Lawyer 5 91 web

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Automobile Insuran ce law by Davenport ° 1989 Criminal Offenses & Defenses in Alabama by Chlsrkas. Chlarkas. & Ve/gas

0 1982 Criminal Trial Practice 2nd Ed. by Ctll8rKas °1988 Criminal Trial Practice Forms 2nd Ed. by Chl8rkas .'988 Divorce, Alimony & Child Custody w / Forms 2nd Ed. by M cCurley & DaVIS

· ' 988 Evidence by Schroeder. Hoffman & ThIgpen · ' 987 Equity 2nd Ed. Ti lley 's b y H8nsford Cl 1985 Law of Damages 2nd Ed. by Gamble °1988

Limitations of Actions 80 Notice Provisions by Hoff °1984 REVISEDI Workmen' s Compensation w/Forms 2nd Ed. by Hood, Hardy & Ssad Cl 1990 EXPANDEDI • Including Current Supplement, if applicable.

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THE

}':i HARRISON COMPANY, PUBLISHERS MiY l991 / 113

IN

BRIEF \'oIl1mt 52. N..mIltr 3

MAY 199 1

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ON THE COVER: Spring heralds new growth Q tpilomiud by dlIisiH MId other wildflowon in a field in Montgomery County. _.~W.c;r";,,.,".I"'_

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE; Allemati\'t Dispute Resolution: An Introduction

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THE ALABAMA UWVER

Miy 1991 / 115

PRESIDENT'S PAGE

IIII

want to share with you I real success story-Iht IOJ,TA prognm of the Alabama State Bar. W. al1l ...rmd in llW Kho<.>I that a la\o.')'tT is tlhi · Citly prohibited from comminglmg fund. MinI! hold for ,dM.nt with the ~(i peOONl or firm accounts. II seplnte trust KOOi.Int must be t$UbHs.Md U I .......... tory ror d iml funds. We llso lumtd thit it is unrthiul for the trust xcount to bw" interost "'hich goa 10 the w.')'~r, beaUH that. in effect. is taking a clitnt'. rTI<)nt)'.

It is usual1}1 impractical to set up sepante interest-bearing ilCcounu for the benefit 0( numerous clienu whost I1'lOOe)' is being !ltld for onl~ a low days. II is ~ulll)' impractic.al to It·

tempt 10 account lor small amounu ol

be a part. [f a la~r don become a pari of the program. a simple form is taken to the lawyer's bank and the bank doH the !"(St. remitting interest umW on the 1.n.~r'1 tnat aC CflIJnt on I monthly or qUlrierly basi .. No clu~ is made to 1M lawyer ocept wNt is authoriW to COIllII' oot of the inter~

The Alabama l..ilo' foundlotion, loc was organiled to be tM recipialt of lOlTA funds. It is a SOl(c)(3) cmritable, t.u~­ empt organizalion ",'hich illuthoriztd to gi"" grants 01 tlltse funds for tilt following puf\'lOlltS: to prwidt legal aid 10 the pOOr. provide law stu~nl loans. provide for the administration of justice. provide law-relattd edu~tion to the public, he[p lTIlIintain public law libTJriu. help ll\lIintain ~ client security fund. ~nd help mlin~in III inquiry tribunal.

AI prtItfIt, 3.257 A\;tb;tma attorneys lrt partk ipi1lina in IOlTA. This rtprtsentI 62 percent of those eligible to pa rticipate. This is now g~nenting nu.rly $1.000.000 . )'I'<Ir 10 be u$ld for Ihe foundation's charitabl~ pu r]lOSU. loll at no cost to the puticipa ting

interul due I" Sotpllralt cI~nu whose money is commingled in I sina!~ trust ICCOUnt. So, clienu' funds which Wl'rt btlng htld by ~n for dutribulion. with occpional uctption s rCl. lugt ~u hold for signman\ periods d lime, ....er. lumped together in non-in. ltmt·btaring trwt accounu.

In the 19701.. with the advent 0( iolerut · bn ring checking lccount., a la~rs. thought Millin to take hold in parts 01 The AllIbloma Law Foundlotion is govemrd by II baird oIlrusua rNdt up of tM ItPJ ccmmunity. Whilr uch ~­ ...Ie ~r'5 trust xrounl mitht not AllblIll\lI IlIwyers. Ben HIT.il is Ihe I'oundation'. pro:sident. Theil' is II full . be ~blr to ~~ ... te ;t grut dr~1 01 inttrnt. ~ combin~tion of accounts time uteuti"" director. l'rKy DUlitl. could, ~ that money mighl be pot 10 who works out of state bIIr hudquITW. Albritton, III good UK. SillCl' Ia~rs _rt ethk.o.ll~ leTS. Tht foundlltion reai""s grant approhibited from laking tht inttrnt. plicat ions which an referred to the and since wilh most accounts It was Granu Committ ee. chai red by Harry impractical to prwide for intertlt to go to the clients. wh~ Camble and compoK~ oIla...y~rs who are not trustus.. The rommitlrt: studiu "'eh application ~ makn rtcOmrmn<,la· not Itt trust xcounts belr intuut with tht intu nt being used lor charitable pof\'lOlltS rdated to the law? IOLTA UnttTlions to tho: board oI trusteu AnnUlI/y. tho: board revirws tit on I...inoye-rs' 'I"rust Accounts) was born. thut recommt1lllitions ~ makes granu of IOlTA funds.

The first IOlTA prognms wert tstablishtd in Awtralill-' In the shott time !hit this program "'" b«n in optQ\ion Canada. followed closely by the first US . program. adQpted in tho: result> Iu"" bm> truly lI/N.Zin&- ThI' follol<li ng a", a kw Florida in 1978 ~ rrAdr opmtioNl in 1981 after the sueof the things t1ut now exist in Alabama t1ut in;all p~iHty cnst'ul <ltf......, 01 court challenats. ~ progrvns Iwit since would not if it weTe not for IOlTA. Iprud to ewry state.

ThI' Capital Rep",S(ntation RtiiOUrce Cent~r. which was orIn 1984. Alabama State Illr Prtsident Waltu Byars appOintQanized in 1988 ... ith former Gove rnor Mlxrt HrfWtr as it. ed a task force to study IOLTA and dewlop a plan for our first prtsident. wi.$t> attorneys who an: appOintw to C1/li~1 cues in the ]lOSt -conviction stage. [I Ius hudqUlrltu in ltate. ~ task force: went to work. ~ in 1986 its chaiT\'ltr100II, R~"" Crocktr Tugue, preltnted a proposal to tM Montgomery. whe re ill lull -time diredOT. BTYlon Stewnson. ;and five staff attorneys monitor Clpital CIItS ;and lI", lIVIilible boor<! of romm~n. The commiuiOntrs ~ppru." tIM: plan and submitted it to the IUPrtme court. [n May l!I87the 10 help appoinled iawytrJ throughout the Ib.lt wilh IMi. Alabama IOlT" program was approwd by tht Supreme Court specillliztd ttpfrtise. While the center now r.ce:~ funds 01 Alabama ~ it bfa,mtopt... tioNl in Jilfluary 1988. (rom st\'tl'"ill ildditional private and gwemmen~1 IOYTCU. its Ou r prog ... m il an O!>I-out program. which means that $ted montY. which Il\lIde the organitation possible. came from IOlTA. Ia~rs who fOT 50ffit reason do not wish to participate ~ AppOinted attomty$ in capital case. in the pr._t.ial Slagt inform the state bar of that fact and Ihey are not required 10

"_roW

11 6/ ~I ay

[991

THE ALAB.AMA LAWYER

now have lwo invesligalQrs available IQ Ihtm Ih rough Ihe Mitigation Prognm of the Alabama Prison Project, funded by 10lTA. Tho probltm of child ~~ ha5 r«eived much atttntion from lho: foundation, Eumplu of (urrent pr<ltilrarru mlIde possible by 10lTA grants include proseculors /Wigned IQ the ChHd .I.dvotKy Center and tho: 1\Isc.aloosa ChHdrtn's Center M>C! MonljOmtry County', CQ!Jrt-Appointed $p«ial Mvoeiole program Ihrougll "tlidl voIuntftrs an usigntd 10 ...-or\< u '" linlc bttwftt1 abused children and lho: court.

It is the foundation's prtfennct 10 provide funds 10 Qrga, nize a ....orthy program and 10 ~ist it until il can b«ome stlf-sufficienl, rath« than bting tho: sole source of continutd funding. An aullml eumplt of Ihis is lho: CQ!Jrt Appoinud Jm.. nil. AdvIxale Program of Madison County, .... hich hu volunleers who act ... advocales in the court taus of phy$iu.l· Iy and st,ually abused childrtn so thaI children will Il3I't a constant rlJlun while they Irt in the court Jy$lem and not bt $hunted from (!lie penon \Q another. Thisl"'\lCJ'am was po5sible by In IOUA grinl bul now un Supp(lrl ilul f lhrough a 10y1 blI. The loondalion recenlly approved a grant lo.tart a Jimillor prog ... m fQr jul'tnil. atlinQ""nl$ in t>\lIdi$()!l County.

Domestic: violma is MlOthe. problem which ha5 ~ivtd $llKial alltnlion from tht foundation. JOlTA funds allowed Birmingham', YWCA Famii)' V'lOltna Cenler to hirt an advoeate to apprai se <lom..li, abu$<! vktirru of Iheir righl$ and htlp guiat lhem Ihrough 1M 1tg.1l proc:eu. A """ grant \Q lho: same center " ill bt used 10 hire a pa.Hime coordir\llOl' 10 train and dirKt volunt .. rs to help perl'orm this function.

Tht Alabama Coalilion Against DomUli( Violence will ust 10l.TA funds 10 organize workshops expllo inlng llows rtlaling \() domnlic: .... ne. 10 jud4a and ottOl'Tlq1. ~ altorneys 11M: btm hirtd "ilh IOLTA funds by I.ojII Strvica <><PIiAlions in \\lrious parts of lilt ltate 10 $llKiallu in the hindling of OOmeslk violenet c.ues, Thil is not an authorized use for the organ izalions' g"""rnmenl fundI and is made pomibl. only by thut granu.

As prMouJi)' reported in this column, il is 10lTA funding whic:h brouahI the Alibama Stale Bar Volunt.. r L,w.')'Ors PJo. ,ram inlQ ~in8. The tulminalion of, tludy by Ihe bar's CommiuH on Access 10 Legal Services, dll.irtd by Ken Ballies iOO lea.lit. by Anne Mitchtl1. Ihis PTOIIram now ha511 lulllime coordif\lllOl', /oklinda Wal ..... and will bt hou$td in trw: .q>anded bar building in Monlj/(lmtry. The program will wo.k wilh nisting urban pro bono projects Ind npand thtm inlo rural ~nil-ll. 10LTA funds "t also btin, u~ in local pro bono pr<ltilrarru spOnsored by Ihe Mobile and Montgomery County bar usoc:ilItions.

In 1989. the Alabama Cmie. for Law&; Civic: Educalion was eoIlIblWled wilh sted IT'IOT'q from 10LTA. Tho cenler is in full operalion In facililies butt! It and donalttl by Cumbtrland

m.s.

nlE AI..A6A."IA t.AWYt:R

School of l.dw and i. ~itionally IUm>Ortttl by ltale appropri. ations. Wilh a full-time di reclor, Jan Loomis, Ihe cenler stfl'tl U I TaOUau, ratatch II1Illraining emter \Q promot.

'-·rtWed education in Aia])l.rf\II.. 11$ current prognms in_ clude the training of teachers, the pl'(lViding of ruource rnale. iall 10 leachen, Ind Ihe sponsorship of drug education prognms in the Khoob and p.OIInrru aimed II combati"ll juYtnilt drlinquentY. Publk \low librarin throughout the S\;II. lila... benefiled from 10 tTA funds, ranging from the instaillolion of an automaled u.talog syst.m in the suprerm court law tibrary to lhe purell3.Je Ii fax rT\Khinu and other equipment fQr nUJ1>t1'OUS county libraries.

Other J)TOi«ts whidl ife rurrmliy underway in OUr state becaust of IOI.TA funding inc:lud. the co·sponsorship of 1I confirtnc:t on literacy by Ihe Allobama Stale Bar 'i)o$k Force on IIlil.racy, dwrtd by lyTlr>t Kitchens; Alabama Public: Ttlt· vision spoU and i stOO on Constitutional issues produ«d by 1M ~ma S\;Ile S,r Law Ila)' COmmitl«, chlIirtd by Fred McCallum;, liabilit» guilk for .-oIunl«" of lIQfl.prOfil orga_ niullonl published by the ASB Young l.dwye .I' Sectionl Mont\l(lmtry Counly Yoo"ll L.a~'J: the YMCA Youth Judic1&l Prqzram; and an outnach pr(IQram 01 the Abbamo Dislabilities MI«acy Prqzram 10 inform disabled AlWmians in stl'tr.li rural counties of lhei r legal righu.

There Il3I't b«n many oth.r 10l.TA·funded programs. but thiJ will i I(f\.It of wlllal being KCornplishtd with theK

'1

iii'"

,,""'-

Look It whil liwyers can dol Wilh the unstlfish tfforu of volunt«. b'Yo')'Ors who hi ... btm willing to cont.ibute otherwi$<! billloble hours tQ1(1'\;"11"-'1 task I'orce m<:mben, commis· slom.... Grants CornmillH members, IrustttS and offICers of the AII.Nma Yw Foondation. and the willilll/llus of 3.257 ba~rs to fill out I simple form to con,.. rt IMir Irw;t Ie· munl$to IOLTAlIOCOWlts. we 11M: done wonders.

Thil is a projm which should mal« every la~r in Alab,)· malwell with pr~. To all who 1l3... contributttl to its 'ue· CW, and to ill who may, on rtfltction, dccidt \() do 5(1 in the futu .... lgivt Rl}I heartfelt thanks. Well donel •

HENDERSON PRIVATE INVIESTIQATIONS

CON' IMNTI..1. • INK III." I.ICI.NH D . _ D PO

9OX~I

135255]

~11.I "- ' ~bayl9911 1l 1

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT CLIENT SECURITY FUND

Ii Ii

hi. y<>.r marks the 20th anniversary of the state bar', first attempl to ~'tabli,h a viable Client Se· curit~ Fund. Initially. the fund was created with

• seed granl from the Alabama State Sa. Foundation and an expectation of sustaining the fund through

an annual voluntary ront,;bution f.om each member of the bar. Our initial claim wiped out the fund, and had the Birmingham Bar Association not paid half of that claim. the injured client would have nol been made whole. A voluntary funding mechanism could not

sustain such an dlort. and Alabama

then was one of only a few .tate. without a fund.

In 1987. at the ~uest of the Alabama State liar, the Supreme Court of Alabama adopled rul.s for a CSF that included a mandatory asse" men! of t\'ery lawytT holding an ac·

tive license to practice on January I of each year in the amount of 525 un· til the lawyer had paid $100 into the CSF, The 1991 sutements have been mai led. and . to date. 3.501 lawyers have pai d thtir assnsment in fu ll.

Payment num""r four was due from another 1.945 mom""rs b)' March 31.

Our curre nt fund balance i.

$646.593.97.

Th.. enty·thr.e claims have ""en as· serted against the fund. tn 1989, one auorney repaid the client the mon.y wrongfully taken. ....,n though he was no longer practicing law. The fund paid another client 52.000 which had been stol.n by a la~r who was no longer practicing and the har was unable to 10cat•. Tho other claim, for 51,462, predated the rules and waS not cognizable. Th. attorney involVl:d hu been dis· barred for other offenses.

One aUorney is responsible for nine pending files. He is the subject of disciplinary proceed ings and not engaged in the practice of law. All of the daims. which total approxi· mately $2.300, represent retainers where no work was""'r undertaken. The aUorn.y involVl:d indicated his intention 10 repay all claimants but has not done w.

A claimant was repaid $2.000 for anoth .. 1990 me by the attorrwy who has subsequently b«n disharred. Claims totatting $5.\80 are pending against another suspended attor· ney who took the elienf! money "",n though he was SllS' pended. Inasmuch as the rules require the attorney be ii·

li S / May 1991

cens.ed at the time of the mi"'ppropriation. these claims are likely to be denied. One of the claims could conceivably be a debtor·creditor relation,hip un .. lat.d to an attorney· client relationship.

A now·decused attorney was the subject ofa claim which was d.nied in 1990. The client actually wught to amrt a malpractice action against the fund which is clearly not in· tended. TWo claims filed for inaction predated the rules and the CSF. Unfortunat ely. 1991 hal begun with the amrtion of claims totalling $152.820.33. One now ·deceased at · torney is responsible for 1)28.000 of this total. Whik still practicing, he closed two house ...1.. and kept the money intended to payoff existing mortgagu. The CSF liability. under the rules. is a maximum of 520.000 per claim or. in this instance. $40.000. It ,",'QuId appear t",'Q olhu claims totalling .Iightly over $2.200 will be paid. One attorney is already di$barred and took a 51.500 fee while clo.ing hi. practice. The other ap· pUrs to be a failure to pay over col· lected funds. That attorney has since left Alahama.

Another 1991 pending claim totals $16.000, but preliminary inVl:stiga · tion ind icates th. re i. no basis for the claim, Initially. there was significant ruentment toward the fund, No small number of dissidents doubted the n.ed for it. From the above disclosed claims. it is easy to see those di,honest among lIS hurt the entiro profe$.lion. ~lost of the claimants can ill afford to be victimiud.

The president-elect of the bar chairs the CS~' Claim, Committ •• . 11 will be meeting soon 10 review pending claims.

It is hoped the fund i. on a wund fOOling for )"'ars 10 come. It draws int .... t monthly. rlease review the CSF Rules which appUr in the new bar directory. Hi,tory ha:! shown that in those stales with long·standing CSF activity. this is a meaningful and positive method \0 help the profes· sioo', im.age ",hen tho$e among \1$ do harm through a dishonest act.

Each claim is required to be documented and then is in · vutigated to ensure that a misdeed has occurred.

•

TIlE ALABAMA LAWVER

Essential Publica tions For The

ALABAMA LAWYER New From The Michie Company

Alabama Law 01 Evidence. by J05C.'ph A. Colquitt. is Ihe most priOctical and up-todatt reftrcn~ on Alabama "vidence. Carefully org.ani~..d, this book mak ... it us;c. to find the Al~bama evidence I.w .pplicable 10 you r (al<!. II contains sta tutes, rules. a di s. cussion of pa lle rn jury instruelionl. dlalions to luding cases. Ihe federal Rules of Evi· dente, and It.. newly adopted RuLes oICriminal Pnxedu ~. App,,",. 6SO pages, hard· bound. C I990, TM Mieh'" Comp;ony .................................................. _.... _.... _._. $85.00'

Family Law In Ala bama: P'8<:lIc. lind Proce dure. by Rick Fern~ mbucq and G,ry Pate, is a working 1001 for tke domestic practitioll"r, useful from Ihe fil'SC dient Interv;ew through tnfora.mtnl of awards and agreements. This book blends praclo l applications with .", Iysis of leg.;ol principle-s, and 5<'U I""m in 1M conl""t" everyday problems fa«<! by l.w)'<'1'" and thei, dinu •. Com pletely up-Io-<!.I", Ihtbook enrom· J»ssn the lales! ch.nges in AI.bama family law, M7 pages. hardboun d, e l990. The M ichie Company ................................................. __ ............................ $ 65.00·

AI. b. m. Aul. ' of Crimin a l Proc e dure . by /u!-lie.. Hugh Maddox. is the flf"ll t ....atis.. 10 provid{' cov".age of lhe MW Ru les 10 be effective lanu Hy 1991 . The book containl each of the Rules in fulL Ihe official commenlS of the Advisory Commince. and Ihe au lhor' s seelion·bY-l«tion . nalysls. He provides praelicc guidance wilh hinl., poinlers, SOImple forms, and a case prep. ration ch""kH.1. Approx. 1100 pages. hardbound , CI990, The Michit Company .................................................................................. 5 75.00·

AI . b a ma Tori L.w Handbook, by Michael l. Roben " an d G regory S. Cusimano, Contributing Editor. gives Alaba ma anorneys Ihe legal basis and practice information to eva lual e claims and win for their clients. Covering . U tons which.l1' iOCIionable uneil'r Alabama law. it providn up-Io-dalt analy ... 01 Alab.om. !-I.tulH and (.Ill<! law hold· ings. The book olf('R p.actict gukbncc, and intludts checklists and SOImple complaints.

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I1MSHROVER P.O. Box:we;· Wi honvi l ~, At

~lJl6.llM6

(%05l l 26-9199

0, coli Tn. MI<I.~ Comp.ony toll·l ..... 1-Il00-562- illS · PI~ ...... to. ........ . ",,11<""" THE AUB.r\MA LAWYER

May 1991 ' 119

LEGISLATIVE

WRAP-Up

By ROBERT 1- McCURLEY. JR.

uee ARTICLE 2A

Ii ill>t

lrutitul.tohas am!Yw pmeflled theappnMd ....gi.la·

tu~ a new article to the Uniform CommtT(:i;!1 Cock Bob !,1 unor ch.l.irtd the C()IIlmiu « with Pro-

LEASES

A lust is a contract. subject to con· tract I~w construction and enforcemenl principia. And. in AlabaIN, leases have bun constnltd l/l~ tn/orced in a man· ner gtnerally coruisten! wi th contracl

fuso. Peter Aleu suving as th. d'lOrtJ!)4'fson . Th. following la ...~us served on the commi tte.: Douglu T. "Rodill. Hamp 8oIu, Andy Campbtll.

RAlph Franco. Jo hn 8. Civllan. Bill Ulinton. Jr., ~il JohnW.>n, Jim Kline_ r.lltr, Bury Marks, [Ibert H. PUM>ll'l.

Jr.• JoK-ph SlewlIrt. and Mikf "'loIns.

onArtick9~

The following review of the ~nding bill i$ taktn from tho committu's drot

wilh tOIllmtntaf)'.

Promulgated In 1987 by the American l.Jw Institut. and the National Confe. tne. of Commission... for Uniform Stat. 1 ~W5. Miel. 2A oIlhe lICe is the fint compr.hfmivc slotutory fo.muLllion of lilt ptT$ONI property !using law.

In the \Rdition of the mLlotements and tho uce. Artielt 2A doH not so much crul. pmonal proptrty \easil\lllaw as it ccdiroa the bntfr prxIicu in this gr0w.ing aru of the rommm;iaIlaw. The iOrti · d. alJoD oonlinutS lhe commtrriallaw's >indication 01 frwlom of conlract prin· dplu. ~uurjng tile Plfties to I luse tralUKtion tllat they INy. for II-.. most part, tailor It-.. statule 10 tt-.. exigenciu of part kul~r Iraruactioru;.

1lle commiuu look inlO a<coonl the tlCisting bodia 01 law in considering tho: dflclq of Ihe rormul~tions effecled in the pn)p(lo$td uniform Law.

_L _h. _l-~J>

10 ... cMaoo <II ...

-~­ ..... ........ ,,_ ....

-~­ .... """' ... .....,

--

~ '"

120 / Mayl991

$.I.ln. lruofar as Articlt 24 draws on ana· l08uts from Articles 2 and 9. the Ope.a· tion of INny Art icle 2A p,,,,,isions will bt immtdiattly ICct"ible to !host llre~1l)o familia. with tho: commmiallaw in tilt ~Ie. IswtS of kast conlract formation. perforrmnu lind de/owll Irf gent rally treated by Artick 2A provisions that art b.u.td on Artick 2 aNiogues; issuts con· enning Iht priorily 0( claims 10 Iht Ifast property d~, 10<' 1M most part.

principia. Thert hu betn. liowtI.'tr. a

dearth of ast Law /ll'Plj;ng conlract w.,.

10 Itasts. Thtrdort. Ir.. n~dors ha,'t

bun left with liult .uidanct in formu· boling tilt contours of IMir least trans· Ictions. Whilt gtneral eontra.ct prinei · p," deYtlOlltd in othtr conttlCts are cer· llIinly competent to ~rw;and resolve a b~ array of leasing i"UtI, it is less delr tllatII-.. gtntral rontract law is the bUI source of gu idanet for determining cont r()\lersiu involving considerations fu~mtnt.:ll 10 tho: tommerciaillw.

To addrt» tht vaCuum of guidanct. tilt AlabaIN courts hal't mtrrtd 10 Arti· cit 2 01 \hot uee, "SIlks", as asourct of IlIw to 1O''t.n cont'O\'trsiu involving pmOnll pn)ptrty kasts.

Artic"k 9 01 \hot "Stcurtd Trans· actions". iruo/lI' as it oonctrns tilt rights lJld IWlilities 01 parties "ilh inlt~ in II-.. Amt personal pn)ptrty, aoo supplia a SOlIrct oIl~w that WO\Ild be lvail~le for use by analOQ:)' 10 lust tramactions .

In Alabama. uce Artid. 9 governs st· eUrN tran$llctions l/ld Article 2 governs

ucc.

The Itast is clostr in Spirit lJld form to lho: Ale 01 goods than 10 the crution of II steurity inlf'flt. Wh ile Pl'rt ifl to a lute ) re sometimes repr~,.nted by counstl and tt-..ir agr«menl is ollen re· duced to .. writing, tho: oblill/ltions 01 It-.. partiu are bilattraland 1M common law of lUling il domiNIed by the need 10 prtstrYt frttdom 01 contrxt. Thus. the drafting commiuH of tho: Uniform Act conc:luded Ihil Artick 2 ...as lho: appr0priate SI.Itutory aNlogut.

The drifting commillu of Iht Uni· form Act thtn identified and relOlvtd K\'!ra1 iIIUts critical to codificatiQn:

""-

The SCOpt oI tlle Article was limited 10 Insu (Section 2A·102). Thert was no need to include It..... Inten<ltd as stru· rit~. i.e .. secu rily interest disguised as leastS. as they are adequately treated in Article g. Furth ... t\ltn If I....... inten<kd as $tcurily were induded. the need 10 preHNt lilt distinction WO\Ild remain. as policy IUQUts lreatmrnt significantly different from th;.t accordtd Ir.ase$.

DethtlUon of .....

Lust _ defintd to cdude Iea.w:!; in· ttndtd as IfCUrity (Strtion 2a· I03IIIUII. eMn the liligMion Iodate ... revised def· inition 01 steurity inttrest was suggested for indulion in Ihe ICI . (Section ].

20113711. This rtVision sharpens tho: dis· tinction btt..... en lea$ls and Mcurity in · teruts disguistd l.I leases.

Tm: ~BAMA LAWYER

Filinti 'll>r lwor W<ll not rtquiml to file. fi· !Uncing .tat.menl againsl tht less« or take iIOY other Ktioo to prOltct the leu· or's internt in tht I/QOII$ I~tioo u,.

3(\1).1hr refintd dtfinilion of >KUrity interl:St wililTlOft durly signal the need to file to potentillllUlOr of goods. ThoM lusors who ~re coocemro will me ~ por teeti"" filW\Cing statement (Seclion 9· 4(8).

W.".nt".

All of the upren and impli(d war· nnties of the Artkl. on Sales (Artkl~ 2) weM indudtd (Stctions 2A·21O through 2,.\·216). rMstd 10 ..,ntct diffuencts in lust tnnsactionL tlI( luse 01. IIOOdJ is sufficiently similar 10 tilt wJ~ of \IO(ICIs to justify this dtdlion. Fu rthu. m"ny courts hllve ruched tilt Ame decision.

C.rtlllc.t. of UU. I.w.

Many lusing tr"nnctions involve ,GOds subject to c. rtific"t. of title II.tutn. To .void connie! with thOSt S!lltutes. Ihi. article is subject to them (Section 2A·I04lll1aU.

Con.ume, I.....

Many IellSillll transactions iO\'OM p/Il" ti.s subj~ct 10 coniumn prolution $Ututts or dtcisions. To lVI)id connict with !host laws. this article is subject to them to the extent pr<lYi.u,d in Stclion 2A. I04(1)(c) and (2). further. cutain consumer pTOltctions 11<1"" bun incor· ponUd in the artitle.

FI...ne. . . . . ..

Certain lusilll! tl'llnsactiom substitute the !upplier 01 the goods for the Itssor as the p.l.rty mponsible to the leSiou with .upeet to WITl'lII1tits ~ the like. Tho dtf]nition 01. firuon« ItuI: (Section 2,.\.

103[11(gl) was developed to describe thue trilJ\$lctions. V~rioUI sutio ... 01 the article implement the .ub>tilution 0( lht supplier lor the lessoT. including Sections 2A.2Q9 and 2A-4()7. No ,,!tempi _ mado to fashion I Sptcial rule where the filUnce lessor is an affilillte of the suppl;er of goods: this is to bt dtvtioptd by tilt courts. cue by CUt.

THE AlARAMA LAWYER

SaI• •rId ~HbM:k Sa!. and lusthack tnnsactions are be· coming increasingly common. A number of f!.ate 5t.atutu trut traruKtions w... .., possusion is retained by Ihe Klier as fraudulent per se or prima licit fnudu· lent, 'nYt position is not in xwrd with modem practice and. thus. is clwlged by tho article "if the buyer bought for value and in good faith" ISection U,-308131).

Aemed,.. 'll>r .rticle has not only proYiOOl for lwor's mnt"din """" <Itt'.ull by the In· set ($«Iions 2A·523 through U,·5JI). but also for Itssee·. remedits upon de· fault by the lessor (Sec ti ons 2A · 508 th...,.,gh 2,.\·522). This is a significanl dt· plIrture from Article 9. which prOYides ..,mediu only for the secured pirt)' upon def~ult by the debtor. This difference is comptlltd by the bilalenllUture of the obligations between the pIIrtits to a lust.

.........

Many leuing transaction •• rt predi· cattd 00 the parties' ability to stipulate an 'ppropriat. meUure 01 damages in the rwnt of !kfaul!. The rule with ft· tptd to ALes of goods lSection 2·118) is not suffICiently nuible 10 accomodalt this pnctict. Coruisltnt with the <;()m. mon law emphasis upon f.«<lom to con· tract. the article II<Is cruted a reyiKd rule tmt allows 'Tfaln Ouibility with rtlfl«l 10 le-s of I/OflIb (smioo 20\.

5004(1)).

Though the Alabanu ad occuionally lNy diller in iU lonnulatioo. the act is generally consistent with the approach of the Unilonn Act. with regird to the o:ritic.ll isslll:J. Anyone ...Uhilllla ropy 01. this proposal nuy obtain one by writing Rob McCur· ley. Alabama Wow Institute. P.O. Box 1425. Tusa.~ AllobirN. 35486.

•

r-;:==========================:; You can 't get closer to the issues than this.

Allowyen CoopentiYe PubHoh/ns. _ Imow analylJcal Ifsoal_rdl ~ K not CO"",,''''. wilhout one vital ~nlo _ OUt freld ~u.Wn. ~ Imow ........ r •• vaibble • ....... r • .no.d.rblt. and ...... L_ _ wilt be 01. :r:J:ULfl' ~.I .... 10 you< practice. liven you< and ma,IooL out

RilhL _ . you< Iocat ~Iive io reody 10 help you pt ..... moot I...... out ",*,,"..a libra/)' '" AI ........ puctiet _ (....., "lR 10 ...... J... or uses II> US l Ed. lfyou_n'lI>tre /f! r:h.o'F. ,. !k 101 ~"We who'iln lOUd! with yo..rretd •. Contae! you. Ioal ~,...",ta'i .. dll'tCLly. or catll-800-527.{14JO.

May 1991 / 12 1

BAR BRIEFS A8A _",i ...I •• 11

~n.

a.o.rd of governors

to

Eleven persons wtrt nominlltd in February 1991 to ~M OIl the ao..rd Ii CcMmon

01 tho Arnmw1 Bar As.$OCiI·

lion. wh.ich .. p~nts 380,000

~n

NlUorrw;cIt.

The nomin«$

,,~u

wl«ttd durin,

IIw: 199] ABA Midyur MHling in

Sut-

Their NmtS will bt presented for 1I VOlt wlltn the usocialion CO!WeneJ (or its 1991lnnll/ll meeting in Augwt in At·

III..

lan~.

rhe ll·mtmber board of gove r·

non muts fm limes a yea. lind ~1'SU5 fNnlitment lfId iHlministl'lltion of the ABA. Terms on tho boa.nl of aowmon Among the nomintU is Glory

C. Hu cklby of Hun\ivill •• Allbimi. Huckaby was presi dent of

the Ahbama Stlh BIT from 19S8·89 lind is with the firm of Bndl.y. Arllnt.

ROK & \\1>it • • Il. was iHlmiUtd to the: 111.1. bar in 1962.

EK.mb'- County •• r A,socl.lion rec.lv ••• w.rd The E:Jcamhia Count)' Bar Amciltion recently r«eivtd notitt from tho Ameri· un BIor A.!.socilotion tNoI it hid b«n 51" Itdtd 10 rtttr.'t a c<:nifiat. of R~i· lion in tho ABA's 1990 law ~ U.S.A. Public SeMct "',,'al'd competition.

According to Will~ R. Stokes. Jr.. d E...erQr«n, who i. presidenl 0( tht N. wodation. activities included having all uea high Khool seniors participate in tM IrUl of two crimi~1 cuu. Thtst lri. als wtrt hold April 3() and M.:I.y I. 1990.

The trills wtU of dtfendants char8td with drivil\ll under the innutroee 0( ~ hoi: the dmndionts lind their ilIlomtYS CCfIKfltfli \0 br: tried by thea lIodtnb.

Memku of lhe lIuocilltiOtl wtnt to mh Khooi the "''ffk prior to the "''ffk 0( Law Day to speak with the ~nion. 11 was arranged for a deputy to go also. It 1 22 1 ~

1991

which timt jury summonses wtr. served on each senior sludent.

Prior to the t.ials uch day. u.. .ntirt group of seniors IOU 8Mn an o.ien"tion Lilk by " mtmlx. 01 tho lISSOCiation. who upt,in«1 tho purpost 01 Law Day, the themt 01 this yur's obsotrvaru. and how the usoci.Ition was INking this 011-

control lor Alabama's 39 two·ytlr colleges and also oversees all vocatio~1 ed· uca!ion, adull wucation. lucher in·$tf· vic~ c~nte .. MOd child .. n·, and adult ... habili\lltion KI'Yio:es in the state.

Shei»rd was lIdmitted 10 tho AlabamI St.'It~ &r in 1979.

~.

.Johnaon and Lazenby ctws.n AlabiIN Chief Justic~ Sonny 1I0msby

In addition to the trills. mtmbt .. of the wocilotion participated on radio Lilk shows at two radio ,"lions in the caun ·

"

Friend eMeted

Edward M. Friend. III 01 Sirou " Per · mutt. P.C. hu b«n elmed to II sewnd tum u cha irp erson 01 the Birmingham Am Chamber 01 Commerce. The Chimbt. upre~ 4.700 nit'"'''''' in J.efk ....... Shelby, Walktr. St. Clair and Blount rountiu.

Friend is i ~te 0( the Uni>'trsity of AIlIlwnio and lho Uni»e .. ity's School

.Uw.

Ham. alected James D. Harris, Jr.. lorme.ly a part · ner in the Montgomery finn 01 Harrq; " 1-brril. t.. bwo electtd president 01 the BowIil\ll CfftIl·Warnn County &r Ass0ciation. fUnis _ ;abo a mtmlxr olthe Alibm>a IIouJe of R..,mmtatives lrom 1971).78.

He currently iSlI partner with the finn of Harlin" Parker in Bowling Cr.en.

Kentucky. and a colonel in the USAR , "'-PIOn! e l_ted ~II T, Shepard. III was 5"-'OITI in u II MW IIM'mber oltht Alabama SLit. Ro.ord of Edut.lotion in Jlnuary. He .euiwd 62 pfiUnI olthe total vote.

The bo,ud of educlltion implemenlJ education laws lind stU aademic stan· dards lor all elementary and stcondal')' public schools. It acts as the board 01

recently namw Ci.cuit Judge U$lit C. Johnson 01 Florence as adminislratiw di rector of courts lor the s\lIt~ 01 Alaba· ilIli. Johnson will fill t h~ vlOcllncy 1~lt when 10''''''' di.ector All~n 1).plty bt· calM dirtCtor of The Sent~nciili lnst i· tute In Montgomel')'.

... -

'

wlS strving lIS presidinS Judg~ of the lllh Judi. cial Circuit when chostn. Johnson has- bun a cir· cuit judge sinc.

1977. Prior to thlll, he was II specilll circuit ;ud~. I deputy district aUorllty and in the pril.... te practice d ~'.

Johnson is a 1967 graduate dVinderbilt Uniwrsity. and a 1969 graduate of Cumbtrland School of Law. In 1979 he r«eiV!d his master of law deS.H lrom the Uni>'trsity 0( Mississippi. MOd in 19M ho tamed II il'IISttr of Kience degrtt in crimi~1 justice from the Uni\~rsity of

...

........

Johnson's utra judieilll Moviee in · dudes Hoving as chlirpe ...... ol the jo.o;li. dll ,yst~m'$ EmpIO}· ... Appeals Roo rd from 1987-90; aU mo'mkr of the Prison Review'T:IslI Force since 1987: as chair· person of the Slate Records Retention Committ... linc~ 1985: U I mtmkr of the Stile lnlormlt ion System Review CommittH since 1989: and lIS chlirper$OIl olthe Community-&std Sentmcing Policy TIsk Force, I position whi, h ho Kupted WI yur .t tM reQuut olll-it chid justice, The primal')' duty of the Admioi$t r.tive l)i recto. 01 Courts il 10 aSlil( the THE ALABAMA LAWVER

chid justa in his duties ;as tile Idministrat~ hud cI the judicial system bv _ing to it that the business ohhe courts ri this state is attended to with J»'OPtr dlspatch ~nd court doc:ktts;m, not pennit_ ted to ~ coogested and that trWs .md ~ppt'ils in not unrusonably de-

.....

