Raymond L. Bell, Jr., President

February 2024

Volume XLVIII, Issue 2

In This Issue...

Ann's Article............................Page 2

OnDemand CLEs....................Page 4

Lawyer Assistance..................Page 6

Mentoring Matters...................Page 7

Young Lawyers........................Page 8

Women Lawyers......................Page 9

VZC Bar...................................Page 9

From the Court........................Page 10

Significant Decisions................Page 11

SAVLP......................................Page 12

In the News..............................Page 13

Mobile Bar Foundation.............Page 14

Birthdays..................................Page 18

  2024 OFFICERS

President - Raymond L. Bell, Jr.

President Elect - Judge Judson W. Wells, Sr.

Vice President - Mary Margaret K. Bailey

Secretary - Jenna J. York

Treasurer - Brian K. Smithweck

Asst. Treasurer - Gordon G. Armstrong, III

Executive Director - Ann Forbes

Editor - Tiffany Ray

President’s Message

Last month we conducted our annual “State of the Bar” meeting, and I personally want to thank the Judges for their reports. Our federal and state courts are in excellent condition. A few highlights: Judge Beaverstock reported on the efficiencies and improvements in our Southern District court and the caseloads of the federal judges. Judge Callaway provided an update on bankruptcy filings throughout the district and renovations of the federal courthouse in Selma. Judge Pipes let us know that Judge Graddick will have a full docket and provided information on the new judgeship created by the Legislature. Judge Zoghby provided the mind-blowing number of cases in the Mobile County district courts, discussed the new Aniah’s Law proceedings, and gave an update on the new Veteran’s Court. Again, thank you, Judges.

I have a matter of concern I want to share. The current Alabama State Bar’s Leadership Forum class does not have any lawyers from Mobile or South Alabama. This is a very important leadership development program for lawyers with more than five but less than fifteen years of practice. There is no excuse. We have plenty of great lawyers in our area of the state who would benefit from this program, and we should have participants in each class, every year. I intend to keep this matter top of mind, and I will send out a reminder when the application period for the next class opens.

During the month of February, African American history is highlighted all across the country. Mobile has a rich African American history, especially in the area of law. And although there have been many historical African American attorneys in our region, there has been none other like Vernon Z. Crawford.

Mr. Crawford was a pioneer in many regards. He established the first African American law firm in Mobile. Over his thirty-plus years of practice, he spearheaded litigation that challenged voter dilution in at-large elections and changed election laws and the forms of governing bodies within the City of Mobile. Until his untimely demise, he also was the lead attorney in the longest-running school desegregation case in American history, Birdie Mae Davis v. Mobile County School Board. As the “Dean” of African American attorneys in Mobile, he mentored other notable lawyers—A.J. Cooper (mayor), Michael A. Figures (state senator) and Cain Kennedy (Circuit Court judge), just to name a few. To learn more about Mr. Crawford, I encourage you to visit his archived records at the University of South Alabama.

If you haven’t read the MBA 2024-2027 Strategic Plan, please do so soon. We want your input and help as we head into the implementation phases of the plan. We are a member-driven association, and your engagement is key to our success.

All committee chairs and section heads have been appointed. If you are not already a member of a committee or section, please visit the MBA’s website and sign up. There is no better way to engage with your peers and stay on top of the latest developments in your areas of the law.

Let’s Do More! This month I am encouraging each of you to set your volunteer time goals for the year if you have not already done so. Several years ago, during the holidays, I was reflecting on how blessed my family and I are, and I realized that I had not given a fair amount of my time to others less fortunate. Now, each year, I set volunteer time goals. You will be surprised how much time you can give if you plan for it.

Last month I mentioned that my number one goal for the year is to increase membership in our association. If you know any lawyers who are not members, please encourage them to join or rejoin. Also, if any lawyers have questions regarding membership or the benefits of being a member, I am happy to talk to them. Send them my way.

