The Alabama State Bar will administer the July 2021 Bar Exam to more than 500 examinees tomorrow and Wednesday in Montgomery. We wish them all the best of luck as they take the next step towards joining the best profession!
Taze Shepard Shares Plans for Term as President
Taze Shepard, the 146th president of the Alabama State Bar, was sworn in by Chief Justice Tom Parker at the Annual Meeting earlier this month. You can watch that ceremony and listen to Taze's goals and initiatives for the year by clicking on the video.
President Shepard says he'll focus on being responsive to the 18,000+ members’ needs, transparent about decision-making, and committed to current issues like systemic bias and human trafficking.
He will also designate a theme for each month of his term, starting with spotlighting Military Lawyers in August.
President-Elect Gibson Vance was also installed at the Annual Meeting. He will become the 147th President in Summer 2022.
“I have been a long-time member of the Alabama State Bar, and it will be an honor to assist the incoming administration and prepare to help lead the organization next year,” he said. Read more here.
The following individuals will serve on the Alabama State Bar's 2021-2022 Executive Council:
President: Taze Shepard (Huntsville)
President-Elect: Gibson Vance (Montgomery)
Vice President: Tom Perry (Demopolis)
Secretary: Terri Lovell (Alabama State Bar Executive Director))
Executive Council: Fred Helmsing (Mobile)
Executive Council: Elizabeth Smithart (Union Springs)
Executive Council: John T. Stamps (Bessemer)
Immediate Past-President: Bob Methvin (Birmingham)
Personnel Chair: Clay Martin (Huntsville) – Ex Officio
Parliamentarian: Mark Boardman (Chelsea) – Ex Officio
Young Lawyers’ Section President: Aaron Chastain (Bimingham) – Ex Officio
Alabama Lawyers Association President: Angelina Spurling (Birmingham) – Ex Officio
Alabama Lawyers Association Immediate Past President: Leon Hampton (Montgomery) – Ex Officio
Supreme Court Amends Rules of Disciplinary Procedure
The Supreme Court of Alabama issued Orders Friday changing several Alabama Rules of Disciplinary Procedure. You can read the Orders and view all the rule changes here.
Last Week to Submit Comment to Supreme Court on Proposed Changes to Attorney Advertising Rules
The Supreme Court of Alabama requests written comments by any interested person on amendments to Rules 7.1-7.6 of the Alabama Rules of Professional Conduct that have been proposed by the Board of Bar Commissioners of the Alabama State Bar. Comments should be accompanied by the name (including position and organization if appropriate) and contact information of the submitting person and must be received by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 30, 2021.
Those submitting comments may do so in one of the following three ways:
Mail: Please direct mailed correspondence to:
Julia J. Weller, Clerk
Supreme Court of Alabama
300 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36104
Email: If submitting a comment by email, please attach your submission as a separate document in PDF format and sent to RulesComments@alappeals.gov.
Decisions and Opinions from Alabama's Appellate Courts
Click here to view the Supreme Court of Alabama decisions and opinions from July 23.
Click here to view the Criminal Appeals decisions and opinions from July 23.
Click here to view the Civil Appeals decisions and opinions from July 23.
Take the Law Firm Challenge Today!
Take the Law Firm Challenge today and join lawyers like Cooper Shattuck, LLC who are helping expand access to justice.
For more information, contact Pro Bono Clinic and ABAP Coordinator Hilaire Armstrong.
Fonteneau Receives National Spotlight Award
Congratulations to Kira Fonteneau, Founder of the Fonteneau Firm and At-Large Bar Commissioner, who received the National Employment Lawyers Association's (NELA) inaugural Spotlight Award recognizing inspiring leadership and commitment to justice for workers. Fonteneau serves on the NELA Alabama Executive Board and has been on the faculty of NELA’s Race And National Origin Discrimination In The Workplace seminar.
Legal Services Alabama Needs Your Support!
As Alabamians continue to be financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, many are facing eviction. LSA continues to receive hundreds of requests for eviction defense and housing assistance each month.
LSA’s Pro Bono Housing Project is an opportunity to provide pro bono services that will keep our neighbors safe and housed.
Whether you’re a housing law expert or just want to help your community, we encourage you to participate. Training will be provided and you will have the support of legal aid attorneys who have extensive housing practice experience.
To sign up, please visit www.//legalservicesalabama.org/pro-bono/. And if you’re interested but not sure how you can best help, please feel free to reach out to me with any questions! Your support will be invaluable and help stabilize families and communities across Alabama.
Upcoming Events and CLEs
Second Suicide Awareness CLE Almost Full
Our Lawyer Wellness CLE: Suicide Awareness and Prevention planned for Aug. 17 was so popular, it filled up quickly! We decided to add a second session, and its attendance is also capped at the request of the speaker.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 12 p.m.Register here
This CLE will be presented by the SAM Foundation and will be limited to 105 attendees.
Alabama Defense Lawyers Association Hosts Trial Academy
Trial Academy is recommended for attorneys who seek to develop and/or polish basic trial skills. Trial Academy participants will focus on voir dire, opening statements, direct and cross examination, impeachment tactics, introduction of exhibits, objections, closing arguments, and ethics.
Bibb Allen Memorial Trial Academy
August 12-13, 2021
Cumberland School of Law, Birmingham
This program is for ADLA members only. Anyone who wishes to attend, and is not a current member, must fill out a membership application. More information can be found at https://adla.org/event/bibb-allen-memorial-trial-academy/ or call 334-395-4455 for more information.
Featured Member Benefit
Lenovo: Savings on Tools to Succeed
Summer is almost over! Receive up to 75% off technologies that make the grade, now through August 15, 2021. Whether for work, home, gifts or gaming, you’ll receive: FREE shipping on all web orders, personalized product suggestions and solutions, warranty service upgrades, and business financing. Offers valid while supplies last.
Alabama State Bar
P.O Box 671
415 Dexter Ave.
Montgomery, AL 36111
(334) 269-1515
(800) 354-6154 Toll Free
The Alabama State Bar only sends email to its members on activities or events directly connected to the ASB, ASB's committees or sections, Alabama Supreme Court or Administrative Office of Courts. You can control the types of emails you receive from the ASB by logging onto www.alabar.org and changing your preferences.