John L l.uenby, the circuit clerk 01 Elmore County, hal bun appointed lieputy ~ministnti~ dirtctor 01 courts. ~nby KrvN <IS circuit c~rk for EI· mar. County sintt 1982. Prior to thit. he KrvN as nsistant circu it duk and magistrate. luenby hiS \>ml pruident ri the State A5$0ci· ation of Clerks and Reaishrs twice Ind earned the ..sodation's President's Award three timn mil its

G. . . .6ected In the Jan ..... ry i~Ut of 'l1II< ~ Lmrjjtr, it Wil$ .. ported th.!.t Edward P. My.rson has betn elected II the "first member from the state of Alibama" to the Ameriein College of Construction t.n.')'trs.lJnlortunately. tta.1 inIormation ,,'U not completely cornet. Binninglwn attorney A.H. Gaede, of the firm of Bradley, Arant, Rose <Ii: White. was also .. I.cted in the sarno QrOup of 41 aUorncyS OONIituting the inaugurlll troup of Fellows. The /..auger regrets this omis·

.....

Smith . Iected John Joseph Smith. Jr. ofBinningham "'U Kifdtd re«ntly &I i member of tht t.bor Pantl 01 the Amerian Arbitnolion Associilion. Smith his JtfYtd &I,.., orbitritor since ]983 UId is also i member

of tho Labor Pant) of the Federal Medii · lion intl Conciliation Strvict. lie was~. miUed to the lIate 00' in ]910.

~sAWlirdor«.

He iu membtr of the Natioml A5$0ci· ation of Court Man~ge ment lnd hi! seNed as the following: dl.lirptuon of the Stat. Court Cost CoIltction Commit· tee; memb« 01 the system's l.eawat~ Council. the Weiahtfd CueIOlid Com. mitltt Ind the Child SuppOrt Forms Committee; Immbet of the faculty oIthe Alabama Judidal Colloge; and ,·i«·clair of the Alabama Criminal Justice Infor· mation System Commission.

Questions About Court Rules?

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v Rules at Criminal f'rocecU" at CMI Proceo,lreo

AAA-CPA ecIuc.t•• The AmeriCill A5$0ciation of Atlomt)'·

" Rules

Certifi«l Public Accountants is altempt· ina to .ducato the I'\lblic .. prdi"ll the oraani ... tion Ind its purpOst. It wlS formtd ..... 25 )/Of'i ~ by the joini"ll 01 ~lifomii mel NfW York fbt. MSOCiitions ,,"'ich hid beQun independtntly. It now tw member1hiJ'! in all SO states and several fo .. ili" countries.

Mernbor$hip ls limittd to thoK individu.l.ls who hold licelUG ;os ittorneys and ;as «"ifitd I'\Iblic KCOUntants. ilthouI!h a majority 01 the .... rnbors PrJ<:tice primarily in one discipline 0. the other. The organization rtJ'!rtsent.s the inltruts of du.l.lly Qu.l.liflfd pr0fts.5ionals on Notion.il mel 1Iite lewis.

For mort inforrnltion ilbout AM·CPA. contact J~ Brotherton at 1206) 325-

" Ethics AdvIsay Opinions v Ally. Gen1 Advisory Opnons " Cal lor oompIete lis! & prices.

3537.

TIlE ALABA."1A LAWYER

Alao ...

Port..1t needs identlfle.tlon The: ALioba ..... .suprtme Court Ubl'l.ry needs the help 01 the ciliUM of AbIwna identifyinA 1M portrait abo\... which is includtd in the libmy collection , In their tfforts to update the portrait collection. librlory officiils beli"", they \alit successfully ickntirltd all portrlliu ueept this ono. AJI elforts to date to idtntify it hi .... been unsu«ti.lful.

If anyone can identify the picture. pi ...... contact BOO \\'lrrtn 01 the Alabama Supre .... Court library at (205) 242· 4341 or write Suprtmt Court and SUit law Ubrllry, JudiciJ.1 Building, 44S Du· ter Avenue, Montgomery. Alob.ma 36130. A11'N: BOO Warren, •

'Introdudoty Off.r; $49 plus $6

(Tax/Shipping) frx set 01 thrH rules.

Copy prOlected. Specify 5.25" 013.5" cJ'sk b-mat Umit9d time offer. "'lIk. chKk. prf.bl. 1Q m.kooPH

CDn*ultlng, Inc.

JuriStar. mek:oopor COnsulting, Inc. P.O. Box 210187 Morigomay, AL 36121 (205) 212-s.4~4

May 1991/ 123

ABOUT MEMBERS, AMONG FIRMS ABOUT MEMBERS RichaT'li O. Horne, formerly .. partner

in 1m firm of lIus, Atchiwn &. Horne. "nnoun(U that he is .. locating his office 10 On e South Roy al St reet , 4th

Hoor. Mobile, Alabama. and will be prac· ticing u II lchon! D. lIome. AttorneyI I· La ... ~ (US) 432-4421.

Sharon D. Hindman IIu become uiocilted with 1'1,.1 StIle Blok or Fnnldln Co..nl1 as litnrr;ol ~I. 01liees ... located III 1000 Highway 43.

North, P.O. Boll 1m, RUUI'lIlIille. AI_ ~

35653. Phone (205)332-5600.

RI .hud T. Dull announc .. t he

Oi'M'ning of his office al 3800 CoIonr>ide Parkway, Suite 650, Birmingham, Alabama 35243. Phone (21)51969·3433.

L. r. Hll b... announCe5 Ihat he hu •elOCited 10 The Mayfai, Cente r, ).I(ll Ind ependence Orin. Suite A. Home-

wood. AI .balTLll 35209·562(1. The malling .dd.us con tinuu \0 be P.O. Box 19393. Homewood. Alabama 35219·

9393. Phone (205) 871·1939.

Ste,·u R. SUfi IInnouncts Iht rt" """",I 01 hu ollic. to 655 M.o.in St~L P.O. 8o:l 4. Montevallo. A.Iab.vnlIlSll5-

0004. Phone (205) 665·1211. (An E911 , trwt ~numlx ri"ll pt"Qirml uU$ell tlw: dWlgl. but tlw: oKou's physical location remains uncllangtd.l Therua A. Tklclk announces the ~ning of her n("W offi« at 2162 High· ....ay 3 t South. Peillam. Atabama 35124-

Phone (205) %7-9126.

Dou,1.at K. Dunning. P.C. announces tho relocation of hls offo« to 1659 (;oy.. emmrnt Stmot. Mobile. AIGma 36604.

Phone (205) 413·2ti66..

ToII)I S. " doon MUIOUnC:eS the ..,k). u lion of his officu to 1250 I'u\ PIau Tower. Birmingham. A1ab40ma 35203.

Phone (205) :m.2022.

1hrmah lnder SI ngh Bagga. Ph. D .• lOnnouncn the ~ning of his office at 3800 Colonn,de Pa rkway. Suitt 100.

Birmingham. Alabama 35234. Phone (205)967-4649.

124 ' May 1991

AMONG FIRMS !Hondtfer. S udtfer Ii Fnnds. P.C. innounceS tllat " 1111am II. Roe has be· come a p.lrtner in the firm. Offic.. art located In Mountain Brook. Pinson and Ontonta. Alabama.

Colu Ii Tucker announc .. the cllange of the firm name 10 Coift. Tuclr· tr Ii Cromt •. P.C. The firm al$O In· nounces lhal TtfT)' ill. Crollln" has be· corrot a partne •• with o/fltfl in Binning·

IIam and Lm1s.. ~ma. n.. Offko of Roher! A. JOOft. Jr. an· nounca that I.avnM DIvi. has bI'comI: a partner in the finn. and Joan Y. 01\;, has become In Hsocillte. and the firm n.amr i. now Jonts &: DI';s. P.C. Offi«. are I(><;lted at 1205 North 19th Street.

Hirm ingham. Alabama 35234. Phon e (205) 324·6021.

The firm of Lyon l . PiP" Ii Cook announces tllat J oltph J. MinUI . J •. has become I membe r of the firm. Oftitu a~ Ioe:Ittd It 2 North Royal Strttl. M0-

bile. ALabun.a 36602. Phone (205) 432· «81.

The firm of Rulht ..... Stably. John· . Ion Ii Carrell. P.A. announces tllat Fnnk J . Stably and \\l l1lam S. "IynU hlOVe become members of the fi r m.

Offices are located lOt 184 Commerce St reet. Montgomery. Alabama 3610-1.

Phone (205) 834·8480.

Ernu l O. Spena •• III. J ohn Foot.r Tyn. J ohn C. Crtelnk. J r.. Kalhy L. Ma· rint and Linda K. McKnighl announce the formation 01 a partnfuhip in the n.ame: of Spenur. tyn. CTKink. Mlrin.

"McKnlglll. OfftCtS IU Ioa.tld in Jxk· 101\. Mmissi""i. and 1\Isc.a1oosa.~. ~

Hill Bowman .nd Kirk S. Samet.on lOnnOUnCe I h.i! Frink S. Dod ge h.is joined their firm. and the firm will be known II Bowman. S.melson. " Dodg•. P.C. Dodge ila 19n admitt« of the Alabama State Bu. Officu a.., wt· t<! at MO N. Casadt Awnue. Suite 102.

C olora~o Spring$. Colorado 80903.

Phon. (719) 634 ·5100.

The firm o( Clln . &: B.,lnuu an· nounceS that Lull. R. Barineau hu joined the firm u a partner. Offices are located at 2021 Third Avenue. North .

P.O. 1Io~ 5311 44 . 8irmingham. Alabllma 3S2S3. Phone (205) 251·2392. 238(1.

OR", Eck1 " hmhlm lnnouncu that lucian Clllis. Jr. has b«omr a.w.>ciated with lhe firm. Officu lOU Ioa.tld at 880 West ~lOchlmo Stmot. P.O. 8o:l 7600. Atlanta. Georgia 30357. Phone 1.04) 885· 1400. Cillis is lO 19n adminet to the ALab.ama State Rar. lI and. Anndall. Bt,bol •• C ..... ,'U " J ohnl lon Innounce llIat J. Bornos Ri i• .

Thomas C. McCrolkty and H.rry S. Pond. IV h""t become a»ociatfd .... ith the firm. Offices art located in Mobile.

Alabllma. and Wu hinglon. D.C .

Coa l•• Ih lm.lng. Lyonl. Simi" !.tach announcu that the name of the firm hli bten ChlOnged to Hd mlin •• 4'0",. Si mi " Leach . P.t:.. and thlOt "".-II E. Colle. Jr. remains of COImsd 10 lhe fi rm. The mailing ~ms is P.O. 8o:l2767. Mobik. Alabama 36652.

!'hoM (205) 432·5521.

Blkb Ii Bingham announca that T. Kurt Mille •• J. Thomal Fnoncis. J r. and Timothy J. 'inC)' haw become partners.

Offices ife louted in 8irmingham.

Montgomery an d Huntsville. Alabama. and Washington. I).C. CapeU. lI oWlTd. Knabe" Cobb •• ~an Mooty. Jr. Iw become a member of the firm. and that W. Hall Speir. 111. J illl B. Cnnt.

J ... Pete. M. c.-on ..... Chao! s. I\·adlter. and Elltn M. lIu linp t.aw boromr . . sociated with tilt firm. Offocu lOU wt· ed It 57 Adams Awnue. Monlllomery.

ALab.ama 36104-4045.

P.A.. . an nounces tllat II.

1ht firm of C...... Buckley. Ja .... " McQu een announces that Jam .. C. FRnltl hu become a membtr of the fi rm. and H. Kyle ChUdren. " . Let Prue tt . IAl lie C. Ruiter. ROle E. Coff. and ll . Worthington Lewis llaw become TtIE AL.o\HJ\MA L.o\\\lYER

~Ies of ~ firm. otfia:s Ir! located II "... Hurl Building. 50 Hurt Piau.

Suil~

1300. Allinta, Ceorgia 30303.

Phon~ (4()4 ) 522·)541.

The finn of Boyd. Plt~ &:: Femlm. bucq . P.C. announces lhat RIlId.a1l W. Sichols btcImt ~ed with tht finn, effective April I. 1991. Offices au Iocaled II UOI UniveTlil~ Boulevard. Suite 302.

Birmingh am. Alaba ma 35233. Phone (205) 9JO.9000.

Tht finn 0I 1Uddn. Milb .& CIuI< 111· nounces thai MulftU H. Pulliam IwI ~

associlled with the finn. Offkes Ire located al 940 Fi r$t Alabama Bank Iluilding. Birmingham. Alabama 35203.

Phone (205) 322·0457.

Parsons &:: Ebntlanlt announcH INt the firm's strnt ;wId ... ss has chanttd from III J~fferwn Str~et to AmSouth Center. Suite 703. lIunt5vilie. Alabama 35801. 1M mailing ~ ....ss .... mairu the

-.

The firm of White. DUllft &:: Booker OUlrlOUncH INI Undo C. Flippo is now iWOCiated with the finn. OffICH nmain at 1200 Fi rlt Alabama Bank Building.

Bi rmingham. Alabama 35203. Phone (205) 32J.1888.

Tht Uw orrocu of Bert P. 'Jio'Ior 0Ul· nounct that \\illlam F. Smith. II has be· come .50odaled wilh th~ firm. Th~ finn's addriSS is 300 North 2hl Strut.

710 TIlle Iluilding. Binningham. Alaba. ma 35203. Phone (205) 252-3300.

The firm of Scholl .& Scholl .n· rlOUncH that Jon M. Turner. Jr.. former· Iy ol Prif'«. llaird. 1\Imer &. Poole. P.C. of 1\I$[aI00Ia . hu Mcom. IJlocialed with the firm. Offices i .... Ioc:catt<lll 14 Office P"n Cird~. Suite 315. Binning· ham. AlWma 35223. Phone (205) 871·

....

Douglal I. rritdmu. P.C. annour.ces that John lit. Ptn nln ilion has become assodaltd wilh Ihe firm at Suitt 535.

2OOO·A Southbri,* Parkway. Binning· ham. AlWma 35209. Phone (205) 879· J03J.

IItlchael M. Fll e,el and David Elliott lIodg.1 announu Ihf formation of thei r n i t: AI.AII.A."IA I.o\WYER

pa rtnfl'$hip in Ihf "i1m' of Fllt,el &: Hodgu. with offices IoaIted at 2(/26 Sec· ond Avenue. North. Sui le ]JOI . Birm· ingham. Al abama 35203. Phone (205) 32&.2644.

Gtor, t lit. Bamet! and Tamtrill S. DriSlrlll lllrlOUnct that C.... de E. Hund.

Icy. III has withd ......" <IS a pan .... r in the finn <:J l\.armtt. Hundlt)' I; DrillrelL. and that Ihe finn name has b«n changed 10 Barnett &:: Drillrell. with oIfi<!t~ Ioc:cattd ,,1431 Gunter Avmue. P.O. Box 93. Gun· tfTlvillf, Allboonq 35976. Phone (205) ~·(Il33.

Hobert Burdinf. J ... J{eith lit. Collier and Gu,ory J{ol th Burdlnt announce the formation of a pUlnenhip to bt known lIS Burdid', Collier .& Burdin., with offi~ Iocattd at 412 First Federal Building. Flo rence. Alabama 35630.

Phone (205) 767·5930.

HOllin. Smith. ALopaugh. Samplu &: PrlIt. P.C. announces INI Ron Crook.

Don " 'on! and Rick Stnlton have M' corn.- mtmben of lhe fonn. Oflkes au Iocaled al 2323 Second Avenue. North.

Birmingham. Alabama 35203. Phon.

(205) 324·5635. 1·800·22J.253S. Gooyle II . Gur announces her ;woci;,. lion with thoe ..... Omcn If \\111ilm M. Dawson. fffective rebru.1ry I. 1991.

Off"," a.... Ioc:catt<lll Park Pbct foo,,·u.

ZOOIPark PIOICe. North. Suitt 490. Binn_ ingham. Alabanq 35203. Phone (205) 323·6170. eear is a former law clen to Chief Judet C. Poinler. U.s. !);strict Court. Northtm DW.rict ol Abbama.

Tht firm of Ru ... II, Stnub &: 11)<1. announces that Cynlhia LH Almond has become an usociale of the nnn. Offices om Iooottd at 804 Bank Slrtd. P.O. Box 321. Dec"tur. Aillbanq 35602. Phon.

(2OSJ 353-7641.

The finn 01 W. Troy Mult)'. P.c. iIfl· nouncfl that Slndn Hol.IOn Lewil . for· mer a~iltant district Iltorn~~. has be· COmt ;wociattd wi th the firm. Omen lTe Ioc:catt<lat 4216 Cannichatl Court.

North. Monlgo .... ry. AI.tNm •. Phont (205) 272.0083.

Th, firm of Lammon • .& B.II an· nouncu that Mile. L Brandon UK! Ed·

s.n

... rd E. Blair became _ i .ted with the firm in Octobfr 1990. OffICH m IQ.

tlted at ]32 Wut Holmes Avenue. lIunl5vilie. A1a1wn1 35801. Phone (205) 533·2410.

Sirolt &: Pt.mult innounte. Ih, openin~ of ils office in MontQomery.

Frtdricl< Simpler. Jr. has joined the firm and will manage thf new office. Tempo. .af)' officu will be Ioc:cattd at 207 Mont· gonwf)' Stmt. 12th 1Ioor. Bell Buiklina.

-."""""The finn ,,00 has ollkes in Binning·

ham. Huntsville and Mobil •.

1"11'$1 Alahama Rin k of Blrmlnghl m iIflnouncU INt Paula D. \A1.'i\I has been nqdt a penol\;ll tnut officer. She il I graduate ol The University 01 Aillhama School of uw lInd lhe Soulhern Trust School. She is a mtmbtr of the Alabama State Bar and lhe lI inningham Bar JWo. (iltion. \\'I lt •• lI.n lty. P.C. announces that Clifton E. Slalm hu t.eror.. a mrmbu ollhe finn. and the firm namr has btm chlngtd to U. nlcy,& Slaten. P.C_. elfee· 1M Ocloo. r 25. 1990. Offices are locat«i 112101 Bridge Avenue. NorthpOrt. Alabama 35476. !"hone (205) 339·5151.

Mart C. Montlol and AIgft1 S. AIJ'Ico. Ia. Jr. announct the formation oIlhe;r finn. Montiel" AgrIcola. P.C.. with 01· n,u at 407 South McDonough Street.

Montgom.f)', A\.ab;Ima 361()4. Tht mailIns .. dd..... is P.O. Box 11576. Mont· IIOmery. Alabllnq 361 11·0576. Phone (205) 832-9900.

•

Richard Wilson & Associates Registered Profess ional Court Reporters 17 Mildred Strtt'l Mon1gOmefy, AlabalTl3 36 104

264-6433 May 1991/ 125

ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION AN·

INTRODUCTION

By JACK CLARKE

Ii II

he purpose of this articli i.

to discu» Alternative Dispute Resolution Or "ADR", Ihe f.~­ tures of some of it. forms .

and the potential for its application by

Alabama lawyers . ADR t"enlially i. a group of procedures designed to sttlle dispute.. It may be viewed 3.$' continu-

um of senlemen! technique. ranging from the constnsual prOCeMe5 of negotiation, mediation and other neutral as-

sisted. binding-only-if-agrted·to systems 10 the adjudicative procedure. of arbitration and private judging.

The t"hniques of "DR are not new phenOmtM. It i. likely thaI human be-

ings began negotiating only short!)' an .. they began communicating. few lawyers would claim to be unfamiliar with negotiating settlements. Arhitration h.u been used to reso lve commncial di.putu for hundreds 0( ~afS and after World War II

b<came the most commonly accepted procedu re to re",I," grievances which arose under collecti,oe bargaining agr •• ment.. ' And agr«ments to arbitratt other typeS of disput. s are common toda~.

But the,urrent int.... t in ADR is mote<l in the litigation explosion which began in the 1%Os. One ..sponse was a search for altermtives to courts.

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126 / Mayl991

SOMEADR PROCEDURES' Negotiation ha5 be.n. and continufS to be. a routine professional activil)' for many lawy .... One may as k why it should be vit'.>-ro as part of ADR. The answu is that interest in finding ways to resolw: disputes outside 01 courtrooms resulted in oeriow; study of the negotiation process.' Realization of the potential for re",lving problems both before and after the nnng 01 complaints, realiution that negotiating skills can be studied and leamt<!. and realization that in 50me situations a la,,),er can best oelVe his or her cli.nt by negotiating haw: Jed to the addition of negotiation courses to law school and continuing legal eduration curricula. The Alabama State Bar Commis.sion on ~Iandatory Continuing Legal Educat ion. for nample, has approved negotiation courses for CLE c..dit for . number 01 years. Interest in negotiation within the business community is £Vidtm:ed by the regular appearance of advertisements in SOme publications for negotiation seminars.

Negotiat ing a settlement has all the client benefits nsociated with agreeing to a mediated oeulement mention.d by Keith Watkins and Noah Funderburg in the ir article beginning on page 133. Negotiation maximizes control of a clienfs destiny. In the ewnt of an early negotiated settl~ment . no third party, neither judge nor jury nor arbitrator nor mediator nor other neutral. is giwn an opportunity to infiuence the final decision.

Early negotiation of a settlement not only minimius litigation-related costs as discus.sed b(low, but also avoids the cost of a neutra!"... ",ic's. And. again as in the case of a mediated settlement. any disadvantages one might perceiw in a

negotiated settlement. for example, a I.., favorable outcome than might be

obta ined in court. must be weighed against the advantage that the settlement is binding only if agreed \0,

Ily II

ediation and arbitration. from time to time, have been combined In a process known as "med-arb" in labor and SOO1e commercial disput0!5.

Th. parties empower the tmd-arbiter to act as a tmdiator and. if no settlement is reached. to arbitrate the disput •. The process has been criticized as conf,,",ing eW'ntially different roles in lhat as a medtator. the neutral i.likely to hear infor. mation which if presented to a regular arbitrator would be found irrelevant but which the med_arbiter will be unab le to ignore if call.d upon to arbitrate the dispute.'

A closely related criticism is that there is in m.d .... rb "a considerable risk that the more clever or sophisticated participant ffiaJ' distort Or manipulate the mediation in order to influence the mediator'. opinion" in the event of an arbitral decision.' Som.lim.. a good mediator has to let a party knov.· thai il.i expectations are unrealistic. A med .. rbiter may be less inclined to engage in that function in order to allOid b(ing perceiwd as communicating his or her arbitral decision ahead of tim~ .

On the oth.r hand. an experi~nced proponent 01 med-arb argues that even if a settlement is not reached during the mediation phase, the differences betw«n the parties will have b(.n '" narrowed during tNt phase that a more reasonl!<! and more predictable resu lt is likely in med-arb than in typical arbitration. He contends that parties in med-arb know or come to realize that in the event they THE

A~BAMA

l.'.IVYER

do not homstly confide in the mt<J.;u. biter during tM mtdiation pkiK, they run the risk of tht arbitration dedsion thry wi~ to avoid,' It mll$l be ~mrm· bertd, of course, Ihit p.lrtldpootion in med~rb is constnSUlIl; lobKnt ill! illretmtnt , a Iilwyt r's dient cannol be re' qui red to part icipate in the process, ()...., subject to be (O'.'tud in iIl!~ aarftmtnt 10 poorticipale in mtd'lrb would be the Kltction of 1M med~rbiter, OM would certainly uerdK considenble ca.re in Ihe K ltctioo of a med·arbilU, It should abo be nottd tlut a non·jury lrill or ar· bitr.ation wntrtin tht ;udgf or arbitrator l\temptS 10 mediale i settlement befort rendtring I decision is fuooionlily iden· tical to ll'Itll'i\rb. Such I judge or arbitra· lor may be Itss skilled as I mediator iI!ld Ius iVo-art 01 problmu inhtrmt in such mtdiation tNn I person spfCi{1UI1y K· Itcted ... a mtd~rbile r, A variation on med·arb popularized by Professor Stephrn B. Goldberg 0/ North. wt5ttm UniYtl'$ity School 01 ~ to "'.

10M disputes under labor tonIlXU provides thaI in Iht evenl mtdiation fails. the mediator im!n an advisory, nOn binding opinion regarding tht lilttiy QUt· come of the dispute.' The proctss uti· lius mtdialors tlj)trimced in arbitr.ating Iabo< conlract gri",.. nces. ThiJ pmcedure lw all 1M .dvantagts of medi.· tion iI!ld ll'Itll~rb. including an tarly u· pert opinion. yd avoids Ih. problenu perceiwd wilh med~rb, If tither party bel~ tM mediator's IdviJcwy opinion ruulled from his or her consideration of inlowropriMe evidenct, Ihal party rmy simply dcclint to be bound by tilt Opi ... ion. Although this process Iw bttn used primarily \0 mo~ displlltl under col· I«li"" ba'1llining agrftmtnt.!, it should be u.dul in other arenas in situation.! wntrtin the mediator lw not only modi· Ilion upertiK bul ;ilio c:xpertist in the ...... d 1M diJClUlt.

m

erhaps becaUK of il$ ooo-<.lekriptiYt 1WTIt, tht "mini -trio aI" process is _limes con· fUHd wilh lilat 01 tht summary jury trial de5/:ribed by Robert W, Bradford , Jr. in hi. artide beginning on page ISO. As Bradford point.! OUI." sumI!Ilry jury IriIIlw I!Ilny of tM U1TTIlrl<s d a trial; I mini·trill mq took IHI liltt , rtal tri~l. Tht preciH procedures of a mini·trill Ire determined by the partin •

TlIEAl.AIIA.'1A UWYER

IMmst!l.u iI!ld may be Kt oul in lO procedura] illretmtnt, but .t lhe core of I mini·lrilll .. re preKntatiOll$ by the par· lies'\awyel'$ d their bul castS in a~, delermined ounounl of lime to .. pantl, uslLJlly of thm' persons. The mini·trill i$ mo.t ofttn uud to resol>'!! business d isputes; the Iypica l p,ane l consists of high 1.".1 repruentatlYts 01 tM parties ..nd I neutral iIdvisor. The parties' TfPrt· KOtaliYts usually are persons who IIivt not previously been invoMd in creating or trying to rt$Ol"" the underlying dis, pute but who IIavt: at leasl persuasive ~r regarding settimlml

... at the core of a mini·lrial are presentations by the parties' lawyers of their best cases in a pre·deterrnined amount of time to a panel, usually of three persons.

E,ach p,irty usually retains dikrelion regarding how it will UH its allotled time. A pl.rI)'·s pnsmUti(ln mq con.ist entirely d comment.! by its Ii"-'Y(r simi· I.r to an lpptllate argument or it may tONi.o;t d such commtnl$ COIJpled with the p.... ntalion ()/ any typt 01 evidmu, including views 01 ptrtintnl arus.. Be· tllIK rulta d evidence do not lOpply, testimonial evidence tend$ 10 be narrntive undtr informal queslioning. The proce· dural agrttlTltnl may provide for rebut· tal ""dloT informal crtW'Uilmi~lion and even fo r quulioninll one poorty', I~r by lhe otMr'S. The goal oflny mi· ni·t rial prtKntation iJ to communi(:ate the strengths ()/ ont's client's tlW and the ~ 01 the other poorly's in I short ti~ The parties' rtprtatntalivtS on the panel and the neut",] idvisor rTIIIY u k Questions during Iht preKnlalion.

Following the pmentalion. Ihe pan~' ......HntlliYts ntgotilltt \0 ~ lhe di sputt. Tht neut ral advisor may be tilled upon not only 10 clilir 1M min;· Irial but al$O 10 m.dilte and facilitale,

iI!ld if the fll!rties' rtprt'KntatiYts' nego-

tialions are un.!uccessful, to give his or M r opinion regarding the libly rellult if the CiW .t.ould 110 10 trill. With!hiJ in· formalion, Iht poonies" reprtatntalivu may continUfc their negotilltions.'

A major advantagt of lhe mini-trial is thaI it places primary responsibility for Httlemenl In tht IIands of Iht parlies thelTlHllIH. From the perspective of I busintsS diml, Ihe dient repins con· lrol ofbusinw decisions from its 1a" ')Ifr, From a Ii"-'Y(r's persptcliw, l mini-trW, whilt prtM.ding an OppOrtunity 10 make I dienfs best tlW, ,]Jaws reliince on Ihe opposing poorly 10 ltl I f reality', agent , Counstl fo r Ihe opposin g party should tduc~le client$ reQardi ng tht nrenglhs of tht Opposing poorty's caH iI!ld the wtalmtaKs ()/ ill 000'TI. CollI iI!ld ti .... Sal.ings ~re adwntagu of t he minl · trial. While tht co.ts of preparing for and presenting a mini·trial ,rt substantial, \i".o.')Ifrs' fta iI!ld reWed UptIUtS art gent",11y much It.. tliln Iht feu and upenHS llsocialed wilh completing discovery and trying a tlW. Moreovtr, in Ihe event the mini-Irial dots not ~tult in a Klllemrnl, 11>061 of it.! costs will be ~rabIt in the reduc· tion of Irill prepirltion upensu.

Jw;hieving II quicktT end 10 i dispule may pr.senl an .".n more important litiga. tion cost reduction. f or eumplt, while tht right \0 UK or the obIiJlltion to pooy sUMtanli,1 sums of mooty andlor tho righllo manufacture i major producl are in doubt. tht orderly and profitable Optration of I business may be exlrtmrly difficult. In I woul -cut s-c:e~rio tht pendency of I major liwwit rNy IIivt , n.",live impooct on i bUiineD' credit worthintss. AI a minimum, consf<krablt amounts d I!Xtcutivn' tim! will...". to be diYtrted from running tht businw to prepuing lor trial. Early JtUlemenl of .. disput. thTOUllh .. mini·trilll "ill udu« Ihest "penses, ()/ COIJrH.'

I

l lrlY N.ulr~1 Evaluilion or ENE, i proctdure typitilly mlde available through i coon, ....as not designed pri· marily to facilitat . $tltlements bul , Dthrr, to uduce litigation COlts." ENE utilizes the JtMcts of votunl«r IiwytB tlj)trt iI!ld rtsptctrd in poortiC1ltar fitlds 10 m«t with parties and their la.....,.erl iI!ld giw lhem , franl\ a.ssusnwnl of tM M

Ml>y 1991 ' 127

value of their cuu. Although assigned by tilt tOOt!. the ENE tvilluator"s opin· iom Ire confidenlilllnd ....y not bt JUbmitted 10 tilt court without the con· cumnu of both po.rtin. ENE rnjuira tilt prumce of Ia~rs mel climts. or in tht I;IH 011 o;orpor;olf: elitnt, the pm. ence of 5OIl"ItOI"It with dccilion·making lIuthority. Both sides ....ke brief presen· "'tions, iI!ld the ",,-Iuator asks questions to identify both eommon grour.:l. and tilt areas of disagretrntnt cenlral to the cast. Outside the presence of the parties and their l"wyeTl, Ihe eva luator then writes his or her _WTN'nl of tilt cast and. if ilppropriate. ;u.tribts a rMlge of Ilamages. The eo.',luator returns to the ooot"e~, iI!ld ".;thout revealing hil or her tvillLliltion. asks if the parties ......,kI liU 10 further discuss senltmml If 50. they IlIIIY do 50. If the pvties tip( to not discuu Hlliement. the ""-I ....tor pn· KIlts hil ",,-IUiltion. uplaiJ1S hil or her nMOfling to the elients, iUId outlines II cast dtvtlOpment pbn.

ENE educates unrealistic clients and uti in motion a procul for the uchange of information which, if necu· sal')'. Ciln be continued after the ENE susion. By Identifyin2 areas of a2rtt-

ment and diygrttment. ENE al"" f""",,-

i"'1

ndi~ry.

nothtr AOR procuscourl'ilnnned is the stttiement conlnence. Rules 16 of the F'edmll mel Abboo .... Ruin of C;";I Procedun for lOfT!< time haw p~ vided for pretrial confmr"ICU. Although the federill rule more clearly nfers to settlement il.S a proper topic of diSl."\.l5 ' ,ion. tht di$Cunion of Httlement pOMibilities dearly falls within the sco~ of Alab.lma Rul. 16.

Tht Httlement confennee 0$ an ADR procedure is 2eMrolily ~rce~ as being quite diffennt from the pntriai confer.nce mlny I'~" Ind jud2u u.

UH<Ito. '-"er. Tho: >dtl.mmt coof<1r· enet discussed herein cont.mpilltu a ;udat'1 or lNIIistrat.·I. 0, in an onptiORII caM. I JPtci.ll ..... t.,·, acti .... ty .ngaaing in mtdiation, sometimes with the lIid of other AOR ~roasses. for ex· Impl •. th. ul. of a ntulral .x~rt to giW! advice on technical iuues. Some jud2U nquin Iht attendanee Or at least the telephone availability of clients or their rfpruenlJtiv~s with •• ttlem.nl authority. AI ltast one federal judge US05 •

Laser Printer Toner Cartridges Recharged

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tho process to delonnint what h. cOIlsid.TllI flir .dll.m.n!." Somt Irial judge_with Ihe conHnt of the partitJ-..<ondUCI >dUernenl ronf<1rmtt:11 of ~,O\."C:, whi<:h thry will pnsidt." In othtr courts in whicl1 Hllle~nt conf.... flCes In fnquenlly mN.. it ill CUftomary for $Orneon. other than the judge who will hur tht cast to preside ~,the conf.rtflCe." During a Ullltmtni conference the jud2e or rnllgillrat. will provide Ihe la~rs and. ~rhaps mon importantly, their clients with fw.lback regarding the Ilrengt h of th.ir ca'.I. Such an ap' pnisal $hould M tsptCia.11y hetpful!o I lawyer npruenting II client with grossly unrtllisti<: upect.alions. Such an objt(:· tive appraisal aliO should ilssist the lawyer in ""-I\latina; the stUlemmt !)OItn!illl 01 hi, 0' htr~. A stttle~nt ronferena lin mtdiation.allows fur 1m c:onsidtntion mel ",,-1"'lion of r-idmce which, lIllhough illldmiuible lit trial, would b. very important in deciding whethtr 10 settle a case . for o.ample. tho poltntial for the defendant's b.lnkruptcy if factd with a judgment in exceu of I c.rtain amount. Ouring Ihe course of I Hlliemeni conferonee &s is

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RAYCO TONERS

COOK & ASSOCIATES

47204 St. Dominic: Pbct • Mobie, A.L 36693

P.o . BoK 850S1?

(800) ;/64-2011

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128 / Mayl991

THE ALI.IIAMA tJl.WYER

true in nrgotwion ind ~ry othrr con· Knsual ADR proc~", tht ~rtitl <my uplon> .. much ...ider range 01 remtdit. than W(luld be p<)$$ible in a twicaltrial.

This is true in more complex cues wheu lM parties wililiktly continue to do business witll n.ch other. It is IliO true in simpln ClI5n is tvi<knad by tilt potential for the use 01 .. structured set· tlement to rnolve a pusonal injury cLaim. Th. prtttnc' of til. judge or magWTlt. not milabit in ntgot.iatioru bttwftn 1M partin' toIJnKl Ihould b· tili"'t. the partin' continuinQ to tilk through points which might othefWiK pr~nt $tItlemtnt.

Ii il

he I~ ADR be d~ ttWfd here,pr~S$ pr""'t.tojudging lor -rtnt·a·judge-,. popul.l.r· iud in Cilifomia. could not bt used to decide a case in Alabama without constitutional amendment.~ At· t~ntion p"id to priv"te judginll ds'· where coupled with the potential for constiluti""",1 tlwl~ here Wilmnt in· clusion 0( privatt judging in thi. discUl' sion. Under the California Constitution and Rule 244 01 the Califomia Rules 0( Court. partin to l dilpute <myagrn Ih"l thtir cue be presided owr by .. tempo""y judgt. d A lIipuiation to l temporary judge must be in wriling. mUlt ~t out tht name and IdduH of tht propolt~ temporary judge. lind must be submitted to and iPProvN by lM pmidi", or • • r;isingj~ dthe appropriate coort: lilt proposed ttmpo"",y jud# must conKnt 10 the .. ppoinl. ment and take an (!,Ith 0( office. A tern· pOraT)' judge has the loame authority rei· at~ to the CUI: for ...·hich lit or she was IIppoinled ill I siUing judge .00 has the pOWtr to administer that CUI: until ill fil\.l.l dettnnil\.l.tion. Absent a stipulitlon to the contuT)', procetdings before 1I temporary judge u. conducted in lC· tordar>et with III rulH and pr~dum appliclblt 10 lfills befor. regular jud&t:J. But, ~rtnlly is a InUit 0( the Itrn(lSphtre or mood 0( <tCcOmmodlltion lJl"IO)Ilg counKI who 19ree to the UK 01 a temporal}' judge, stipulations to liter one or more procedures. {or .... mpl •. to closely regulite diKowl}' Or alt .. Iht rustonwy mdtr 0( proof. Ire common.

T'riais.oo hurin" <my be conducted in cou~l"s office or lilt ttmporary judge's olfoc. Or in public courtrooms. A tempo-

Til}' j~'s iuriidiction Oller I tISt IH' mi",tts ..1 lM WIlt time an act~ trial judge's ",'OUld, md the parties to a CUI: heard by I temporary judge have Ih. loame right of appeal they would have hid if the CUI: had betn heard by an lOC· tive j • • ~mporiry judges Irt tom· ptllJ.attd by the parties at ... tts mul .....11y agrttlble to them Ind the tempo",ry judge.