Lastly, Happy Mardi Gras, Bon Mardi Gras, or Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler! Regardless of how you say it, I hope you and your family are having a fun carnival season.

As always, I remain…

Raymond L. Bell, Jr.

Mobile Bar Association, 2024 President

By now, you should have received your membership dues invoice for 2024. It was emailed to everyone during the month of January. Many thanks to all who have already paid their dues.

If you have not had a chance to review your invoice, there are three items to note:

• We have changed some of our membership categories. Instead of offering Active 0 – 5 years and Active 6+ years categories, we now offer Active 0 - 2 years and Active 3+ years.
• There has been an increase in membership dues across all membership categories.
• To make a donation to the Mobile Bar Foundation, you must now opt in rather than opting out. We encourage everyone to make a donation to the Mobile Bar Foundation throughout the year. You can make the donation by signing in on the website or contacting Mobile Bar Association headquarters for assistance.

These changes were hard decisions by the Executive Committee and were not taken lightly. We created an Ad Hoc Membership Committee to assist the Executive Committee in researching and comparing the Mobile Bar to other bar associations similar in size. Based on the research, cost increases due to inflation, and the fact that the Mobile Bar has not had a dues increase in nine years, the Executive Committee decided to increase dues for all levels of membership.

Reminders:

• To get the MBA Member Rate: Please sign in to your profile before registering for an event. If you are a member of the Mobile Bar, you already have a profile on the website. For signing in, you have a username and password. You can reset your password at any time. If you do not know your log-in credentials, please contact MBA headquarters, as we are happy to assist. Also, make sure your legal assistant has access to your log-in credentials.
• Update your MBA Profile: Your log-in credentials also give you access to update your member profile at any time. Please help us by keeping your information regarding employment, phone number, email, and professional and personal addresses as up-to-date as possible. We maintain the website with more than 1,100 member records on a daily basis, so your assistance is greatly appreciated.
• Article from Danny Sheridan: As you prepare for Super Bowl LVIII, here’s a link to a recent article by Danny in Cigar Aficionado. https://www.cigaraficionado.com/article/the-20-billion-day-how-to-bet-on-super-bowl-lviii

Thank you again for your membership. We are successful as an association because of members like YOU. If you have any questions or comments you would like to share, please contact me directly by NEW email at aforbes@mobilebarassociation.com or by phone at 251-433-9790. Our door is always open.

P. Ann Forbes

Mobile Bar Association, Executive Director

-2-

Membership Dues are due no later than Sunday, March 31, 2024. Like last year, your dues statement will be emailed to you. From the email, you can print the invoice and pay by check, OR you can pay by credit card online. You do not have to log in to your profile on the website to pay online. Please note: the Executive Committee voted to increase membership dues starting in 2024. The increase will be reflected on the membership dues invoice you receive.

Whether you are a new or renewing member, THANK YOU for your support and your commitment to elevating the legal profession to the highest possible standard. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to give us a call at 251.433.9790.

-3-

-4-

-5-

LAWYER ASSISTANCE

By Beth Rehm, Lawyer Assistance Committee Member

Life Lessons Learned on the Camino de Santiago

On October 7, 2023, I set out from Porto, Portugal, to walk to Santiago, Spain—the Portuguese route of the Camino de Santiago. For those who haven’t heard of it, the Camino de Santiago is a historical pilgrimage with multiple routes, all of which end in Santiago at the cathedral where Saint James is buried. Some walk these routes for religious or spiritual reasons or a desire to spend time reflecting. It is also popular for hiking, cycling, or cultural tours.

I left Porto with a backpack, walking poles, water bottles, and a hat on my head, and with a plan for my first night’s lodgings but no idea where I would stay after that or how long the route would take. I just knew it was approximately 175 miles to my destination.

