PRESIDENT’S PAGE
Continued from page 305
Phillip W. McCallum (front row, center) is congratulated by fellow members of McCallum, Methvin & Terrell, including Robert G. Methvin, Jr. (front row, left), Nicholas W. Armstrong (front row, right), and, on the back row, left to right, Rodney E. Miller, James M. Terrell, P. Michael Yancey, J. Matthew Stephens, and Brandon S. Hays.
We were also saddened by the death of Ed Patterson’s
Also at Baytowne to see the 136th president sworn in are family members, kneeling, left to right, Murphy McCallum, Chip McCallum and Chris McCallum. The middle row, left to right, included Scotty McCallum, Phillip McCallum, Kelley McCallum, Scott McCallum, Lynn McCallum, and Suzy Reinhardt. On the back row, left to right, are Russ Maddox, Caitlin McCallum, Savannah McCallum and Parker McCallum.
Celebration Task Force, chaired by Jeanne Rasco, has
daughter, Elliot Patterson Williams. Elliot was Ed and Beverly’s
already made significant efforts in preparation. Alabama’s
oldest daughter, married and the mother of two young chil-
Pro Bono Week Celebration has set a standard that serves
dren. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and, at the age
as a model for the country. Events of the Pro Bono Week will
of 36, passed away on Memorial Day of this year. It was heart-
increase the exposure of the Alabama State Bar to the public
wrenching to watch the effect her illness had on Ed and his
and civic leaders. This year is expected to be a huge success.
family. Yet, again, however, I was amazed at the support of the
The most important continuing issue facing our bar is ade-
bar family for Ed and his family. I have never witnessed a man
quate funding for our courts. Under the guidance of Chief
so devoted to his daughter. The eulo-
Justice Chuck Malone, Alyce Spruell (AOC director) and
gy he delivered at Elliot’s funeral was
Past President Jim Pratt, as well as many others, a
truly remarkable, and has challenged
statewide court cost bill was passed by the legislature on the
me to be a better father to my chil-
last day of the session and will act as a temporary repair for
dren. I reflect on these events as a
judicial funding. Senator Cam Ward, co-chair of the Senate
reminder of how important our bar
Judiciary Committee and a loyal friend of the Alabama State
staff is to us both functionally and
Bar, recently remarked to me that he thought the court-fund-
humanistically.
ing crisis was one that will be extremely problematic for the
During the upcoming year, I am hopeful that we can continue the
next few years. Obviously, funding for our courts affects the Elliot Patterson Williams
efforts of the many great leaders before me. I am interested in continuing the wonderful efforts
livelihood of most lawyers in our state and will require the continued cooperative efforts of the judges, lawyers and clerks. In July, the Alabama State Bar hosted the 2012 Annual
of our Access to Justice initiatives, particularly through our
Meeting at Baytowne Wharf in Sandestin. It was an outstand-
VLP. This year, National Pro Bono week will be celebrated
ing event with great CLEs and wonderful fellowship. Be sure to
October 21-27. The Alabama State Bar’s Pro Bono
read about this year’s award recipients on page 338! | AL
306
SEPTEMBER 2012 | www.alabar.org