Privite judging has lM advantage of allowing litigants to choose the third party who will dKidt lMir diJputt. This ClIn be very adYantlgeooJ in complu casu. A. in arbitration, Ilwyers and dients on all.idu will know the temporaT)' judge's ttchniCliI background; esti· rmtions 01 the utenl to which .. judge will how to bt ed"",,\td briOft he or she coold TUSonIbly bt uptcted to undH· stand lilt dispute should bt euier and mort accurate. As in arbit ration. pro· ending, btfore a temporary judge ITe private, but unlike IrbilTllion. pri""te judging ~nlblu parties 10 uK ill the proaduru oommon to I trial .00 rtt."Iin tht righl to ilPPf.Il the decision reached.

ElptciaHy in juri..Jictions with crowded dockets. private judging should re,ult in quic~er decisions. Parties could rason

Ibly uped thlt I temporiTY judge would not acctpt such lin appointment unltS$ he or sht could dewte sulfocient time to the c;uc to closely monitor pr.· trial procedures. inc:luding disc<lYtry. to Kl\tdult hearings and I trial within TtlJOniOblt periods of timt Ind conduct them is scheduled,.oo to rtndtr I ded· lion t>:pe<!itiously aft. r trial.

Priv ate judging. along with oth. r forms of ADR. has betn criticiud as cre· itinll I -rich man's justice·... TIlt criti· rum. if it has lilY ""lidilY It ill. must bt itvtlfll not only ,\I privatt judging and ADR, but al.., at the judicial prot.u. In our .tate couTU other than probate. the valut of on~'1 cliim determines the approprilte coort lor filing in the fin! in.

Itantt. and in many civil Ippea" Ihe amount 0( the judgment ilPPf.Iltd {rom detennines the first appellate court. The minimum dollar limitation neculoary for a ftderal court 10 ~xercise its diversi. ty jurUdiction makes the prnen"'tion of many smaller cliims diffICUlt if not im· pouibit. F'urthermore. the removal of some cases from trial couTU' dockets to tlto$e 01 temporary judgl>, cannot h:.... a negative impact on parties wlto$e QSts ire not removed. On lM conlra!},. IliCh

"*

TIlE ALI.8AMA LAWYER

POSITIONS AVAILABLE The Alabama Slate OepallnwlI 01 EducatJon is saeIoog canchdat6!il to I,u a IlITIIIed runber oIl/lICatICoes on the Early Inlervenuon SeMces rOlS· ter 01 wnpartoal heaflng officers Attorneys selected for these vacancoes WlII serve as heanng ofllcers in matters prescribed under the Ind,viduals with Disabihties Edo.JCation Act. 20 U.S.C. §t471. er. seq. and 34 C.F.R Part 303.

To ~11fr as an rnpartoal heaTIng oIIicer. an applicant may not be an employee of any agency or program involved ,n me prov,SlOfl 01 Early Inlerwotoon Services or care of children ehglble lor Early Interven· tion SeNoces and may not have a persona l or professionallnt9(est lhat would conftict w,th h,s or her obieCtiv'ly in implement'ng the complaint rasolutoon process ImparI~ hearong oflicers are ass,gned to hear cas· 6!iI on a rotating basos Hearing oIIicera ara compensated on an hourly lee basts and are enlolled 10 pel" d'em and rruleage in accordance Wld"l state rules and regulatoons Those apphcants selected will receive tra,n· ,ng by the State Department Of Edo.JCation prior to hearing assignments.

AtI-Plieanla int9(ested ill applying lor \heoo vacancies should sub< a clescriptoon 01 his or her educational backgrovnd and experience

m~

to Lamona lo.JCas . Otrector. OtVISIOf1 01 Ret1ab,htation Services. 2t29 East South Boulevard. Montgome<Y. Alabama 3611t.Q586. Apphcatoons shoukl be subrritted no lata< than June 28. t99t

May 1991 / 129

removals can only allow regular judges more time to attend to the remaining f.a$('s . The amount of tim. made avail. able will ,'ary directly with the complex. ity of the cast remcJ\"td. Removing casts to temporary judgel; abo ha$ a favorable impact on the utiliution of other re· $O\lrce, of regular trial courts. As noted abm... temporary judgel; are compensat· ed by the parties and not from tax monies: the salarios of jud~, and other cou rt personnel whose services would otherwise be used to attend a case pre· sented to a temporary judge are .... ""d for applimtion to rtrllaining casts.

The private nature of private judging also has been criticized. " It is .... id that maUers of public importance ought to be resolved in public and that private judging denies public accel-l and public knowledge. This criticism ignores the fact that in virtually all civi1 actions wherein all parties in interest are represented (thus . xcluding actions in family courts wh ..ein the court itself retains the obligat ion to al-lure that the inter· uts of children are protected), trial courU routinely ent.. judgments which effectively adopt .ett lements between the parties. Similarly, federal and Alaba· rna ,tatutes provide for the entry of judgments in accordance with arbitra· tion awards. g Certainly arbitration i$ at least as "secr.t" as private judging.

Finally. to the extent a decision reached in the private judging procel-l i, likely to h.ve an imp.ct beyond that particular cast and the parties to it. pri· vate judging is nOl secret. It is unlikely that a temporary judg.', decision would ha"" precedential effect unless and until that decision was affirmed on appeal.

Incisions of temporary judges are appealabl. in the same manner that deci· sion, of regular judge. are: the appeal process of temporary judg..· deds;oru i, as public as that of regular judges'.

EVALUATION OFADR Unfortunately. the absence of .dequately controlled .tud ies le.ves open th. Question whether consensual AOR procedures produce more ,ettl.ments than would otherwise occur." Oe,pite anecdotal evidence that non·binding AOR procedures "'work" in the sense of 130 l May 1991

producing 'dtl~ments. a r .. ,onable lawyer would probably concludt that "the jury is .till out" on that question.·

I JI

ut quantity of settlements is not the only criterion by which AOR should be tvaluated. Some ,tudies ,ugg.st that AOR proc.dur., produce results which are mOre acceptable to the parl ic· ipant. than the result. of litigation." It should not bt ,urprising that a client finds a •• ttlem.nt in which he Or she participated to be more agreeable than even an identiml setllement imposed by • •

... to the extent a decision reached in the private judging process is likely to have an impact beyond that particular case and the parties to it, private judging is not secret. some third party. including a jury. The consensual AOR procedu res and, to • lesser extent. the adjudicative proce· dures of .rbitration and private judging are lel-l formal and fearsome to clients than trials. On the other hand. a client in mediation or SOme other essentially non·testimonial process may ftel de· pri""d of the opportunity to vent his or her feelings agairut the opposing party b)' testifying in court. Sut a .killful set· tlement judge o. other neutral third party may perce;,.. that providing one Or another pe rson an opportunity to u· press his or her feelings will facilitat. settlement and provide such an oppOr· tunity.

Savings to clients pos.ible from the use of a mini·trial wtr. previously discussed. All AOR procedure, can produce the same types of .... vings. The amount of such savings in any settled case will depend upon the type of AOR proc.dure used and when it i, invoked. For exam·

pie, settling a dispute by negotiation pri· or to the filing of. compl.int nOl only will maximize lawyers' fee and direct lit· igation toIt, savings but will .Iso minimize time lost to prepare for litigation and may completely avoid the negati,"t eff.cts of the outcome of a lawsuit's be· ing uncertain for some period of time.

At the other e~trem., the only such .... Yings which ",suit from settlement of a case aft .. it has gone to a julY are those ;mociated with any appeal which might otherwise have been \;Iken. Bemuse of the groat.. ,imil.rities of arbi· tr.tion .nd private judging to regu lar trials ..... ving. derived from the use of ADR adjudimti"" procedu",. tend to be Ie" than those which now from the consensual processes. Nonetheless. the use of such adjudimti"" processes tends to produce savings for clients." Last· minute rescheduling of mses becau.>e of docket congestion is rar., .nd the u · pen"" associated with repreparing for trials are avoided. Lawyers using private judging ollen agr« to limited diSCQ\"try. thereby effecting $ivings for the ir clients. Although discovery is generally nOl provided for in arbitration. its use in commucial arbitration is not unCOm· mon." E""n when penn iued. discovery in arbitration is u.ually (but not always) lel-l e~tensi,..., and therefore I.ss expen· ,i".. than w{)uld be had for a comparable cast in a court. The amount of time sa'"td b)' a dispute', being r."'I....d more Quickly through ADR depend. on the time a case typimlly take, to reach trial and will vary from one jurisdiction to another. s .uggelt~d above. time sav· ings can be ma.imized by early u.e of a consensual AOR procedure. but ~vtn if one opts for an adjudicative APR proce· dure SOme such .... Yings are likdy. That relatively speedy deci,ions ar~ likely when partie. use a private judge wa. previotlSly discussed. Although entirely credible reports of counter.eJIlImpl .. mn be heard. on the .""rag•. caseS should be resolved mOre quickly in arbitration than in courtroom litigation. This it a· pecially true where the arbitrator Or agency retpon,ible for admini.tering the Casf is ..perienced in case manage· ment. In short. use of ADR is lik.ly to result in significant saYings for clients.

THE ALABAMA LAWYER

1II1

a~m mU5! be conmned not only with th eir c1i~nt.' pockttl>ooks but also their

OWn. Lawyers may reuon · ably ask if ure I)! ADR will work to their financial det""",n!. The impact of a .. t-

tlement reached through ADR on the

fee of a lawyer handling a c.ast on a COIltingent f« basi. is no different than the impact of any (}lher stttlement. Assuming no change in the settlement figure

ower lime and a settlement in excess of zero, ."Iier s.ettlement results in tho Iawyu'. being rompensated 500ner and incre~s hi. Or her rale of compensa-

tion per time. Use of a coruenS\IIIl AOR prO'... dot. not change the trade-olf

invoh-ed in money damages settlements.

The chance for l signifiamtly highe, reo at .arne fulu .. <lilt. i. gi\'en up in

="'1)'

' , change for a sum certain to b. paid within the near fulure. Assuming identi· cal outcome. from the USi' of adjud ica-

tive ADR procedures and trials Ian as·

sumption many laW)l(TS would disagree with especially with resptct to arbitra·

lionl, the effecIs of the use of suc h a procedure on contingent fee income will be pOSit i.'!:. Because earlier decisions are likely, earlier paymenl is likely. And, to the .xtent discovery is diminished. use of an ADR adjudicative procedure will increase the rate of compensation de· ri~d from a single contingent fee and free the lawyer involved to "''<Jrk on an· other case.

Positive efftttl of ADR on the gross in· come of a laW)l(r working on a case 00 an hourly rale fee basis art more difficu lt to identify. Eorlier sdtlement and le~ work mean fewer billable hours. and if one as· sumes a eonstanl hourI» rate the rtSult is I... il\COlTlO from a gi""n case. If one fur· ther assumes a finite amount of legal work .""ilable, the rtsult may be rrouced gro.s il\COlTlO. On the other hand, at least one law firm has alterro lhe assumption regarding a constant !>ourI}' rate and has: begun premium billing for ADR ser· vices." The rationale underlying Ihe higher rate is Ih. additional value to the client of ADR 5t'rvkes.

1" '1

notheroffering factor favoring a law firm's ADR services is the ac~uisilion of new cli.nt.... That ADR is avail· able and that its use may reduce the cost of litigation is becoming well·known in business circles includi ng corporate boordroom. and offie .. of general coul\5t'l. Mort than 500 of th. eountry's largest corporations have subscribed 10 a pledge 10 consider the use of ADR before commencing litigation against anothu pledge subsc ribe r." Selection of a firm in part because it included ADR among services offered and requests by clients for evaluation of thei r cas., for re.olution by ADR ha~ been report· ed." In othe, words. the legal services mark.tplace may coerce law firms into offering ADR services. If law firm X's offering ADR services threatens law fi,m Y', client ba,e. Y may f.el compelled to offer th. same type of services. In short. client pressures may force even reluctant law firms to offer ADR ser· vic.s.

•

The Alabama State Bar· Sponsored Insurance Programs.

•

FAMILY TERM LIn:

features benefits for both eligible members. spouses, children and

employees.

•

• • • •

M AJOR M EDICA L l -';SURA liCE provides

benefits for both eligible individuals and firmsof3 or

more up to $1 ,000,000.

H OSI' lT.I L I~DE.\lliITY pays daily benefits up to 500 days with a maximum of $200 per day. Acceptance Guaranteed !O eligible members under age 60 who are either working or auending school full ·time.

MEOICA RE S UPPl.E,\ IEf,'T helps pay bills Medicare covers only partially; also some bills Medicare doesn't pay at all.

DISAU ILITY L-,;co~1E features " Your Own Specialty" definition of disabilily.

OFTICt OVtRIlEAD EXPF"'~E reimburses your eligible business expenses. Benefit levels to $10,000 per month available to eligible members under age 60 whoare engaged in full·time practice and not on full·time duty with any of the armed forces.

r------- --------- - --------7~~~---------1

ALABAMA STATE BAR

t For additional information COlllaCI t Insura nce Specialists. Inc.

t Suite 135

I 2970 Brandywine Road t Atlallle. Georgia 30341 t 1·404·458·8801 t 1·800-241 ·7753 ToU Free Number t 1 . 800.458·7~46Fax Num ber. t (RepreSelllallveS located statewIde)

t

_ -.dmo inform •...., . _, tho A. sociotionGR>oJp Plan _ , t [ I Fvni>'T..... U/e IIMecb.. SuWoo'''' C t [[ I) I-Io. pltallrdomnity ( ) o; .. ~l""""'" I Major ~ IN,.ar><e ( I 0IIi00 CiYertIe<od Ex_ t t

Name Address CitylState!Z;p

t

t t

L _______________ BuSineS".2~Phone ___ __ ___ .!~~te ------::I THE ALJ.8AMA IJ\WYEll:

May 1991 1 131

I'll

OU may ask whnher ADR is appropriate for all cases. The sim pl. answer;. "No", Por

example. except in those ju-

. isdic tio;>n$ wherein prj,ate judging il

available. a client who needs a prectden· lial interpretation {}/ a new clau~ in a frequently wed contract fonn will likely be best served by use of a summary judgment or other pretrial. case disposi ti"" ju dicial procedure. Other exam pi"

of ca5tS inapP'OI'riate fOT resolution to " DR GOuld be given. A full discw.sion of the limit. of all ADR procedur .. is beyond the scope 0( thisartic1e. Bu! unl... a la~r il; familiar with AO/{, he or slit cannot fairly <".IUIII. it. potential to efficiently resolve a client's case.

The last questions to be addressed.,..,

how can a lawYl'lbecome mo,.., familiar with ADR and how can he or she obtain the setviCts of a mediator Or other neutral? The Alabama State Bar has e5tabli.hed J 'Th$k Porce on Alt emati~ Di5pute Resolution. The ta5k force can provide a bibliography on ADR to lawyers who ask for it.

11,11

orne mem ber> of the tuk force and other laWyer! have express.d th~i r willingness to address bar and busin~5:1 groups reguding ADR. A number of profit and not·ror·profit organiulions offer ADR educational courses and/or maintain lists of neut ral. and/or will

=ist in the administration of ADR pro: cedur ••. The oldest and best known of such not·for,profit organizations i, th.

American Arbitration Association which, despite its name, offers a full range of al · temativ! di,pute ruolution services. A number of Alabama lawyen (and non_ laWyers ) have been trained as neut rai5 and are willing to provide such services. To date, in Alabama ther~ ar( no licensing o r minimum t raining Or ex perience r.quirements necessary for a person to act .. a mediator, arbitrator or other third·party neutral, but parties consid.ring using a penon as a n.utral may certainly inquire about his or her tra ining and expe rience in that

a""na.

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THE AUl.BAMA LAWYER

MEDIATION IN ALABAMA

By KEITH WATKINS and J. NOAH FUNDERBURG INTtilOOUCTION

". would U5I: mrdiation. but none of Ill}' clienu' c-. would Ix rigllt for mediation," This lIypOthdkal quote could t1ave bun \lUfftd by l majority of tht membtrs of the Alabama Stalt Bar. Maybe you do have such a elK and do not even know II. Pt.hapS it i. 1m cue that just ,,;11 not go away, or the one in which YOU' dient "botched" the Ikposition. It rnlY be the one in "ilich)'OUr dimt will p~ poorly Wort II ruRI jl,lf)l. or tht one in which unrusoruoble u!",clltions ha,~ owrtakrn )'(lur clien\. MI)'bt It il the cue tlul is quickly ruchina 1M filWlcial limits of YOU' client', ~ility 10 litipt., or I cue buill on tho testimony of ¥I ildminedly unnliablt ... ilntlS. Whdher it is "tht; mothtr 01111 blottles" O'\'tT .0083 kru of swamp in j land lint dispute or a I"'nonal injury cue with problems on both sidu, 1I11111...-,.ers have had case. which SHill to dti» movement. us~lIy for lack of moti1l3tion by the client,IIUomfj' or both. Mediation lTIIIy be just the solution to tho cut luffuing from tile mallliK of Itg.J.lltthargy.

Mt<iillion Iw many ;tppIitalions beyond "'Probltm" DKI. It hu bun used slKce..lully and tff.d~ly for mony l"'au throughout tht Uniud SIiItu in ~ widt ~ 01 disputts. both b~ and 1,",,11. As m Alabamll bwyt •. how )'OU ~r coosid· ••td mediation l.S I possiblo rtcourse in <mJI case? ClwKu Irt. )'OIl have not. Has a judge rver suggested o. 'l\OOU~d mWiation in a case you •• e handling? Probably not. Silouid mWi.tion be promoted among the Alabama ~nch and bar as a viable. effK1ive method of resolving casts? Ab!;oluttly.

ThiJ article is designtd to focus tht aUtntion 01 Alabama bwytrs and judges on tht acIvm\aiIU off.mI by mediation in rnotvi"ll dispul :s. Although mediation has b«n in use formally and informally lor IIIi/ly yon ICnlU the country. medi.l.tion has not yet tnjoyrd widaprud use in AIabim;o. Th .. arti_ cit adarnus what mediation iJ md iJ not, why and how it wo.k$. and wh)' ilshould be given an or>POrtunil)' 10 proYt its worth.

MIi!DIATION DEFINEO Mediltion is the p.ocw th.ough which a noutl'lll third pa._ ty usi$ts partiu 10 a dispute in ruching a mutually KCtPl.10 ag.ttmtnt l.S to somt or all of tht iuut:s in dispute. The neutl'lll third party. tht medi.l.tor. pm;ideu,.' e'" session or Krin 01 seuions with the parties 10 fadliute discussion ck· signed 10 identify iuuu. reduct misund .... undings, duily

prioritin.•• plore . rel.S of potenlial compromise and ulli _ nutety find points of ag.erment. Simply put, a mediator helps the partin find their own solutioN to thei. problems.

TIlE Al.AIIAMA LAWYER

The medi.l.to. <Ion not !.Ike sides nor does ~ IIUelT!l't to formulate the solutionf. A mediitor .. not a d«iJion·mak .. and CUlnot impose. solution on my party; ....hit lhe medialor dots is fKilitatt discussion belWHn Ihe partin. ,. medialor attempts 10 get Ihe partin 10 realiu their common internts and bargain cooperalivtly to find a solution 10 their dispule which maJCimizu 10 the full.st e.lent possible the goals and objecli\lt$ oleam pa1't1-

MEDIATION DISTINGUISHED FRO ..

ARBITRATION AND CONCILIATION The tenns mediation lind arbill'lliion are frequently confustd by 1ayper5On!i lind ~rs loS being simiLu pn)Cuses. md somt evtn think they lire Syno<lymou!. They an similar in respectS. bUllhey art not Syno<l)'mous. Both are non -judicial methods for resolving dispuus. The wential difference betwftn the two is tml mediation atlempt> 10 rHQ/yt a dispute through a coopmliw problem-solving aw~h by tilt partiu while lIrbilrlltion moIvu a di$JIUte in , privateliCMruri.a1 pr0ceed,,,," One commen!.llor dislingulshes the two lIS fol~ 1M one lmediation] ill'.'olla Iltlping poop~ d«idt lOr IhtTnsem. the other [arbitrationl ill'Jlltves Iltlping people by deciding /or them."

Arbitrltion is II non-judici~l lact.finding and adjudicalory procus. Parties to a dispute prestnt their facts and lrgument> 10 an arbitrator. or panel of arblll'lliors, ",ho then rtsOM the dispute by applying to the (~ts the sulutes. regulation, o. ruJu which govern the controwny. The dtcision by tilt arbi · Il'lII.or is usually dnlttd In wriling and giwn to lhe parties. Arbitr.lliion IN)' be binding or non-binding. II bindina. tilt deci, ion rendered is usw.11y tilt fi~1 decision resolving the d..pute_ If non-binding. the parties h.I."" lI,... ilable ...ilattver p(lIlt. lrbill'lllion relief is PfOYided by lhe conlract, regubtion 01' rule which lIulhorized the lImitTlilion process..

Conciliation is anolher proxt$JI involving 1 neul.al parly which is sometimes confusttl .... ilh mediation. Commonly used in Ihe domestic relations context. concilialion is an ,ttempt to _ist the p.a.rties in resolving tilt marital differences in order to Ioive Ihe marriage .elationship. Conciliators lire usually eourt e~ lind how somt powtl"$ to make interim orden to presm.'e tht integrity of tht family_ By contrast. domestic relalions medi.l.tOl"ll IIrt not trying 10 """" the ~, though th.l.l result would not be discou...,ged. Medialo ... work to rtduu the ho5tility betwftn lilt parties to tnlblt lhe parties to negoliate or crute iI belter atmosphe re for , ll.StinQ agreement. They do 001. ~ •. 101"m/lily allempt to ~t the par_ ties back tOilelher. people

IIOmt

May t991 1 133

APPLICATION A. Slh>l ' lonlln " hleh ", d laUon wo .... ~Io" ""Orneys. especially non ·specialists. cou ld find in their m", W active case in which mtdiation woul d worKw~11.

Th~ following ;Ore a few \>OMible eX2Impl • ., I. Ti me-critical disputes which "cannot wail" for judicial decision. such as I dispute over lhe quality of goods manufac· tu red under an e""cutory contract when time and kquence 01 deii,-ery are .ssential to the buyer.

2. Cases involving a continuing rel ationship. such as dorne:stic relations cases. controversiH among partners or busi · ne15 associates. diS<lgrnmenl$ among beneficiaries of an u · tate. disagreements among family membe.. in any type of matter. and neighbors embroiled in a conlest over I boundary line.

3. Cases in which both sides are fearful of a court's decision, with its all..,r-nothing died for one . id•. becaUk each side has some problems in obtaining certain victory, The common type of case is Ihe small·lo·medium personal injury suit in which the plaintiff was probably speeding and the obviously neglig.nt defendant is a popular local personality or perhaps a large empioye r of potential juro.. and thei r familie•. In th ..., Iypes of cases both parties ha\-e something 10 gain. and liule if anything to 10k, by "",diating.

4. Casts in wh ich one or more parti es has an underlying, hidden agenda. f"requently there are feelings which need to be expressed , or perhaps one party has a netd for vi ndication. For

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instance. suppose you represent a businessman whose partner has provided the partner's spendthrift son extensive credit without your elien!"s kn",,'ledge Or assent. The son lands in a drug treatment facili ly and OUI of sorts with his father while the bosine15 ends up with an uncollectible account receivable.

The fathe r refuks to make the debt good. and your client is ready to sue 10 collect Ihe debt. Neilher partner really wants to liquidate the business. but communications between them have reached an impasu. Your client may unde .. tand that the father was concerned about his son. but he resents that his partner would do something underhanded, no mailer how im · portant the reason.

This 5I:enario presents a class ic .... mple of a case which can IItnefit from mediation. Lit igation would nOl allow the parties 10 \-enl their underlying feelings and then worK constructi ... ly 100\lercome the problem. By working toward an agreement in private. the parties are more likely to reach a negotiated settl. ment and prtserve both their relatiOll>hip and the busi ·

ness.

B. Silua tlon. In " hleh ""dla lion m., not work I. Mediation may not lit appropriate or .ffecti...., in all types of Ca5i" . Med iation would generally be inapprOpriate in cases involving primarily i15ues of law. ~lediation also may be diffi · cult in cues in"olving highly technical mall. rs , although someti me. mediato .. trained in the area 01 expertise involved in the contTCMrsy can be used effectively.

2. Mediation would probably not be appropriate in domestic disputes in ..... hich one of the parties is dominated by the other party. This may especiall y be true in case, involving spousal abuse. Whil. the prE.. nc. of attorneys may help balance the JI<.l"'"r bm.... n the partie•. many abused spouses ...'{tuld bar· gain away property 0, other rights just 10 avoid lulure abuse.

3. Medialion may also be unworkable when a client is unreasonable by nature and unwilling to work toward settlement.

ADVANTAGES OF MEDIATION I. n"" ...,·jngs- Mediat ion usually resol....,s a can more quickly than litigation. Not only is the caselif. shorter. but the amount of time required 01 a party is le15ened . This can be particularly importanl to clients residing great distances lrom the forum or business eltecutives or prole5l;ional5.

2. Coot ...vings-Complaints by parties in all types of dis· putes over the high costs of attorneys fees and costs of litiga· tion have become commonplace. Mediation offers the ad,·an· tage of resolving the dispute ..... ilhout engaging in a full·scale trial. While the savings in I~gall«s are obvious. there mayal · so be. depending on how early mediation is attempted, I"".., costs 0/ disco"ery and f.es for experts.

The SUCCO'5l; rate of mediation in totally resolving disputes is high. ( "en if all i15ues are not resolved. mediation may bring tile parti .. dOkr to an ultimate settlement or result in agree· ment on some of the disputed i15UH. Perhaps an even more important cost savings is the savings 01 future litigation costs.

Parties in mediation crtate th.ir ",,'II solutio... as opposed to the solution being imposed by a C<)urt or other third party.

THE AI.ABA.'4A LAWYER

'fhey ~I'I';. therdol'll. Il1O« tik~ty to bf Ioltisfoed with the I'lIsutts and willing to;> abide by the tums of the ~g"'emtnt. This 1'1';. ducts the mod for post.gtUe"",nt litigltion brought about by nor..compiW>ct with II court <>rOtr. 3. f"runvin. rtLationlhipa-Anothtr i1T\j'JOfWlt Idv.m~ oImtdialion is thilt it is /I ~ df«tM method of pmnving I'lIbtionships than thilt cI'I';attd by the genuat IItlOOspnere 01 litigation. This is P'\rtkutarty duirable when the ~rtiu will hilVf! ~ wntinuinQ rtlationship. as in child rustody dlsputts.

I.md lint contuts betwttn ntighbors MId disagrHrntnu be· lwun businus partmrs, Mttlina with I ntutral {loCt·finder. undf:r the format described below. 100 .ltows ..... ntina of f«linas by the ~rtiu in ~ rTWlntr not a''''ilable (If practical in court. Mediat ion il an effectiVf! process for defusing emotional IlIIues In a dispute.

•. Rulity ttltlnt---Another iJdvintage is that mtdiltion can ptrmit un~1e portio$, MId in ~ ~ un<U$Onllble IttOrneys. to tng,agt in ~ "ru.lity teJtin('". A diml ...ith wild txpKtations aboul lhe ""'Uul'll of d.arnagtllo wllicll he is entitled may be brought down to urth in a face-to·face session with the other side.

5. Public loodwlll-Mrd;..tion ine ...~ tho IMI of Indi· vidu.il clitnt MId Ovtnll public Alisllction ...ith the Itgal pro(us. II has been wei, " ... Itltw: common 1.1... ;1 hostile to compromises: decilions are all ·or·oone .... inner take aiL"' 111 i, always pl",u Iht int.,~sts of onto and oft~n botll. ~rtl~s at I high 1..,*,1 of risk if litigation Is follcw.-ed to its natunl end.

....'hen disputants l'lIacll their own ajlrttmtnt. gruter satisfaction tn.lUt5. not onl~ with the result . but with the procull and Its ~rticiJWIts. This would s«m to be In ~d benefit f(lf tilt beneh ~nd INr III whol~, wnskltrina tt.. oft·rtptltrd bIIrbJ of the public and p~ ....t bwytn and It.. judicill s)'Stem. Additionally. In priocipLt It itast. rtmO\';ng I greater number of matten from the dockets by alttm.lt;"" methods of di spute ..solution shoul d free the cou rtl to handle tht r~· mainirl,Q"""'1oad In I mo .. timely. tfficient fashion. ag;.Jn re· suit ina in higher public satisfiKlioo with. and C(lIlrocltn«: II\, the 5ystem.

DIS ADVANTAGES OF MEDIATION 1. Loll of cont ....1 of d«lsion_ .... k1nl_ The disalWanLtgtl 01 mtdiltion lrt more ptrctiwd than ruL The ~t rommon misconuption is that IOIl'IeOI'It else is mWn:Q ~ dn:ision lor the ditnt. This limply is IlOl true. The mtdiatcH'y protal. if lucctssful. res ults in the partin reaching their ""11 agrn· mtnt. If rJQ\ ,ucc~lIIful. the partin Ir~ back to Ihe full rana~ of litigation \XlSSibilltits to their di$!llltt.

2. Loll o{ incomt fOT lawytn-Aoother ptrctiwd disad· Vlntilt is that I.1wytn will not be able 10 bill as much ptr maUtr. This is not ~rily Ir\Ie beg ..... most civil QJtI stttle during the COlIne of preparing lhe ........ and nwdialion is jU$t another means to tllat end. Even in tllose instances where f~n are le5l, the la""'ltr may not be at a disadvantage.

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May 1991 / 135

The lime ...""d by an expedient 1\'$Olution 0( one case should lea.'e more time available for other pending raMs. Finally. the possible loss 0( f«s may be largely overcome by the inc.eaMd 1"",,1 of cl ient s.ati,faclion achiewd. The client who pays less would certainly be tJlpected to speak kindly of the lawyer who s.aved the clienl money through the use of mediation.

3. Incnawl cosls for d ients-Mediation is oot a panacea for all disput05. Just as all cases are not settled. all cases which go 10 mediation will not be resol... d. An umuccessful media· tion wi lt produce incr.MOd =t> for the client and additional time wh ich the client will have to devote to Ihe case. This should not be an indictment of the p~ but should .,Hed instead on the unwillingness of dient> to settle $Orne disputes.

Most CMOS which """ntualty go to trial ar. generally preceded by extem" " efforts by the la"'..,..rs to settle the case. If mediation we.e not attempted. the same cost> might be incu.m

through the la~r's time spent in negotiation. The simple facl is that some cases only can be resolved to the clienr. sat · i,faction by a trial before judge Or jury.

4. Un«rl.linty aboul pl"O«dures-Mediation in Alabama is still in it> infancy. I.awyers and jud~s are not yd sold on the process as an improvement over tried and true methods 0( ne gotiated settlement and trial. This lack of su ppOrt tends to stymie the polential growlh of mediation as an effective tool in a b.oad range of cases. In the same ''ein, the bench and bar are not sumciently educated about the process to play thei r respective rolts. hampering the ability of me<liation tn operate emciently_ Judges are not trained to iden\ii)' cases in which mediation would be an appropriate · suggestion· to counsel and l a~rs may take a more advers.arial approach than i. ealted for in the mediation proctSS. thus reducing it> effective· ~".

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136 / May l991

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THE ALABAMA U I'IYER

THE MEDIATION PROCESS-HOW IT WORKS A.. Gen...1 IN UU I. Quanr.".. tionl of mediators-Who se!\'tS as .. mediator?

The ~uaJi ficatio", of lNdiato ... val)' greatly from state to state.

In general, mediators are not t xclusi""ly IaWjl\l'" or exclusively non-Iawye .... Some states do restrict mediators to ptrsons with either a I~gal background Or training in a specific field. such as psychology, coun..,ling or social work. Most states also hav~ some minimum requirements for the amount of training in mediation techniques mediators must have before being Ii«rued. certified or otherwi.., officially recogniud by the state.

Alabama. """"eVer. is one of the few states which has not dealt with the issue of INdiator training. Ther~for., lNdiators must bo selected by the parties On a ease-by-.:ase hasis.

2. COl l i of mediation-The co.t of a mediator's services varies depending upon the Iypt of malter boing mediated, and the background, training and e>lptrienct of u.. "",diator. and whether the mediation is public or private. Many state. now have a court--connected mediation program. frequentl~ in dome.tic relations mati .... but also in a wide range of other legal areas. which are sub.l idizro by state or local funds. Cost! vary widely from a low of $20 per person for mediation in domestic eases in MiSSissippi' to as much as $20.000 in compltJC commercial cases.'

3. Length of mediation-There is no certain limit to INdialion sessions. Like negotiation. how long it takes depends upon the complexil)' of issuts and the willingne.. of the parties (and sometimes their lawye ... ) to bargain. A simple dispute may bo reso]"..,d in'an hour or less. Mor~ complex eases may lake ten to 20 hours to complete. \','hile there are not mall}' reported statistics on the average length of med>ation sessions. at I..st one source reported an average of 4.4 to 12 hou... for media· tions in domestic relations case •. ' The number of separate se.. ions and the length of each session also will depend upon the style Or technique of the mediator and the desires of the parti~s.

4. Participation b)' Ilowyffl-One f~ar of lawyers should be put to rest; mediation doe. not necessarily mean that la"yers will be preduded from the lNdiation s.e.. ions. Most progranu (!o not han lawye ... from sitting in or participating in the mediation sessions. In fact. in many lNdiations IaWjl\lrs are very ac· tively inVQI,,~d in th~ process. Some mediation programs do exclude lawyers from being physically present duri ng the Tnf. diation se..ions. These prograrru. howe~r. generally allow laWjl\lrs to be d~ by and always pennit the parties to recess the 5eS$ion at afl}' lime to (:onsult with the party'. lawyer, Many lawyers choose not to attend and leave the negotiating up to the dient.

One problem with having lawyers conducting the mtdiation bargaining is the inabilil)' of many la"yers to adapt to the less ach.. rsarial nature of the mediation proce ... r..a"yers trained as advocates sometimes find it difficult to bargain cooperatively as OppOsed to defeating the other .ide. While laWjl\l" should zealously represent their clients, they also should be s.e",it ive 10 the diml"s lrue desire. and nwls. For imtance. the client may prefer Ie .. money I1(7W in exchange for a more stabl. and long·lasting agreemtnl. The awner 01. shOpping centtT may THE ALl.BAMA IJIWYER

bo boUer off rezolving. dispute with a tenant for Ie .. than the awner might ,"",i"" at trial in order to keep the tenant for a longer period of time.

5. Con ndtntiali ty------.Confidenlialit~ of statements made by parties during mediation is imperative to promote open and frank communication botween the parties.. If a lNdialor could bo compelled to testify at a subsequenl trial bo\WUn the par. lies. the parties might be unwilling to disclose any information which could bo U5ed against them. Most states which have mtdiation statules tither provide for u.. confidentiality of the mtdiation proceedings or create a privilege botween each party and the mtdiator as to disclosures made during lNdiation.

Alabama d~s not currently ha~ a confidenliality statut •• but the state bar's Task "orce on Alternati"", DiSpute Resolu. tion i5 studying the i.... ue and expects to propose such a stalute for co",ideration by the board of bar commi.. ionus.

B. Su m",ary of the mt dl.llon _

eN

The precise mannu in which mediation sessions are carried out depends on a variel)' of factors. Court--connt(:ted progranu may val)' slightly from private mediations, and private mediations ma~ differ deptnding upon the training of the mediator and the Iypt of ease invol""d. The court-<Xlnnected programs are frequently conducted at the courthouse Or in some other dispute resolution «nter. Private mediations may be conduct. ed in the mediator's office or some other neutral location. The following example. ha.... ver. i. fairly representative of the mediation process.

Mediations genually bogin with Ih. mediator'S giving an opening statement which explaim the mediation proce.. and the ground rules under which the mediator and parties will agree to optrate. Each party then is given u.. opportunity to gi"" a statemenl of i .. ues and a summary of the facts of the ease. At the condwion of the statement! of the parties. the mediator will summarize the daims and ~itions and obtain any clarification necessary to II< lure Ihat hefshe has a fair gr..p of the relatio",hips. i .. ues and facts.

The mediator then conduct! the caucw proc .... The parties ordinarily will bo ..,parated, and the mediator will speak indi_ vidually with each party. Then. either the mediator will con_ duct "shutUe" diploma<)' b.tween the two parti ••• who are in separate rooms. or the partits will r«onvene in one room and commence the bargaining proce... In the shullie approach. the mediator carries tht variow suggestions and proposals be. tween tht parties until tither an agr.ement or impasse is reached. When the parties are in the same room, In. mediator "'rves as a moderator. allO\'o;ng the partie. to engage in some head-to-head negotiation and. at time., se!\...... a facilitator of ideas gen~rated by one party for con5idtration by the other party.

When an agreem.nt is reached, the mediator generally reductS the agreement to writing and both parties .ign the writ. ttn agreement. The agreement normally is not enforceable until it has boen officially presented to In. court and adopttd or ratified by the court. Oc=ionally. the mediator is re<!uest. ed to monitor th. agreement for a period of tim. to ensure compliance by the parti••.

May 1991 / 137

AMERICAN PlAYHOUSE PRESENTS

THE STORY OF CLARENCE DARROW FRIDAY, JUNE 7 AT 9 P.M .

CIa,O<IC8 Da"ow's '"""" " ie(jeOOa,y ., the """al. 01 .... ........ ic&fr ~I .".,om lrom tile lal. '9Ih cent"'y lhrougn .... early Oeeaoes of tile 2001 cent..-y 1-10 "". _ portrayed on .,age aM .,"_ by su<;~ lamous aOO ""lPe';leO aC'Qr$ a.

