The Supreme Court of Alabama issued an Order extending until July 29, 2021, an administrative order suspending in-person proceedings for workers' compensation cases and extended the order issued March 18, 2020, that allowed comp settlement hearings conducted by telephone or videoconference after in-person proceedings were suspending because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two Days Left in 2021 Legal Food Frenzy
We are down to the FINAL TWO DAYS of the 2021 Legal Food Frenzy. We have been able to raise nearly $25,000, which equates to 125,000 meals for Alabama families. We are so close to our 2021 goal (70% of the way there), and we all want to finish strong. The leaderboard hasn't changed as of Friday.
It is still neck and neck between the medium size firm leaders, which is making for an incredibly exciting fundraiser! Please let us know if there is anything at all we can do to help make your campaign finish strong in these final days. Again, we are incredibly grateful for all you are doing. Keep up the great work!
President Bob Methvin said, "The Legal Food Frenzy, now in its sixth year, is a tangible example of the power lawyers have when they work together toward a common service goal: providing support for our fellow Alabamians in need of food assistance. The challenges presented by the Coronavirus pandemic have only served to underscore why this fundraiser matters now more than ever. While we cannot solve all of the problems caused by the pandemic, we can help with one: food insecurity. I am proud of the good work our bar does in support of these efforts, and look forward to seeing how the Legal Food Frenzy continues to grow in response to a very present need.”
CURRENT LEADERBOARD:
SOLE PRACTITIONER: Michael A Wing, LLC
SMALL FIRM LEADER: Methvin, Terrell, Yancey, Stephens & Miller, P.C.
MEDIUM FIRM CO-LEADER: Andy Citrin Injury Attorneys
MEDIUM FIRM CO-LEADER: Hill Hill Carter Franco Cole & Black, P.C.
LARGE FIRM LEADER: Carr Allison - Birmingham
LEGAL ORGANIZATION: Offices of the Bankruptcy Administrator & Bankruptcy Trustees (Middle District)
All month long, the Alabama State Bar will focus on providing tools to create healthy habits and environments, which are critical for lawyer wellness. The Quality of Life, Health and Wellness Task Force has organized a three-part, free CLE series on lawyer wellness in addition to a wellness challenge among attorneys throughout the state.
Register for Free, Online Wellness CLEs
Friday, May 21 at 12 p.m. | Register Here
Recognizing and Managing Anxiety and Depression for Legal Professionals
Speaker: Gina Thompson, Clinical Social Worker/Therapist
Thursday, June 10 at 12 p.m. Register Here
Recognizing and Getting Help with Addiction and Substance Abuse
Speakers: Attorney Mary O'Neill and ALAP Director Jeremy Rakes
August (Date TBD): Suicide Awareness & Prevention
Wellness Month Challenge
Another facet of Wellness Month is a Wellness Challenge between individual attorneys, firms and local bars. View the wellness challenge calendar here, and start planning how you can take part in the small, daily wellness activities.
Annual Meeting Early Bird Registration Deadline Extended
We've had a great response to registration and to keep the momentum going, Early Bird Registration has been EXTENDED to May 21! Save $100 by registering now!
To register, log in to your member dashboard. Once you are logged in, you'll see "Annual Meeting Registration" on the Dashboard Navigation on the left side of the page. As a reminder, the 2021 Annual Meeting is set for July 14-17, 2021, at The Grand Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa in Point Clear, Alabama.
The full agenda is still being finalized, but we wanted to share a few CLE speaker highlights:
Fred Gray will be the Bench and Bar Luncheon Guest Speaker.
Sharon Muse survived being kidnapped by her own client and now speaks to lawyers about identifying when a client becomes a threat. She discusses how she missed 14 clues in 62 seconds and what others can learn from her story. You can read more about Sharon here.
Ryan Germany, General Counsel for the Secretary of State of Georgia will speak on "Myths and Misinformation about Voter Fraud and Voter Suppression."
Dickie Scruggs made a name for himself by successfully suing asbestos and tobacco companies. He was ultimately convicted in an attempted bribery scheme. He speaks about his rise and fall and life after prison. He's started a foundation called 2nd Chance Mississippi that helps remove barriers that prevent adult students from obtaining a High School Equivalency and /or an Employable Workforce Certification.
As many of you may already know, the Board of Bar Commissioners unanimously selected Circuit Judge Terri Bozeman Lovell as our new executive director. Her tenure begins in June, and we invite you to hear her plenary address and attend the Bloody Mary and Mimosa Reception on Thursday, July 14 to meet her in-person.
