The BBC will meet Friday in Montgomery, and Governor Kay Ivey will be our guest speaker. You can stay informed on what's happening with your Bar by watching the live stream of the meeting at this link. The link will be live beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 17.
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.
Lee County Seeks Applicants for Alternative Sentencing Board Director
The Lee County Alternative Sentencing Board is seeking applicants for the position of the Lee County Alternative Sentencing Board Director. The Board offers alternative sentencing resources for Lee County defendants to include the Court Referral Program, Lee County Drug Court and Lee County Veterans Court. This position is in Opelika and offers a salary and full benefits. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. CST on Oct. 15, 2021.
Cover letters and resumes should be submitted to
Patricia L. Campbell
Court Administrator
2311 Gateway Drive
Suite 201
Opelika AL 36801
Trish.campbell@alacourt.gov
You can view the full job announcement including salary information here.
Volunteer Attorneys Needed for Civics Education Program
On Friday, Sept. 17, and Monday, Sept. 20, the Johnson Institute will host high school students on Zoom for a short workshop on our legal system, and we need attorneys to help coach the students. Workshops will run from 10:00-11:30 a.m. and give students a chance to interact with attorneys and a judge while learning about how the judiciary works. If you are interested, please email Thomas Rains or call 334-954-3695.
Decisions and Opinions from Alabama's Appellate Courts
Click here to view the Supreme Court of Alabama decisions and opinions from Sept.10.
Click here to view the Criminal Appeals decisions and opinions from Sept. 10.
Click here to view the Civil Appeals decisions and opinions from Sept. 10.
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.
Pro Bono Month
Each October, we celebrate Pro Bono Month, and it's almost here! Mark your calendars for these free CLEs planned each Wednesday at noon in October.
Wednesday, Oct. 6 at Noon: Ethics Update - Join Alabama State Bar General Counsel, Roman Shaul, for this ethics update. This program has been approved for one hour of MCLE Ethics Credit. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 13 at Noon: Top 10 Mistakes Made in Mediation - Cooper Shattuck has been a mediator on the Roster of the Alabama State Court Mediators and an arbitrator on the Roster of the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution since 1998. Mediation gives parties the opportunity to resolve disputes in a timely manner while having more control over possible solutions and agreements. Join Cooper as he discusses the Top 10 Mistakes Made in Mediation. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 20 at Noon: What's Next? Landlord-Tenant Issues Post-Moratorium - Sarah Taggart founded Sarah Taggart, P.C., a boutique Alabama law firm focused on landlord/tenant law, in her hometown of Huntsville, Alabama. Holly Ray is the Managing Attorney in the Huntsville Office of Legal Services Alabama. Join these two speakers as they discuss Landlord-Tenant issues post-eviction moratorium. Register here.
Wednesday, Oct. 27 at Noon: FEMA 101 and Disaster Legal Assistance - How Attorneys can Prepare and Respond to Climate-Related Emergencies - Jeanne is the Pro Bono & Strategic Initiatives Manager at Pro Bono Net, a national nonprofit that combines access to justice and technology. She helps grow digital initiatives that strengthen the work of attorneys assisting low-income families with their legal issues. Shrushti Kothari is the Project Managing Attorney of National Disaster Content and Resources at Lone Star Legal Aid. Join these national experts as they speak about Disaster Legal Assistance. Register here.
Want to get involved and volunteer at a Pro Bono Month event? Please contact Hilaire Armstrong to sign up to volunteer!
We also have an in-person legal counsel and advice clinic scheduled for this Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, from 3 to 5 PM at the main branch of the Tuscaloosa County Public Library. The Alabama State Bar holds the monthly clinics the third Thursday of each month in conjunction with members of the Tuscaloosa County Bar Association and the University of Alabama School of Law.
Upcoming Clinics:
Oct. 7 - Wills for Heroes Clinic (Vestavia Hills Police and Fire Department)
Oct. 12 - Senior Wills Clinic (Dothan, AL)
Oct. 21- Counsel and Advice Clinic (Tuscaloosa, AL)
Sign Up For Our Inaugural Pro Bono Book Club
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
More CLE Opportunities
CLE: 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.
Free CLE: 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
ASB Classifieds: The Hub For Your Classified Advertising Needs
Whether you’re a member of the bar looking for a fresh start with a new position, a lawyer or firm seeking the perfect person for that hard-to-fill support staff role, or someone with space to lease or seeking space to share, then you’ve come to the right place. Visit the ASB classifieds today!
IN MEMORIAM: Deceased Attorneys
Mary Makima Ross
Huntsville
Died: Feb. 15, 2021
Admitted: Sept. 29, 2006
Alabama State Bar
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415 Dexter Ave.
Montgomery, AL 36111
(334) 269-1515
(800) 354-6154 Toll Free
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