Spanc8< Tracy, Henry Fonao. ""''''''' Dougkas. Paul M..-u """ er.on _ H" mosl la"""", CIO.... t>een ""","""",ed In h,.to,y I>00I<, anO law ioIJ,nal •• as well a. ,n play' and

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Spacey. thO IICcla"""" actor ..00 'ocenIly pomayO<! and os cu".nlly on ..... B'oadway stage In Srn1on~ comeoy M 'losl ,n Yonke,,: dep",,. ,hele\lendary lobor 1a"Y"f in """ d,reclO<I oy Jam Cc>es rSrIl'" 01 Lrle") FiOned on locaIion "' p,nSOutgn. PeMs........ iII. 'o",row" """ .,.,. Ret>ecca .............. oo Er., C,esso:Ja W,I$;ln. eMs Cooper ~ reaMed In thO role of ,he OOC"",st labot leader Eugene

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CMlIegaI SysI<Om at .... rum 01 thO 2tlCn C<>n1Ur'l H., _ \&. gal d.len.~. ,""QI •• ng Ih" Pullman R.",oad Sl,,~e, 'he Leopoidiloeb ..... <Jet ~",I and tJ>e 5copM """,,,0'\' (whIcn Cl\llilenged OM teIIC"*"II 01 C"""'s Da""",' thoory 01 ~"'" ,n ,he 1 _ pol;>l>c school <)'Slem) eleyaled hom 10 ",. 'anks 01 an OUIIlenIoc Atr>erica/'I foil< hem 1M Orama de"", .,to tJ>e personal 1.le. os well ....... pubI" P8<sooa.oI Da'row, • corT'poIex .oo """,;"",a,;" man, a ,,,,at Ohio larm--boy. ..oo. "'." &afty 41/<1, d=arded t>i$ larm K>oIs " ord.r to ",act"'" law Wth C~ocago •• h.s base tor """'" til." 50 years, carr"", _""'" ..... nat"",'. rMst lamoos de· ,.."....,to",.y_ adO'''Slng the ....... 01 c"" "ghIS. cap".' punIShment, and ',,",oom 01 ,pee<:h and ,dea. in COUrtS tho land

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W 'am Scnmldl and Slep"""

S,ept, probes tho pUbl>c and ","'ale man,.',..,..... and ., tho courtroom."

In detttat The dr3mlr ;.Iho ""''''' 01 .J<lenaNG ~;s""",at .nd """'.. u ... 01 many IICluat "".,,~oom transcnpto Spacey pIa)l$ Darr"", .,.".. • 3O-year ""'iOd 01 hill Tho ocl<>' preparO<l lor hill ",I. Dy I'Ig ""'"'Ytt'IinQ tle couIcI find ""along ,.;tIl o..rr""'. HIll m.,.....r;sms and OQur~oom del",e,y .." a resuh of thai onvestogatMl ptOCeS$ SQacey tIM p'''''iouoty " .. reO "' wen feat"", r""", as '~ 'Y & J,"",." "[laO: 'WorII>ng O.r: 'Sell NO E.. " Hear NO E"'· .nd 'He.rtbu,n " Hi. '.'."",on acting c'ed,l. incluoe "Wrseguy: "The 8elilld of Mary Pna(/Ol\: "The Eqoar".,' _ "FaY From G,ace," In v.f>iCh,.,. CO-,,"r<ed "'til Bernadette Pe-

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FOol' m_lnform.tlon. contact, Rog ... Hapbum at 1"800-239-5233

13S IMayl991

THE MEDIATION PROCESS IN ALABAMA

A number of la"">",,, in Alabama have b«n using mediation for somt time, Also. mOre and more lawy.rs and othe" are 5«king training as medi~tors.. The increased use of medlation nationwide. coupled with Ihe heightened interest in media, tion ItchniQue. in Alab.ama. I.d Ih. Alabama State Bar to charge the T:uk Force on Allemati,'t Di.pul~ Resolutions to 51udy the iS5ue of mediation and make recommendation. to the 5tat. bar about how to proceed in lhis area. In 1990. the task force dewlo""d and pr... nt.d to the ltat. b.ar a revision to Rule 16 of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. The revi, .ion to the rule i•• ,ight. bul i5 accompanied bjr ~ ..t of Mtdi , ~tion Rules which would govern the conduct of mediations in civil ca.ses in Alabama. Th. propo!ed revision is to add to .ub, section (c) of Rul~ 16 the following Ianguagt: (el ln ~ny action the court mayon itsov.ll motion. Or shall on limely writtrn notice bjr any party to the cause. direct and require the attorneys for the part;", to appear before it. ... for a conference to consider and determine: ...

(7) The possibility of !ettlemtnt Or lhe voluntary use of exlra'judicial procedures 10 resol~ the disputt purs..anl 10 the Alabama Ci,·i l Court Mftliation Rults.'

The guiding princip le in the formulation of the Mtdiation Rules was to promote a voluntary proceS5 encouraging parties to alttmpt to settle disputes in a manne r novel to many lawyers and disputants. The Mediation Rules provide lhat OK, diation can be initiati'd on the motion of the parties or bjr the court. If the court orders mediation and one of the partie5 dot$ not want to ~ngage in mftliation. the mediation can be can' celled prior to the first I"ssion with the mediator. If ~ party wants to declin~ to med iate. but doel not want Ihe court to know which party terminated the metliation. the party limply advise5 tht mediator that tht mediation is terminated. The mediator then notifies the court that mi'd i~tion tw been ter· minati'd without a ..solution of the problem.

A single mediator is appOinted unle" the parties agrte otherwil", Tht !election of the mediator is in the COUrt·5 di~ c .. lion. but the court will ..l«t anyone upOn whom the par, tits mutually agree. The court dttermines the qualifications of the mediator depending upon lhe .ubject mailer of the medialion. To prottct confidtntiality. the Mediation Rule. provide that all disclosurtl; to the metliator may not be divulged bjr the mediator. The mediator cannot be CQmpell.d to lestil)r. bjr either party. in any adversary procei'ding or judicial forum. The rules further providt that the parties shall not rely on Or introduce ill evidence in any proceeding: (a) \'iC\O.·1 expressed Or suggtSlions made bjr Ihe other par, ty with rflpeet 10 a possible .settltment of the dispute; (b) AdmiS5ions made by the other party in tht COur~ of

the mi'dialion ptOCl:'eding: (c) PrOpOsals mad. or view. expremd bjr the mftliator: (d) The fact lhat the other party had or had not indicated willingness to aecept a pro]lOSlll for .. ttlement made bjr the mediator: and

leI Thf: court sh.l.lI neither inquire nor rteeM infomu· lion about the pOSitions of the parties 10, the facts elicited in. Or the responsibility for lennination Or failure of the mediation.'

EKh party nvy bring legal counsel to the mediation su· sions IUlCi a~ party IInreprumltd by ~! nvy brin& a rq>reotntali"" 01 hWhtr choiet. n,e mediation _ions are pri· vate; persons besides the parties and their representati""s can only attend with tilt permiuion oIlhe <>Imr jl/Irtiu ,,><I the constnt of the med~or. There is no sttnOgraphic record taltm 01 the mtd~ion pnxttdings.

The medialor"s fH shall tither be I,(IrHd upon by the parties or sel by the court. The cost of Ius and other neceuary u· penses. such u triM! and other upensts of the mediator, will be borne eqUll1y by the jl/IrtiH unltss the jl/Irties ~ other· wiM: or the court orders otherwise.

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CONCLUSION Regardl." of whether laW;'tTl olI/rtt in principle with media· tion. l nllmber ofpressum are coming to bear on the judicial symm which mandIIte COIl5idtr.ltion of ntW mtalliS for molYina; dispulf:S. The Aliblma Supreme Court·s lime iWlIIIords lor dUpo.s,ina; 01 CMtS will maM mtd~ion _ allractiYt in our busiest circui~. In ftdtr.ll courts. och federal district court has Imn required by the Civil Jwtice Reform Act.' pass«! in ~tt 1990. to ownine Wl)'$ to impTOYt timely r~ution of cu· es btlon thost COUTU. Exh district court ~ nquirtd by the Kt to dewlap a civil jlUlia I:lqlmK lnd df~y plan. The courts must iIPPOinl adviJofy groups to study methods to rtdUct 0liU and decrease delays in the completion of tun, The Kt specifi. cally encOIlrag" ~S(lry groups to consider the utility 0/.1· terTl.lt"'" diopute R$OIuti(:ln metho<!$ including mediation. mi· ni· trills and summuy jury trials.

Clurly, mtdiilion otrtrJ advantagu in man)' types of aHS for raohing di$puIU quic:Idy,1es.s tlCpfIUiYely lnd with guoter utiifaction by the PIIrties in tht: preHnl and in the futu re.

Many of the disadvantages can bt wtrcome by the growth and devtlopment of I broad·bawl mediation program in Alab/Irna .

Reflecting upon public di»atidaction, the tw;r·il\(;reuing number of dispuw., the Itngth of civil docktts lnd dtcrusing judicW IUOOTCU, it is submillfd tNt the futll~ of mediation in~ 15 not -if", but "when", •

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New reference manual on WESTLAW published The Fourth Ed,\IOfl 01 the WESTLAW Reference Manual. v«1OCh updates databases. commands and search technoques 101' WESTLAW. West PublisIwlg CQrnpany's computer·asslSted legal research seMCtI. has juS! been pubHshed . The over 5CO-paoe manual inclvde$ new information on Shepard's PTeVIfIW, EZ ACCESS. the options d irectory. how to SearCh the allorney field in case law and adm inistrative documents, how to search state and federal statutes and 'Illes. how to lise WESlLAW as a citator. and how to..se gateway s&rV;ces In legal researth Over 70 new quick·reference sheets. v«1OCh describe the contents 01 individual databases IIfId how 10 use them. have been added as wei as an e.panded .-.oex and a more detailed table 01 contents.

For mo.. Infonmollon, c:.III-800-WES TLAW.

TIlE ALABAMA LAWYER

/ot.y 199 11 139

• M·E·M·O·R·(·A·L·S •

CEORCE WI LUAM M CBURNE:Y C~orll~ W. McBu'n~y of rtofenCt. Alabama. died Augult II. 1990, at liaphs\ Memorial Hospital in Memphis. Ten~.lIe "'U 73 years old.

He .~nt muth of his ufly life in Tlua]oos.a ...·lIffl' hi.! 101M....... a p..... fuso. a\ tht Univusity of Alabama

School 10

of Medicine. He ....as admiutd

the Alabama State Bar in 1940. 101·

towing graduation from the Un;",,,;ty', School of Law. He practiced in Tmaloom prior to World War II. During the war, he attained the rank of major willie KIVing with the 30th Inf¥ltry Division in Eu . . . following his marriage 10 Martha Robtrts of norme., tw btpn practi« "ilh the Florence firm of McBurney &.

ColeNtk. He btu joined Ihe firm of P<)tl1nH •. Cox. McBurney &. Jones.

frnm ..;!lith h. retired StWul yurs

'"

A ,killtd I~r. hi, interest ...... in Rat utate dtv<IOpmtllt and the dtvtcl · opmenl of th. ~Iof enc. community. lie britOy u1'ved a.s v;ce'Nesident of First Ftdtral SavinI!.! ~nd Loan h$oci. ation of florence. He developed nu· merous ruidentiJt and commercial pfO!lerties.

His greatest contribution. ~1'. c:amr from tM use of his legattraining illld ill$plring ludership in the civic devl!lopmtnt of FIormce and north AI· ~ He was instrumrnLll in the <,k. ~Iopmrnt of Joe Whulrr Slot. Park Ind TUrtle Point Yacht and c.:.untry Club. whne he Krwd a.s a founding member lOd first president. He Krved as president of both the Florence Chamber of Commerce and the Flo·

140 I May L99t

rence·uudtrdale Industrial [zpansion Commltt«. He was responsible for the ~$to"tion oIlhe W.C. Haney Home and the develO\lmtnt of Popt', T.!VI'm.

He ...·as the first chairperson of the TenntSKe Valley ~:~h;bit Commission and ~ invol ..... d in the planning illld earl~ construction of the ll:enaiS$llnce Tower and TVA museum. He was founder and first president of tht AI· abama Mountain takes Association and KfV1'd on the Ala1».tni Automo· bile h$ociation Bo.I.nl 01 Dirtctors. He ..-as .. mtmber of the first Presb)1eri· lin Church of Florence and a past chairptuon of its bQ,rd of drllCOIl$_ His name hIS been en tered in the 800Ii of Golden Oftds 01 the Florence bchange Club.

Survivors include his wift: Iwo brothers. Dr. Robert P. McBurney of ~lemphis. and Charles W. McBurney of COlumbia. Tennenee: and several nitees and nephews. ineluding Shaler S. Roberts. III. attorney lOd dirtclor of the Florence Housing Authority.

Robert t_ Mars.hlll1. attorney and refer· ence librniln it the University of AI· abiml School of taw. ~1arjorie Roberts. i \1rgin Islands atlomey. illld Charln W. McBurney. Jr., I Florida lit· tomey.

An tndowed scholuship fund in his name his been esliblished at the Uni· Vl'rsity of AI<lN.tni School of Law by an l!\OnymOUs gift from a member of his law JChool class. An editorial in the Florellc, Times /)oilV s tated that.

"Friends rtmeml>er him ;u un .. lfi,h. always interested in improving flo· un<;t- and -as ~ cMc Irl&r ....ho taptured tM Jpirit of volunturism r>U<!. ed to ~ I community fo,,",-a rd." I ~mrmber him U i next-door neigh· bor and one oJ. the best friendJ I~ eYer had. lIe was a !.killfut Ia...,.~r. a great 1e<1der and a truly tnilWiou> 11\lO. His judgment and ual for drn:loping the community ...~~ OlItslinding. He "ill be greatly miSKd.

li'ilfilJm II. Mitchell F/IJreu<;t. AloOoma

W.

RAM S£Y M CKINNEY

W. ItarnKy McKinney died December 6. 1990. in 1M primt of hu life;md Ie· gat Cllffr; and Whereas. the Mobile Har Association

ojes,m to remrmber hu name and rec· ognize hiJ significant oonlributlon$ to OUr profusion ill1d to tllu community: Now. therefore. be it known. that McKinney .... u born in Montgomery.

AI3i)a.ma, Oct~r 19. 1941. He ~!tend· ed the Virginia Milit.a ry Institute and Vand er bilt University where he re o ceiVl'd hu un~rgraduale degr •• with honors in 1962. ha,;ng eamed admiJ· sion 10 Phi lltti K;.pPil- He received his law dfglff from tt-.. Unn.. rsit)· of Vir· ginia Law s.:hool in 1965. at which lime ht ~d to ~10bilr and j(lined the firm of Hind. Arendall. IItdsolt.

Crt:rvtS &. Johnston. IQrnsey ""as a dis· tingulShed member of that firm from ]965 to tt-.. <lay 01 his untimtly drath.

He ...-as ...idely recogniud by the bench and 1».r a.s an OlIulinding practitioner in Kcurities and co",..,.. t. law.!le was a foun~r and director of the Hank of Mobil. and itl holding company. Mohile National Corpontion.

RarnKy was also acti ..... in civic and community IIffairs throughout his tao reer. lie wu put director of Wilmer Hall and illl actiw mtmber of Trinity £piscopool Church. where he strved on the vestry. u treuurer ill1d Kniar ..... r<:len. He is JU"'Wed by his ";fe. \'lrginia K. McKinney. lind th r •• daughten.

Shannon Amanda McKi nney. Holly Stuart McKinney and ChriJl en Walton McKim"lty.

Champ !.vot1S. Jr. /7"(siiA'I1t. NobiidBar ,wociIJ/ion

TilE AlABAMA LAWYER

W,LLIAM H. AfU.IBRECHT, J R. William H. Armbrechl. Jr. died in Mobil~. Alab/lma. Februluy 2. 1991.

Jt ~ thO' do.ire of thO' Mobil. Bar As· sociation to rKOgniu and memo"",l. iu h~ exaplion.I.1 nconI as I promi· nent attorney. distinguished citiun. and honortd civic Ind community leader.

Armbr~hl "''as born in Mobile. Ala· bama, November I. ]908. and =ned his undergraduate degree at Spring Hill ~1I.ge in 192'9, and 1a", dogrH from the Uni"tuity 01 Ala\),anuo in

1932, He ",as a ""'mber of the Mobil. Bar Auociat ion . of which he serwd at p~.ident in 1954. the Alab/lma State Bar. the American Bar Msociation. lhe MaritilTH: La", Associltioo of the Unittd States, and lhe International Msociation of. OffenH COUnH\. He Will a Hnior partner in the firm of Annbrecht. Jackson, Ofrnouy, CTQ\\.~.

Holmes &. Reeves.

During thO' 50S )'ta1'J of his legal ca· M', he Hrwd ill a "",mber of many civic and commullIty organizations.

H. ~r\'ed as ,;c •. pruidtnl and dirtt· lor of Ihe Alabama. Tenne,nt &: Northern Railroad I, om 1944·50. ",hon h. was promoted to president. ",hich he Hrw<! ill for 19 years. Ite HMd as dirKIOf of the First National Bank of Mobil. from 196(1·79. chair· Pl'1'SQIl of thO' bond from 1969·74 and chairperson of thO' utcutivr commit· tH from 1974·78. From 197310 1979. he Hrve<.I as a director of First Bancgroup-Alabama, Inc. and chairperson of the finan« oommillff from 1973· 78. He H ....'td ill dlrKior tmtTitus of AmSouth Bank from 1979 until his dulh. He ilio ,..rwd as S«rtlary and dirtCtOf of RobilUOO Land &. lumber Company. Inc. for some time in his

acti". ca~er.

TIlE AUIIAMA LAWVER

Armbrechl served as director of many business and civic organiu· tions, including the Industrial Devel· Opment Hoard of the City of Mobile; Point Clear. Inc. (formerly known as Crand Hotel Com~ny); tho Mob ile Area Chamber of ComlTH:rct fourt<b.· tion. Inc.; the Dauphin island Proper· ty o.mers Associatioo: Soulhem In· duslries Corporation; the Moh;l~ County Foundatioo for Public Hight> Education: Ihe Mobil e Industrial Pulls Hoard; TItle Imu= Com~· ny of Mobil~; L.aI<. FoUtt. Inc.: lake Fornt Utility ~rplntion; L.al<e Par. ut Property o..T1m Association; Diamondh.ad ManufactUring, Inc.; lind the United fund of Mobile County.

Armbrecht was a member and trustte of Sl Paul's EpiKOllilI Church, a ITH:mber of thO' Mobilt Kiwanis Club. the Mobile County Club. the Alhtlstan Club. Alpha Tau Omtg.i Social frattrnity. thO' Phi Dtlta Phi Legal Prattmi· !y, UHl the Roard of R.genU of Spring I hll ~llege.

He issuIVived b~ his wift, Kather· int; two 1oIlI. William Annbrteht, Ill, and Conrad Armbrtcl. II: and thr.e daughters. Katherine A. Brown. Anlli &11 A. Bru liOO Ciara L Annbrechl Champ l¥Jns, J;.

fMidml, NoMe 80r AssocWlion

BROOX GRAY GAltRt.TT, SR.

"","00

Admitted; 1939 Died: ftbrwory 13. 1991 PERin' H IJBBAI1D

'TUscaloosa Mmitted: 1945 Dietl: March I L

1991

THQ.'I}.S E. I-Iun. J R. Birminghom Admitted: 1933 Dietl: March I L 1991 JAMES LEWIS HUGHES, J R. Birmingham Mmitted: 1940 DinI: D«ember 30. 1990

HUCHIWn. Birmingham Admitted: I9J..I Died: f ebruary 23. 1991

FEES CHARGED FOR CERTAIN COURT PROCEEDINGS AIXOfding to Unit&d States MarshalS Walter J . Bambe'o.

Micldle Oistrict of Alabama. and Thomas C. Greene. Norlhern District of Alabama , there has been a change In lees charged fOf certain court proceedings.

The IoIIowing schedule 01 lees and commissions b&came el· lective April 1. 1991 . in accor· dance with 28 USC 1921 (b), Parmenl 01 service lees prior to service 01 process will be reo quired .

SCHEDULE OF FEES AND COMMISSIONS Ltogat proce ••

For INICh iMm MfV«I by mail or fCNWarded for aeMoiln ....other judicial distfict-l3.00 For fJach ~ MfV«I (Of Mn'ic8 a"*,~ in l*I0I'I;

• W_rwo houri. _

.

hg <bi'Ig putJIiIMd duty

ho<n I~O.OO And, f lor INICh .ssodatlld add~ional hour, or ~ _.01-$20.00 • Wrtlm two 1>ourI, COWn...,

_ssary.

hg afferputJhhed <Mr

"""'-"'."

And. l...ceu.ary. lor NCh

assoc;.tIId IIddiIioMI hcu, or ~

-.ot-$25.oo

Plus, acfu.l. aSMK:lllttld rour.Hrip milNOe (al tederaI lflIV9i 'sgu\BtiofI .. tel) aro:j out-<>l1>Od<M • _ _ , •.g .• lOIs. PIfI<InII. kIIpII'. tees.. insu"ance ptIITIiurnI. iIdve!1JI.

,,_.

Commission.

On the tif1,1 '1,000 coIilcted.

or poI\ion _101-3 Plr<:enl

On the IUIICUIIlIn . _ at '1.000-1.5 PIIO'''I &cttpttlw ... ~ ClDtmlission C. . tiM is '100. and !he maximum ODmIT'c"ion coI*:tiblto is lSO.OOO.

MiyI991 / 14 1

OPINIONS OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL

By ALEX W JACKSON'"

m I

!!II

_"'0.'lawyer or law r"rn

Must a

op~ r. tin8 under a trade name. such ao "AM Legal

Clinic", include thaI trade name in all

penniMibl. communications made pur·

suant to Canon 2 of the Cotk of Profe<;sionol Responsibility Or Rul. 7 nf the Rul .. of Profe5i5ional Conduct?

1&11~:~~la)

of the Rules of

Professional Conduct slales in pertinent part "" follQWS, lo-w;1;

~ RuIe 7.5·"

(al A trade name may be used by a lawyer in private practice if it does not imply a connection with. government

agency or with. public or charitable organization and is not otherwise in violalion of Rule \.1 or Rule 7.4."

Rule 7.1 says in pertinent part

as fol·

lows, to-wit: " Rule 7.1"·

A lawyer .....11 not make or cause to be made a falst or misleading communication about the lawyer Or the Lawyer', StTviCH. A communication is false Or misleadingifit:

(al contains a material misrepre· of fact or law, or omits a fact necessary to make the statement coru;id. ered as a whole not materially mislead· ing; ..." ~ntation

IIII

a~ers are permiltt d to ad · verti~ and to communicate

with tM public regarding Ie· gal •• ",leu in a "ariety of ways including, but not limited to. pub· lie media such as a telephone directory, legal directory, newspaper or other peri· odical, outdoor display, radio, television, mailed circular.;, brochures, or "Shapero letters". In addition. la"''Y''rs may, and by tradition do, utilize bll.5ines.\ cards and leUerheadilegal stationary as a means of 142 1May 1991

communicating with the public. With Ttt~nt amendments to the ethical rules governing lawyer adverti.ing, it has be· come perrnis"ible for Alabama laW}'l'rs to render legal services unde r a "trade name", as long as the name of one or more laW}'l'T5 ~'pOnsibl. for the content of the communication relating to tho~ ~rvkes is a part 01. or accompanies, the U5t ola trade name.

The purpose of all bar regulation of attorney advertising content is to protect the public and insure that information about legal services, and communications made by lawyers about services are truthful, non-deceptive and informative, i\(cordingly, the afo~named (mythical)"MA Ugal Clinic" is permis"ible, as long as any communications regarding ~rvic.s ~ndered by "MA", such as per" mi~ible ad"erti~ments, Ittterhead. or busines" ca rd, (all being communications permitted pUT5uant to the rules). include not only the name "AM Ugal Clinic". but ilIso the name 01 a lawyer re_ SpOnsible for the oontent of the communication. In the context of"AAA U gal Clinic", such a communication might state "AM Legal Clink. John Doe, Attor. ney". Such a listing is not the only form permissible. but is merely illustrative of the connection bel\>un trade name and attorney name required by the rules.

The Commission also must consider whether an aunmey, operating under a trade rI;Iffie, should continue U5t of that trade name in connection with all permissible communicat ion, made pursuant to the rules. In OUT opinion, it is both ~asonable and proper for an attorney, nperating under a trade name. to continue to utiliu that trade name in ilIl permissible communications. including lelt~rhtad and business card communi_ ,",tions. and also in legal adverti,ing per· mitted by the rules.

The purpose of all bar regulation of at_ torney advertising conlent is to protect the public and enSure that information about legal services, and communica" tions made by lawyers about ~rvices, a1l' truthful, non-<leceptiw and informatiw.

The rules directly address mis~presen· lations made by both commissinn and nmission IRuie 7.I(an. In our npininn, fnr an attorney to practice under a trade name and hold himself out under a trade name in nne instanC<:', and then tn aban. don that trade name when it suits his convenience, creates an omission that fall. belnw the standard mandated by Rule 7.1. '\ccnrdingly, not only must an altor· ney. practicing under a trade name, in· clude in all permissible communications the name of a lawyer responsible for the content of the communication, but it is our opinioo that this rule also requires that tho con~ction be~n lawyer and trade name be cornis!eni and uniform such that the connection becomes in~.,. arable and a pan of all public communi· cation made on behalf of either. A lawyer using a trade name has made an election and. thereby, has determined how he mwt be identified in public cnmmunica· tinns. His trade name hilS become his firm name. by choke. and hi. uu of this trade name precludes the U5t of any other firm name or trade rI;Iffie in permissi· ble public communications. Joon Doe, of the mythical "AM Ugal Clinic", cannot have an alternate identity as a partner in "Doe. Roe & Moe, Attorneys", unless the TIlE AlABAMA LAWYER

U# in "Vellow J>.gt" dirKlOry listings

~e is "Dot. ROt &: MOt. Attorneys.

Wlo AM i.tg.lI Clink".

The UM of Ihe lrade name. lottlher wilh the na .... of lhe lawyer. in plt~dings

will hM: 10 be eonsisltnt in the .... of th,t t~ namt in all permissible rom· municalions. To allow lhe ust of a trade narTIt In Ont cootext. whilt to permit iu omission In ill other mptClS. would be 10 make II sh;.m of tilt ",Ie ~ pennit mislelOdin, communicatiOns. tithtr by the use 01 the tude rllnIt in Ont COO\al or by iii omission in another. Consisten· cy lind uniformity are the only .... medy. lind it is our opinion !lUI lO Indt namt. once adopted. ~ once used in COt\nK. lion wilh communications with the public pursuanl to Rule 7. must be used in

and the like is a mauer beyond the scope oflhis opinion. bul il is oontthtlw our OI'inion thai. unlf3S othtnoo"i$t pucludtd by court ",It. the \I$t 01 the tr.tdt mmt should be curied forwu d in lO such ~Iudings and all permissiblt communi· cations regard ing Ihe same.

II further erlm oIlhis OI)inio<1 will be th~1 lawyers or law f;rm~ wh o haw adopted tude namel stlected or de· signed to provide lin alphabtticall1d\1;m·

Amendments to the Rules of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit F'-lowing

'_'pi and COOslder.,ion el ccm,...ms Ie the I>'opcoed am_moots

10 the Ru~ 01 the Unned StalK c.:...~ 01 Appaals tor !he Eleventh C.cu~. the Cou<1 has delerm....:t to adopI!he \oDoWIng addolJOnal revosions to !he Rules. Pu,· suant to 28 U.S.C. @2071(a). 1heseadditional."",I(!meo'tsshallake eI!9<:r en April 1. 1991 . iI1 !he same ~me as !he olhe< changes to the Rules. (The addiliohS a'G in bold 1)'PtI. and de1aticns are Hned through.l I. Add lhelollowing pamnlf>lllocai lO !he firsl S8fIlt-roee ollhe I.O.P. titled "&teoIIIOI"IS ot Tome' whk:/l accompanies FRAP 28: (a.g .• cou~ dOCkets or cal&nda,s whdo esuobIo8/I WIsoIubIe oonIIocts. medical ~ oiliness).

2. Add an I.OP to aa:ompany FRAP 28: BrleIs in Conscidarlld Cssti. u.-..ss !he pa ~iH oll\erWisa <>g'" or lhe coun OIherwise crder$. !he part)' who riled !he lirsl nclioe ot app8al shall ba <:!e6m9d Ihe appellanllor PlJ'!"' .... el FRAP 28. JO. and 31. and ltle" aoocmpar>ying CIrcuit ru~.

3. Add !he IoIcwong sentaroo. el!he end ct pat'9"~ 4 Dl l1 th Cor R. 32-3: The coun may ...;.a Of requtnI ,~ 01 the brill tcr taiba to COIIlIlIy. 4. Re",se lhe sao:ond senlenol ot lhe 1.0.P. t~led "'lime tor Orel A'gomenl' which acx:om~nies FAAP 34. 11 ,ll a"',:i!Q , fU The lime specofied ~ ptIf ~ !

• ~.'''' 11.~.

5. Revise lhe firsl S8fIlenoI ot Ihe 1.0.P. IItIed "Judocial Council"" wNcto accompa. noes FRAP 47: The judic:ial cour"QI fltablished by 28 U S.C.@332i110:mp0sadol OR I' ~I'" II flo. OIl q "

,.,I.,.iII •••

"~I' 1

~. " ',,, ~8" I •

f"1

I_I • 'o wI nlneleen members: one ecIh1e judge !fom each ot Ina n,,,. dislnct couns. roine activ9 Clrcu~~. and lhe circuil c!"OeIludc>e.

6. Add wo,dsln bold Iypa and If,ika words thel " . tined th'ough In ... nteooos ~ and 5 ot revised Addendum tV. Sectocn (d)(2): Unless ~ on advance by !his court. the dIslrIcI coun is tI01 .uthorized to lIJIPOinI ct;UINI on ~ to flP'H'l'1l a de~ who was """a. . _ in the dis1lid coun by ,ef83ned counsel wnnout firsl concIucting an in..:amora ,..;ew cI !he hnancial circumstances ot !he de!endam and cI the ,..., anang"""'IS baiween lhe delandanlf and ,ela,ned Inal ooun ... l. · ~~I. al" • 'or Appoinlment 01 oouMol on _ I ,R , 1-' "W 7 ,," . " may ba I I ~I •• requesled " this coun by IilinO an appoOl" lal8 motion SUWCfled by an af!\daVII which ~ oompliH wnh Fcrm 4 in !he App8n<k>: to the FRAP Ruin.

7. Strilo. the last Slnteooe 01 Adderodum V. Section (d)(3): 'W, nUl '~il R q.

w.,.

1

e

h

~elili' I " ~ • •• 1.9 III 91 1IIlil iho ~iI't) '.

TIn: AlABAt'IA LAWVER

,'I nl

~II cootnu and lIlI ptnniuiblt public communic.tionl. AppliclItlon of Ihi' surodard will insult that tht: bench. tht: ~T and 1M public ... illbe afforded com· plttt and OlCCuralt information rti3rd· intllht lawyer or law finn offtrintlltiil KNittl. lind I~t tVuYOfie will know with "'hot bW)'t r and ...' ....1 tnlity thty lre d&lintl.

lRO·go·1OOj

•

"Jou""" _ I. In pr;""le prtlCria;n bI<f IIt>wrI .. -..iJ/<IfII (ItNrIII COIUfISIII "" 1M ) "'! OJ"" Silre &lr "" 1m HqnJ~.

rmdoMlf~

JUDICIAL AWARD OF MERIT NOMINATIONS

DUE

The Boa,d 01 Commissioners 01

,_i••

lhe Alabaml Stll. Bar will ~ Icr !he orale bar', Juct. cia! AWMI 01 MerilIhrough May 3 1.

NcrninabOnlll'l<;Ud ba 1""1*111 WId maied 10 ~ T. HamnIr. Secretary. EIcar<l 01 Bar ComrnissiorIfrI. Alabama Stale aer. P.O. ae. 671 .

Monigon*y. Alabama 36101 .

The Judio;lJ,l Awa,d ot M..-lI w ..

Ktablished., 1967. WId .... 1irII,. tipoeolS _a 51..- United StalK Distric;t J~ Slybou,n H. Lynna and W ired Circo~ Judge James O. Haley.

The aw.'" II; net necessaflly an amual 8WiI'd. ~ may be Pf"'"*' to a judge whelher state or tede<al aut. trial or I[:~ ".al8. who it dIIIr·

mined Ie h,.a conlfil>ut";! ,Ignlli. cantfy 10 Ihe administralion

ot jvstice

"Alabaml. The ,«ipiant" p<IMI1l· ed with a crysLal gavel "'aring the orate bar Hal n !he yellt 01 pl.

-

_ .... Iiont IU. ccnsidMd by I truM·member commitl" appoonted b y Ihe p, . .ldanl el Iha sill. bar which malo" a '1OORIme-ndil1icn 10 !he board 01 CO,,", 'uioners with,.

IfI'CI 10 • -....- or _ \hi award t/Iould be presented In any given y98<.

Nominalicnl IIlooId indo.de

a de·

lailed llOcgrapl\leall>'Olile ot the nom·

"'''aM

'"'" and a ~ !he t.9niIicarol cootribuIion(') !he ~ has made 10 .he administrlllCtl 01 juSI;':'. Nominations may be IOIp' ported with lett ... 01 endorsement.

MlIy

199 11 1-43

C·L·E OPPORTUNITIES The folfowing programs hove been approved bV lhe Alabama Mandolarg Cont inuing Legal Education CommissiOfl for CL£ credit. For information

regarding other Q/JOilable appro/led programs, contact Diane

Weldon, administrative oS$&;fanl for programs, at (205) 269·1515, and a complete CLf: calendar will be

mailed / 0 you.

..AY a..tUNE 1 J .."u Speak Oul .... Lliten

Crmd ItOle!. Point eltar 15 WI!OHI.OAY

. . ....

,.... La... 11M La... ~

lIunlJYilk N.u.ion.I.l8uslnw IrUl.ilute,lnc.

Cmlils.: 6.0 ' Coil: S108 (71.5) 83S-8S25

TUlane uw School Oftiill,' 12.5 1CfJ4t: $500 (5<14) 863-59(10 3OTHU"SOAY Cri.I.... _La..

M""" AIWlt.i Rir Association endils: 6.0 I Cost $95

17 FRIDAY TrIal Abocacy I.. AlaIMo. .

Montgomtry National BusinH$ lnstitutt, Inc.

CredilJ,' 6.0 I COlt: $]08 /715) 835-8525

--

17·1.

(404 )S2 1~781

MAY 31..1UNE f Health La..

Pint Mountain, Gwrgia Alabama Bar Institute for e LI: CredifJ." 6.0 (2(15) J.t&.6230

(20S134S-6230

Au ..... s..laar 011 the Gulf ~ndntin Ik~h R..ort, Dutin Alabal1\ll Bar tnstitute 1M cu: Crrd,1s: 6.0 (205) 348·6Z30

21 TUESDAY M.I,Iot ....... UN ......

In Alalia. .

-"

NatioNl Busil\U$ Institute. Inc. Credits: 6.0 I Cost.: $108 171S) 83S-8S25

22 WEDNIESDAY "-lor Lanol UN ......

In Ala.....

Montgomrry NatiOl1llI BUlineSllnstitut~, Inc. Credil!: 6.0 I Cost: $108 (115) 835·8525 144 1 ~

1991

..""".In "

TrIal Sldl.. CoIMite.

TrIal .u.-.c,.

Milimi Ass.oc:ilItion of TrilIll..lIW)"t1"S of America (202) 965·3500

1:t.14 ERISA BIo. lc.

5heraton Grvldt, lh$Ang.lu Nneri",n Bar Ass.oc:ilItion ClYdilJ: 20,0 I Cost: SSOO 13 t 21~195

011 A C. .

AlabamII Bar Institute for elf Credi/s: 6.0

7 FRIDAY """.nuol " '0""'"' Compt ..... tlon InAJ."'_ tl untsvillt NatioNl Buslneu Institute. Inc. Credils: 6.0 I Cost: $ t08 1115) 83S-8S2S

Clt.t .... Co .... U C_ra.tato

"-"'" AlabamII lIu Institute for e lf CmiilJ: 6.0 (205) :w8-6ZJO

JUNE 4 TUESDAY """.nuol Womn' Cnlllpe..... tlnn In A1.Ita. .

BirminjNm NliioNl BusineM IlI$l:itut •• Inc:.

Credits: 6.0 I Cost.: $108 (715) 83S-8S25

...

TU k.lnu QnnRt Buc:h Alabal1\ll flu Institute for CI,E

Credits: 10.0 (205) 348·6230

1"21 Ilau",o ... W ..te L1t1ptlnn Hot,l Ikl Coronado. Coro-lo. CA r tdtnl Publications. Inc. Credils: lU I Cost: S925 (202)337.7000

JULV 11.12 ERISA Wo .... hop

"'~,

Pension Publiations 01 ~lMr. Inc.

Credits: 13.0

eo.t: $390 (3031 m ·IOO4 18-21 ""n...1 Con"Hnllon P.rdido Buc:h Hilton.

Orange Btach Alabama Statt Bar (205)269·1515 TIlE Al.'.BAMA l.'.WYER

M

•

c

•

L • E NEWS

A brief look at Continuing Legal Education in 1990

By K£ITII NOI?J"fAN

__---.. __...

...

_---_...--...

0_0_0 ••

0 -

0-

0_0-

0-

o.

000-

0-

0-

0-

FIGURE I

0 _--_.0_0-

0 0-

0-

FIGURE 2

F-'-, ,-_.-

•

_.••

FIGURE.