You can bookmark our Annual Meeting Webpage, where you can find a full agenda closer to the event
Law Day 2021 Was a Success
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey proclaimed May 1, 2021, as Law Day in the State of Alabama. Last Thursday, Gov. Ivey signed and presented Alabama State Bar President Bob Methvin, Bar Commissioner and Lawyers in the Classroom Committee Chair Felicia Long, and Interim Executive Director Ellen Brooks with the official proclamation.
Hundreds of Alabama lawyers spent last Friday visiting middle school classrooms throughout the state, either virtually or in person. The Alabama State Bar’s Lawyer in Every Classroom Committee asked for volunteers, and 223 lawyers, judges, and law professors signed up to teach classes. Eighty teachers signed up to participate across the state, from as far north as Madison County to as far south as Baldwin County. Some lawyers will taught multiple classes throughout the day. Lawyers discussed the importance of the rule of law and explain how it continues to shape our nation and our lives.
Young Lawyers to Offer Legal Assistance for Alabama Disaster Victims
A toll-free legal aid hotline is now available to victims of Alabama’s recently declared disaster areas in Bibb, Calhoun, Clay, Hale, Jefferson, Perry, Randolph, and Shelby Counties. The service, which allows callers to request the assistance of a lawyer to aid in disaster related matters, is a partnership between the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the Alabama State Bar Young Lawyers Division, Alabama Legal Services Program and the Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program. Victims facing legal issues who are unable to afford a lawyer may call 334-517-2252, locally, or 1-800-354-6154, toll-free, between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, to request assistance.
Bankruptcy Judgeship Position in the Middle District of Alabama
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit seeks applications from all highly qualified candidates for a fourteen-year appointment as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of Alabama at Montgomery. Applications must be submitted only by potential nominees to the Circuit Executive’s Office and must be received by June 7, 2021. Read the full position announcement here.
Appellate Court Information
Click here to view the Supreme Court of Alabama decisions and opinions from Apr. 30.
Click here to view the Criminal Appeals decisions and opinions from Apr. 30
Click here to view the Civil Appeals decisions and opinions from Apr. 30
Online CLEs and Events
Birmingham Bar Presents: A Conversation with Legendary Attorney Fred Gray - Celebrating Law Day 2021
May 6 from 12 to 1 p.m.
Hear the inspiring and motivating story of Attorney Fred Gray, legendary civil rights attorney who represented heroes such as Claudette Colvin, Rosa Parks, Vivian Malone and James Hood among many others.
This CLE webinar will provide an overview of common Alabama Ethics Act issues and questions that attorneys frequently have. The one-hour program is a free service of the Alabama State Bar to its members that has been arranged by the leadership of the Alabama State Bar.
It is approved for 1.0 MCLE Credit, including one ethics hour.
The presentation will be moderated by Ellen Brooks, Interim Executive Director of the Alabama State Bar. The presenters will be Othni Lathram, Director of Alabama's Legislative Services Agency, and Greg Butrus, Partner with Balch & Bingham and Chair of the Alabama State Bar's Government Relations Liaison Committee.
Filing in US Bankruptcy Courts - Practice Pointers
Join the Alabama State Bar and the Solo and Small Firm Section for the last CLE of this six-part series, which will be held on Zoom. The clerks and chief deputy clerks for the Middle and Southern Districts of Alabama will host a one-hour CLE on filing pointers in the US Bankruptcy Courts.
This program has been approved for 1.0 MCLE credit.
#LegalHumor of the Week
Features from the Bar
Featureed Member Benefit: Ruby Receptionists
Ruby's friendly, professional live virtual receptionists help you gain and retain clients. As an ASB member, you receive 8% off your first month of Ruby! Learn more here https://bit.ly/3v3n6J3 or call 844-311-7829; Promo Code: ASB.
Legislative Update: Week Ten Summary and Bill Tracking
Legislation codifying the restructure of judicial compensation received final passage in the House last week. This is the first legislation addressing judicial compensation in twenty years, and helps raise our judicial compensation in Alabama from being some of the lowest in the country. Read more here.
Join the #ASBLawFirmChallenge
We hope that you will join the Law Firm Challenge in celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program! Please certify that you have completed the challenge by Oct. 1, 2021, to be recognized as a 2021 Pro Bono Partner.
These individuals and firms have completed the completed the challenge! Won't you join them?
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.
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.
