This October will mark the 12th annual Pro Bono Month Celebration in Alabama. While this year’s celebration will look different than years past, what has not changed is our commitment to showcase the important work done by pro bono attorneys throughout the state. The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for pro bono assistance, and we’re counting on you to rise to the challenge to respond to the growing demand for access to justice. If you are not already, consider joining a volunteer lawyer program in your area, or providing financial support. You can also sign up to be a part of Alabama.FreeLegalAnswers.org – which is an easy way to volunteer your time online. We will highlight pro bono stories each Monday in October here in the Scoop as well as a series of free CLEs planned for Pro Bono Month!
Live CLE Courses This Week on Zoom
Sept. 24 from 12 - 1 PM - Engaging Our Truth, Presidential Council on Unity and Diversity and Diversity and Inclusion in the Profession Committee: Register here.
Don't forget, we have more than a dozen free, on-demand courses available at https://alabar.prolearn.io. Find step-by-step instructions for the platform here.
Deadline to Complete the Census is Sept. 30
Please encourage your clients and community members to complete the census. The results are used to determine how much funding local communities receive for key public services and how many seats each state gets in Congress. This year, Alabama has a lot to lose without a complete Census count, including $13 billion of federal funding that support programs like public education, benefits, healthcare, roads, police, fire, and more. Additionally, Alabama could lose 1 or 2 of our 7 Congressional seats. That’s 2 voices in Washington D.C. Take the Census today at www.my2020census.gov.
Birmingham Bar to Host Criminal Justice Reform CLE
Join the BBA for an important discussion about Criminal Justice Reform.
Thursday, September 24 12:00 - 1:00 PM.
Those who attend this free CLE will receive 1.0 credit.
Cumberland School of Law Launches the Cumberland Innocence Clinic
This academic year, Cumberland School of Law students are learning law and practicing skills in a new legal clinic, The Cumberland Innocence Clinic, which focuses on helping exonerate persons convicted of crimes that they did not commit. Read more.
Appellate Court Information
Click here to view the Alabama Supreme Court decisions and opinions from Sept. 18
Click here to view the Criminal Appeals decisions and opinions from Sept. 18
Click here to view the Civil Appeals decisions and opinions from Sept. 18
The Supreme Court of Alabama will hold Oral Arguments on Oct. 6, 2020 beginning at 10:00 a.m. View the docket here.
Economic Impact Study Underway
The Alabama State Bar has commissioned an economic impact study from the University of Alabama. Last week you may have receive an email questionnaire requesting information needed to complete the study. We encourage you to take part so that the results accurately show the tremendous impact the legal profession has on the state of Alabama. The survey will also collect information about pro bono hours donated by Alabama lawyers as well as the concerns and challenges for lawyers related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The individual and financial data collected by the University of Alabama will remain confidential and will not be shared with the bar. We will receive a summarized report that will not include firm information.
Featured Member Benefit
Office Depot Affinity Program
Alabama State Bar members now have access to an exclusive offer for N95 masks while supplies last.
Alabama State Bar
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Montgomery, AL 36111
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