FIOURE 3

Ke/tlo_

In 1m, the Mandatory Continuing lAg,l Eduation Commission revi~'td a total of 2,645 proQnrm _kinK Cl E KCrt<iil4ltion with 2,574 prognms~.

figure I indicates the ten tOf! subject miltler artM of CU : coynn based on the totll number of courses offtud. while

i", KC:.wittd. Of tho 2.645 prog~ offered. 406 wert off.. ~d by in-.tatt sponsoTi and 2,239 by out-o(·sl,l It ~ ... IS polNn! mil 85 Pl'rtmt ft· ~i~ly. Vet. si~ in-statt SpOnS(Iri K· counted for 52.3 ""reent of the 10(.)1 CLE Il001'$ attmdN by_bte bar memo bmin 1990.

OYer 54 ~ of "II CI.E PfOIIrnnnocredittd in 1990 wtrt hold in tho 1m ciliQli$\N in Figure 3. finally. in 1990. 6.188or 99 ptruntoftho~" wb;t<\ 10 tho: elL rules mil rtllulMioOI ~Iitd ..ilh tho: MCLE Rules

TIlt: ALABAMA LAWYER

Fig ...... 2 ~r

.how. the top ten lubject IrnItter iteM baKd on

altendana: 00url.

and Regulations in , ti_ly fWlion or filed ~ derICiency plan u ptrmiued under Rule 6 of tilt rults;md .. gul;ltions, Only <Ll lawl'l'rs' names we.. ctrtified to the Disciplinar)l Commission for r.oncompliante. (Figure 4) /oI;Iy 1991 / 145

ALABAMA STATE BAR

ANNUAL MEETING JULY 18-21, 1991 ORANGE BEACH IN TIlE

LAW PRACTICE Learn tactics for using technology to increase the productivity and efficiency (or your practice.

•

Discover how lawyers employ the la/est document assembly, database spread sheet and substantive applications in their work.

•

Learn the latest in technology systems and how to decide what is right for you.

• A three-hou r symposium- what every lawye r should know about computers-will cover the basics of the entry level microcomputer- what you need and do not need and what it costs; what you should expect from wo rdp roce5sing, timekeeping, accounting, etc., software; how many software packages can you use effectively-which ones should you choose, whe re do you get service and support and many other subjects.

Workshops: Among the several workshops to be offered will be how to select a law office management consultant. computer kindergarten - a primer for those who have little or no knowledge of computers, document assembly, and free LEXIS· training.

146 / May 1991

THE ALABA/>IA l.AWYER

.. ..'

.. ~ \.

ALABAMA STATE BAR QffCE OF THE PRE~D拢NT

~ar

Alabama Lawyer:

1991 [S 0IF'FERENT11rs THE BEACH!

The decision to hold the 1991 Annual f-leeting of the stale bar on the Gulf at the Perdido Beach Hilton dictates a new pre-rtgistration procedure to maximire our use of this beautiful property.

We must register u rly to ensure the bar's udusive occupancy of the Hillon. The addition of the inaugu ral Alabama State Bar Open Golf Toumamen! also necessitates an advanced registration.

A mort detai led program of the educational opportunities, our legal technology expo, and the besl~r entertainm ent social itinerary will be mailed in early June. At that time you will be able to order tic kets to all of the convention events. Asneak preview of some of the program activities is included in this mailer.

The prHegislration fee applicable through 1>la)' JI is $100. After that date the 1991 Annual f.leeting registration fee ..... ill bf $125. Your room request must be accompanied by the appropriate convention registration fee.

Uu OM registration frmn pn tlttonwg.

The golf tournament will be played on the Perdido Bay Golf Cou~ on Friday. July 19, alld will be limited to the first 72 registrants. Will Matthews of Ozark is tournament chailTT\all.

The Perdido Pals children's program wilt be available to registered hotel guests only during the convention. This program provides organized children's activities duri ng the day - as well as evening hours with meals included.

Registered hotel guests wilt have on路premises parking preference.

The activi ties begin Thu rsday morning, July 18. and witt conclude with the ~li1ton's Jazz Brunch on Sunday. July 21. Hotel rooms need to be reserved early. Pre路registrants will receive an order for ticketed events prior to the general convention mailing in early June. Your early regist ration witt faci litate a smooth 1991 annual meeti ng. We are operating uoder severe space constraints. and this early planning will make for a smoother and happie r event for all.

W. Ha rold Albri tton, 111 President

TIlE Al ABAMA u\WYER

/oU~

19'9! / 147

ALABAMA STATE BAR ANNUAL MEETING Ju ly 18-2 1, 1991 • Perdido Beach Hi lton' Orange Beach

P·R·E·V·I·E·W Group Breakfasts ' Alumn i Luncheons ' Alabama Law Institute Sand, Sun & Saltwater ' Fishing, Coif & Tennis ' and more !

Thunda.Y. Jub 18

Friday, Jui)' 19

8:30 a. m. • Noon

7:45 • 8:301.m.

Computer Kindergarten Breakfast 9:00 I.m. - Noon Plenary SeS5ion·

Section

Sh(W,~

Programs-

12:30 p.m.

Bench and Bar Luncheon Hon. Jerry L. Buchmeyer

u.s. District Jud#.lbllas. loas J~ &idrmqn- is II OOIed humorisl rmd hMrd 0<1 National

Pu/Hic Radi().

2:00 • 3:00 p.m.

Section Business f.l eetings 3:00 • 4:30 p.m.

BenchlBar Beach Olympics Family Fun on the Beach

7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Reggae Beach Party

ALABAMA STATE BAR

EXPO Thursday, Friday, & Saturday

Hilton Exhibition Hall REFRESHMENTS PRIZES llIURSDAY: 8:30 a.m. ...:30 p."'FRIDAY; 8:30 l.rn .. 4:30 p.m.

SATURDAY: 8:30 a.m. - ]:00 p.m.

148 / Mayl99!

rututU C(MTI",.Jttr 1wIds_ demo pruenttd by Robert I'.

Wilkinund Richud T. ~rs

1:30 p.m. Tee Time Golf Toumament Limited 10 72 players 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Law Office Workshops· Computer UsagelLaw Office f.1anagement Consultants 3:00 • 5:00 p.m.

Section Business t-leetings

7:30 p.m.

Dinner and Entertainment "An Evening with Shearen E lebash~

Saturday, JuJ.y 20 8:00 I. m. Committee Breakfast 9:30 I.m. • Noon Grande Convocation* Impaired Lawyers Program Chief Justice Hornsby Volu ntee r Lawyer Program Annual Business Meeting 7:30 p.m. ' til .

1·larold and Jane's Club '91 Dinner, Dandn' & Cabaret f.landy Beason. vocalist

Sunday, JuJ.y 21 Jazz Brunch

GOLF TOURNAMENT Friday, July 19, 1991 f Perdido Golr Club • Field limited to 72 players • Based on handicaps • Shotgun start at I :30 p.m.

• Men play from men's tees.

• Ladies play from ladies·teu.

• Teams established by committee • Each pla~"er drives: pla~"ers select best drive and so on until ball is holed out.

• Prizes .....iII be a.....arded to winning teams and for closest to pin on selected par 3 holes on Saturday night.

BOX U-';CH \\-lU BE SERVED. Elrro'TRY FEE, S5O.00 (Indudu I/Z cart. green f«. 6'< luoch)

TilE AlABAMA I.o\WYER

Alabama State Bar Annual Meeting July 18-21, 1991 1 Orange Beach, Alabama ADVANCE REGISTRATION

PluH Print - One f'onn Per U'oO)'ft'-Rtglllnnl l Rrglll1'lllion IN mUll accompany till. form • •Iob,", ch«k ~I. 10 Alabo ..... Statr 8&r. Mall N, lllnltion fonn and <hKlt to: 1991 Conwnlion, AlabamI 511.1. Ill •. P.O. 1\0:1611. Monleomtry. Ai. 36101. f'n-rtgistntion forms MUST BE RECEIVED NQ lATl::R IlIA..'i MAY Jt 1991 ~Ilalionswith full munds may Ix rtquestrd through noon, Fridiy, July 12.199\.

For Informatiotl "OIIttrllia, njl.otntion. can (2051 269· 1515.

..c_--------------------------

Name _______________________.....==~~~ .. ~~ .. _

. . . -~I

~~;(B~~~'~~'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~(~Hoo.~'~~~~~~~~~

""'~

City Na.rne 01 S~ or Other Guests

SUte

\OO~Io

.. _ . . . . .

..._,

Regiltration FH {if m:tivtd by May 31, 19911 ........................................................................... $100.00 Golf Scramble (com~lete entry form below) ................................................................................$50.00 Total Out Alabama Stal. Bar .......................... __ ......... ____ ... ______ ..... ___ ........... _............... __ .........

I\wi Wi itst.. PQVfffl'1It mwt un(»,,,,,,,,, mg4truticn ronn; PIlvmmt t., dwelt iJ requested.

All p~nyistrunts >rill r«t,"w Ui1 tJ<ivana _,"Iw

o Check heu for fr« LEXIS· tnining.

$ s

"d~ Stat~_

ZIP

(Homo:)

M~mbrrCtub

(TI-uining ~ fimilftl 10 1M linl !i() UIIDm4'JIS NgUIW.)

.mo

$

£NTlIY FORM FOR GOLf SC1tUl8U:

City Phont (Businw)

Iw J_ J. 1991.

ZIP

1JSCA tbndiap lndu

CH IN.

HOTEL RESERVATIONS Alaba ma State Bilr An nuill Meeting 1 J uly 18-21 , 199 11 Perdido Beach Hilton To tnSun tNt you rKeM the guanntttd room nttofSI06 you must reKM your room no littr than Juno! 16, 1991. ~ rKeiw<! after this ~te will be bastd on avallibllity~ rqfUlu rao:k n\tJwill apply. Return Thb Form To The Abbama Statt Bar • DO NOT MAIL TO HOTEL ·

N... _________________________________________________________________

State ZIP '~'''."~===============================_:'.h:OO~.~(B~~~.~'=======_S;;;_~(H:O: ..::'.-;;C========

City _

ArTiv;ol o..t~ ::~==~"':..,~:"~.~"'~'~.=====~No.~"'~Boo~~~==~N~O~."'~"'~'~'"~=~N~.~"'~C~h~""~'~"~= Childrt1l·' Names Special Requesu Ratts are for singk or double occupancy. Add SIO for rach additional adult in room. IChildnn Stay f ret in Parent's Room.)

In ordn to confirm this reKMtion reques!.a dtpO$it eqUilI to ont nigh!"s room rate 1$1(6) is rtqulr~d.

Pl~aK ~ncl_ your ch«k, made payable to Penlido BeJch Hilton , or provld~ credit a.nI inlormation below: Exp. tat. _ Cud Name. ============================

-============================

Sitnature_ Canl No. Canallalion Policy. Should CMlCtllation of!hlt re~"",tiQn be ,,«mory. thtre will be no ptnalty plV>'idtd the mtn'/Itions offi~ It notified 00 littr INn 4 p.m. thlft ~)'S prior to Irrml ~It. Should canallition OCCUr after this limo:. or if 11K hottl i.I not llQ\i_ ~ed of c.anctllation. the dtpo$it will not be refunded.

Check· ln Timo: i5 4 p.m. Check·Out Timt is Noon.

THE Al.ABA."IA LAWYER

~

1991 / 149

THE MINI-TRIAL AND

SUMMARY JURY TRIAL

By ROBERT tv. BRADFORD, JR.

Ii II

and r'lOlving a controversy short of a lengthy trial which would be costly to

gi"ing riR to it. The 5)T aids objectivity by pr.",nting litigants with a non·bind· iog verd ict from a randomly chostn ju· ry. ConfIdentiality of the process may be usured by an agr.ement between the parti.. or by court order.'

the li tigants in terms of legal fees, expe"'"'. time and the uncertainly of the

THE MINI·TRIAL

h. mini-t rial and the 5.... m. mary jury trial lr~ drsign.d to aid parties in objectively

ana lyzing their positions

final outcome. Both are elledive fonns of alternative dispute resolution which

g;"", litigants the opportunity to present their be,t case in a short period of lime.

usually in one-half to two day •. Th. beauty of these proceedings is llu! neither is binding and if a resolution is not pOSsible, the parI;., may proceed to a

full trial.

There is a major difference between the two. A minHrial is generated by an agreement between the partie. and is outside the judicial process. An SJT i. ordered by the court.

The minH.ial alld the SJT are particularly beneficial in ~s which . '"" unlikely to se ll Ie, will require large amounts of pre·tr ial preparation. and will requirt a lengthy trial. Both aid the part ies in overcoming entrenched pe rceptions regarding the merits. The mi· ni·trial ilCcompli shts this by making a pre .. ntation to execuli"es of the liti. gants who have r>Ot bun "taintid" by in· vol'"ement in the suit or the controversy

_W 8<_ 10._ . .. .. _ r t W.

IIra cllord, ....

"""' ...... ' .. ,fllm .... , f<iI, c.n........,., Colo & ilIo<I<. PC ... _ ... _ <119M"'" Dow:> lipoc<Imb,- .....

_ -..._............ ....... ...-~Id­

""'-..."

150 / Mayl99l

-'--

The mini·trial is. proc.dure which al. lll'o.'S the parti.. to quickly p.... nt their "best caR" as a prelude to settlement discussions. The mini·trial is possibly best suited for rompl.. litigation which il factually difficult for the layman to easi ly understand. It has been utilized most frtquently in patent, antitrust, gOll· emm. nt/contractor, and other complex litigation. The mini·trial format is useful in pres.rving an ongoing relationship between the parties by avoiding the "bloodletting" and animQ.lity which of. ten a<oompany full·blown litigation.

A successful mini·trial is a voluntary. confidential and non·binding procwure.

It consists of an informal summary prt· sentation before top management represtnta\i"e$ by the 1."')"e1'$ and experts for each party. A .. buttal and Qu.. tioru con· cerning the presentation follow. The pre· sentatwn is presidtd owr by a jointly st· lected "neutral advisor" or moderator who. if d.. irrd. advises the parties as to the strengths and weaknesses of thei r positions. After the presentation. the representatives for the partit5 meet. without ooulUotl. to discuss the pOssibili· ty of sttllement.

The purpost of the mini·trial is to per· mit e. <cuti".. or oth~r knowl~dgeable peT501\S representing the parties to ha,.. a quick. in·d.pth look at the strengths and ...... akn.sul of th. positions of the parties. H is hoped that an anal~is of the facts prtsentt d will Itad to settlement.

The primary benefIt i> converting a typi· calla",)'"'" dispute back into a business'-

man's problem to be sol\'ed in a bus;.... sslik. manner by persons who may be much more skilled and nexible in negotiating than are Itgal C(lunsel and ..... ho certainly have a better grasp of what is in the best long·term interest of their com· panles.

The mini·trial process can be under· stood best by coruidering a situ.ltion in which it ..... as successfully utili~ed. It I fi .. t widely recognized application in· \'(lIved a complex patent infringement cue bet ....~n Tel«red it. Inc .. the owner of . number of patenU; relating to rom· puterized check verification and charge authoritations systems. and TRW. Inc .. the manufacturer of a number of such syStem> for banks and retail outlets.' Af· ter three ye.l1'$ of preparation and the ex· penditure by both sidel of st\~ral hun· dred thousand <101111'$ in legal fres, tradi. tional dollar negotiations had failed.

Counstl and management of the parties developed the mini·trial conc.pt.

Th~ procidure coruisted of a six.""",k prr-presentation schedule that provided for an ex pedited, lim ited exchange of documents. short d~POSitions one)' ..... it· nesses and the exchange of pOSition papers and nhibitl. During the six·week prr·trial period. all non·essential judicial pre.trial distO\.. ry ~ POStpolll'd. Briefs in the form of short introductory narrative statements ...... re exchang.d and provided to the neutral adviser beforehand.

The procedure culminated in • twoday mini·trial. At the mini·trial. the formal rules of evidence were suspended .

Each 'ide orally presented its best ~ to top management of both companies.

Corporate representatives were permitted to Question the persons who made the presentation. Duri ng the mini·trial, when difficulti .. arose. the neutral ob· se rvtr facilitated discussion with his questions and commented on serious

TH E AU\8AMA L\\VYER

probltrm

......

~ be1i~d

uifted fo r

t~h

Mlu t~ PnMnution, if , Itttkmtnt did not Ota.r during the initi.IJ nwting of tht corporatt rtprutnutiwf, tht l'Itutr~1 adviser was to pen I non ·bind· ing opinion rega rding the relative strengths ami weakn ...... of the p.lrties" positions ami tht liktly outCOffit at trial. fht two manigemtnt tums wtn to nwtapin after ~ng tM opinion to diKUN .. ttkll'ltflt. This proctsl was not n«UWry. Irnrnoroioottly;after the mi. ni· trial tn!ltd. rtprevnt,tivts of TRW and feltertdit mtt privlltly without tl"'1Uf and wilhin one h.lilf·hour n · solvtd the dispute.

For the mlni·trial proctss to be sue· ttuful. tounsel and partin musl bt imaginatiw and fluiblt in t.ailorinQ 1M wide Vlritty 0( iVlilible proctilurts to their p.lrtku~r situation. While a mini· trUl IRIIY eliminate, Itngthy trW. it reo qui~ inttnsiw prepHalion. 0thttwUf. corpon.tt npresent.atiws will not haw suffieltnt information upon which to bast I wi .. decision . To avoid probltms. the procedure to be utHiud should be spelled out in detlil in an ilIIrWntnt boo twetn tht r<arties. Model agretrntnu reo glrdin; mini·tml proctdUrtl In 'VIii. abl. from the Amrrian Arbitralion AIsocillion.

Thtn ilU many VlmtioN of tht mi· ni·trn.t. 1ht r<artift ""'y .ogm 10 ...w, tht deciiion of tht ntutnl observer binding. A binding mini·lml may be at· tractivt when the inun bdwun Iht pIIrtlu are wry narrow ami the facu art not seriously disputtd. II binding mini · Irial is eSJ)«ioolly useful if tM jurisdic· lion permiu 1M UK of a "private judl/t".

In Califomi.l. litiarnU may iMOil themselYes 011 provision oIlht Code 01 Civil I'ro«dure. PiII'~g",ph 638. tNt permiU litigants to ",",.• lkei r CUt keard pri. vatelyand quickly by a judgt of th.ir choosing. Appeal righU are. prtserved, A mini·t rial also may be conducltd within the r.gular litigat ivt process, r~thtr than Sttrttly and ar<art from tM court. by ulilizing tht COUrff powers under F.R.C.P. 53 (Muters). or Iht court', luthorily to .ppoint a ntulrll aport on disputfd iuuts. Rule 160(the ftdml and Abbama Rults 01 Civil Pro«dur. al1,w,1y is brwd tnoutlh 10 per· mil such a procedurt.

Anoth~ r permu!<ltion of this form of TIl E ALI.B.AMA lAWYER

ADR is "mini·trill by tontract". Con· tl3Ct.l could require the partits to partic· ipate in I mini ·trill procedure. in tM tvent gf din'rttmtnls durin, tht COUnt of lhe COfItTKt. It is not ciNr if fuch tontr~twol provisions nt legally tnforceable.

In apprgpriate situatiora. th~ UK of ~ mini·trial l\Q grt~1 pOIentiallIld is basi. cally ri""·fret. Proit$S(lr Eric D. Cmno:

For the mini-trial to be successful, counsel and parties must be imaginative and flexible in tailoring the wide variety of available procedures to their particular situation.

and Ay. "Ltfs Iry $Omtthinll likt thisr 1 thinlc th.1t·SII!OOd qutSlion.

I think il is I sign of WlkntSS 10 all up the othtr side lind ilI)'. "Do you think _ might be ablt to do something .. bout Ihis tin?" and Ihtn tnilige in traditional sett le· ment discussion!....! do not think ifs a sign of Wl'akntu to ClIIi up tht Olh1:r side and !\.Oy. "We Ihink our cast is IIttat and _'re willina 10put 00 our CiK in four hours or for In hour and apost it to )'OUr CFOQ 0 · Iminltion Ind your questions if )'OII1! put 00 your tJst rnd _'11 do the !mit thing. Ltr. bring our chitf utcutiw officers 00.."11 lind It I thtm listen and then l.t thtm ntgot;'te, If they can'l decide it. )'Ou pick the person. pick /I rtt irtd judge." ... 1 think thal'slI silln of slrtngth. I donl tl\ink there's any risk then.

Judicilo! Confennce-fM,,1 Circuit.

100 f.R.D. 499. 517 (983).

There if no need to Ittter on the brink 011 mini·trn.t; plunge in. Thtr. is little to Ion ~nd muth to gain in tht proceu.'

.utcinttl~

summariud reMOra for u!i· lizing a mini·trial in lpCl!'Opr;'te circum.

starocts: \I;"hy should not anyont uke ad· of a prOttn lib Ihis in I QJt lhat they haw in wllich they ilU lllIl irnpw with the othtr fide and Ihry botll haw a IIOOd faith be· litf in their CiK? 1 ClIn't JU lIly_· $OIl why)'OU shouldn't try it. It's vir· tually risk·free. first of ~ll, 1111 of tht Ii"", and money tllat you put into preparing for this conctnlnltd mi· ni·trial . lind it rtquires II grut amounl 01 prtparation. is fully n· coverable if the taM: dots not settlt and )'OU go to 1m!. You prepare )'OUr CiK in tht !mit Wlty, You just boil it down to the CT\lK iuuts which 's I btntficial procus in its own right.

Ir. confidtnt;'1 ami i""dmiuible so )'OU donl Qiw up an)'lhing tllat can be used ..gIIinst you lit trUt. With the rults of disaMry the Wlty they are. t~. you anl hide wry many sur· prM anyhow. If you hwr , dwn 01 saving substanti.ol monty for your dient. it fums Ihlt it would bt worth tht risk in virtwolly any cut. l"m asked. is it an indic.alion of weakness to c~1I up Iht othe' side v.n~

THE SUMMARY JURY TRIAL Tht SIT is , jlOditWly ordtml proce· dun whicll provides, ..... risk. non-bind. ing rntthod by which the parties IRIIY 0btain lhe Ihougllts of jurort on the rntriu of lheir cast in an abbrMilttd procttd· ing normally luting from one · half 10 two d.tys. Unlike mini·trials. SJTs h.liw b«n uliliud in cutS I'lOl1girlj] from per· ~I injury to conlract disputts.' SJTs lin mosl ofttn utilized in suiu which will invoIw lengthy tmll and in which unle_nl ~ppu" unliktly beCllUlt of tilt often mulwolly un_listie txpte:1I. tions oItM r<artits /IS to the pottntial of liability Indlor th~ prob'blt verdict rang •.

AlIho~Qh normally utilized in Ilrgt casts. the SJT tould N Wlful in t«hni.

ClIIIy complu suits in which the amount in controvtl"S)' ofttn does not exceed tilt roil of full·blown I;ti!lition. Small con· s truction claims art In tumplt . To .. void upenst. tilt parties could IIIree thl.t tht SIT decision would be binding.

The 5JT was devtloped in 1980 by J~dge Thomas D. LambrOI. I federal (Con/n,uedOtlpago 153)

M;o.y1991 / 151

DISCIPLINARY REPORT Dflb.rments Mobil. ~r S. Robert Broob. III was diobarrcl by order of tht Suprtme Court of Alabarm, gid disbarmtnt tfftc.

1M March 20. 1991. The disbarment of Broolts "'as Nsed upon his corMetion in 1M Mobilr County Circuit Court of thdt

of p.oputy in tht first deQ.u . (Rult 14ib) 90-02)

Sylacauga atlornf)' Jlrnn J. Clinton

was disl:>arnd by or<kr of lhe SuPrtme Court of A1aboom.r. •• ffmM 12:01 I.m ..

FfbTWIry 12. 1991. The diwrment 0( Clinton was butd upon his conviction

01 v.l.riOO5 violations 01 1M Codt of Prolusional Responsibility of tho Alabama

SLltt Bar. (ASS No. 86·23.4) Th. Supreme CO\lrt of A~m.r. fn. tered an ordt, Jmuary 22. ]991, disNr. r;!lJI Binnin""'" liWy'er o..t L. Lind-

bergh,

drtcti~

12:01 Lm .. January 22.

1991. based upon Rult 14(b), Rulu of Disciplinary Enforce"",nt, disblormtnt

order 01 the l)isciplirwory Commission.

(ASH No. 88-02)

SU....n.lon Eddie Lft LewI. has bem temPO.arHy susptootd f.om 1M prxtict 01110 ..... purto Rult ZO, Rults of OiKipliniry Pnxeduu. tfftctnoe March IS, 1991.

Mobil. attorney John A. Courtn o, was t(mporarily tUI~nd(d by o~r of till: DiKipHnary Commi$lion of the AJabama Stat. Bar, The $u~pension was; I>WI\

onilom! ptJl'SIWlt to Rule 2O(a). Rules of Disciplinary Procedurt the Alab.i.ma Statf Rar. (ASH No. 91·01) Birmingham la~r Eliine .... cDufne wu l.u$pendtd from till: prKtice 01 low in the S~t. Ii Alabaml lOr a period Ii 90 ~)'I, with automatic ~in$~temtnt, by ordtr Ii lhe SUpRmc Court of AJab;o. rna dated March 5, 1991. Silid suspen· sion. effective the dill. of the order. was burd upon McOuffle's pita 01 guilty to diKiplinary chargu pending against her, specifically, thll sho ongl1led in COtIdllCl that alh.. rstly rtflcdtd on her fitnt.$! to prKtictlllw.

Said conduct involv(d McDuffi e', prel\llrinQ. will for I mile elient where· in .ht was; duignattd u tht uocutril and solo primary drviJ«. and Ilso Ivr prtplrltion of 1 will for uid tlient's mother, that will indudinQ 1 provision that the entire T~idual utate ,"",uld go to McOuffit in till: twnt till: son prtdt_ cased the mother. lASH No. 89-6(2) In an ordtt dattd rebl'Ulry 4, 1991, tht Supremr Court of ~mI suspond. ed MontQomery attorney Ctnlld Oocar W. nlCe from tht practice of law for a period of 91 doIys. said susperuion to bt· COme efftcti~ rebruary 4. 1991. Said suspension was bued upOn Wallace's .....,"11 been ~Iy coo';cttd Ii two felony ~nts involvi"ll monl turpitudt.

(ASII No. 89·03)

or

PubliC CenauN

On ftbl'Ulry I. 1991, Mobile

Notice of Investigation Jame, Stephen Oster, whose whereabouts are unknown, must answer the compIarn filed . . .1 him within 30 days 0\ May 20, 1991 , or the factual a llegations containad In the compIaJnt shall be doomed admitted and submitted to the 0iscipIinary Commission oIlhe Alabama State Bar in ASB No. 91·132.

IS2 / MayI99 1

I.o.~r

Richard D. Ytlva'lon wu publicly ansured for h~ving tnQaQed in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration 01 justice. in violation of OR H02(A)(S) Ii the Codt of Proles.UoniI Responsibili. ty. Yelwrton defended ~ client on rob· ~ chlrgts. and falsely representtd to tht jury, Ihe pro.wcutor and tho court that the whtre;tbouu 01 Ml alibi witnt.$! were unknown, .lnd that ht would ottd to read for tho jury the prior testimony Ii that witness giwn d 1111: p",liminary heMi"ll in district court. In fact. Yelwrton knew the whmabouU of the witness and had served the witneu with a sub· potlll. (ASS No. 89·189)

On ftbrwry I. 1991.l4phnt liw)'tr J ....... Hlrolol SWfft wu publicly conJum! for having vioIattd OR 1-102(A)(61 and OR 2·111(B)(2) of tho Cod. of Pro-fessional Reljl(lfUibility of till: Alotbarna Statt Ra r. Sweet was dischlrQed by a client who wu dwatW'1td with his rtp. rtstntation 01 tho dienl in a civil SUil NO<1.thtless, Swet! fiI(d i pluding 0<1 bfhall of tho client Ihrtt ~ys afttr h. was diKhargtd.

The cliont filed I oompWnt with the state bu. which r.que.ted SWott to npl.in his having filed a pluding for tho elitnt afttt hiving bun dis_ cha'lled. Oupite repeated '"QU(lts. sent by c(rtifitd mail Ind personally seMd on him by the sheriff's d(pITtmtnt.

S...·ut failed to provide the Itat. bu with any nplanltion of his bfhav;or.

(ASH No. 90-3311 On febr uary 1. 1991. Richard Lee '1iylor w;u publicly conlured ror will · rul misconduct, conduct advtrstly rentclillM on his fitness to practice IIIW. willful rwgltct Ii a legal matttr mtn,QI. td to him, and Intentional lailureto cu . ry out a contract 01 employmrnt enttred into with a clitnt lor professional seT.

""'-

Tlylor WII retained Ind paid by I Columbus. Ohio. mident to rrvi~ I will and advise the cHtnt 01 to III:r riQhu undu the will. bylor did not communi· ~te with the client about the matter for ]3 month$. durinQ which ptriod he illnoted,." inquiry from tht Chit/ JUilice Ii till: Ohio Supreme Court and two in· qUiTieS from the Criev.mct Commltttt of the BirminQham Bar Association.

(ASB No. 90·2) DiKlpllMlWV ProceHl",.

Jamu S tr""en Oltt>'. wl1os.t wlvr.· lboouu ,Tt unknown, must answer the ALallama Slalt flu's formal disciplinary cha'llts within 28 doIys of May 20, 1991. o r, thereafter, the chuges contained tho ..;n shall bt dttmrd admitted and appropri.1tt disciplint sNJl bt imposed lI/iinst him in ASB Nos. 88-426. 89· 186 Ind 89·~05 be/or. the DilCiplinlTY Ooard of the AJabama State Bar. •

THE AUlI.A.>iA ,",WYER

~

lor lhe Northern Dislrict of Ohio. his authority to ordtr ~rtifs to submit to SJTs on lIuk 16. F.II.C.P. lit 100 1"l'1in! upon thf ~nth Cireuit"i Opinion in O'Malkv u.

ChrVll~. Corp.. 160 F.2d 35 (7th Cir. 1947). Although O'Ma!lt?v did not in· volve an SJT. it discusse d a district cour!"s power under the discovery and pl"l'·triat ruin 10 simplify a suit prior to trial. The St\"tnth Circuit held: The Ftdmilluiu of Civil Proce· dul"l' . . . provide. not only for dis· UMry but for p' e·t , ia) conftm>«. (llule 16). Under thtse rulu we think the court Iw the wide discl"l" tion and pc7W>"t' to ~e the ClI~ and simplify the pro«du'e befol"l' tht ClIu.5e is p,eHnttd to the jury.

TIw: [)Ulricl CiJurr fwd IhI! p(JU<'r to isslNl such Of"dtrs as ill lhe ~ of ils sound disc~tion "..ould ad· OOTICI and sirnplifv fhe cause befOTl? trial.

160 F.2d at 36 (emphasis added).

The 1983 amendment to lIule 16 F.R.C.P. makes tl\( llO""tr of the ftdtral courts loo,der iUl SJT twn mol"l' appar. ent. Amendtd lIult 16(c) prDYKSts that: "'The ~rticipanlJ lit ifIY confertnCt un· dt. this 'lilt may «IIIJide. and lake «lion with rtSfl«I (0:_.(6) Ihr advisability of rderrin,g mIItters to .. .maistnt, or master, (7) lhe possibilily of Hultmtnt or the _ of m~udiciaJ procedures 10 rtKIl.,. the dispute; ... and (11) such other mIIl\ers as mIoy aid in the disPQ!li. lion of the action." lemphasis added).

All courts consi(\ering the issue. with the e~ctpllon of the Sevenlh Circuit. have held that a dist ' ict court has the authority 10 compel participation in an

Judie urnbrol prulicllttd

SJ T.' S«. t.fI.. Arabian-American Oil Co. ~. ScurfOM. 119 F.II.D. 448 (M.D. I'Ia. 1988); MeCDv D. Ashland Oil. Inc.• 120 F.R.D. 4J {E.D. Ky. 19881: HINM' 0Im .... :. Fundinfl Corp. of America D. C<ln/TV Bonk, 695 F. Supp. 1343 (D. MISS 1988): Federu/ Reserw Bunk D. ~,

1988). Bul

123 F.R.D. 603 (D. Minn.

S..

Slrande/I". Jackson

The future use of the SJT will depend on the proclivity of various courts to require such proceedings in an effort to na"ow the issues and/or procure settlement prior to trial.

CQUn/v,83i! .:2d SS4 (7th Ci,. 1988).

1\ should be oolt<l thaI Rule 16 of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedu~ which empowen circuil courts 10 requirt I p1"t·lrill con.rt,erICe , .qui res u.. coorts: (Tol cOIUidtr and determine: _..

(51 The ~bihty of I pulimin.l.ry I"l'ftl"l'rlCe of iuues to II muter for findin,s to b. used u evidence when the lrial is to be by jury; (6) 5uch other mailers as may lIid in tht diS/lOiition of the action.

Thus, it mil)' be Jfl[ued thaI AliIwnlo courU ~vt tIw pOWfr 10 o,der an SJT to "aid in lilt disposition of Ihe action". iU Ihe SJT vtrdict is non·binding. it dou not (un a(oul of Ahdli\1Oll'S 'evered righl to II t.i~1 by jury. Rega,dlu. of the court'S pOWfr 10 initiale 511<. litiganll

NOTICE

II

may volunurily consenl to an 51T if the court lIPProvtS. Judge umllros' SJT procuIurtS havt b«n urgtly adopttd by COU.u utilizing For tIw to be succlWful. Ihr UK should be substilnliilily rudy for trill with discovery compleled and no motions pending. An 51T is conducttd by /I judgt 0' a magisl "t•. Normally, the proctdUI1 only perrnill the prestn· talion of rtlMnl flcts iUld Iht(),i •• 10 tilt jury II)' an attorney. All stalemenu' I"l'lalions to facu muSI be predicaltd Ul>" on deposit ion. affidavits or othe, evi · dence which would be admissible into ",i<ltnee ill I, ill. Tho Iltetnity for ab· jtclions 10 inldmissiblt rvidtna and/o, Irtumtnt ClIn be dull wilh al an inltn· sive PI"l'..s.rT <;OnItrenrt with u.. j"",*.

Pilrties nlly 111 requiml to ItIbmit I trial brief and simplifitd jury instruc· lions brio« iUl SJT is commmctd.

Under the I..Imbros model, II jury venire of ten ~ r$Ons is provided. A short pe,~1 hi.llory is taken from neh of the jurors. and the court coodocll a b,ief voi r dire of the jury based upon questions lubm i1ted b~ counsel. The pa'tin ~vt 1....-0 II ' ikes t ach, resulting in I s"'person jury.

The proceedings ,m not open to the public iUld, unluI ordeml by the court. the procndings 11ft not r«ordtd. The time allotttd to taCh side mIoy be broken up 10 lhal r.bulllli time is llr.lilable if IItsimi. All rvidtnct: is prtStnttd by 1I.

sn

sm.'

ee....

t<.>l"M)"$ who mIoy incorporate argu ..... nts

into lhei, ~l.Iti(lfll..

Following the pnHnllltion. tIw jury is givtn iUl abbreviattd charge Ind mires fo, dtlibel"/ltion. In a.ddition to J w,dkt, the parti es may requUI thai the jurors Jn~r wrilltn inlerrogatories. Counsel may interview jurors afier Ihe verdict.

Although the verdici il not binding. lhe (eu.,/mUfd on _ ISSJ

ELEPHON£ EOUIP!.IENT

Buy • SeI·InII"· R.pM

The $pOII$OT$ 01 the Young Lawyers' Section GotI Tournament at the Annual Seminar on the Beach are common ... IIlth un<! TItle Insurance CO.

AT&T, BEll, m , EXECUTONE, etc.

• 5 ButIon Merin • $150 • One Yllr Warren Tl

and Fltst Alab.m. Bank.

1-8O().239-5655

The sponsors were lisled incorrectly In tile program ilfochure mailed oul by the Alabama Bar Insmull lor CLE.

TELECOM, INC. \fii'\ P!..J WARREN Hvry. 280 E. Childersburg Ma~

1991 / 153

PROFILE CLARENCE MERILTON SMALL, JR. President·elect, Alabama State Bar, 1991·92 I' .... suanl to tho

AI~b.nu

State Bar's

.d Slatt' Ar m~ Artillery Corps. from 1956 to 1958 and was honorabty dis· d ... rged, [n 1961. he jointd tho finn of Ri....,. & Peterson where he is oow a senior part·

rules gOlltming th. etwion of the pr.sidtnl-.lecl, tho following biGgraphical

sl«tch is pl'O'>'illtd 01 Clarence Merillon Small. Jr. 01 Birminllham. Alabama.

SmlIli is the 5Ot. qualifyinll candid;ltt for the position of pmidenl~1ed. 01 thr AbbillN StItt Bar for the 1990-91 ttrm.

Cl.rtnef M. SmIoII, Jr. ~ born July 24. 19).t in Birmingho.m, Abbo.mo.. H. rueivtd his undergndw.lt degree from Auburn Uni",rsity in 19506 lnd ~w de·

~ ,.

Smill is a member of the Binning/l.J.m &,r ",*~tion. ~ Silot. &r and

Amtoon B.l.r Auociation. lit is a memo ber of the bar of the Supmne Court 01 the lInikd Sllot~ In 1989. Snull_ elKtN a Fellow 01 the Ame,iClln Eta, Foundation. wlwst membuship is HmitN to om·third of I pe rcent of tht lawyers in the United Statu whOle professional. public and private careers ha\'e demonstrated out· stand ing dediClltioo to the welfare of the community ilf\d the tl'ilditions of the Ie· gal profeuion. H. i, a momb.. of tho N>oci.1otion of TrilII L.lW)'tJ':l 01 Amtric.a.

