This month, the Alabama State Bar will celebrate solo and small firms. President Taze Shepard has designated a theme for each month of his term, and this month's focus on solo and small firms will highlight one of the largest and most active sections of our Bar. Events are being planned now, so look for details in upcoming issues of The Scoop!
Annual License Renewals Underway; Members to Receive One-Year Decrease in Annual License Fees
Renewal notices for payment of annual license fees and special membership dues were emailed on Sept. 1. Alabama State Bar members will notice a decrease for the 2021-2022 license year. At its March 2021 Board Meeting, Bar Commissioners unanimously approved extending a one-year fee decrease to its 18,700+ members. Occupational license fees are reduced from $325 to $300, and the corresponding reduction of the special membership fee goes from $162.50 to $150. Please note, fees will return to the regular rate in 2022.
Payment may be made online or you can print a voucher to mail with your check at www.alabar.org. Payments are due by October 1; payment made after October 31 will be subject to a statutory late fee. As a reminder, you will not receive a paper invoice in the mail.
Detailed instructions for payment are available online, including information for firm administrators who wish to pay for multiple attorneys.
Update on the Acceptance of Credit Card Payments in Appellate Courts
The Supreme Court of Alabama’s Aug.18, 2021, Order approving the acceptance of credit card payments for all appellate docket fees was entered in anticipation of the appellate courts’ migration to a new appellate court case management and electronic filing system. It is expected that the new system will “go live” in 2022, at which time the appellate courts will be able to accept credit card payments for docket fees. Until then, docket fees to the appellate courts will need to continue to be paid by check or money order.
ASB Experiencing Phone System Delays
The Alabama State Bar recently upgraded our phone system, which is causing some delays on the main phone line. We are working to correct the problem. If you have difficulties getting through on the phones, please use the departmental email addresses below.
The Pro Bono Month Celebration Task Force is launching the inaugural Pro Bono Book Club. The book club discussions would take place via Zoom from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Tuesdays in October and reading may start as early as you'd like. This year's book selection is “A Knock at Midnight” by Brittany Barnett. It is a moving and fantastic read. Task Force members hope this kind of sharing will lead to an expanded dialogue among participants and even non-participants of the book club about pro bono services.
The Celebration Task Force has decided to give away a copy of the book, "A Knock At Midnight" each week in September. The lucky recipient will be selected from everyone who registers for the book club, and of course, registration is free
Decisions and Opinions from Alabama's Appellate Courts
Click here to view the Supreme Court of Alabama decisions and opinions from September 3.
Click here to view the Criminal Appeals decisions and opinions from September 3.
Click here to view the Civil Appeals decisions and opinions from September 3.
The Supreme Court of Alabama will host Oral Arguments at Saenger Theatre in Mobile on Nov. 5, 2021. Click here to view the docket here.
Upcoming Events
Conservation Easements CLE Tuesday, Sept. 17 at Noon
The Alabama/Mississippi Chapter of the Appraisal Institute is hosting their Conservation Easements class virtually in September, and registration is now open. Register at this link for this program, which has been approved for 1.0 hour of MCLE credit.
Child Support Guidelines and Enforcement Meeting
The Advisory Committee on Child Support Guidelines and Enforcement will meet virtually Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, beginning at 10:00 A.M. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, no in-person meeting will be held.
Persons wishing to submit written comments and suggestions to the Committee concerning the Guidelines and Schedule may do so through the United States Mail, postmarked no later than Wednesday, September 22, 2021, to the Supreme Court of Alabama Clerk’s Office, Attention: Advisory Committee on Child Support Guidelines, 300 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104-3741. No telephone comments and suggestions will be accepted.
Persons wishing to join the web meeting should submit an e-mail no later than 5:00 P.M. Central Time on Wednesday, Sept. 29, for instructions. The Committee will allow public comments toward the end of the meeting. Materials for this meeting may be found here.
Live CLE Webinar: Associate to Partner: Achieving “Balance” in Your Practice and Personal Life
Tuesday, Sept. 21 at 11:30 a.m.
Young lawyer leaders will facilitate a round table discussion to discuss achieving “balance” in your practice and personal life. The panel will discuss (1) how to determine your non-negotiables; (2) “productivity;” (3) working-parent considerations; (4) wellness considerations; and (5) things to avoid in your pursuit for “balance.”
Program panelists will include Lisha Graham of White Arnold & Dowd P.C., Jack Gray of Smith, Spires, Peddy, Hamilton & Coleman, P.C., Marcus Maples of Baker Donelson, and Katie Powell of Butler Snow. This course or a portion thereof has been approved by the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission of Alabama for a maximum of 1.0 hour of credit.
Alabama Department of Labor’s Workers Compensation Ombudsman Program
Thursday, Oct. 7 at Noon
The Dispute Resolution Section of the Alabama State Bar and the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution invite you to a free 60-minute webinar on October 7, 2021 at noon (CDT). This is a great opportunity for you to learn about the “Alabama Department of Labor (ADOL) Workers’ Compensation Division Ombudsman Program.” Our panelists include Ombuds with the Alabama Department of Labor who will share with participants information about this free service. During the webinar you’ll learn about the role of the ombudsman, what a benefit review conference is, how to request participation in the Workers’ Compensation mediation program and what to expect from mediation. This course has been approved for 1.0 hour of MCLE credit by the Alabama State Bar
Register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Register by October 6.
Featured Member Benefit
Cartography Consulting: 15% discount for all ASB members
Cartography Consulting is a boutique marketing firm specializing in providing marketing for lawyers by lawyers. Alabama State Bar members receive a 15% discount on all services. Cartography offers a full range of legal marketing services including logo, branding, and website design.
Alabama State Bar
P.O Box 671
415 Dexter Ave.
Montgomery, AL 36111
(334) 269-1515
(800) 354-6154 Toll Free
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