While planning for the Camino, I researched the correct gear (ad nauseum), but once there I had no idea what I would encounter. I heard from others that the Camino was a life-changing event that would become a part of me—that I would experience self-doubt, utter elation, and peacefulness all in the same day. This was absolutely correct. I also learned some life lessons:

• Always smile and say hello. Those walking the Camino are unmistakable—each has a backpack, and most have a scallop shell with a cross attached to the backpack. Of the hundreds of people I encountered, pilgrims would say “Buen Camino” to each other. This often led to either short or long conversations. Just saying those words to each other was comforting, just as a simple smile often is to a stranger.

• Live life in the moment. The Portuguese Camino route is mostly through beautiful countryside on small paths, some a little difficult, with no cars. After three days, I began to appreciate the beauty surrounding me—grape vines everywhere, quaint little towns that would suddenly appear, beautiful foliage all blooming at once (including a red hydrangea), turning a corner to see a goat, a cow, or some other animal on the path. I noticed the smells, the breeze, and the life all around me.

We make so many plans in life—and as attorneys, we must. But when it comes to being with family or taking “me” time, live life in the moment. Expectations can be premeditated resentments. Planning too much, such as a reservation at an exclusive restaurant on vacation, can make you miss living in the moment. Yes, have plans, but realize planning every detail can make you miss out on life.

• People are kind. I cannot tell you how kind people can be—a couple from Canada who saw me trip, resulting in a bloody gash on my eyebrow, helping me to my hotel in the pouring rain; some young women who helped me when I lost my iPhone, who were able to speak a different dialect and arrange for the phone to be returned to the police and brought to me; the police who—guess what?—drove my phone 40 kilometers to another town; and the people who took pictures for me when I had no phone and emailed them to me. I would like to think I showed love to others, too, as I now recall things I did. I was not looking for thanks; I just did what felt right.

I could go on forever about this experience. The walk took me twelve and a half days (much in the pouring rain). I had my life-changing moment while walking up a mountain I had no idea was coming and realizing somewhere on that mountain that if I could do this, I could do anything. If I had encountered the mountain two days earlier, I would have resorted to a bus or taxi to take me to the next town. I have never felt so empowered; my attitude toward life changed on that mountain. I now refer to it as “my mountain.”

When I reached Santiago, I went to the Pilgrims’ Mass. Although I am not Catholic, the priest said that we each had chosen to come to Santiago for some reason; that we were undoubtedly shown love by, and showed love to, complete strangers along the way; and that our duty as pilgrims was to go home and show that love to others. When I look back at the picture of me in Porto starting the Camino, I see a naïve person who became much wiser in twelve and a half days.

To end on a lighter note, I also learned I have some pretty good skills with a Swiss Army knife and that a safety whistle can be handy in odd situations. I will not elaborate about the whistle. If you want to know the story, you will have to contact me.

Remember all of us are on a Camino. It is called life.

Beth on the Camino de Santiago.

Santiago de Compostela Cathedral at night.

Beth reaches final destination!

-6-

MENTORING MATTERS

By Greg Vaughan, Mentoring Committee Member

Lunch plans I should have made…

I’m a podcast junkie. One of my favorites is the “Maximum Lawyer” podcast. The episodes cover all things law practice management. A few months ago, I listened to an episode where the concept of a “gratitude lunch” was discussed. I’d never heard of this before—a lunch you plan with a mentor where you express your gratitude for what they have done to advance your career. Since hearing the podcast, I’ve had a few “gratitude lunches,” but let me tell you about one I missed out on.

Early last week I received an e-mail from the MBA notifying members of the passing of Michael Gillion. Mike had practiced locally since 1971 (over 50 years). He had served 22 years in the Air Force reserve, achieving the rank of Major. He was active in the local leadership of the Democratic Party. He was married to his wife (Beth) for 55 years and had a daughter (Morgan) and a son (Merlin). His family is first-class. Mike was an all-around good guy—and he was my friend. 