International Association of Defenst Counld and the Alabaml Defenst

gr •• from the Univtuily of Alabama School 0( law In 1961. g~Wtting ....·ith honou. H. is • mtmber 0/ Omicron Deitl Kappl and Farrah Order of Ju -

risprudence.

Small KMd as an office. in tht Unit-

~J':I Auoc~tion.

At Union Bank, Trust Is Our Middle Name.

Offeri ng Solid T rust Service Since 1901 .... ~

J _G_tt_.J._ ~V'

• UNION BANK& TRUSTCOMMNY 00 COMM £lICt: sr».n f MONTGOMERY. AlAIIAMA I :I05-20(1.:!26$/ Mt:M 8E11 tUIC

154 / MayI991

Small Wl! deeted president of the Birmingham Ibr Assoc~tion in 1979.

He also luved I I Chli 'pouon of itl er inlnce and Liw Day committeu. president of ill I'LS, a mtmber of the .xecuti...., commilItt and 0100 com· mitton, H. WUI mombtr of the ABA House of [)eleg:.tu from 1983 10 1990.

Ht was appOinted by the Supreme Court of Alabama to urn on the court" Appellat. Rules Committ •• and the Committee on Alabama Rults of Evi· <knee.

Sine. ]935. SINII h.u bHn li.tN in the "'Tht u.tst ~J':I in America.' H. curuntly KIVU lSI membe, of the Far· 1'ilh L.lw Socifly I3o»rd of TrustttS 100 IS I member at the Je/fenan County Ju· dkia] Commiuion. nominating ClIndi· dates for judgeships in Jeff.nan County.

H. is INrritd to the former Jean Russell. aoo they hi", thr •• chHdren. ThO}' a rt mtmbtu of Brookwood Baptist Church.

• TIlE AlABAMA ~WI'ER

The Mlnl.Tri.1 .nd ......m.ry .Jury TrIal

parties 1M)! liT« 10 makt it 50, 1'ht btnWts of iIf1 SJT nt myriad, II perm,ts coullKland lilt partin 10 5« firslh"nd • capsuliud vtf$ion ofthti. opposilioo', be511'l!Umtnts, a jury', r.ildion 10 Ihtst I rQumtnts, and, if >ttll.· rnent ruults. lilt partits l'f'C.ive the at· tendant ~ntfits of avoiding a lengthy trial , The elftctivtnesl of the SJT as " "pre· dictor", l\oY.'evtr. hal bnn Queltion.d.

For imtllnc" in flfuehler v. Land o' Lakes. 1nI:.• 617 F. Supp. 1310 (D. Minn.

1985), Iwo panel, of si. people nch Mard lilt MI1M' SJT prtotnLation. On. panellound I'or 1M dritndilflts; tlw sec· ond paMI rt turMd " 12.2'92 million "Wrdict" for 1m pboint;ff. Simiborly, in ~

part in efftctivt rebutt.'ll to evi"'n<:. 0' CrOlS eu.mination.'

1'ht future \lot of tlw SJ1.,.;1I depend 00 tlw proclivity olvarious courts 10 re· Quirt such procndines in an tffort 10 ""....,.. the issues mellor procure Hille· ment prior to trial. [vm illUlhoriud in • jurisdiction. il is unlikely an SJT WOI/ld M utiliud ncept in cases "'hich would require a signifiant amount of trial t ime lind u lt lement oth ...... is.

HtmJ very unlikely. The voluntary use of the SlT shoold increase. 11 the parties ar~ utrermly far apart In Hlllement ne· gotiatiON, il WOI/ld ap\>tir. as with mi. ni·trials. thai Imre i. liUle to 10M and mIlCh to be !pint<! by utilizinQ an SJT il one i, CORrodent of 1m OUlcome befOft " jury.'

•

Sm. 857 f.2d 346 (6th Cir. 1988), ern. drnkti. 490 U.S. 1(1(16, 109 S. CI. 1&41 {l9S9). ~n SJT rnulled in " 5200.000 "verdicl" for the plaintiff. The regular jury at trial returned a "".diet in th o amount 01 $1.7 million. The verdict ,,-as reversed on appeal lor rt<\SOllS unrelattd 10 the SJT, Neverthelul, In SJT vtrdkt 1M)! be uot<J u " harbinftr of verdicts lrom otMr juries by -..sing whetlwr tlw SJT jury WlIS plainliff or dtftndllnt omnttd or WlIS ,imply" "prdtn '"lIr;. rlY"1I1l1UP from mid<.ll. Anw:ria.

Opponents to mini·trials and SJTs u5trt that if " 5tltltment dots no! occur. one has ~aled hiJ lrial llraugy. Rul. illicilly, oo..'t\'tr. ihllt pa.rties Ila>... tnglgtd in tilt lhorou.gh discovery permit· ted by the Rule. of Civil Procedure. few.

II any.• urpri... occur at Irial. Othe rs fur that whilt they may Up(»e all of their theoritt in a pre>tntatioo. the op. p:»ing party 1M)! 001. r.mltri ng the abbrevi.ated pruent.'ltion "ooe''''ay "pre· pme preview". 1'htH f.lIn CIIl be elimi""ted by iIf1 a(T«mtnt or ~ court order I'orbidding lhe prtHnt.'ltion of theories or lKu It lrial which .... re not ro ...."lIrdeel in lilt non·binding procttding.

Otmr ob;tctions to SJT. may M gen. orally summariztd II Ihtst: (Il tmrt II 001 owortunlly for juron to judge tilt vtrxity ol tilt witneun: (2) thtrt is not O!lportunit~ for the impnchment of wit· nouel: (3) and thut is oot opportun it~ to have wilne" or cli. nt input to prtTHE AlABAMA t.4WYER

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MEDICAL/ DENTAL EXPERTS SIUIS CUE REVIEW fOR MERIT BY au RUTISATIDII SUPttDRT TEAM AfFIDAVITS SUPER RUSH HULTMCARI:AUDtTORS, INC. ' .l I. Inl' , Il !'tI"'..... f l n llz

tAtL IU·UI·IOS~ .. fAlltHll·un ,,,, S.,.,.Ic. 0, Inltm... Uon "..,h'

May 1991 1 155

NONPARTISAN JUDICIAL ELECTIONS AND THE STATE BAR

By DAVI D A. BAGWELL

Should Alabama judges be nomilloled bv political partie! cmd elected in pqrliwn political races! Theil haoo not always been,I and they On! not alu.'OlIs even now in our big cities, and

lire Alabama Slate Bar has lu:ice in this cmtufJ/ railed for separate election ofjudges, not linked to the straight ticket. Jt7JV should judga be elected in partisan primaries.) Should judges be elected from particular neighoo,hoods?

Should judges be elected of all?

The slole bar asked Q group of us' /0 wreslle with those ques!iQ1U, and /0 ghoe the board of bar commissioners some guid-

The bar put no restrictive preconditions on us.

11t/O!'.

Righi now, our stroTlg thinking is that partisan election has no business apP/ving to lhe courts.

The bar commissioners agree; 01

our suggestion, OrllJ«0nber 14, 1990, flwy agahT adopted a reso.lution rolling for nonparti5an judiciol elections. The bar needs !JOUr help; gioo us !/OUr

thoughts.' cmd also talk to or write flOUr l~islotors. asking

them to supportlhis improoe1991

~us

V' Alabama method judicial selection in ~ wu suddenly a hot About thrtt

aSo, the

SINGLE-MEMBER JUDGESHIP DISTRICTS

of

lopic. in tht Jl~le legislalure, in the courU and among thtjudg ... In the ftderal courts in AlabIImi. a suit had been filed In the Middle Dinrict in Mont· GOmery.' _kina judicial dections from JinSle-member diJtriclJ. In tilt legisl.· lu~. ~ bill had been introduttd lor non· pUlison judicial elections. And OUr outlIOi", Chid JUJtice. C.C. Torbert. wu toolkiflll about lilt need lor some kind of "merit" or non .. lecti"., judicial selection or retention. in whole Or in port. Stoot. judicial selection wu i limely QUestion.

The b<lr figu~d it 500uld ha~ $Ome $.I.y in all tllis. or at leut .hould think about it J.(Ime. President Cary Huckaby appointed an Alab<oma State Sar Task Force on Judicial Seltclion, chairtd ini· tially by Orew Redden of Binningham. and now by Robert tknniston of Mobile.

We 1ft wtw "AlWml:s own" J~ Plot Hifilinbolham of the Fifth Circuit, in another conlnt . has ailed "" N~h's Ark Committ«' two of euh 5peties".

We 1ft prty to the USUII ills fA bar wk forces: we ITe too diwrH to have an US)' CONtIl$ll$, 100 busy 10 mttt often, and from such far. flung parts of the state thaI theft il no practical place to gel tOiltiher. We ha\lt done the best we UO .

mml.

156 1~y

COMMITTEE BACKGROUND

~ V'

Everybody has known for ynfl "bout r.apportionment

and lilt "one person,' one 'JOIe" rtqui remenl Molt of Wi ha>.t ntver molly thought Ibout it In the context fA judQts. because Ibout lhe time the fin! pbintitr dKl think of tNt, the JUpftme court said th. rule did not apply 10 election of judgts.'

The linglt · m.mber dist rict QUes· lion-l diffc",nt iuue- hu not been quite to simple, lor anybody. In the u rI)' and mid ·1970s, I()-Cllltd "mi. dilution" cases .... er. med under the Fifteen Amendment and the Voting Rights Act 0( 1965, claiming that at-large eltctions "di· luted" the vole of tilt minority voters 1>0:cause. if people 'JOItd by race, the majori· ty taodioJatn could ~~ ..... in. In 1980. lh~ Unitt<.! Sl~tt' Suprtme Court 1It1d' that undtr both the Constitution and the Vating Rights Act, plaintiffs in VOU dilu· tion ~like tertlin other constitu· tional QStS'---Nd to PfO"t I discrimifll' tory infml in -'option or fTIIint• ....-.;e 01 the cltdoraIl)1ttn\. not just • discrimi· nitOf)' tfftcl . Then, in 1982. Congrus ovtrrult<.! the Supreme Court's BoIIkrr rult, in _ndments 10 the ]965 Voting RiQhU A(t,- thus ~Iklwing proof only of discrim inatory elfect, not n«tsSarily intenl. The clearut thing about the 1982

nlE AL\8AMA LAWVER

_ tNt pOlitical !'iCeS Of· dinuily" ~ to be from individwol di.· Iriets. n..1 answerOOlTJ()Jt 0( the qUeJ' tioIU for l~gi$l~tive and tI~cutive offi· UI'$. But, at no pOint in Ml)I 01 this had ~-the Congrus. 1M Courts or 1M lit;gmU- thought vel)' much about tM effed of this bod)' of law on the eltc· tion of judgu .ilting on multi·judge courts. such • trial courU in thr cilia. and ~ t\'t1\ JPIIflbote courts.

Then. the Fifth" and Silth " circuits wadOO into the murk» .tatute ~nd murk:y ItQislath.. hi.tol)'. holding tNt tIw 1965 Voting RiQhts Act «Mredjudidaf e!te. tions. and required singl"mrmbtr judi· cW positions. Sina thm. however. the f'ifth Circuit haJ held .... barIC that the Voting Righu Act dou not apply to judge•. " and th~ Supnrm Coo rt I\u granted «TImri on tNt and also on st'Vf:",1 othtr .imilar cun. • Considering those dewlopments. and .ince the litigants in the Alabama cue seem to haw 1iI11t. if any. intuut in compromiK at thi$ POint and prtfer that thr bar stay out 01 1M rtmedy pIwe 01 i pfnding law.ul!. and sine. thore i5 no groundswtll in thr bar or Lht public for Ktion TIO'ft'. thr usk Ioree. li~ tYfrybody e~. is simply ;rwa;ting i Soprnnr Court deci.ion and lurthoer clarirl(.l.tion or de· ~

'*

~""","'

Anyway. the only way to lretp Alabama out 01 tNt stlItutory morass it this point would be to acIopt an jppOintiv! jod;o. t)O." and there Kem5 1itt1~ suptlOrt for that.

"MERIT SELECTION" PLANS Thm; has bHn , I!OOd bit 01 study in the commiltH about so·alled "meri t Klection" of judges. Statiitici change monthly and state judicial .election nat ionwide i. dIanging with incredible TJl)idity. but it sums to be rough truth, at lust, th.it Alabami il on. of only maybe five to eight or so states still havinS "pu r. parti· W'eltction ofjudgts".

It is not OMII fully accunte \0 !oJ)' that Alabima hu in elective judiciuy.

Though our judicial article says "Ialll judgu shall be elected by vot. of the

V ~

~Iectofl within the territorlil jurisdic· tion of thei r respfctive courts"." more lh;tll h.tlf our -.Iected" judgu (rom all countiu a re initially "Iected by op· pointment by the Cowmor.~ ind lhen usually "run" without opposit ion. In ncognition of the fact o( appoint · rMnt-.-.nd renecting less lIlan complde satisfaction with ii-in Jefferson" Madi· son.- Mobilr.- indl\' .....1oou" oountits. then' lin' county "judiciil commissions" ...-hich 9.!bst.l.ntially limit the Govemor's nominatin8 power. They generally report to the C'.owmot i slate oIth.ft persons. from whom he !TIi.Y nominate one. Fif· teen" 0( tM 67 rountie" .Iso have the corutitutional p(M~r to adopt fOOl/laws

If a judge in Alabama had never been a politician, and had been appointed to his position, he immediately becomes a creature ofpolitics. (or the filling of judicial vacancies.";md two COWltiu have done so" Then: is ,,><ride valiety d whole or par. liIJ"rrooerit xltdion" pion$. thHt;. .;g.

nWcant (if IIQt unanimous) .upport in our committee for -.-.nd also SORW ve· hement opposition to--th~ concept of whole or Pl rtial "nIt rit "leClion" of judge$, deptndill8 on UICII)' what is in · tended by the conctpt. There are II'I/OR)/ levelJ of"merit Klection". some or all of which could be choun nfeteria·Jlyle: commission Kltction. commission iPPOintmmt, "yu/ no" rtt.ntion eltdions. and the like.

Bul, until the situation st.l.bilizes with respect to the awliCibility 01 the 1965 \'otill8 RiShts Ad to judie;"1 .lectio.... ou r task (Ofce rrooembe"hip detee~ no clelr mandate for adopt ion of a "merit x ledion" plan for Alabarna.

Thertfore. 'oW have "put it on oor back burmr". malting i delibenote decision to SI.iY iWay 0/ this point from what may turn out to be the remedy phlK of a pfnding lawsuit.

NONPARTISAN ELECTION Nonpartisan election is i dif· V ferwt ~ for immediate actionWe suon it.a need qutStion.

In the 1964 "Goldwlter Swe.p", if there hid been stil e supreme cou rt . Iites from both Republican. inti Democnb, chances an: quite high that the enti re supreme court Ilate would have beln voted out of office by;tll elec · tonte amons which maybe not one in 100 voters rouldl\ill'lt i lingle sitting appellate court judge or justice. Justice Pelham Merrill of Alabama'. Supreme Court ..... ho lelWd then ..... id laler thai if the Republian PUly had nomi""ted a .late 01 judllU in 1964, "I finnly btlirYt that thrH d US on the Supreme Court and the ~n tirt Court of Appfl\s. who wer. candidates for election in 1964. would have betn defeated".Will there be i "(Aorgt RIAh s...'fep" in 1992. riding u... wave of "Operation Desert Storm"? If then il. how many fine judgu will it hi t ? How many of them will be on u... .tlftt. hanging out a mingle at the mil 01 outsWlding public Krvice cantrs? It is long put time to think about it.

In the tAgi.llture . nonpartisan judi· cial elfCtion bills have been Introduced the Lut rouple of sessions. Tl>ty have not gottm to first bast. in part beaux neither tht bench nor Ihe bar had eK' prtiled any ~ ition. ~nd also because the DemQ('ra tic Party andlor strong Derooc"'tic officeholders. in the past, have declined to embrace the conerp!.

The Deroocratic Pifty·. put rtluctanct to endom the concept hn appar(nlly stemmed from reluctanct to giw up iU lubstant;"1 in«>me from fi!inQ fft. for judicial c.aondidateJ." md reluctiTlCe to abandon the prestige deemed to flow from a virtwotly all ·Democntic bench.

To SIHr ,lea. 01 the filing fee income problem. ruent drafts of thr legislation have tonll,intd i ~ splitting ju. dicial filing in nonpartisan ""'". be· t..... en the partiel in accordana with the rtsult in the Ktwol vote. Sponsors have npresoed , wiliingneJ.S to t inker with tht formula.

WhetMr there will be l 1992 "Rush s.... eep". there ire good rUSOnS why it sums inappropriate \0 most J!"OI'le th.tt

'HS

Jotoy 1991 / 157

judges, of all thing.. should be ~Iected in a partisan election. Not long ago. a Mo. bile n<l'o<·spaper. in its "Opinion" .... ction. asked ill rtadtrs: "In an dlort to keep politics out of the state judiciaf)'. should all (.illldidaies for stale court judg' ships hayt to run as independents inslead of running as Democrats or Republicans?

Why or why not?" All Ihe readtT.· an sweT5 published were Ihat judicial olec· tions Should be nonpartisan, and Ihis one catches the flavor: Yest I believe all judges. whtther elected Or appoinled, shou ld be in· dependent. SuppOSl: you haw to set· 11. a case in Court and you are a dyed-in·the·wool Democrat. and the Judg<: is a dyed·in·the·wool Republi· can, the other party is a Republican and his lawyer is a Republican .

Would you feel safe in a selling like

this? Or turn it the ot her way around" Do not take if from w . though. take it from a fine elected judge hirw.lf, former Justice Pelham J. Merrill of the supreme court: If a judge in Alabama had newr been a politiCian, and had been appointed to his position, he immedi · ately become!; a creature of poli tics.

He mwt win nomination by his 0\'111 political party. and then stand for..". election in November. In strong two party states. fine Republican judge!; hayt been defeated in a Democratic sweep. and fine Democratic judges hayt been defeated in a Repub li can ..... op" Most likely the overwhelming majority of the citizens feel that way, ifthry think about it. Irwe are going to hayt an e/ec·

for 50 years attorneys, mortgage lenders, bu ilders and realtors have called on us to help dost on their real estate transactions - commercial or residential.

Some say it 's b«aust we're prompt. Others say it's because we're dependable. 1\ lost, however, say it'5 because wit h 50 years in the business, we know what we're doing.

If you're in need of title insurance in I he ne.XI 50 years or so, call us. We'll be here.

S

MIssissippi Vall. , TltI. 1o.. lIra •••

eo..,.",

II""", Off",., J ..,k"""..\\".. ...;pp;. .; I, Tom bitib... P_O_

t·6Il 1·969-0222 1 58 ' ~\ayl991

Dr,," ~, ~428

Ii"", judiciary. it dou not have to be a parlis<1n election. \\lhat are the i55u" in

a part isan election? free trade? Arms control? n.x reform? Military prepared· n. 55' Our judg<:s hayt no bwine.. being voted in, Or \>CIted out. based On tho", questions, which hayt little if any rele· \l3n~ to the judiciaf)'.

We are fooling our",ives if we think that Our citizens art making kn<mledge· able choicel in our partiSoln judicial elections. Listen to on. former Missouri Supreme Court Justice: I was elocted in 1916 beca use Wood row Wibon "kept us oul of war." I was defeated in 1920 because Woodrow Wilson "did not keep us out war." In both elections. not more than ft\,'f percent of the voters know I was on the licket.The obvious r ...on i5 that except maybe in rural counties. most \/Oters ju:;t do not know their judgos. There have not been any studies here. but promptly after the 1954 electioru, the Bor Aswcialion of the City of New York employed a wetl_known pollster to make a publ ic opinion analysis in atl parts of New York Stale, including New York City. a smatl.. city (Buffalol and a semi -runl area.

1heir results sn.;...... d that; • not more than I percent of t hOle polled in New York City could remember the name of the man who had jwt been elected to Ihat stale's highest judicial post; • in Buffalo, not a l ingle voter polled could rem.mber the ... me of that judi. cial officer; and • in the rural area. only I per~nt re· membered.Are .... different in Alabama? Maybe so for circuit judges and probate judges in SOmt rural countie., but ask a layperson to name four of the justices of the Alahama Supreme Court. It i. no ren. ction on the sitt ing justices that most citizens ha\,'f """"r ...... n heard of most of them.

A judge perionns his "'Qrk in thI: court· room Or in chambers, and nol on t.levi· sion. That very trai t. though . makes them "ground uro" for partisan NttpS. If there", . "Bwh S"ttp" in 1992. AI· abama's judiCiary may well have a judicial train wreck. Is there something in the water of Alabama that makes us !.lxe no action until there is a train ",,"ck?

U f . rll! this now. Why should any AI · abama judge be voted in, or wttd out,

THE ALABAMA LAWYER

Tomalu"'k mi"il~ work~d well. our soldiers wer~ wonderful. IOITIt rkl11OCl'atS in ConiI'Ul wtll: timid. lind K'le1'll1 ~tiOn.lI I~IM' sim nrwsrmn haIIe betn ,ierks? Judic~1 compet~llC~ Ind judic~1 y retrs ought not to litpend on that kind 01 thing.

Th~ Board of Bar Comminiont's of tilt Alabama Stale Bar i, doing ill p;lrI. On Decembtr 14. 1990. it _ ttd II m· olution. "'Printed at tilt mel of thilllrti· cte. fllvoring ldoption of non PArt inn eltdion 01 judgo.

AlWmlo desm>es bttlU IlW'I we luw now. So do our judga. nolk to )'OUr kgitllton lbout it: thty ,,;llli$\~n to thfir county', lawyers. Ttll them )'Ou wan t noopartisan .IKtion of Alabama. judgt$, if we are going to elKt OUr judges.

OtherwiH. we may "II bt loOrry. mil in prtUy Jhort b«.iUH

Ih~

ulrlordi~rily

0'*'.

RESOLUTION

Mople'''' llot lINrd or co• • 1J.. po"'" Du...bH 14., 1990

th.i.t continues to haIIe partisan political judicial tl«tions..

2. Nonpartisul elections should hotlp rtduct tht cost of elections lnd htlp amelior"tt tht demuning necessity of judic~1 yndidatu;mel Jittingjudgts OKcepting. and t\'m 5H~ing ClImpaign contributionJ from lawyers. pottnti al liliganll; and $pt<:ial int.rut$.

3. Judicial dedsion·maldng i. nol II politiy] function and party "ffiliations should not ~ J flleto' in d~lfrmining thf quailfl(ll\lons 01. andidHe lor jUliici.lI office. nor &hould I judge be beholden. or giw thf lI~pe"ranct of being be· holden, to II political party b)' reason of its support ol his ClIndidac:y.

4. Nonparlillln elections should en· tOurage ~ualilY yndidattJ \0 run for a judicial office lhat otherwise would not offer themst"u u yndidata: mil "'hen.. the t.uIc loKe <iN.... it atMs· lIblt for II COpy 0( this moIution 10 bo stntlO the AIatwnl Circuit Judges AsM>-

dltion;mel the AIatwnl DUtrict Judges Association. WIO the Chitf Jusl," 01 tM AlI.b.Ima SuprellH' Court, lor thotir review m:I considertion.

Now. therelort, the IIoani of Commis· siamrs 0( the ALlbamo Sta.te &r rt$OIvt!i u follows: Be it resolved. that the Board of Com · miuio1ltrs of thot AllIbama State liar is In favor of Ih. nonpartinn flHtion of judgt$ to the lpptillt., circuit and district courts in lhot Stltt of Alabam.l. and fecommmds and erocouraga lilt Legislature 0( tilt Stltt of ~ to l*S ill lct lit thot ntlt So!'SSion ol thot AlllbalNl Ltgislatur. ma king nonpartiSln the ~ltction of judges to these positions..

Be il further .ewlvtd. lhat a tOpjI of this rtlolltution be sent to tht Alab.arm Circuit Judges Associat ion and the AI . ab<lrna District Judges Associ"tion. ;mel to the Chid JU$t ict of the Alllbimll Supreme Court. for their r.,·iew lind thtir considerlltion.

•

~

",".reu. the Allbama Stlt.

Bar appointed a bsk Force on Judicial Se lec t ion from iu ITIfmbel'Jhig. mil that task force has r~_ porttd 10 the baird of commissioners fl· vOTIng the nonpnt;Sln election of judga; to thf judkill o/flCts 0( the 1I'Pt1· II.t. tOurts, cirruit eourU lind district

t/'

courU;w Wherns. I majority of the bar com· missioners. lifter considtralion of the I'U5OIU given b)' the task forre for non· p.lrtisan .IKtion of ju d~J, lIll: in favor of the nonplrtisan election of judgn:

"'"

Whtrns. th. b<I. commissioners "'~ persuaded to thotir position lor the fol· Iowirc principal rusons: 1. AlWmlo is one of only tight Ibtu

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MiY 1991 / 159

YOUNG LAWYERS' SECTION

By PERCY BADHAM

Alabama young lawyers are on the move!

This article is dedicated to Ihe local young lawyer organizations throughout Alabama that are moking a difference in their communities.

Thtu lOU lour utiblishotd 10Ci1 Olillniniions: Bi .minl/hlm Vounl Uwytfl, Montgo mer 1

Young Ll"'YtfS. "l abile Young Lawyer. lind

Wut Cenlral Voung 1,IIWYUS !includes a four·oounly rtQion bd""un Birmingham and Oecilur). We art in the proxtS$ of t5\.>blishinS thru new local affiliates: Hunu\'ille (Madison Coon· fYI, Northwest Alabama and T'usu.100$.I..

TheM: locAl OrglOnlutiom eleclilleir own office .. and aIry out loaol service pro-

"'"In feb,ulI'y, the Allbllm.l. St"le 811' Young Lawyers' Section Eltt(uliYe Com· mittu held its QUlI'teriy meelinQ III Point Clar, AIibimi. The commil!H in.

Yik<j the prailknt 01 uch IocII affiliate to ~ttnd the mHtinllor the P\lrpoM 01 ~ninl up su,\rwide communiulion MTIOrIII thno \Ilriou$ grouP'> The mfd· ing provided l forum (or uct..nginl idus ond discussing the nHds 01 J'O\U'Ii ~rs thlWllhool 1M statf. The mtel· ing was ~ Irtmrndoull-llCCUS iIfId boid ~

Front ""'" t~ /0 right: ~ Wi"-'. Jim Sa.-. La fMva..laJI Smll~. Ruutlt f;_. wu· '" Crum. p",q, Bad""m. Am, SJo.vdm. imd Ii,ilh Normtm. B«iI row: 1/01 11'0$1, C~QFla.4l!. .xr-.. ~ lJrylm, .Iatnn AIl~, Sid iIH:boto. .Jw-. II-W/.l, FrmJr PDtIS. 1I1P Wallon.

John Ikm<k>n, &"1/ RQfPdak. &ddJI Smilh. Robm Baugh. imd FrrmJt ~. solid foundilion for futuu cooperation be~"«n thr local YLS chipttn.

The Point etfir m«ting fmphasized tilt net<! for ~\at~de communiu.tion ilIld the sharing of pro;tdJ ilIld idus. In ffWII/lition of thoM: needs. ] will high· light the offiurs mil spf(:ific pro;ms of uch of tM Iocil affiliates..

einninglMom YLS

PresitJtmt •.•.•. ________ •. .JOIm H~ Presidmt~1«t ._ .. ______ .hler lJOO.ig

V"lCfl·prnidml •.•.•..• _.•.•.•.•.f'mis NicJwv S«relllr¥ ............................... 7l"m Smilh 1lTmurer .... _.................... Robm &1ugh AssistlmllrNSUrer ....... /klsV Champlin

The Binniogtwn YLS was inY(lIYrd in ~ ~ ~rty lor 1M AIabllmll Epi]tpSy Foundation; mt_l.$ mil Khobnhip PI'OCl"illm lor tM downtOWll fint.oo- miNion PI'OCnom; _ 51( 171« to

""""rat projtcb;

nise monty 10 send underprivilfQtd cllildrtn 10 ump; I YLS ,pukt,.., bu· ruu; i\fId I I"If\<I" ~rs semil"lllr org,I.

nind 10 orifn! nfW Llwyus 10 III u· pKIS 01 practict ~t 1M courthouK.

Montga.-r)' YLS Pntsidml ....................... _....wUTQ Crom V"lC"t-pnSide>!t ...•............•...•.•.• w }}1J¥f!S ~/orv-lrewurer....Chadie AndersorI Tllf Montgomery YLS il lIuvily in·

wura

Loal affil;'". oIfIars.. lAs //Q1IfJ, MonII/OllttFl; CMrl~ ~ Mon/gom/!rf/; Crum.

MonlgOm",~; Rus$.11 f;aJon. IIQI.~vill~: Joh~ lI.rndon. Birmin,hQm; DUQne Wilson. n....,.1o<w; F"trn,k Pu/u. Floren«; Jim Ro«rIJ. MobII~; Imd Judson 11~11s. Mobile.

160 I Ml~ 1991

yOlvtd in i\fI AltfITlo1tiVf Sfn!fncing Pr0gram. This pro;tct uuntly rtceivtd ..... tiona] rfcognilion by placing firlt in the ABNYlD 1989·90 awards of acllitve· men! compdition. This projfd involvt~

pla(inQ ptOple convicted of nOM·jolent crimel in temporary or permanent jobs u ~n ~Itun~tive to jllil. [nitillily. the Mont~ry YLS. ~Iont with .oIuntHB from Mootaomery'l mind community.

SfM<l AI lilOOm bdwm1 the empioytr and the prOQrllm . llItu, the Mont ~r')' YLS f<X\lSt<l on ooIiciting additionll tmpl~n to partidpate in tht program.

Mobil. YlS Prtsidenl ............... Jamts V. Roberts, Jr. W<:l'opmidet'I ....... ,.,.,... ,.J./ark C. 1-I00Ie Secrelarll-t~UTf!T' ......Jutkon Iv.

Wells

Owr tho! past )'tar, the Mobile YLS has Sp()fIS()rflI or ~ tht following

Prtpaq simp!,

compIu "ills in """,,Its ";I~ AI"""", "Computer N,,01"

...orA: Sofr ..Vl", n, s"",·sprcijic: progmnutuk mulliple-dwi«andfilli".IIr~1/Jt ""uliOM, IMn rompoH milQrnI doc.",....." ,,111M cwr ~Nil' N ..;r~ ,.,..r f8M-c:ompalibi, ward pm«Jsi"t wfr-,,, ..... US" /ritfldly. M rommonds to IN"'.

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Ktivititl: 1. Anli·drug IIItII.lIlH on loal ..clio Italions lIimed Ipecifically at locil

. ~ .... _ . ~ ..... arr_ ... . E-Yo""' ....kJ_ · -...01......,. ._ ..... _... . ~ .... ;....-".....,.. ..... _"'-1 • ...,_dD~.--...byll:"' ,io< ..... '*<'~T__

school childun; Z. Annllil golf and tennis IOOmament

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1 _.C_ _ C_' .... Eouo.-.C_ _ (lIIb _ _ '-a.....,;o;.,

and dinner: l. With the [xeeutiVl! COOlmiUee of the ASB VI.S, a party on tht USS Alabama battleship in Mobile during the state bar', mnwl meding; 4. With the Boy $cOUl!,. Law Explor_ tTJ Post. conducting nine muting.! during the Khool year, This program is run by )'OUng I.lwytn lind has appnnimateiy 120 participull!; and 5. P"tidpated in the United Wily CompaiQn, donating S500 in 1990.

W•• t Centr. ' YLS PrtsidenI.,.,~.,_ ........... ____

.Rus:J Eason

PtuI plWident.. .•.• ,.,.,•.. ,•.....J(;m ~ The 1I'6t Central VI.S, in coojundion with the Cullman County Bar Associ,,tion, sponsored. Sfminar on appellate prict ite, In February 1990, Alabama Supreme Court Justice John PaUt!"$On conducted a seminar on criminal appel_ late practi~, Amy Sl.lydtn is leading the Huntsville group. Frank POIII, the North~st AI~haml; group, Ind Dwne Wilson, the

1'wa1oosi group.

The IcalllA'iliatn lOU Vl!ry ifNolVI!d in thrir rUJ)«tiVl! tOmmunitiu, ~d &sel'Vl! recognition and tlwlks for thl:ir time ancI dforl, There ire $Orne grnt things bting done by Alahama young IlIW)'I:'" 1 tn_ courage you 10 take the time to get involvtd. Pltm tonta.c:t your local leaders, and make a diffeunct!

•

Tm: AI.AHAMA LAWY!:R

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"l1h frtt upd8l ....

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John H. Davis 11[, PhD. MAL SRPA. ASA, president oIBU$iness Valuation Services [nc., is the only designmed ASA BU!iiness Va[_ u:uion appraiser in Alabama, BU!iiness Valu.ltion Services pn)r.'idcs comulauion by the hour, appraisal rcpon!I and expert t/${imony in casescl:

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o Bankruptcy PTOCcedi~ o Me.gen or acquisitions o Buy-sell agJftffiCIllS o Dissident 5lDCI.:hoIder $lIilS

~.~

Contac:t John H. Dayis III , PhD. MA l. SRPA, ASA 4 Officc Park Circ le . Suite 305 • Birmingham, Alabama 35223 P.O. So.>; 530733 • Birmingham, Alabama 35253 (205) 870·1026 May 1991 / 161

BUILDING ALABAMA's

COURTHOUSES CLEBURNE COUNTY COURTHOUSE

By SAMUEL A. RUMORE, JR.

The following conlinues a his/or,l of AI,,/xIml1's counl/l courlhoustsIhtir origins on" wmt rN Iht proplt rdlo ronlribultd II11Mir r;rotDth. Til.

,tI_btl",. L<lw.,r plans /0 run on, rountll~ 1If1fN in tQCh ~ oIllw magazitw. If,ou h<nw tlI1V photographs of ""r/II or prtun' rourrhouus. please forward them to: Sgmutl A. Rumor,.

Jr., Miglklfliro "RuI'1J(}Tt, 1230 Brou.,., Ma rx To""". Birmingham. Alabama

3.O!JJ.

illi

he ana that ;1 now Cl eburne County Clme onder

the con trol of the United Stilts by the Creek Indian

cusian of 1832. In ~u.

~ctmbrr

of thit

_ .,,1CO\lntiu in Alab;um

nutfd from thtse bnds. AmI.>ng

WI:'«'

~

wert prntnl.d.ly Calhoun, T.lllllIdeg..

and Randolph counties. The first settlm KIOIl came from Georgi;. and the Caroli~. Lind ",cords show IoI'ttI."",nt$ :u urly;as 18J.4. In 1835.

fi~

brothers 0( the Edwards family from North CaroliN

.sbbli lhtd E\tI.'ardMlle.

In the 18405. gold wu discovn ed in the arn and the lerritory surged with a gold rush, Boom towns such as ArbaCIIcoothet and Chulafinnto appur~d O'o'trnight .u prospKtors CIIrrM: to claim thei r fortunes. li owevu. no sizuble amount of gold was found Ind soon the riGid rush in ~Iifo,"ia lurtd away AI· ab.i1M·s prosptclofJ. 800m towns beCOOIm IlhoM towns in wlLlt \as to be· o;Qmt Ckbumt County.

Foll owing the War Bet ....·een the States, lho A1a"balM k gis"'ture c~ated ~ral new count in. On Dec.mbt r 6, 1866, Cleburne County was crut ed principally from Calhoun County wilh a portion taken from Randolph and Tal· 1621 May 1991

CI,~

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_

lIdeil'. Tht KI e$Ublishi"ll Ihr county lJlI!Ointtd oommissionen 10 organiu it.

"1"htK commissiontl'J ~t an eledion in July 1867. The communities of Ed wardsville. StOry am! Salem vied to btOOmt county Kat. Ed\o.·ardsville recei'"<!d the highest number of vot~1 and was de_ dartd the winner.

Clebume County was named for Cenenl P"trick R. Clebume. Cleburne was born in BIoliocOJl. Ireland, in 1821. tho 5011 of .. doctor. lit m:tivtd .. good ed ... · nlion Ind, It lIe n. en tend the British Army. lie ~rwd until hr ..... zs.

I-k later coome to Arno!ricoo and practiced liw in lleLtr"ll. Arkinsu.

With the outbreak of ...,., Clob ... r"" wlunleued U i tolone l in tht 15th Arkin$.U Infantry. mthin two ytMS. he roK 10 the rank of major general. He KMd with lh. Confederate Army from

8QwIi"ll Ci'H1l to the BIoule of franklin.

He was killed in an il$S.liult al franklin , Tenntssu. on NOVI'mM r 30. 1864. Ii ;" r"IImt was sugsuled for the new county

by Jere Smith of Oxford, Alabama.

Willi am Edward s, one of the five brothtl'J who Kttled Edwardsville. do:>r"IIted land to lho new county for the site of the courthouse. A public squa~ was Ilid 01,11. Ind I log building ""iIS con· slructed. Court was hokl as ...rty ... April 15. 1868. Tht (OI.Irthowt buikli"ll con· tIoincd only one \loJ1e room. Each OOmtr ..-u divided inlo "stalls" for use by the o/focilill..

This loll courthouse ~rved the county for approxirr"llltly II )lun until a \",0,..,. .tOt)' red brick building wOll erected. IU dimtnsionl ~re appro~imattly 60 fed by 40 feel with a T-shaptd hall on tht firJt noor. 3nd a larger cou rtroom 3nd THEALABA.'IA U1.WVER

anlKhambt., on 1M SK()nd Hoor. The bricks for Ihis building ~rr madr on the si lt.

