2025 Future Leaders Forum with Judge Teresa Pulliam. The October Session in full swing.
Why sleep matters for lawyers
Sleep deprivation is named as a physical risk to the health and wellness of lawyers in the ABA’s National Task Force on Lawyer
Well Being 2016 report
Sleep deprivation and poor-quality sleep are likely even more endemic in 2025 than they were 10 years ago.
Inadequate and/or poor-quality sleep have negative impacts on:
► Overall cognitive functioning
► Short- and long-term memory
► Ability of the glymphatic system to clear out the brain detritus that can lead to neurocognitive disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease
► Failure to adequately process
information taken in throughout the day
► Ability to maintain focus and attention to detail
► Increase in mistakes
► Capacity to identify creative solutions and desire to push forward on less-than-ideal solutions
► Heart health
► Blood glucose and insulin regulation
► Food choices
► Physical stamina, leading to less desire to exercise or engage in physical activity
In addition to the general stress of practicing law, sleep is impaired by our environment and our daily choices. Going to sleep too close to mealtime can impair the quality of sleep due to physical demands of digestion. Alcohol consumption has a negative impact on deep sleep and REM sleep. Exposure to the “blue light” from our smart devices, including phones and televisions, too close to bedtime can interfere with the ability to fall
asleep and to get into the right sleep stages throughout the night. Light “trespass” from exterior sources that filter into bedroom windows is a major cause of poor-quality sleep. A bedroom that is too warm will also prevent good sleep.
Addressing sleep disruptors can help you adopt better sleep “hygiene practices” to get more and better sleep each night. Those practices will make you a healthier lawyer.
Sheree Martin
Sheree Martin Law, LLC Chair, BBA Health & Wellness Committee
2025 100% Club
Thank you to all the firms and organizations that have 100% BBA membership!!!*
Firms of 100+ Attorneys (coming soon)
Firms of 25-49 Attorneys
Butler Snow
Hand Arendall Harrison Sale
Starnes Davis Florie
Government Departments
Jefferson County District Attorney's Office
Jefferson County Public Defender’s Office
Public Interest Law Firms/Organizations
Legal Aid Society Birmingham
Volunteer Lawyers Birmingham
Corporate Legal Departments (coming soon)
Firms of 50-99 Attorneys
Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz
Lightfoot, Franklin & White
Firms of 10-24 Attorneys
Christian & Small
Clark May Price
Cory Watson Attorneys
Dominick Feld Hyde
Friedman, Dazzio & Zulanas
Hare Wynn Newell & Newton
Heninger Garrison Davis
Holland & Knight
Jones Walker
Marsh | Rickard | Bryan
RumbergerKirk
Spain & Gillon
Spotswood Sansom & Sansbury
Wiggins, Childs, Pantazis, Fisher & Goldfarb
Firms of 3-9 Attorneys
Alabama Car Lawyers | Bainbridge Mims Rogers & Smith | Badham & Buck | Battle & Winn | Beddow Erben Bowen & Wales | Boles Holmes Parkman White | Boyd Fernambucq & Dunn | Campbell Partners | Carney Law | Dillard, McKnight, James & McElroy | Drake Law Firm | Engel
Hairston-Raulston Brown | The Evans Firm | Farris Riley & Pitt | Fish Nelson & Holden | Gordon Dana & Gilmore | Graham Neal Seal & Bell | Gregory Fann Turner Law | Guin Stokes & Evans | Harbuck
Keith Hunt & Palmer | Haynes & Haynes | Ingram, Kalupa & Butler | The Kullman Firm | Leak Douglas & Morano | Lehr Middlebrooks Vreeland & Thompson | Leitman Siegal & Payne | Lewis & Feldman | Jaffe Hanle Whisonant & Knight | Maples Tucker & Jacobs | McCallum Hoaglund & McCallum | Methvin Terrell Yancey | Stephens & Miller | The Nomberg Law Firm | Norman Wood
Kendrick & Turner | Porter Porter and Hassinger | Riley & Jackson | Ritchey Law Firm | Robert + Mink | Rubio Law Firm | Scott Dukes & Geisler | White Arnold Dowd | Walding | Williams Elliott & Cohn
*As of November19, 2025. Please note that this is a working list.
If you believe your firm is at 100%, please contact BBA Executive Director, Jim H. Wilson, at jwilson@birminghambar.org. Thank you!
VLB is now offering legal assistance in District Court for clients facing evictions and garnishments.