I had a few cases opposite Mike at the beginning of my career when I was working in insurance defense. When I started my own practice in 2007, Mike was one of the first lawyers to call me and ask if I needed any work. Well of course, I told him. I desperately needed work and desperately needed some income. Over the next 10 years or so, we “co-counseled” a number of cases together, and in the process, I was fortunate to be mentored by one heck of a trial lawyer.

One particular case comes to mind: defense of a wrongful death action in Limestone County, Alabama. Prior to the trial, I had never been there. The county seat, Athens, is about the size of Bay Minette. The courtroom was beautiful and historic (a plaque in the courtroom refers to the infamous “Scottsboro Boys” trials during the 1930’s). The kind of courtroom where your voice almost echoed off the hardwood floors. Mike and I represented a small family business from Boston that modified Ford cargo vans into handicapped-accessible vans. The business owners had never been to Alabama before and spoke with a heavy Northern accent. The plaintiff alleged that our client’s modifications made the van unsafe to drive (resulting in a rollover accident in the county). At that time, I had tried very few cases (jury or bench), but Mike let me dig in and handle several aspects of the trial. He gave me permission to make a few mistakes here and there and used them as teaching moments. 

Our key witness was an 18-wheeler driver who was directly behind the deceased in the moments before the accident. His testimony was that the driver of the van suddenly swerved prior to rolling over (i.e., driver error). I handled the direct examination. Plaintiff’s counsel was from Texas—and he had some swagger. On cross, he was trying to score some points by asking the trucker “how much he had been paid” to testify. The trucker answered, “They’re going to reimburse me for mileage and hotel.” Plaintiff’s counsel relentlessly and loudly continued to ask “how much have you been paid to testify.” I was irritated by the insinuation—and was ready to reinforce on re-direct that he was simply being reimbursed for his out-of-pocket expenses. I was hot. Mike, knowing that the temperature had to be lowered (and I was not the guy to do that), put his bear-sized hand on my shoulder and whispered, “I’ll handle this.” 

Even the Texan’s cross-examination, Mike rose from his seat and asked two questions, his deep voice resonating through the courtroom. “Mr. Stern, have you ever driven your tractor-trailer through the state of Texas before”? Rather confused, the trucker replied, “Well, yes I have.” Mike paused for a moment and looked at the jury. His follow up question: “There’s a lot of hot air in Texas, isn’t there?” The answer “sure is” could barely be heard over the laughter of the courtroom. Right there, Mike had diffused a rather tense moment and had most everyone chuckling. Even the Texan’s co-counsel cracked a smile. Mike’s presence, and his ability to connect with the jury, secured the good result in that trial—I’m convinced of it.

As time passed, life got busier, my practice changed a little, and I saw less of my friend Mike. I would get a card from time to time as my children were born, but I failed to keep in touch as I should have. How I wish I could have thanked him for giving me work when my family needed it, showing me how to have presence when I stand and speak in a courtroom, how to remain cool when the temperature is climbing, how to be polite to everyone in the courtroom and courthouse. He did these things for me—and I will be forever grateful. I wish I did these things as well as Mike did (maybe I’ll get there once I’ve practiced 50 years 😉). Most of all, though, I just wish I could have shaken his hand, looked him in the eye, and given my friend Mike a heartfelt “thank you.”

All of us in this profession have a person or two we can take for a “gratitude lunch.” The longer you practice, the longer that list grows. I encourage you to work through your list this year – don’t miss you chance to show your appreciation. 

***

I’ve spent a lot of time around lawyers and judges through my involvement in the bar’s mentoring program. This collection of articles is some of what I have learned there – and some of what I’ve learned along the way.

If you have any questions, comments, would like to suggest some future topics please send me an e-mail at: greg@vaughanpoe.com or call 251-432-8883.