Around 1883, lilt town of HeBin wu uUblishtd in Cltbumt County. It waJ rwnfCI for Dr. Wibon L Htnin. m nrly UHl t r whost f1m ily hu bun ve ry prominent in AIU.a.mlI politics """ tm ~an. D., HeOin WlJ tht f~lht r of J. Tho~

("Cotton Tom"' Hdlin. Unitt<!

States ~l1.I.to' from 1920 \0 1931. Pres-

ent Alabama Senator H",,~II T. Hemn is Iht grut· nephew of the lown', name-

sake. [n 1005. a group of HtHin cilium be· a.tn .. movement 10 rt~ Iht coorthooK from t:dwardsvill. to Hemn. On Ml«ch 16 of tlv.t ~.. r. they pRStnmi a pttition to Governor William Jelks re'

qurstint/ln ,!«lion on the question 01 moving Iht courl houu \0 H.mn.

Cowmor Jelks ~ the election. but this ord« prKipitaltd I \egJl ,,",tilt 11\;01 ... ent 111 \h, W"Y to t he Alabama Suprtme Court to decide whether the election would takt plilee.

The peOple 0( E""".rd5vill. kmw that th.i . thriving lown would wither if i\

wu no longtr lht which countypurported Stal. They produced a petition to withdraw the siQ!>.1IlUru of 170 perrons

miln away. In Ihe gene,,1 election of 1906. Edwolrd$ville nil , sLue of county officns pledged 10 reUinir1ll tht courthowe. IiowtWr. the candidates bwrir1ll lI.nin III won by an _rage of 85 WIts. As Ille u July 1907. , mandamus re· quulill8 I uccunt "''as still pending. ~ bitlle ronlinued when officiob in Edwardsville refused to turn ove r the county rtcOrd$ to the officials in Heflin.

A group from Heflin, dfciding that .. If· help 10.'.>$ lhe but help. went to get the .. cords themsel~s. They were able to urry off about hl lf of the county record.!. ~ found the other half .... re burmd, either aceidfnUlly or in spite.

Edward$viUe newr recovered from the eleclio n lou. It slill nists today but IllS only, f..... hundred fuicknll. Tht courthouse buildill8 latt< was ....,d as a ochool until 1961. It then was sold to tht Town of t:dwardsville and Sl'r.'td II 115 city hilI. In S'ptembn 1964, t h. almost 90 . )'ur-old building ",'U completely gUlled by a fire. The tawn lost III of its r«ords and office . quip-

~"' COlUtruction

Heflin Mgan in euly 1901. The town held l Qre~t celebration July 4 ollhat yur wlltn the COmtr$l.OOI: was !;aid. It was rtpOrted that some 3,000 peopk at· tended the uremony. This rYtIll marlted the end of the courtholiSl' Nttle in CIe· burnt County which 001: called "ore of the hudW IoujIhI po!itial bal. tl., lIVer waged in 'I'll' counly in the state: The Cleburne County Courthouse 10.'''-' planned in the Nt()CI;wial style of architecture by Charles W. Carlton. who allo desi gned the neighboring Clay County Cou rthouse. It Wil$ complded in 1907 by the ~·. 8. Hull Cons tr uction Comparl». The brick structure is appro:.· imalfly 145 fUI long. II hu , triple Itched entrance s uppo rt ing Ionic columm. The buildin, Ius a mtlallk domed btl1lowtr with lou. clock bees.

In 1938, two IWO' l lory wings ~re added 10 Ih, (Ourl h-ouJt. Horau M. Wtawr wu t .... an:hit«t. and OgIrtrft Construction Company was the builder.

On Junt 22, 1976, t .... Cleburne County Courtl>ouse was named to t .... Nation<>l Regisler of Historic Places.

•

"'pork'

r,==========================:; of a new courthouse at

who t..d p«Viously rffjUf>ted the g<.>wr-

nor to alia cwnty _t election. Finally, on NcMmbtr 29, ]905, in the case of Stalf u rd, Rrown 11. ~t'" d til.. 40 So. 144, 145Allo. 54I , thu~mr coort ruled that tht eltction cwld take platt.

On Deambtr II , ]905, lIemn won the elmion by 88 votes OUI of about 1.300 CUI. MOrt litigation elUued bul Heflin won on ach occuion.

For one )'ur following tho county .. al election. EdI.·ard.!,ille rtfustd to giw up the courthouse to its neighbor eight

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TIlE Ai.A.6AMA LAWYER

May 199] / 163

HONOR ROLL

&1W«n AAIrf:h I and April 15. 1!i91, lhe foiro.cmg al· l{)mJljl! matM p/ft/ga /0

lIN A//lbQma Sloft Iklr &silding f'lmd. ~ir no:mIa" !rill ~ incIu<kd I)f1 a "",II in tIN . - pOrtion of lIN building 1~1int1 all

contributions. T1rer', pltdges a11l flCkrIou'kdged w;/h flro1t/U/ apprw:ialion.

(For a list of lhosl making pll'Iigu as of Ft/ml(lfJI 28,

1991. plmu_thBMarch

edition oI TWAlabqma

Sonjamin r.llKklwn. III Trovi> J.b!.>ey 8e6oo1t \\-dl ..... Knrnot Btll Micharl.Jooeflh a. ......., £dword F'nnldin Sony Tom Bovill Da.;d lI ..... phny 8il1b .whony I ........ Bosnop

Dal.oo o..m BW<t. Jr, J...il)<nn Bllnktruhip

Ctorao Andonon 811nn

Ralph Pmton 8011,/" Chorl.. 1111«1 Roohakt. loon Garbo'. Bookout Alfrtd OIlinton Booth

1.I!!£IlflJ

loo! \"",10. 8oowmon John s-kt"l(l(l ~

William r. AddOIon ~ifl F. Aldriolt!

IIowan:! C. AltraIdtr 1Ii<N<d Coo<Iman AltraIdtr .bmn Cathr)o AlisGn IIobrrtlbroki All<n IoItph I ~ AJva;. 111 Orrin It Amt$. III Mol}' Ri .. h"ll ........

Fr.r.nk II, An#>r04 I. KI\O.l A<ao Robert [me...,., Armst""' .. III William I1U1h Atkinson Iiobtrtl.owell AlIStin Robort T. II. IIoIIey Mart Allan Bob. Richonl A. 1L>l1. Ir. Williom C. lIo.difl. III Williom 5«01$ Bar-. Jr. Doonnb MkhocIlbnflt loe Edward S-..... 1'lI W'II ..... J_"" 8Wey Jama Itolpl!lIuini Wall.r McF,rland !!tal•. Jr. Ceoi'll< M. 80....... 11.

Brice Iltrald Brxlcin Lindo Lou 1Iobr.,.., Brackin ~ E. 1lfad1ey 1_ Lct"'l' Brannan Louio t:. B.-II Sarah 1II>nnirC BrauoIotto John MeS..1Bruktnriolt!

Willimo H. Brittoin. II Cltn Porto. BI'«I<. Jr. Paul W. 8rock Richonl E. Brooihton Ea. 1T,ny B,,,..., E...... tll.mpton III'(I'O'n Cngory Dtlono llrown Quentm Q. Brown. Jr. Rogtr Alan llrown Stophen E. s.-n Sarah hin 8 .......

Itlymond Cha.1a 8ryan F.... St ........ 1Iuct John Ptrl<inJ IIuct " in..." T.ny Bullard Thomas E. Bunt"'. Ir. Roben L Bu.di .... '" Robert uri' Bumoy. II Lindo S_n lIu""

1 64 1 ~

1991

J....... /0M'JIh 6""-11. J•.

Ronold Alan Davidlon Jock GloM o.vu

lIichrnl F. ~

UI'\dHy M....1tmm nov;.

8ruu AIltn Burtlram

IknryA. c.J~, 111 r ..... Mule Caprio 'lhornoJ N...1y C:arrulhtn, Jr. RI(hud C. Corter

.... ,"'"

"ill..... Earlo ~ Micho<ll..toNord Chambtrs Willw.. wmor Chont)'oJr, Chris 51... ChriS! 8111}' Lynn Church JohnW•• I<yClo rk J<rt)' M.3ock CIoyt"" Cliffotd W. Cltvrlarod ""Iric.. 1I'>yn< Cobb Charlts W. Cochran. III W'Ii", C. Cole. Ir. Williom It Colo A.I.CoIt.....

Briltin T. Colo .....

Irwin W. CoItman. Ir. Itolpl! Eart Colt ...... Sr. Lou .. CMI Colley John Sydnry Cook. III Itolpll D. Cook Roubtn W.ight Cook Alt/<n>On Johnson Cooper. Ir. Jack (orbill St ..... n 110.1)' C.... nblum N.nty I. Cottle W1)I Rue-'" Cnvrn S...... C.C ............

Lis> C. Cross Laun Lrnn C""" 8 .... Horton Crutchfitld Cu ....... " 'illiom .' IiWlen CUMingNm.Jr. Shtryl TOto. Daao Milchtlll10b0rt o.m>k)r Willis Carty o.rb». Jr.

0."_"'>1-

~trido Ann IlaYis

I'Inrlopo Ann oms fifTy Clonn 0..;.

RinIIy A. Dtn'lplty loWIala AIh\ry Dicb..-.

John TlIdtn Dillard TlmoIhy Ltc Dillon!

Frank McCoy Dominick Williwo Aubrf)' Dominick

TlmoIhy r.trlck Donahue Ri,"",d 11. Dorrough Chrl" 110..1>011 Doss eNrla S. 00010.

EdwIord I\'nIty Drinkord ElbtrtAlIM Drummond .bmn 10MPh lJoJIry.lr. hlridc E. Dunoaon ThIck IIurU ."...., IIobrrt Shtrlonl Edington BIIIjhlm D. Edwards William Jaduon Edwards. 111 I~ Muooy Elliott. Jr. Frank Corley Elli<, Ir. Carl L E",no J. Roberti'Julk lost'*' E. F.ulk I:)omld Earl Futlw Ion)' L F.. ldi"ll Arthur Pm...." Fiu. III Ow... Willi>rn FIt"" ..... Jr. W>J1n S. Flttr:htr

r-,..P.Fotd Ctilford Foola'. III n.o..... Levo.... Footn

RoII'h Ab~ F_ John R F'n>oiry. Jr. Robert 8.yant F~ Jr. UwlOII 0.1< Full<, Mark Evt.. tt ""II<.

Wi ll,-m Sid.nty Fullor

TIlE ALARA."IA UWYER

"'.... r W. rumor

"'*'" IImIy Goodo. I •.

Prank Calloway. HI CofIty

Ch..... W. CamhI< 8100> Gr>y c. ...u. I•.

Lour> J..... c. ... u Morohall ~ Ghtc Roborl Eugo ... Gibnty WIoUt. Gil"' •• I ••

Thoo,_

s.nutI ~ Gim> /IIi<hM1 Anthony Give".

Willw.. ~ Givhan Jun« Wym>n Glo<kItn,I •• c-na.. C. Go-Idon John Thomu CokIon John S. eon.. Jr. "'kharl 020is Goodson 51 ...... K<nl eoo..c

F~rick

Ctora< Itolml.ing

t:IMd Tn.rnon Hydr. Jr. £d>Qrd Anthony H,ndtnIn. If.

II"iLoy P. 110""''''''''

ChIIr'" M. Ingrum

Do""" Codt IItndlty J..,,« Au.lln lI",dri.

Vinetnl Poullntocci.o. III Kon ... lh 510phon locluon John Lilhtu I.mi,,". III

/IIi<hM1 D. KnChI eilbtn B. t.adm Autw<yO.'"" N. LolYlfllty Richard Donal~ Lo ...

Robtrt Pill Lon<

No~J~.J ••

Altun.I.r F. LonIdord. III

John DUon Johns

EarIt FOTTQI ~I<r DonIId Niclotnon Lolhnn Milch<1I Ctora< LoIIGf. Sr. W..toy M.l.r.ffIdt. Cho .... M. Low Rkhard A1f.. d Lo_ .... o Thomu S..y Lowoon. J. John N. Lo.Io:h. Ir.

_

~H

........."..

Willw.. Bon'" 11m"""'. Jr. 1I'i1lw.. Kmntlh Il",""U Georg< /II. ltiUil"tlolham John t:. 11i",1"tIolham Robtrt Bond Iii",,,.

I...... Thomu IIi...... Jr.

Carlton /II...-ray JoMson. Ir. tt;dmo Eugmr JoIordon 1101" Mor¥in Johnson. Ir.

ertfOrY t....ce l..eIIh«bury. Jr.

IImIy F"ilzhUjh tn. III /IIIrruo W. tn Robtrt Edo."rd tn Ma",n U~rd l.evin

.....""""

Bnxk Bingham Cordon

Frtd KingGranado

Pilrick

lI~rd e ........

Chri>li ... W. Lowil TImothy A10n lAwiI II"iUiam Robort Izwi$ t:IMd Nul Uchtonmin Dorothy w.lls Liul<ton

Jr.

FrtdO. e~

Thomu Guy G _ J •.

J...... hulG....., ROI' /II,\Chtli e......

Irvin Grodsky Tunothy M. Grogan

lick krion H>.II

Sam",1 Ea,I< Itobl:>:s Jorom< A. lloHmato ~ F. lIoI~ Ir.

Robort 8ruc< HoII. I •.

1I"i11 ..... Sltphtnson tw...y

~ AI..., 11oI~ ......

.Ioh:1 Rttx Iohnoton. Jr. N.1l C. Johnston

Iohn lIohtrt IloIli ......

,,":rcy W. kMston. J •.

Cart)! F. lIolI,npwortil. Ir. Ci ...... Dol, IIolMft

\"1Yion Ca, .... Johnston. Ir. 1I"i1lw.. Itoopo. Johnston. Sr. Qo"d P.ul JOII<' Kothy Oun>lon lona Ktith SMn ...1Jona Tbonw 11"1' Jon<$. Jr. Richard M. Jordon I....... Poul Juliano Cor\Ion Bony KolIn o.borzh It""" Kthot J_ph C. Kollon ~ Lw r~n KoII)' Robe" Cor\Ion Kmdoll Paul \u. Kilpotrick Jf. IIIrdi< a..dford Kimbroulh

s........... RrwU. Gwyn WiLliom 8. Hoiffion. If.

\..twU s. Ihmillon Su$an O.lbmillon !)ovid E. lI.mpo. Jr. &.!ward L H>.rdin. I •.

Btto H.>rl. H>.rrio, J•• John \I"yIy Harrisool John L Ibrtman. III Robtrt s.m.rd tlllWOOll. Jr. \'iclorG. H>.rwood.11l RO)' lH llasulli ...

CeOl'i< C. 11Iw!6".

Willw.. Morris tlowlci ...... J•. ,."".lnd

lA>i<r~ . 1l1

Rlndalt Slat: H>.ynts John Frank llue! tkJwol1"!homos Hoi!in ell ...... o T. Iltllu"". J •.

THE AU\BAMA LAWYER

Donald EUI/f'" Holt Chari .. Uoopor c.ry D. llooptr Chri>\(Iphor ~rnc tkIpki".

W"~liam tn 110m Ctora< Pitta IIowanI Ralph 1I'yM111owt1l.lr.

CaryCa.llon It..e~ Victor T:lhn'l/f Hudson . II Robe" A. HUffaM' KothtrH U......... Jr. Phillip Francis I..IaR IIuQI>a Robert L HlltllPhria Josc-ph Cuilltlt lIunt .., III Dow T. H,.."",

\\'illw.. t:o.rl< Jol"..oo. Jr.

c.o.go Oovid.lolwton

~

H. KIoa$, I •.

ct.riOlop/ltf Knight

"" Hollis LillI< . Jr. Tmell D. LitUt Spotr Jock L;'inll>tM Eugonio L Loui ....

Robtrt E. Lon&. J•• W"dliom IITfclotnrldll< l..ont >Lichad SIqNn I.ot~

""""

......

Rolph ~ Lowl...

Pol .. LofIi'l.owt. J•.

Cltnn ll.ni. l.ubtl

IM>than E. ~rl)' Champ L,onI. Jr. 10IIuriu Cuil HICIoty 1Ikho'" S. HonI<y CI<nn F. /IIonnlrC M.1'lll1ory Montip/» Il<th Mari<lta·,"-, !l.nry lI'iliiom ,"",rthale,. III David L Mort,n. III 00ugLu Cloudo Morl,...-o .......... C. Mor\ln 1I"iliiam K<lLoy Hortln

Oscar D"II'I!)TIO MIl' lI"illw.. Randol! Ioby

May 1991 / 165

Frtd ]..t .. McCallum. Jr. Brian Patrick McCarthy Cai""" C. McCorquodah: Doug... L McCO\" Thonw Cr.,wille McCn>$koy J,rl)" Arnold M<I)o.... 1I Thtron O. McDow<l1. Jr. EIlmunci C<>eIy McC. ril)". Jr. V. I Uoyd MtCe< Wi lliam Henl)" .' teCowtn. Jr. T. Bruce McGowin Lo.t,r L. Mcint\·..

Mo.ion Ash ley Mdt. tllon Robert H. Mell,nl" Cephas Knox McLo.n<y. HI Philip Bon McLo.uchtin. Jr. OO>'id liN« MeL.. n C«lrg, O. fl. McMill.n. Jr. H. nl)" Ward Mc.'t ilt.n. Jr. Jl.Idith lJ>ui .. M<M ilti n Joon Lto Mc Phooroon

John TWoh<y Notter Dof"lOld L Nowsom Horace Eo, 1 Nix. Jr. 1",,1 M. Nomberg R<>bert McKim No.ri •. Jr. Thonw Bony Norton.Jr. 11Ibor Robert N"""k. k Robert W. O'Neill Cai"" O·R .... r. III 1'1 '1)" I • .,. o.kley J.rry Br.ntley Oglew,

Ant hony J. PW ..

Ruha o.mp .. ~ Pitl> 1t.,,'I' St. ring Pond, I\' Jorry CIa .. n« Porch Joon Finley Port ... 111 E. M.ron> I'IMy Dtborah Cuth, .. Powell J"",ph Iknjomin Poo... 11 J.me. R. Pratt. HI Arlie 0.10 Pric, Jo><ph Vitlor Price. Jr.

Arthu r Wooten Or, Chorle. W"""" Owtn Joon Arthur OwtJU Wi lli.m [)O""""n o..;ng.

Robtrt Emmtlt Paden P' ter J. PaluWli Jank. Humbt, Pa .... r Harold O.. n P.. ~ rnan Chorl .. C. Portin. JlI E"""ard Milton Patte""" Jlmt' Willi. m p.tton. 1I1 C. ...ld Roymo".j Paulk GaryCouIL>$ Pe. ..

Chorl.. Edw.rd Pta,_ Harold C.. gol)" Purson St ..... nCOmpbtll P.. ""n Williom Ik . tt~ r,ar_ H. roId G. P.ck Cli ~on II<ntdi't Perry H,rblrt W.rr. n Pet.rson w.lt.. Cm... Pettey. JlI Sam M. f'ht lps

Robtrt Fron1<lin Pri"" U.l<r H. Proctor Rkllon! Eorle Procto.

Ira D. PJU i t~ Jr. E..... t Pugh r. .... 11In"". P\lUi.m Oo .... d Rankin Quitlmt)·..

E<t.ra,d t..;,... " " Romsey AII. nCloy Rankin. III J>m<> Perry Re. Eug.... I";.."n R....

KelI)oD.... R....

Archibold Thonw R........ IV Charle. Gradjl Rtynold$, Jr. Morgon Roynold.

Sibley Crady Roynold, Schurl.. H.rri.

Ricllordson, II I Horl)" H. Riddick Robert W. Riedor. J •.

Joon Bur...... Rii$ Ra~ C. Riley. J,.

SanO,. Koy 1'1" - ' Augu.ti.,. M.. hor. Itt D>vid H. Megi nni... ~'on C«lrg. Memol)" Michael V. Mignano. Jr. L)'fIn Chri.tie Mi ll..

William H.f<S Mi ll' An"" II' Milcholl Chri'topht. Ma. lowe Mitchell 11Ima,. O. Mitchell John w••ley Mobley J.me< O. MoIfa.tt ClIorl.. Robert Montgomtl)" CIIo,I.. Ricllo ,d Jr. 11'. ""'11 Richmond Morgan Robert TImothy .' Iorri>on Roge' Stephen 1'1 0,"""" William Alu>nder M"",ley Kotheri"" Elise M_ Clinton o.Lo.in< MOlmUin Robert Hiden Mudd. J,. wli. 6rueggemyer Mu rphy WiltiamThonw MuSll ........ lr.

ClIorlott, Blot.,.. M.......t..

Phill ip RUSlfI M ~ l " Merton Roland N><:h man. Jr. Ctcil Tommy " .il Elizabeth Brodon " ..h HuWl Ant hony N.. h

.'1""...

166 / May l991

lorry Oean Robe""" CIIo.I" f""'.. rd Robinson William C. Roeddtr. J•.

Robtrt Merritt R<>i!'"

John W•• ley Romi.,.. Jr. Ch.,l.. D. R.,...r Robtrt Itudoon ROYst l'atricia lloyd Rumo ..

Som"'l A. Rumo ... iT. Robert loe""'" RUSlfIl. Sr. William John RUSlfIi. Jr. Robert A... tin Sal'll W.rren GI .... Sorrell. iT. J"",ph M. Sorto IOstph E. SaI.")o"tr. Jr. V,.-non N,il Schmitt o.bo.ah GI .. Sciascia I"n< Fugin Sc<>tt Joon B. Scon. Jr. Eu, 1Augu.t ... SC ........ Jr. J• .".. Robert Sui. Robtrt M. Seal.

Jon Roon<y Sedl.k Ci lbtrt Port. rlield Self John Wi lford Self "1"honw D' m"llton Stmpl•• Jr. J><Q"'!)'fI Eudell Sha;, John 1I'.lt.. Stwb,oug~. ll l CIIo,I .. E. Sharp Jam.. C"gol)" Sha\o St'phon W. Silo", Cha,l.. \\, ...ton Shttharl. Jr. Ricllo,d C. Sholl»' C.nclktl O\" Sl>xldey J.... WoodrowSholu Micllord C. Shul""

O' ... J i IlSim~ P.. d Bryan Sim.,..,., la ...... Evan. Sim.,..,., E"",.. rd Simmons SH:dge . III Don... Weuon Smollt)' Anil.> T\Jck.. Smith Kathy Dion ... Smith Mobtrt H.rschol Smith Rur... Randolph Smith. Jr. Thonw A. Smith. Jr. Willi. m C.. gol)" Smith Willi.m AII,n Sm~l)o. J,.

Loah Oown S""II

THE AU'JIAMA t.\WYER

~

HONOR ROLL

~ John [)ovid St>odQ~ John Srymour Somtrstl

\\'ill""" Ctril W>lkOT

Loulo Charlu Wright

Drw & Pi.reo

1I"",.nl P. " 'I!hI1i

Engl.nd.ll Divtl\$

Paul L. Spoin

I'IM' Rkhlr<l W.llon Junhonli W>fIQ J....... J.II.. rd.J •.

'-ton Taylor Ward. III \I,\It,. Cregory Ward EIIN calvin 11'0\$011, Jr. S. It.. W~uon. l1.

Jam.. Fnnk lI'yllt. Jr. Oov'.d R<>y« Wyl"

Mkhatl EdwIrti SwkrTwl And ... Dontll s,..rb TMnw SUortin .Iooorph DM:I Sluo:lr!wl H.nl}' 8. StUilIi. II Rodtrk C. Sin_tty

11, _

Cyrilll>u!lhn S!.lunmulltr lIil1iMn Guy SUwns (¥oj Hordwic:k SIewort J...... C. Stiwrl<kr. I •.

SMnutl L Siootman William Moy 51""..

Will ..... It Stolcts, Jr.

William \I'odsworth Wal!>.lU nm.. HovoIOII WOM •• Jr.

NfWI"I'I>rl Manly Y.;kIi..,. J•.

Brant A11m V""", I'JuI Mhur Young, Jr, 'Iloorn>$ldl'0'Y Yount n.o.n., N. Youngor

51 .... " A11m lhomoo Michon! Allan ~ Jon')'

!.tl.-. Tho<nIOd

Willi.m C. Tldwtll. III J...... 11.1M1 Tiplt.

Ctcil MorIond 1IpIon, Jr. c..r, AlJtn Tcmlln O""nStanky~.J •.

Ib •• n Pollett. TUrner John M.lkolm '!}'$On. Jr. Robort Ptny Upchul'th

M<Et.y" Ford

" Colli ..

Ranucy " Sho Ido<o Shorlinf, Brownini" Yorl<

Smith " SoSmith Thomu. Muns" Cillio Tumor. Ondordonk.

KimbrOlJllh" 11""",11 Tho W;r.IW f OUnd.>tion MM:on l<nrJ)I W_r Donald 8. Woir. Jr. Emat W. ......;r Charles \"odor 1I'.klfn. Jr. l'J.ul Clwt ..........,h 0Md Cl .... llnd ....... It)' John fw.:iJ IIl"IU'r John MMk Whi" CaMn M. \\hit...11

hma B. \\1I11f..ld. J., J...... Bruco 1I"i~ ~Ior

D. \\llkil\$, Jr.

J...... Eugene ..... illiamo l<c Bowii"ll \\,lIil"" f_C~IIWilson.lIl

"-'at - . w.lko.

*

\\\011«.

McfaiSdm. L¥on. 11111outhb1>

....... .. McForrin "",""II " llaktwin Ramooty. Suit)'. M.c00u11.

RI(hanI ~Il \\"il~

' - 0.. \\',Ik<,

.",-...

Guy Anthony Zoghby

P......II. Crum " _non I'J.non. l.atham. I.<a<" Colo .....1 & Smith

~

K.n ....lh E. \'..a c..org. H. Wutf..kI, J•.

Holbtr, .11l1olbtrg

M,llor.IWnilton. Snidor

Samuol E.. Upchurch. Jr. \\,11;"" L UlHy IbqI Uwllf.11I DMold o...1Q \'ol1w.:o.lIt D.Md J. Yann

I ....

London. Y~t)' « Elliott

Roe-re.Sunle Willw., Uwonl Swot.k 1oI>nb W. Sydno< I'rod \I'aIdon Tt.,...

Don TempI< T"ull D.Md ..... ThomN _ Cl>rn>ot 1hcInw

Hu."

llartlty.llklanan.ll R..... II

Al .. Wil1ilm Zor,hby

Alltn Ili<honI Sto"..

EotwIn It.. Sllidd~nd J~ L..""itlSllWI Will ..... Clinton Sulliv.1I1 William II.,.. Su lliva". Jr.

----

F"inl<l>onntr. La...... r & Oton lWnilton. flutltr. Ridoiidt. ~"SuUivan

JockWilson Jim l<mrWi l"", Robert C.... t lI'iloon Robert Earl 1I",lto..

Ro~1 Mork 11'000:1_ Ch.>rIts L Wood!; Richard I'l~t Wood!;

.....won, &1_ March I and April 15, 1991, th~ fol/olCing fimu mQrk pledgu 101M building fund. Their II<II1W.I ",ill a/so IJe included on a ",aI/ in /he new building /islinll 01/ con/ribulors.

Their pIedgu arw acIrnowI· edged wilh flJ'Oltlul opprecialion. (For IhoU con·

l"'bul;n9 as of Ftbruu'1l 28. /99/, p/~ _ the March ediliotr oflhe fmrwr./ lI'iIl~ I . 8axloy Sut.r.ll Wit"",

.

IIoulook<>o" OgI.Jby

Briokman " Bin;"" 8unlln. Cebb & Shuly

""""" """""

a-.a-

eamrr.:.n." r_

WoodhamIiCunt ••

&Iuwn March I and April 15. /991. 1M follou'ing spe. dol pIedgu or surultmliol contributions IC~r~ . ,oom 10 dedical, 100rIIS or OTftU in 1M 51111, bar; MW building. (For Iho., C(ln · Iribuli'lfJ as of Februarv 28.

199/. pleou _ the Morch till/ion of IMl.t:arJm./

............

""'""r~

Foundotion B<~Icy. lI"iloon, All, ".

Mond<1$OM .Ii J...,i"", loll....,.," Cory R~.IIBtI .. r South C.nttal Btll

Conra4.IWnrnorId & 11,1111.

~

1991/ 167

RECENT DECISIONS

By JOHN M. MIUING, JR., DAVID 8. BYRNE, JR. and WILBUR C. SILBERMAN

UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT ,-.. pf'O_ecution the Intent element

ChlNik v. United Siaies. No. 89-658 59 US LW 41)49 (January 8,199]). In Cheek u. United Sloies. the Supreme Court ruled that even though an airline pilot r.led no tax returns for four yea .... he committed no "willful" violalion of the tax laM if he genuinely thought he

",as not liable for income tax on hi' pilot', sala,},. Justice White, writing fn. the Coort, held that a good·faith misunder· .tanding ofth. law or a gooMaith belitf that one is not violating the law negalu willfulness. whelher the claimed belief or misunden;bnding is objectiwly reasonable.

Statutory willfulness protecu the aWr" age d tinn from pr05ecution for irmo_ cent mistakes mad. due to the complexity of the tax laws. United SIal.,,; u. Murdock, 290 U.S. 389. The requisite intmt required for con";ction i5 the I'Oluntat)'. int~nlional violation of a known legal duty.

Cheek could have broad. long·range implications. By stressing the prosecution', burden to pl'l,lYf that the defendant had the specific intent to ";olale 1M law. the Supreme Court reinforced the frequent claim by white collar ddendant5 that !hoy had no idea that their conduct ";olated any law. Bya six-to-two margin. the Court agreed with Cheek. holding that the jut)' ""as instroc\ed improperly that the ddendant oould negate willful ness only if his belief that he had no tax liability was objecti'~ly reasonable. Justk~ '.','hitt's m<ljority opinion noted that in tn05t circumstance•. igllQrance of the law is no defense . However. he continued that in";tw of the complexity of the fed· era l tn system. "Con gress has . . . softened the impact of the common law presumption by making specific intent to violate the law an elemtnt of certain federal criminal tax offenses."

168 I May 1991

Fiv. ·t .... u... nd·doll.r justlc.

In re Vivian Berger. 494 U.S. _ (1990). In ruling on a petition for fus by court·appointed counsel in Sam, v.

Parks, the Supreme Court doubled to S5.000 the amount it paY' for rep ...entalion of indigents under the Crim inal Justi« Ac t of 1964. 18 U.S .C. f3OO6Ald)(2).

The petitioner. Berger. sought fees un· d.r the Capital Ddendant's ~'ee Provi· sion of the Anti·Drug Abuse Amond ments Act of ]988, which allows OOmpensation to counsel in an amount "rea· sonably ne<;essat)'" to insure competent representation.

The Judicial Conference of the United States has rttOmmended payment of be· tween S7S and S125 per hour in federal habea. corpus proceeding.<; involving capital defendants. The Court. however, C<lnciuded that a flat payment 0( S5,000 would iru;ure competent repre..,ntation of capital defendanl5 before that Court.

Prison.r .ntltled to witneaal.-a Demaresl v. M<mSpfi<Iker. No. 89·5916.

59 U.S. LW 4047 (Januat)' 8. ]991). Oemarel;t was ~n inmate in a state correctional facility at t~ time he tel;tifi~d as a witness in a fede ral criminal trial pursuanlto a "'Tit of habeas C<lrpus ad lesli· ficandum issued by the district court. In ao:cordanee with 28 U.S.C. 11825(a). Oe marest requested the clerk to certify that he was entitled to fus as a witness. !li5 request was denied. TIle court 0( appeal!; affinned , holding that while f]82J's Ian· guage was unqualified. other evidence revealed that Congress did not intend to pennit prisoners to rea ive witne.. fees.

The Supreme Court reversed t~ Tenth Circuit.

Chid Justice Rehnquist held §I821 ... quires payment af witn ... fees to a con vict~d state prisoner who testifies at a federal trial pursuant to a writ 0( habea.o; corpus ad testifictmdum. The statute's te rms make vi rtually inescapable the conclusion that a "witness in attendance at any Court of the United Statts" under

§182 1(a)1l) includes prisoners unlus they are otherwise excepted in the statute.

Feder.1 grand jury subpoen.s - a braact.r bnish Uniled S/ales IJ. R. Enterprises. Inc., cl al. No. 89-1436. 59 U.s. LIV 4077 (Januat)' 22. 1991). The Govemmtnt can obtain enforcemmt 0( a grand jut)' subpoe' na duC&f lecum without having to ulab· lish. as it must do for trial subpoenas under Uniled Siaies v. Nixon, 4]8 U.S. &83 (1974), that the documents sought wil l be relevant to the criminal investigation and admi ..ible at trial. In a unanimous opinion authored by Justice O·Connor. the Court !.aid Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 17(c), which allows a C<lurt to quash a subpoena if C<lmplianee would be "unreasonable or repressive". adeqll/lttly ..strains the grand jut)"s inves_ tigative authority.

A federal grand jury in the i::aSlern District of VLrginia was investigating in_ teTl;tate transportation of "adult" materials . The grand jury subpoenaed three New York companies OI<-lled by one man for corporate records and other materi" als. The District Court refLUl'd to quash the .ubpoenas on relevance ground.. but the Fourth Circuit quashed the subpoenas for rtC<lrds 0( two of lhe companies.

In so doing, it appli~d the /I'ixon standards and found no evidence that either o(lhe companies had ever done busine.. in eastern Virginia.

In laying the groundwork for the Court', opinion, Justice O'Connor ob · served: The Crand Jut)' ocrupies a unique role in our criminal justice sY'tem.

It is an investigatory body charged with the re~poru;ibiljty of detennining whether ar not a crime Iw ""'n committed. Unlike this Court. il5 jurisdiction is predicated On a 'pfeifie case or contl'l,lYfrsy; the Crand Jury can in,~stiga\e merely on suspicion that the law is being violated. even just becau.., it wants assurance that it is not. Uniled SIale5 v. Mor/on THE AL\8AMA lAWYER

Soli Co .. 338 U.S. 632. 642-43 (1950). The: (unction of the Gnnd Jury is to inqui«, into .111 inform;,· lion that miihl pOII.$ibly bear on i\$ invutig.alion unlil il his idmlir..-d 111 oBtnse or hu SlIIWied ilKlf lhil none hu oc:cur«,d. As II I\fcusary cOlIstquence of iu in",,"lig. lory function. lhe Crand Jury paillU ..i!h , b~ brush. A GQnd Jury irr.ul;· galion is IlOl fully c.ilrlied 001 until • ...,ry available clue has b.en ru n down and all Wilne!.SeS examined in evoery proper way 10 find if a crime his bttn commilttll ...

A Crand Jury SUbpoellll is thus much differenl from II Subpoellll is.sUld in lho contUI of I prospective crimilllli Irial. wht«' a $p«"ific oIfense his btm idelltir..-d and 10 PlTticulu dtfendanl chlrgtd. in 10 portion of her opinion. joined by only I ITIijority of the Justiet:S, O'Connor dtclarK lhil II grand jut)' .uhllOt... is enforcoble unleu"no TUSONble pOII.$i· bility" is found to uist thallhe malerials «'quesled would yield something ~Ie· vant 10 1M criminal inY!:sligation . She acknowledgtd Ihe "difr.cull position" a gralld jury SUbpoellll recipienl is in. but emphisized tkat such a subpoellll is p«" sumtd 10 be rt~le. She CQIICluded that lhe l>istrict COOT! properly ordered enforcemenlof Ihe subpoenas in Ihis we in the ~ of the «<ipiell!"s "b!iOli. ket dtnil.l" of lIl)' link 10 Vi~II'"

SUPREME COURT OF ALABAMA Prior '"con.l.te"t .t.lement ",Ie C"'''II" /looper II. Slul~. 2S ABR 711 (Decem. ber ]4. 1990). flooper w.l..I init;ally con· victed of IWO counts of second degree rapt" of his daughter. On ippul of those conviction.!. Ihe court of criminal ap· pt"ils rewrsed the convictions because the proseculOf hid isktd improper quos. li(HIJ of chllratltr wilne_s. The c:ase was «'trird.. and it the «'trW. Hooprr·. daughler I'KiIlled her slory. The Stat. qutStiontd lhe diughter ioboot her 11«" viow tulimoll)', lind, thu., introduced inlo e.idtnce ill 01 Mr prior teslimony CQIICeming 1M alleged suuallbuse. The trial court, lit the request of th~ SI.lte.

• pecifically inilructtd Ihe jury Ihat it Tfl E Au\IIAo'4A u\WYER

could coruid" thit prior inconsistenl teslimony as wilslanlil'il ft'i<Jma! upon trhidr il could baJ6a «It'II.-idion. Au reSUII, the julY found Hooper guilly on

"""'~

...

1l>t court of crimiN.] lppu.1. relue_

tinily

r~nrud

Hooper'. convictions

$in« lhey ~re conRnintd 10 follow the

SlIprtmt court's u.rlier taiH ...hich held lhil prior incooslstenl stilements could nevoer be used u subslaOliY!: Mdtnce. v• ./acQbs. 212 ~. 61 4. 618, 103

u.st,..

So. 682, 686 (l!nS).

Justice Maddox. wriling for the majority. chingtd 1M rule. observing thai: It is dnr to us thit Ihe modtm Irtnd is to allow a prior inconsistent statemenl 10 be used is suhslinli\.., Mdtnce, provided, of coorse. lhil the prior intOnsistmt stit ....... ot ...as given under oath. was sub;«! to the pt"f\lIlty of pt"rjury. and was made II t';"l. haring, or other lIfO«eding. or in a dtPOsition. Thi. mode rn trend i. In lil\f with Federal Rule of E,';dma801 •..

