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Montgomery, Alabama, January 3, 2012 – The Alabama State Bar has announced the names of the 30 lawyers selected for Class VIII of its Leadership Forum, a program to identify future leaders of the profession.

State Bar President James R. Pratt, III, of Birmingham (Hare Wynn Newell & Newton LLP) said, “The Leadership Forum is the state bar’s first comprehensive program to provide leadership training to a group of promising attorneys from diverse backgrounds who aspire to become leaders in their profession and community and who serve as role models in matters of ethics and professionalism.”

This year, 71 applications were received from private practitioners, government and corporate lawyers throughout the state. These applicants included practitioners in small, medium and large-size firms as well as sole practitioners.

After a rigorous selection process, 12 women and 18 men were selected. While there is no age requirement, participants must have practiced law for not less than five nor more than 15 years. Candidates are selected based on their demonstration of outstanding leadership qualities and service to their communities.

Leadership Forum graduates return to their communities with a unique set of skills. “Lawyers are trained problem-solvers. They naturally gravitate toward positions of leadership because those positions call into play their creativity and critical thinking skills,” Pratt said.

Many of the more than 200 previous forum graduates have gone on to hold elected leadership positions in the state Legislature, within their firms, in the state bar and other service groups.

In order to graduate, participants are required to attend five separate training sessions including a two-day orientation program. The curriculum features professional facilitators and prominent speakers from various disciplines who inform participants about leadership principles and techniques, the importance of effective leaders in organizations to maximize efficiency and effectiveness, and the challenges and rewards of leadership in action.

The 16,900-member Alabama State Bar is dedicated to promoting the professional responsibility, competence and satisfaction of its members; improving the administration of justice, and, increasing public understanding and respect for the law.

Leadership Forum Class 2012