-7-

YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

By Amanda Herren, Young Lawyers President

We are excited to begin monthly gatherings with our judges. This month, Coffee with the Court will give MBA Young Lawyers an opportunity to enjoy a morning cup of coffee with two members of our bench. Judge Pipes and Judge York will join us February 23 at Knuckle Bones, 202 Government Street, from 7:00 - 7:45 AM. We hope to see you there.

-8-

WOMEN LAWYERS

By Ginger Poynter, Women Lawyers President

Laissez les bon temps rouler! Mobile Bar Association Women Lawyers won’t be meeting this month so that everyone can celebrate Mardi Gras and hopefully recuperate from all the good times. And while we won’t have an official meeting this month, we are busy preparing for our 2024 Trailblazer Tea scheduled for later this spring. If you would like to get involved or have a woman lawyer who you believe should be honored as this year’s Trailblazer, please reach out to me. My e-mail address is gpoynterlaw@gmail.com, and my cell phone is 251-554-7625.

Our March meeting will be held on March 12, 2024, at 11:45 a.m. at Wintzell’s Oyster House, 605 Dauphin Street. The law firm of Beasley Allen will be sponsoring our lunch. Rebecca Gilliland will speak on class action cases and Jessi Haynes will speak on qui tam actions. 1.0 hour of CLE credit will be given. RSVP to McRae Young at mcrae.young@johnstoneadams.com.

VERNON Z. CRAWFORD BAY AREA BAR ASSOCIATION

By Maxine Walters, Vernon Z. Crawford Bay Area Bar Association President

In honor of Black History Month, the Vernon Z. Crawford Bay Area Bar Association will be hosting a private big-screen viewing of Rustin at Push Cinema (formerly known as the Crescent) on Monday, February 19, 2024. Tickets will be $20 cash or check at the door with light food and drink provided. Concessions will also be available, and the theatre is BYOB optional.

-9-

Starting January 24, 2024, the Mobile County Circuit Clerk will begin implementing the use of a commercial carrier pursuant to Rule 4 and Rule 45 of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure. As you are probably aware, Rules 4 and 45 have been amended by the Supreme Court of Alabama to allow service by commercial carrier by either the Circuit Clerk or the filer. Please refer to those amended Rules of Civil Procedure for the details.

The electronic filing process is simple and mirrors what is available on AlaFile for certified mail service through the U.S. Postal Service. Instead of selecting certified mail (by either the clerk or by the attorney/filer) on the drop-down menu, you will be able to select commercial carrier. If you choose commercial carrier by clerk, then the Circuit Clerk's Office will send out the UPS package for service. Should you choose commercial carrier by filer, you will have the option to use any commercial carrier as defined by Rule 4(i)(3)(A)(ii) of Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure (UPS, FedEx, etc.), and you will be responsible for preparing the package for service the same way you would if you had chosen certified mail. There are additional requirements associated with that method of service that can be found in Rule 4. The Circuit Clerk's Office is limited to UPS, which is the designated commercial carrier for the Circuit Clerks, pursuant to Rule 45 of the Alabama Rules of Judicial Administration. There may be some minor start-up issues to begin with, but our internal tests were successful.

We hope you all will be happy with this new opportunity.

Sharla Knox

Circuit Court Clerk

NOTICE FROM MOBILE COUNTY PROBATE COURT

The Mobile County Probate Court will close walk-in operations on the following dates at 4:00 PM to enable employees to depart the Court before Mardi Gras parade preparation (closure of downtown streets adjacent to the Mobile County Government Center Annex) commences:

• February 1, 2024
• February 2, 2024
• February 5, 2024
• February 6, 2024
• February 8, 2024
• February 9, 2024

Additionally, Probate Court will be closed February 12 - 13, 2024, for Mardi Gras. Normal operations will resume on Wednesday, February 14, 2024. 

Lawyers can record documents electronically and can file pleadings electronically at any time.