In atcord with lhe modem Irend, Jus· lie. Maddox held: Wt think lhal il is lime lhat this Court changtd oor rule: Iherefore. lifter examining tM record, considering the arguments of the j)arties, and r~ualina: the rule against us_ ina: Ilrior inconsistml Slilements is substantive evidenct. we he reby chanat Ihll rule. W. hold thalli prior inconsistenl Slitemenl of i wilnUl who Ilku the Ill nd and is ~... iw!1e for cross-ewni ... lion may be used as subllllntiY!: evidence if the prior .lllement w.l..I given under oath subject 10 the penalty of pt"r_ ju')' at a Irial. hearing, Or othtr Pr<.>CHding, or In a deposilion. All previous decisions ot thi s Court to Iht conlra,), a«' hertby CMrrultll.

Frye .t.nct.rd .pplled to_m' ..1on of HaN .....It. Mal_ II. CilN 01 SilLwhili. 25 ABR 331 (NCMmMr 16. ]990). Malone was convicted of driving uncle. the inlll.OtTla of l\cohol. IIi. conviction was affirmed

by Ihe court of crimiru.llppnl •. Th. IUpmTIt court iswtd the""";t of ~T!jo. flri to IW:ltnnil\f if the admwion of fvi· drnce of HorilOOtil Gut JI,'ymgmus lest results, without a proper pl'Wicale. wis harmltS$ error.

The court of criminal appal. held thai the HCN ttst SlIlisfied tM standards for the IIdmiAibility of n<M1 scientific fvidone. loti 0111 ill ~ II. lJnittd Siales.

293 F. 1013(C.A. D.C. 1923). but thal the State'. fiilu«, 10 Illy i predicate """;ng Ihll the lars relilbility or the scitntif" principlts upon wh kh it il based reno dered the admission of evidence regard· ing that tUI error. However, tht toter· mediate appelLale court htld that the er_ ror did not «'quire «'YI:rMI of Mal()!\t's conviction because Ihe olher evidence supporting his COnviClion was "overwhtlmiog: Justice Almon ....ili"ll for 1M ~ ty. «'YI:nttl. lptCific.a11y notinQ tJu.1: This Coort hu not btm pr~ttd wilh ,ufficitnl fvidence «,prding the HCN tUl's «,Iilbility or its a<~ by the scimlif" COIMlwUty to dettnnil\f if lhe court ol criminil IIppelll. correctly deltrmined th.11 Ihe lut meets the Frvt standards. S« Sides v. Siole. (Ms. 891349. Nov. 16. 1990) _ _ So.2d _ (Ala. ]990).

Justice Almon went on 10 note thai the problem created by tM improper ad· miuion of tilt HCN Mdence is due 10 Iht scienlific IIIIlure of lho te.t and the disproportionale im~t il might ha"" hid on the jury'. decision· making pr<.>~ In light 01 \tIoM; coruidt17ltions and

A d"l1lUlce to I"ri_ a nnu lnle l of law office automation.

The fulU~ in law offl("e .utomotion is unfokll"l!; . n<! ju";' haumergt<! 0$ tlte lRder In full-malUm:!

-~odvanctd '" lOd.ay.

Join III in the pursuit ol-..lIota. WriN!twaU)"DUI"Jurls Autllor\&td ~ lOd.ay.

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dlot! of Ih~ OrT<r nt(/US admiuion of tho HCN 1t.1 Nidonee could haw had on Malone's right 10 a fair trial, the $upr ..... court re....sed lilt court d criminal appuls.. th~ JIOUibl~ advtr~

Evlclenc _"acts~ may be privI. Ieged u ...... 1 12,21. 161 LarYN Brie. Richards. elc, tJ. f.mn.ox Industria. Inc.• 25 ABR 601 (Dectmbtr 7. 199()). Rkllllrds flit<! ~ productsliabil· ily action against ~nnox contending h~ was injun" in an ~~ p los;on caused by ~ defect;"" valYt u.wmbly in a gas fumaa.

At tri.l.t ~nnox called Robertsoo. a for.... r law duk 10 Ricllllrds' ~ttom~y. 10 IUlify thlot Ilt $IIW lilt YaM: boing tHled btfore it _ n~ from tilt fu~. lhit Ilt mTlO'>'td tilt VlM and thlot it __ not ItrOk,n. and thit ht ..tun>td tho \'lift to Carmon's office. Carmon was Richirrb' attorney and Robertson was employod by Carmon at Ih~ time.

Richirds objected to tho te>l.imony. centending thlt 112·2 1-161. Alo. Code {19751 rmderW him incomptlent to testify btuUM his knowftdgt _ a "matt.. or thing. knowle~ 0( which may ha,," boen acquire" from the dient" and was thereby protecled under the attorneyeli.nt privilege. The trial court owrrultd

tilt ob.itdion. Rkllllrds IppU.led. and tho lUprtme court rwe.sed.

Tht iUPl'UI'Ie court noted lhit the ok· .... n\$ of the priviltttt art Kt in C. Cam· bit. "'cEI,o,', 1I10/kll"0 Evidence 1383.01 (3 td.. 1977). u foil,,,,..., 01 Whtre leg.al ~ce d lily kind is sought (2) from a professioNlllepl ~­ $01" in his caP'(ity U wch. (3) the cornmunic.atioru r.latina to thlot pul"jlO5t. (4) mad. in coofidellCt (5) by tilt client. (6) a... at his Instance permanently prottcted (7) from disclolu" by himself or by the leg,ll advisor. (8) ncept the protection rna}' bo wai,,"d.

Tht supr.me court stated that RoMrt· ooo's tutil1\()f1)' rtg,lrding the .~. he performed npresented communication 'rom tl\( Richards lu hil clientl) to Roberuoln (1$ LIw clerk 01 Carmon) and thit U!.U careful analysis of DR 4-101.

Rultt DiKiplin~ry Enfo rctm~nt (1974). and ntw CMIon 4, Al&lwna Ruks 01 Pnllf:tSlonal Conduct. the -~" we ... privileged communications and prottcted It)' 1\2·21-161.

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FEL.--..u"",tlo" of risk ch.rge ~,,"I. . . .rro.

Illinois C#n1f"Q/ Gulf Railroad Compa"1/ II. t·IIiQII. 25 AllR 797 (December 21.

1990 ). Elliott Wi! injuffd when he sliPlltd and f.1I in , Itong....a. H. claimrd tN.t 1M nilr()ld had negligent.

Iy failed to pl"OYide him a oafe pLace to work by allowil"lll a lOniQr'l subsWn on th. floor and by lnideqllll.ly lighting 1M 1loTlIQt ifU. Tht TlIilrood TlIiwd contributory nfgligenc. is .. ddenK to diminith damaau. Elliotl requested i jury chars. on anumpt ion of risk. but the chargf WQ rdu .. d. N",·. .th.leu, Ih. COurt inttructed the jury On conlributory negligence and chug.d th. Jury that assumption of th. risk is not a ddenst in I n:u. case. Th~ nilrood objtcted to the court's mention· ina wumption 01 the risk. btull5f it did not riiK the dlf~nst of &»umption of rW<. The jury nndtred a ,,"roict in El· liott"slaYor. and tilt TlIilrood appe.llied be· caUK the COlIrI imlruded tilt jury on "'"""'ption of risk. The sup~ court

affirmed.

The court nottd lhat inumplion of lilt risk" not I defeRSt in I FELA ase, and that th. United Slatn Supremo Court hu stlled that the phrase "as· sumption of rilk" is I hazardous I~gal tool thaI is bound to create confusion and. therefore. should be discarded, Tht lupnmo court. t.oo......... r. noted that the

Family Law Section, Alabama State Bar Divorce - On the Beach V The Alabama Family Law Section Summer Seminar will be held Saturday, l une 8, 1991 at Gulf State Part: , Gulf Shores, Alabama. There will be an Early Bird Social Friday, l une 7, 1991 at the Park from 6: 30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The meeting will begin on Saturday, l une 8, 199 1 at 8:30 a.m. and will conclude at t :oo p.m.

Activities are planned for Saturday afte rnoon and evening for membe~ and their fam ilies.

Thirty (30) rooms have been reserved for member reservations. Please make you r reservations early. Look forward to seeing you there!

170 1 May 1991

THE ALABA.'1A LAWYER

~ty 01 tilt COUrt.l h<t.w Iltld that ;on instrudion tN.t owumption 01 the rW< is not I ,Je(tf\H is N.rmleu vror whom the court oorrcctly irutn.KU the jul)' on the ~fI~d of plaintiffs conlributnl)' negligence. In this cut, tilt court correctly instruckd the jill)' on contlibutol)' MIl· ligma. and the error WH N.rmless er~.

In,u •• _ _ righl of subreption until Insu,.d Is "",de whol.

1'rHii<1f1. e/c. v. /JIw Cross·Hlut Shield of Alabama. 25 ABR 9015 (IX«mber 28, 19901. Powtlt was ptrm.l.nently injured in an automnbile accident. and Blue Cros.! paid IItr medial uptlUtS of approlIimMely S27.000 undtr. trouP poIi· cy thu covered hu. Powell sued the driYtr of tilt otllt. a. and cb.imtd S7 million ... <b~s. Powell .. tt1~d tilt claim for tilt SIOO.OOO policy limits of the nthtr driver'. liability insur· "nn polky. Blue CT(l:U IIllliht subroga· tion for tilt money it paid for medial ul'<nsu. The trial Judge ruled that Blue Cross was entitled to recowr the full amoont under the terms of its poli. cy even thoui/h the cau rt acknaw· ~ the SIOO.OOO rtc(\'WJ)I"dots not make the plaintiff whole". Powell lIppuled. Ind the supreme cou rt re· ~

.....

court noted that the law of ~ion. CO!M1llional or kgal. is but<! upOn tquiWlIe principles. N;omoly, UJ tilt insuftd should not no:wtr ""in for II .illile injul)'. and (21 tilt insurer should be rtimbuneJ fa. paymtnts it .-It thIIt. in faimeu. should be borne by the w!'Ollg\l«r. Thorefnn. the insur· er's obli~tion WaJ to ma~e tilt insured whole, but no more t han whole. AI· thoogh the Blut CrO$S contract entitled Blue CT(l:U to subrogate;ond ~r the mnnt)' it paid. the supreme court de· dined to enforct tilt cont...,t and htld that Blue Cn:u had no right of suImlga;. tion unlw and until the insurN is ~ whole for IItr lou. Calculilion of tilt loss requires lilt finder of fact to consid· er in elemtntJ of that 1ou. induding. but not limited to. .wn.,.s 10 PfOJltrty. medical txptn$t •. pain and lufferini/. lOll of wagn. and disability. Punilive damages are not an elermnt of com~n· Allan and may not be included in a calculation of the plaintiff. IO$S. Tho

Torts-fT.ud, M Ju.llft..bM ,.11._. ,~ "'9t..<:• •

signed WH a provision that the custnmer acknawltdgn that the seller has not Ttl>TQmttd thIIt Iht ar has 001. sustained !Wnagts prior to its purchase. ,\wfOl(irmtely four montJu after tilt purchase, Harris WH in an _idrnt and a shop rtPlirm.l.l1 diJaMftd that the Clor hid hem dIofNCfd and repaired prior to Il.o.rris· purchase. dt$pite ....hllt the .. Ies~rloOn told him. Har,i. filed suit for fraud. and the jUlY rendered I verdict in his favor, TOYilla appealed and argued lhlll lbrris could not reilSOAllbly rely on the sal uper~n·s IUttment in light of

"re• .-bIot "I"'n(: .~ IIams. e/c, r, M<fS TOJIOIa. Jnc.• Z4 ABR 4654 (~embtr 28. I990J. Harris purchased I used To~ from Toyoti City. The car had been in a ...·rock ;ond the driwr's door ~ betn ~. ft· pai red and repaInted. Harris testified thai prior la hi. purchue of the ar. I ToyotI Cily sale$ptr$On orllly Inld him thlll the ea.r had never betn in ;on accident. However, included in the provi· .inn. the Alu contnct that Harris

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C",!OIT CAIIO " IXPIAATIOHOATI.

Mayl99\/ 171

tIw If~rntntionrd SlIu contract proYi$iOn. Tho SUprmlO court dlsagTftd.

Tho supreme court stlotfd tl\iot "juslifiabl~ r~li~nce' I\ios betn d~fined as fol-

...

In lighl Gf rnG<.Itrn $(lCiety's reCOS' nition of a standard of business ethics that demands tl\iot lictual stak"....nts be made artfully iIId ~Iy. "[ r[ ~li~nc~ onould be assus.ed by th~ following standard: A pl~intiff. giv~n the puticulu facts of hi s knowlege. undustanding. and pre· $tnl abilil~ 10 full~ comprtMnd tM ruture of tIw subjtct trnuaction lIKI ill ... mifiClOlions, hu not jmtifLlbIy relit<! on tIw deftndant'S rtpmellill' lion if tl\iot .ep.txnlilion is 'one SO) I"lently and oIMously f~l.., that he mu.t ha...., dOlotd his e)'i's to avoid the diloro'."ery of tM truth: " The supreme court noted Ihat the court has atw>dontd tIw require"",nt of "rtUl'lNbIe relianct". wlltreby a party making a false repramlation prevailed ,,+,ent'ler tIw pelWll defnouded did not ,n,,"lilll-te tIw sllllemtni in order to discover fraud . Under Ihe "justifiable reliance" standard. 1M party re«iving the repnJtntation is only required 10 Ia alert 10 patently faist U-attmtnls. This new mndard placa tilt burden on tht put)' making tilt sta!trntnt, tIw burOm of knowing tIw truthfulness of tIw SIlIle· ment. A party should be lble to Il:Iy on representations thai are nol olwiously falst."Let lhe I~r beware:

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v....... - 16-3-7, "hi, Code 11.751 det."","". of wrontful de.tt, action.

Itx porIe IV-S. Ntrctll. Inc. (Re: UociJ. os odminislrQlor. Iltc. V. W.S. Neu,"I!/I.

In c.), 24 ABR 4903 (September 2S, 1990). Mrs. Lewis was killtd in an automobile accidenl in TaliapOOS.l County.

AppTOllimately one month ~u tIw xci· cltnt, Mr. Lewis, idminist ... tor of M".

I.,(wio· ..tale, m(I\'ed from TallapOOS.l County 10 M.con County. ~is then filed a wrongful death action against Newell in Macon County Jtaling thlt N~II I\iod negligt'ntly conslruct~ the hi~ and QUKd tht ICcidenl N~II filed a IOOIion lor dlingt' of venue from Macon Count)' to Tal~ County. irguing that in i wrongt"ul duth KtiOfl, ....,nUt Jhould ~ bI5td on the county of lhe ruidence of the dectiSN at Ihe time 172 / l>ti.y 1991

of death T>lihtr than tIw micIenu of tIw personal rep~nutWo!: at tIw time suit i, filed. Tho trial court denied Nev.-ell"s motlon.lIKI N~11 filed this petilion for writ ofmandamus. Tho ..... il ",,,,denied.

The suprtme court reuoned lhal the rule sulll/ested by N~lIlOOOld not only crule a conflict in Alabloma venue law wheTt none previously uisted. but would produce the inomalous rtJull denying tIw pliin!iff", personal reprtxnulWo!: Ihe right 10 sUf in tho county of his reside"",. a right clearly gT>lnted by tho Alabama Constitution in all perroNl injury lIdions Iglirllt tOIpOTalions. St<;. lion S-J·7. Ai<l. C«Jt (1975). simply u quirts IMt a wrongful dull!. action. brought by tIw personal reprt""'llIlivt. be brooght in tIw (o.ml)' where the in· jury occurred or in the county where the personal representative re.idu. prO\lidtd tht wrporation don businus Ihm.

ALABAMA COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS Pro.ac ulor's .t.t.-nt ""'"""9 hi. 0,.1"1-0" of guilt . . . . to ..... rNl Qu;"/iuo,, o. SloU. No>. CR·89·12S (Man:1!. I, (991). QuinlMn was convict· td Gf manslauahter. During tIw J)TO$«U' lor', rtbutW clo$ing argumenl, the foI· lowing occurred: Mr. Davis: Anytime I get to lhe end of a triaJ-iTId lei ".... take a moment 10 tell you tl\iol I'm very prOUd to be IItIl: this week. And I'm very proud to> reprtxnt this ClOSt. I'm 1101 obliglld 10 frJI iJTIl/ """ 111011 dc!n'1 IDmI10 IrJI. I'm rommtmIJ· td bg IhIlllllll of Alabama as 0 Dislrid AI/omeg 10 prosfcute Ih. guil/V ond protecllhe i"fIOCIlIll.

Mr. Hus: Now. if tho Court please. I

obi«t to that ~rgumtnl Mr. Copel~nd: That's highly im· proper . . .

Mr. H.,..: Due to Il\iot delibenote m;"" <:OI"Iduct. Judgt' . ....-e move lor a mistrial.

The Court: Motion denied.

On ~ppeal. Quinli""n arQued that the PTOitCutor's Il:marks ....-ere SO) prtiudic~1 • to deprive I!.im of I fair trial. The court of criminal appe.al$.tgrftd.

In an nctllent copinion, Judge Taylor surveyed the decilions of the United Slatu Supreme Court and the feder~1 appellate courts which place special reo

)lraints on I prOKCUtor during closing argurntnls btcauK of I!.is unique role in the criminal justice .syStem.

The underlying IU50N lII<'insi allow· ing luch argumenl by pTfWCUtOrs ....-ell: uprused b~ Chief Justice tlurger in Unilftl Siules "" }ilung. 470 U.S. I. 7. lOS S.Ct. 1038, S4 L.Ed.2d I (1985). Chid Justi« Burger, in Il.IImg, critially oottd: Tho prooecut(lT'1 -.ching lor tIw credibility of witnesses ind expressing his personal opinion concerning Ihe guilt of the ~ccuJed p<lse two dangtrs: .uch comments an conwy the impression that tvidence not pmenttd to the jury, bul known 10 tIw prostrulor. MlppOrU tIw clu.rges l40Iinst the defendant ind thus an jeopardiu tIw deftndanl's righllo be tried wlely on the buis of tho evi· dence pll:~nled to the jury; and the prosecutor's opinion carriu with it tM imprimatur 01 tilt Cowmment and may induce tht Jury to trust tht Covnnmenl' l judgement rather than its ()IO."I1 view Gf tIw eviden«In this C"aR'. Judgf: Taylor hold: We a re of th e opinion Ihal the proseculor'S argument was nothing moll: than a billllnt SIlIte"....nl 01 his ptrsonJI belid in Ihe appdlant's "'ill His cornmenll tqlressly state tl\iol lit trits only lilt QSts thai he w~nh to Iry Jnd. consequentl~. d)()[)MS to pros.tCule only those defendanll who all:. as a matter of fact, guilly.

BANKRUPTCY E.ception. to ,,1"Mr._ pooot

Grogan Q. Gom", __ 111 Sup.C\.

654 (January 15. 1991). The United S latts Supreme Court uninimously rWtd ...,on tIw rNlter of prool ntCfSRry to m:tpt a debt from disd"wJlt under tIw uupliono li .led In fS23(i} of the flankrupty COOt. Thou h.J,d btm differences in Ihe various circuitJ n to whether lhe proof WH "a prepOndtrance of evicltnce" or "ct.ar and convincing evi · den«". The 11th Circuit I\iod idopttd tIw lalter.

In tIw Grogan aM tilt atditor I\iod reo covered a f... ud judgment in I Kansas stlte court. Kansu I~w required only · preponderance 01 evidence". In Ihe Bankruptcy and dislrict courlJ, the THE "".ABAMA I..-\WYER

debtor took tM potition that binkruptcy law r(quir(d dnr and con~incing dUKe Df tm fTllud. but theK courts held that th( judgrmnt "'iJ non ·dischugeiIb~. mting lhal 1M sl~l( tourt judgmtnI. ~ up)n ~TlInU aI nrj . deroce". OptTllted as collateTllI e~1 on the issue. The t:ighth Circuit reYersed. mting that 1M cmlltor m\l$\ show frakJd by dur and <:OfIYincing nridmo:e.

On "ppnl. the Suprerm Court held Ihat the question of Ihe validity of I claim is go»erned by stat( law but thai tM dischargeability s\a!ld.irll is .. matter ofltdoTlll law. J~ SttvnU, in writina the rTIlIjority opinion. st .. tellthit the mndard of proof for dischargubility n ceplions in t I U.S ,C. §523(1] is the onH. n.1Iry "prepOnduince of the evidence" SWldard. In reiChing his condusion. Ilt ""ill that I fi ....1 conside ... tion "'U lhat 1M prtJlOrlMTlIn« standard will pennit exception from lIischarge of aU fraud claims which cmlitors hal! luccui!fully reductd to judgment; that it would M inconsistent witll Congrusionll Intent 10 construe the eltCepiions to lllow SOIm deblors in some jurisdictions facing

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fraud judgmentJ 10 I\ol\~ " judgrnfnt dis·

1365 ot the 8.ankruptC)' Code an""'s,,

charged. but whilr in other jurisdictions the fraud judgment could nol be discharged.

debtor·in-pontssion to iJSUme • lease only if it cures the default 01' pnl'.'ides ~. eqUite loSSurlOCt lhit it will do so: if 1M,., is 10 be • ....-aivoer of • rilh! ..tlowtd by sllltute it must M unequivoc.al. The Court slllted thallhe agreement con · tained no t~p .. u waivtr and. therefore. the landlord rellined its .wminist ... tive expense claim for tilt post·petition j)«' ISIUTnption rent.

Rfl....ton of col"t_1 by

CNopl... 7 "blor In '" J?obgt Udefl Hrmler. Jr.. e/ 01.

121 B.lt 609. 8.ankr. (N.D. Ali. 1991).

The Court Iltkl that ~ CN-ptu 7 debtor.

nOi in dd..... n with a secured l<WIn .t time of filinQ. petition. wu entitled to retain coll~te ral and continue making Installment payments unlesa the creditor could show Ihlt it WiJ Ihereby preju· diced.. The debtor had p!.IrdWN a m0bile horm prior to bankruptcy. In the bankruptcy petition. the mobile home waJ jist( d with. ma rket ~.lue of $28,000. The $«ured ~ndcr filed proof of claim lor OIIlPf(Wmitely Tht debtor did not ruffinn.

Th. lender filed. Motion for Relief from Stay on the ground that it was not ~uately protected iInd that tlltre wu no tquily in Ihe properly. Th( debtor $UbseQutntly obtained disctu.ree of. per· sonalliabilil» Including tilt obligation to the secured lendtron the mobile home.

On • motion by the lender 10 l'fqUire the debtor to redtem or ... rnnder. the Court suttd thi! Bankruptcy Code f521(21(A) allowed the deblor four OIl' liom, namely (I) retain the roll.teral u long iJ it is not in default: (2) Jumndcr; (3) redttm under 1m; and (4) rulfi.· ma\kln. The Court. admittinQ that there is" split in Qst law on the issue. held Ihat the belter view is that th( debtor mly r.t.in the collator.1 as long iJ it continues payments:; 1M high Rte of de· pr«iation in the Plrliculat type item iu risk assumed by creditors dul ing in items Df this tYPf.

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admlnl. tr.tl_ •• pen _ Lpon "5 C.uua/s ComJU/np. Inc.. 20 8,C.D, 303 (S.D. Ab. 1991), In I Chapter II CiJo. the landlord agreed with the debtor not to object to debtor's loSSUmplion of the Ie_ if debtor would kttp fu· ture rent currtnl. Th. Court approved the luse lilUmplion b.sed upon the agreement. Lattr, th( lessor mo .... d for payment of pre' loSSumption rent iJ ;on .dministntive expense. to which the debtor ob;eaed. stating tN-t the landlord had _iYe<! its right to the default being cured , The liankruptC)' judge rultd that

DI.c"-,,._blllly of mllll_ry NtlNnMnl IMrMfll. 10

.·oSPOU_ C/Iqr/u In '"

Sommen:il~,

]22 B.R.

446 (M.D. ~. 1990). Th. husband and

wife divorced in TeJW in November 1989.

The husband and prtsent wife filed.

Chaptn 7 Qst in the Middle Di~rict of J.labama on April 1990. The TItIW dr..-o.a der:rtt pf'O"ided thai the ilusIw'4 would pay 40 p.rCfnt of mi1it~1)' rttirem~nt bener.ts to his u -spouse. In Ihe husbind's Chapter 7. Ilt contended tN-t this obligation __ diKhlrgubk III not meet· inQ rtqUi..,ments of litk II, 1523(1](5).

Ioira it wu not alimony or $uppOrt bul in the nature of I property settlement.

1M 8.ankruptC)' judge. in relying on Fifth and Eighth Circuit aJlJ, held that the bets gM risot 10 " trust ulationship; the ex·husband receives the monthly pension checks u • con s tructive lrult ••• both as a pre· all<l ~tbank. ruptcy petition obligation 10 pay such Mner.ts 10 the e1,,,·if•. The Court held tilt trust obligations 10 be dischargt.}ble under II U.S,C. ;523(.)(4) ~nd that the Jovernmenl Illouid r.sume the PlY' ments to 1M u·wi~ ac:conIint to the dj'IOTCe

dtcnt.

Right to trl_1 bW jury In lNom.ruptcy The United Sllotu Supreme Court in Langmkamp ... CA Culp. 23 C.B.C. 2d 913. 111 Sup.Ct. 33O, (1990). laid 10 rr.st the question of ,,·hether . creditor who his fiI.d a prool 01 claim is entitltd to) Jury lrial should lily subsequent iction Ifi .. concerning uid "".Iy. The Suprelm Court Iltld that orooe • proal of claim is filed, the creditor has subjected itse lf 10 the e quitable power of the Bankruptcy Court anll. thertto •• • if I trustee o r debtor· in , poiHuion I"ter brings I 'IOiodable traosler lClion ag.,inst such creditor. IMr. is no entitlement to ajurytr;"1 •

Hly 1991/ 173

CLASSIFIED NOTICES _ _ "' _ _ _01_. ,J' 0'' _-_J.ifoI3',

-.

... t.r_,,",_,...~PT"" """'_~pot_"!IIl_",_'.!IIl " $35"",_ "'!Ill $.So ... _ _ _ _001'"*" .......

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For a.'a: Model R,,/e.s 01 Professoonal Conducr. personal copies oow available 101 $5 (ncludes postage) Mell check

to P.O. B .. lt 671 , Montp .... ry. AI· "beme 3&101. Pre·pay m e nt • • "

qui ...., POSITIONS OFFERED Po,IUon Off. red: B""""Or>am compa· ny w,sr.es 10 rela,n an on·sile allo",ey Compens3tK>n will includll monthly reo tainer and con~ngency o! lees lrom law.

SUits. 0tIice &pace aOld penlolY181 provio. ed Excellent opportunity tor rocllnt law school graduale or a\lorney wishing to e xpand existing pract,ce C . II lIob Morpn at 12051322-4110.

Poe ition Off ••• d: Non·pra<:ticing at· torney an d ex· Atgebra teacher have ICU'Id prOV&rl way to build a paSSIllB. six· liglJre amual income wi\I'lOuIa boss. em· ployees or debt. Seek,ng thrill! burned OUI or bored a\lorneys to dNers'ly into OUr bus,ness . S.nd ..... m . 10 Tho P •• adlgm Gro .. p, 9390 R •••• rch lIo .. t.va rd , S .. lt . 400 , ...... tln, T.a •• 7875S1. No represenlation IS ffl8dI! abotit/he qualil)' oI/he legal ""r·

.,;con to be perfo""ed Of /he experllse 01 /he le"1'6r performing SI.JCh sentl(:6$.

174 f May l991

' i " , .., ~........,..

Po. ltlon OH.r. d: Allorney jotls. na· tional or looeral legal employment report.

Hight;' regarded monthty detailed bS!lng 01 hundreds 01 altO<ney and law-related fObs WIth the U.S Govenvnent and 0It!et publiC/prl\late omploye<. in Washington.

D.C. Ihroughout the US and abroad $32·3 months; $55·6 montns . All new ]ot>s each issue Publishlld Sonell 1979 F. d .ra l Ro porls, 1010 V• • mont "'von ... , N.W. , . 408-... B, Washing' ton, DC 20005. Pho_ (202) 393· 3311. VisalMC,

SERVICES Servlc. : Pharmacy consutl8l1t available to prCl\llde asaislat1Ce ., pharmacy ,elat· ed mailers. Consullanl has law dagree aOld graduale training On pharmacy. pharo macy license and is member o! Alabama Stata Bar Contoet Vone . L....I . . . n· d • • ot P.O. 110. 59276, III.mlng. h o m. "'Iobomo 35259, o. phon.

(2051 Sl91· 7291. No rep/esenla/ion is made aboul/he qua/iii' 0I/he /egal services 10 be performed Of /he exper~se 01 IhII fa"'Yllf fJIIrformir>Q SI.JCh services.

Sorvle., MlKlicai malpra<:tK:II aOld pe,. sonal inJury. record ,ev.ew and investi· gatlon . P.ggW Smith Ando • • on, H. alth Ca.. Con ... ltonl • . can prov.de a dllta,led rllporl on the strengths and weaknesses 01 yout medical rBOOrd MedICal resea rch outlining the standard 01 carll aOld assista""" in obta""ng appropriate medical lIi<.p11r1S is included as part of the wo<I< product Twonty years' IIxperie""e in the health care industry R."pond to 1 S Splnnak.r Lan., N .... Orl.an", Lo .. I"',,na 70124.

Phon. (5041 2:B8-5760.

S . tvle.: Divorce cases. pension ex· pert . Ponsoon act\l8fy wiY deler"""" pron· ent value 01 accrued pension rights Standard Ille lor w"Uen vatualton. Incourl testimony lor hourly leo. C"II

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North . Birmingh am, ... Iab ama 35203. Ph ..... 120$1 32:J.7000.

Son-Ie. , Tra"ic eng..-r. consuItantJex· pert Witness, Graduale. registered, pr0feSSIonal eng ln.ee' Forty years ' experi· ence . HIghway and cIty deSIgn . trHlloc control devices. City zoning Wrote or call lor ront.ome, lees, .Iaek W. Chambll. ., 421 B. n . h .... t Drlv., Montgom.

. ry, ... I.too ..... 36109.

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Sonic. : Legal research halp Experi. enclld attorney, member oj Alabama State Bar"""", \977 Access to stale law I,bfary. WESTLAW available Prompt deadlinll searches We do UCC-1 .eareheS S35Jhou' Soroh "othryn ' 0 ." . 11.112 Moo.o Building .

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ttoe er.... Fcnnsoc Scoeroce Soc;o!y and ttoe National A.lsccoation of Cunni 0.lense LaW\*I, Retued Chiel Documenl Examine<. USA Cllaboratoriel Ha n a May a . Glll l on , 21' M ••• ymon' Drl ... . Aug .. . ' •• O.o.g l. 30"1.

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The Sports Lawy&rS Association is attempting 10 tul'\tler attorneys' and !he public's awareness of the organiUlion and its mission thl ough educa· tion. The Association. founded in t 976. is a fIOI'I·profit. international professional organization of laWYEtfs. It .... elcomes the participation 01 a ll members of !he legal and educational communities whose common goal is !he understanding , aovancement and elhical practice of sports law.

The Association is headquartered in Racine. Wisconsin . It is directed

by Pfesidenl John Wendel . a member 01 The Florida Bar. praclicing in Laketand , Aoric:1a.

FOf

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inlorma~on about its mission , seminalS, newsletter or memo

bership requirements. eall (41 4) 632-4040 or writl 2017 Lattwop Avenue.

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a ........... B,S .. M.S., gr_a 01...-· Ilry·based ,"!dent school In doc" ....... , Sev· antHn year.' Isoal u perienca ., SIala and ledetol OCUli 01 - . . .. fcxgery. al1e,at..." .nd document ,,'thentICltv ..aminatlon. In non· criminal malla" """","iea" Academy Foranlie Sciencet. """","an 80trd Forensic: ~ Ex· IITIIMfI . ........ lCatI Soclllry Oue-suooad Document La ..... MiII . " P.O • • o x 5 1l405. 1,....1,..,,-.... AI· .bam. 3'255. Phon. 120'1 . . .. l"""-tJQn f'IIbIished nltllmema1.

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WANTED Want a d , Tha M • • M •• fco S .. • p.a m . Co ... t La. Llb •• ,y, P. O. 0nI. . . L. ....ta " ':l IIco 11504. i, MellIng donf,t..... aI CO\>IU Qf n... Jo<Jrnal oIlhe L~I Pro!eSSI()f'l.

We YoOOkI be haWy to provkIe • len&! 01 .cknowllJdgoo ....... t sult.br. lor la. IIIducIicn pu"poIoM. You can alto deducl 'fOU' postage . .. Wfl" ... and we ""'y PI)' ~. Tn. jcumllil can be ....., at me Ies. e,pensive ·Iibrary ,ate: •

F. , ... _

THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL COLLEGE:

Report on Activities Qt. by and for judges. The NatlOOl1l Judicial College ~ a conl,nUIOQ JU. dlclal educallon InstItution located on the campus 01 the Unlverslly 01 Nevada, Reno, where AlaDama judges have completed lTlOI"e lhan 400 cou,ses ilInee the College was founded in t963 Duling that 27 years . lTlOI"e than 21.000 ca<Micales of completion have been Issued. boIh on the mam camp;Js. end at $peelal prog,ams like the AiaDama Sentencmg Inst,lute and the Faculty Ski lls WorkShOP. each presented in Tuscaloosa over Ihe past IWO yea's NJC also sponsors .. cosponsors add,t,onal programs In other locallOl1s , irn:IUdlng 8081011 . O,lando. San DIego.

Williamsburg. and Washinglon. D.C CNurperson of the NJC Board of 0.. ,ecto,s is lorme, Alabama ClfCUlt Judge John David Snodgress 01 Huntsville Circuil Judge Joseph A Colquitt 01 Tuscaloosa was one 01 !he fi,st g,aduates of lhe Colleges Masters of JudiclIIl Slud,es program and also 5e(\I$$ on the faculty In addl1lOn. Dlstricl Courl Judge Sue A Bell is a curreot membe, of the lacutty In late August, Judge Michael W Mc· Cormick, a long Wlth Alabama pilson and mental health representatIves facIng heavy drug dependency caseloads, came 10 a specIal workshop on the Reno campus. "Drversion and T,eatment of the Substance Abuse, · was funded by the Depal\meflt 01" Health and Human Services. Office of Treatment Improvement

~y l991 / 1 75

Governor Proclaims LawDay U.S.A. â&#x20AC;˘ ID

Alabama Governor Guy Hunt proclaimed May 1, 1991, as Law Day U.SA. in Alabama.

The proclamatiOt! drofling and signing

was coordinated by members of the

Alabama Stale Bars Law Day Commitlee as a part of the com-

mit/ees continuing acliuities to promote the public's appreciation of/his day of national recognition.

S T ATE: OF A LA B A M A

PROCLAMATION B Y T H I:: GOVE HNOR W H EREAS. May lsI is Law Day U.S.A . in the United States o f America: a nd W H EREAS. the Un ited SlaleS has been the citadel of individual liberty and b bcacon of hope amI opponunity fo r more Ihan 2 00 years 10 many millions who have sought our shores; ond

WHEREAS . Ihe foundation of individual freedom and liben)' is .he body Oflhe law ' hal governs us; and WHEREAS. th e ConstilUlion of the United St ates 'lIld the Bill of Right s are the hcart of that body of law. whieh g uarantees us many freedoms - including freedom of religious belief. freedom to have and hold property inv;oJate. freedom of assembly. freed om of speec h. freedom of pr"ss. freedom of petition and due process of tne law among othen;; and

WHEREAS . [hi s yeHr m~rks the 34 [h annual nationwide observance of Law Day. and the Congre ss of the Unjted States and the President by official proc lamation have set a si de M a y I a s a spec ial day for recognition of the plnee of law in American life: NOW. T H EREFOR E. r. Guy H un t . Gov"mor of the S[al" of Alabama. do hereby prodaim M ay I. 1991 as

LAW DAY U.S.A. ill Alabama and call UPOll all citi~ell$. $<:hools. businc,,,,,s. c lubs 31ld the n"ws media to commemorate the role of la w in our lives.

G IV E N UN D ER MY HAND. and Ih" Great Seal of Ihe Governor 's Office at the State Capito l in th e City of Montgomery On this 'he 28th day of March. 1991.

h.vrJLJGUIUNT

176 / Mayl991

TIlE ALABA.\IA U.WYER

REGISTER· TODAY! ALABAMA STATE BAR

ANNUAL MEETING JULY

1991

1991 IS DIFFERENT! IT'S THE BEACH! • Croup Breakfasts • Alum ni Luncheons • Alabama Law Insti tute • Sand, Sun & Saltwater • Fishing, CoI f & Tenn is and more !

Learn tactics for using technology to increase the productivity and efficiency for your practice.

Discover how lawyers employ the latest document assembly, database spread sheet and substantive applications in their work.

Leam the latest in technology systems and how to decide what is right for you.

.........

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GOLF TOURNAMENT Friday, July 19, 1991 / Perdido Coif Club • t"ield lim ited to 72 player.; · BaSf'd on handicap'

• Men rla~ from men"s tees; ladies play from ladies" tees.

• Teams established by committee • t:ach player dri>"'S; playe rs .eloct best dri .... alld 5(1 on

until ba ll is holoo out.

ALABAMA STATE BAR EXPO

- - - - INTIlE

LAW PRACTICE PERDIDO BEACH HILTON ORANGE BEACH

Thurs day, Friday, & Saturday lIilIon Exhibition Hall REFRES HMENTS • PRIZES For more infonnation and registration fonn s see pagu 146- 149 in this iss ue of The Alabama LAwyer.