News and Updates

Cast Your Vote Tomorrow!

We encourage all of our members to vote tomorrow and to offer opportunities for your office staff to vote as well. Before heading to the polls, you can view sample ballots and other election information, including COVID-19 procedures, here.

Next Steps on Executive Director Search

As you read last week, Phillip McCallum tendered his resignation as the Executive Director of the Alabama State Bar on Oct. 23. In accordance with our employee handbook, the Management Team has been activated. That team, which is chaired by General Counsel Roman Shaul, also includes Assistant Executive Director Justin Aday and Director of Communications Melissa Warnke. At the Board of Bar Commissioners Meeting last Friday, Commissioners voted to add Director of Finance Merinda Hall as a voting member of that team. 

As Bar President, Bob Methvin announced Friday that he would soon be establishing a search committee to find a new executive director. He is committed to ensuring that the committee is as diverse as possible in race, age, gender, and geographic location.
 
Be assured the Management Team in place will carry out all operations of the Bar and has the full confidence of Bar leadership. Bar operations and service to members will remain consistent during this time of transition.
 
We will continue to keep you informed of any updates as we move forward. 

Casemaker Access Ends Friday

As you know, the Alabama State Bar is now offering its members legal research capabilities through Fastcase. Access to Casemaker has been available during this time of transition, but access to this platform will end Friday, Nov. 6, 2020. If you have questions please contact Autumn Caudell at autumn.caudell@alabar.org or (334) 517-2120.

DELAYED: Amended Rules of Criminal Procedure

Last Tuesday, the Supreme Court of Alabama delayed implementation of the new Alabama Rules of Criminal Procedure, which were amended in a previous order dated Oct. 15. The changes to Rule 2.2, Rule 4.3, Rule 4.4, and Rule 7.4 will now be effective Feb. 1, 2021. You can read the full order here. 

Women's Suffrage Documentary Available on APTV

The Fight for the Noblest Democracy: Women’s Suffrage in Alabama documentary is now available to the public here. If you haven't seen the film yet, now is your chance to see it or to view it again. It's well worth your time! Created by attorney and filmmaker, Jenna M. Bedsole, and funded, in part, by the Women's Section of the Alabama State Bar, the film sheds light on the road for the right for women to vote both nationally and in Alabama. It is an exploration of the history and future of the struggle for women’s suffrage.

>>WATCH HERE!

Pro Bono Celebration Law Student Video Contest Winner

Congratulations to Anna-Drake Stephen, Clarissa Johnson, Kloe Burris, Mindy Kidd, and Brooke Whaley of the University of Alabama's Public Interest Student Board and students at the University of Alabama School of Law. These students won our first-ever pro bono law student video contest sponsored by the Alabama State Bar Pro Bono Celebration Task Force. Its goal was to increase participation in pro bono work and raise awareness of pro bono efforts, programs, and providers. You can watch all the entries here. Congrats to Anna-Drake, Clarissa, Kloe, Mindy and Brooke! These students have won $500 to donate to the public interest nonprofit of choice!

Mark Your Calendars for a Free Wellness CLE

Prior to the pandemic, knowing how to assess your personal bandwidth—your mental and emotional capacity to deal with situations, was important. Now, it has become essential.

Knowing what creates “your” stress and how you manage ups and downs will enable you to move forward in a helpful, productive way.
 

CLE: "Assessing Bandwidth and Setting Boundaries: Essential Tools for Pandemic Life"

Tuesday, Nov. 10 from noon to 1 PM

Register in advance at this link!

Presenter: Dr. Rachel Fry is a psychologist and consultant who specializes in legal wellness. 

Free On-Demand CLE Courses

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. 

Appellate Court Information

• Click here to view the Alabama Supreme Court decisions and opinions from Oct. 30

• Click here to view the Criminal Appeals decisions and opinions from Oct. 30

• Click here to view the Civil Appeals decisions and opinions from Oct. 30

The Supreme Court of Alabama will hold Oral Arguments on Wednesday, Nov. 4, beginning at 10:00 a.m. View the docket here. 

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