Danielle Cotter, Abigail Van Alstyne, and Tom Mostellar at Ask an Attorney
VLB Staff Attorney Kintisha Matthews at Domestic Relations Court with Melinda Guillaume and Susan McAlister
(L-R) VLB staffers Megan Cheek, Breonna Garrett-Dunn, and Jarely Cooper with John Harrelson (PNC), Michael Clemmer (PNC), Jon Monson (PNC), Shane Clanton (Bradley), Nathan Barlow (Bradley), Doug Robertson (Bradley), David Breland (PNC), Ashlyn Payne (Bradley) and Tom Mosellar (Bradley) at a jointly-hosted Wills Clinic
Susan McAlister, Drew Ellis, Samuel Adams, and Tom Mostellar at a Wills for Heroes clinic for the Mountain Brook Fire Department
VLB law student externs Elizabeth Mojica, Ben Parker, and Tristan Gardner at the Firehouse Shelter Clinic with volunteer Doug Robertson (2 from right) nd
The next chapter of justice
By JOHNATHAN F. AUSTIN, ESQ.
As Birmingham hums with both history and momentum, many lawyers see it as sacred ground. The steps of the federal building once echoed with the voices of those who confronted segregation and reshaped American justice. Every courthouse, mural, and steel beam still holds part of that story.
Yet Birmingham is not bound by its past; it’s alive with innovation. Young attorneys mentor students, entrepreneurs reclaim old foundries, and neighborhoods rise with grit and grace. Here, justice isn’t theoretical. It’s lived, argued, and rebuilt one case, one cause, one community at a time.
Recent rulings have reaffirmed long-standing protections designed to ensure fair representation and access to justice for all. They continue to test how equity is defined and practiced, reminding
us that the work of fairness in our courts and communities is never complete. At the same time, ongoing legal and environmental challenges across Alabama ask us to consider what equal protection looks like when it comes to health, infrastructure, and dignity.
For many lawyers in Birmingham, these rulings and issues, rooted deeply in Alabama soil both literally and symbolically, are not distant. They shape how we counsel clients, advocate for fairness, and uphold the rule of law in our own neighborhoods. For Alabama, they reflect the state’s role as both a testing ground and a teacher for national reform. And for the country, they remind us that the pursuit of justice is strongest when it grows from community.
These cases suggest that the next era of law will belong to those willing to see people behind the policies, to blend legal skill with empathy, and to keep showing up where justice remains unfinished. Across the country, the stories unfolding in courtrooms remind us that justice depends on daily work, not distant ideals.
Johnathan F. Austin, Esq. is a Public Interest Attorney and the
President of the Magic City Bar Association.
Memorial Scholarship Fund
We invite you to honor the life of a colleague or loved one through a gift to the Birmingham Bar Association Memorial Scholarship Fund. Your tax-deductible donation helps provide scholarships to law students at Birmingham School of Law, Cumberland School of Law, Miles Law School, and The University of Alabama School of Law. We are grateful to the following generous donors for supporting this important scholarship program and helping carry on a legacy of justice through the next generation of attorneys: Donations may be sent to the Birmingham Bar Foundation (P.O. Box 1905, Birmingham, AL 35201). For more information, please contact Jim H. Wilson at jwilson@birminghambar.org or Mandy Peterson-Tice, Executive Director of the Birmingham Bar Foundation, at mandy.peterson@bbf.org.
In memory of Keith Edwards Brashier
► Barineau & Barineau
► Massey, Stotser & Nichols
► Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Powell
In memory of Britt Coleman
► Mary N. Reynolds
In memory of Ernest Cory, Jr.
► The Honorable Tom King, Jr.
► Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Powell
In memory of Judith Crittenden
► Mary N. Reynolds
In memory of Samuel Hugh Frazier
► Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Powell
In memory of Robert “Squire” Gwin, Jr.
► Robin L. Burrell
► William M. Dawson
► The Honorable Tom King, Jr.
► Massey, Stotser & Nichols
► Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Powell
In memory of James Lawrence Goyer, III
► Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Powell
In memory of Jack Hall, Sr.
► Edward Hardin, Jr.
► The Honorable Tom King, Jr.
In memory of Carl Edward Johnson, Jr.
► Massey, Stotser & Nichols
► Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Powell
In memory of Joseph W. Luther, III
► Robin L. Burrell
In memory of Michael Lyndon McKerley
► Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Powell
In memory of George Duncan Hastie McMillan, Jr.
► Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Powell
In memory of William F. Prosch, Jr.
► Barineau & Barineau
In memory of The Honorable Teresa Pulliam
► Barineau & Barineau
► Birmingham Bar Association
► Robin L. Burrell
► Christie Graham
► Edward Hardin, Jr.
► The Honorable Tom King, Jr.
► Anne and Ira Mitchell
► Massey, Stotser & Nichols
► The Honorable Tamara Mitchell
► The Honorable J. Scott Vowell
In memory of William Anthony Robinson
► Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Powell
In memory of Ruben Stewart
► Susan McAlister
In memory of Wilson Edward Still, Jr.
► Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Powell
BBA Announces New Member Benefits
Attorneys in the News
Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC is pleased to welcome Joshua Alford as Director of Investigations. Bringing over two decades of investigative experience from his service as a special agent with the FBI and NCIS, complemented by his legal training, Josh will enhance the firm’s Litigation Support team by developing and assessing evidence and conducting case investigations for their trial lawyers.
Former federal prosecutor George Martin has established the George Martin Law Firm in Hoover, specializing in government investigations and complex white-collar defense. Martin previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney in both Birmingham and Mobile, where he litigated high-stakes cases. His extensive prosecution record encompasses major public corruption trials—including those involving former Mayor Larry Langford and various state representatives—as well as sophisticated fraud and felony tax offenses.
for its service to death row prisoners and was presented with the award at the project’s annual Volunteer Recognition & Awards Event on September 18.
Porterfield, Harper, Mills, Motlow & Ireland, P.A. is pleased to announce that Holly H. Bazemore and Joel S. Isenberg have become shareholders in the firm.
Sara L. Williams has been named a partner at Singleton Schreiber. Williams will focus on personal injury and wrongful death cases.
to welcome Michael Bagdon to the firm as Litigation Technology Specialist. He has more than 20 years of experience supporting trial teams in all phases of complex litigation, with a focus on developing compelling trial exhibits and managing courtroom IT and audiovisual systems.
John Daniel has been appointed to the position of general counsel for the University of Alabama System.
Porterfield, Harper, Mills, Motlow & Ireland, P.A. pleased to share that Kyle W. Swearengen has joined the firm as an associate.
The law firm of Smith, Spires, Peddy, Hamilton & Coleman, P.C. is pleased to announce that Julia K. Koonce has joined the firm as an associate. Offices are located at 3500 Colonnade Parkway, Suite 350, Birmingham, Alabama 35243. Phone (205) 251-5885; Fax (205) 251-8642.
Bradley Arant has been recognized with the “Exceptional Service Award” by the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Death Penalty Representation Project for demonstrating an exceptional commitment to excellence in capital defense. The firm was nominated
David P. Nomberg, a partner with the Nomberg Law Firm in Birmingham, was elected President of the Workers’ Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILG). WILG is the national non-profit membership organization dedicated to representing the interests of millions of workers and their families who, each year, suffer the consequences of workplace injuries and illnesses. David is the first lawyer from Alabama to lead the organization.
Baker Donelson
shareholder Sara M. Turner has been elected First Vice President of DRI. With more than 16,000 members, DRI is the largest international membership organization of attorneys defending the interests of businesses and individuals in civil litigation.
Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC is delighted
Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC has welcomed three new associate attorneys to its office: Anne C. Hughes joins as a lateral associate, while Rachel S. Bragg and Mary Clark Logan join as first-year associates.
Swift Currie McGhee & Hiers LLP strengthens its Birmingham office with the addition of Dan Avery as Of Counsel in its workers’ compensation practice group. Avery brings extensive experience beyond his core focus on complex workers’ compensation defense. His robust practice includes defending diverse liability matters such as construction litigation, premises liability, products liability, and medical malpractice. Avery also possesses significant expertise in labor and employment claims.
Joshua Alford
Julia K. Koonce
David P. Nomberg
Sara M. Turner
Rachel S. Bragg
Anne C. Hughes
Mary Clark Logan
Sara L Williams
Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart, LLP is pleased to announce that Andrew Schomburg has joined the firm as an associate attorney. Andrew joins the firm’s medical malpractice and insurance defense groups. He earned his BS in Finance from The University of Alabama and his JD from The University of Alabama School of Law.
Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC is pleased to welcome Jordan E. Dailey to the firm’s Birmingham office as a lateral associate. She brings eight years of experience representing clients in various types of litigation. Jordan earned her J.D. from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and
her Bachelor of Arts in English from Auburn University.
She joins Badham & Buck’s commercial litigation practice, where she will focus on brief writing in complex cases and appeals.
The law firm of Christian & Small LLP is pleased to announce that attorney Ken Simon has rejoined the firm, where he will serve as Of Counsel. With his return to Christian & Small, Simon will focus his practice on securities regulatory and enforcement matters, mediation and arbitration, as well as governmental representation.
Badham & Buck, LLC is pleased to welcome Callen Thistle to the firm as Counsel. Callen served as a law clerk to the Honorable Staci G. Cornelius in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama for nearly a decade. Before that, she spent time in private practice. Callen has degrees from Princeton University and Emory University School of Law.
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that Katelyn (Katie) Wilson has been selected for the Birmingham Business Journal’s 2025 NextGen Class, a prestigious honor recognizing young professionals who are making a meaningful impact in their industries and communities.
Have news to share?
Andrew Schomburg Jordan E. Dailey
Ken Simon
Katie Wilson