Don Davis

Judge of Probate, Mobile County

-10-

In Milton v. Haywood, No. SC-2023-0382 (Ala. December 22, 2023), the Supreme Court reversed a preliminary injunction issued by the Circuit Court of Talladega County for want of sufficient security. Although the enjoined party did not demand that security be given until the filing of post-judgment motions, the Supreme Court reiterated that the giving of security upon the issuance of a preliminary injunction is mandatory (emphasis in original) unless the evidence supports the application of a valid exception pursuant to Ala. R. Civ. P 65(c) or as otherwise provided by law. As no such exception was either pleaded or factually supported, the trial court’s preliminary injunction was reversed.

In Ex parte Hankook Tire America Corporation, Nos. SC-2023-0210 and SC-2023-0312 (Ala. December 22, 2023), the Supreme Court granted a defendant’s petition for writ of mandamus to reverse certain sanctions issued by a trial court, which included the striking of multiple affirmative defenses held by the defendant. At issue was the trial court’s order of sanctions without the plaintiff first exhausting its remedies pursuant to Ala. R. Civ. P. 37(a), because the plaintiff argued (and the trial court agreed) that alleged repeated uncooperativeness of defendant’s 30(b)(6) witness was tantamount to failing “to appear” for deposition pursuant to Ala. R. Civ. P. 37(d). The Supreme Court disagreed and held that Rule 37(d) “deals with a person who fails to submit himself to the officer taking the deposition, but it does not address what happens once a person has submitted himself to the officer and declines to answer questions. If, over the course of a deposition, a deponent is consistently unable or unwilling to answer questions that are asked, Rule 37(a) – not Rule 37(d) – provides the mechanism by which an aggrieved party can obtain relief.” 

In a case of apparent first impression, Riley v. Boles, No. SC-2023-0237 (Ala. January 12, 2024), the Supreme Court held that the use of a road by a claimant’s licensee could not be tacked onto the claimant’s use so as to fulfill the requirement for adverse use to establish a prescriptive easement. While noting that periods of prescriptive use may be tacked together to make up a prescriptive period if there is a transfer of interest, or privity, between the prescriptive users, the Supreme Court held that the use of the disputed road by the claimant’s friend and hunting partner did not amount to more than mere licensee status and lacked the necessary privity to establish the licensee as a predecessor in interest for tacking purposes.

In Reeves v. Wilson Floor and Wallcovering, Inc., No. SC-2023-0410 (Ala. January 19, 2024), the Supreme Court held that service on a corporate entity, while improper, did not merit dismissal of the underlying complaint pursuant to Ala. R. Civ. P. 12(b)(5). Although it was undisputed on appeal that service, which incorrectly named a corporate defendant, was improper, the Supreme Court nevertheless held that delivery was sufficient to preclude dismissal and satisfy the elements of Ala. R. Civ. P. 4(i)(2)(c) because the service (while otherwise improper) effectively informed the defendant of the action in time to avoid default.

-11-

SAVLP relies on hundreds of attorney and community volunteers to fulfill its mission. Thank you to all who assisted clients, provided training, served on the Board of Directors, or volunteered in some other way. The contribution of your time made a difference in someone’s life.

2023 Volunteers

Douglas L. Anderson

Ron A. Andress

Bridget G. Archer

Tristan R. Armer

Dorothy Barker

J. Daniel Barlar, Jr.

John T. Bender

Thomas H. Benton, III

Jaime W. Betbeze

Angela L. Betts

Christina M. Bolin

Thomas R. Boller

Stephanie L. Booth

Leigh Margaret Bostic

Knox Boteler

Mary Anna Brand

Henry H. Brewster

Christine Burns-Brown

Allison Butts‑Walley

Sallie Byrd

J. Craig Campbell

R. Nash Campbell

K. Paul Carbo, Jr.

Annette Carwie

Ann C. Chapman

William G. Chason

Walter G. Chavers

C. S. Chiepalich

Timothy A. Clarke

James Paul Clinton

Harwell E. Coale, Jr.

Meegan B. Colclough

F. Luke Coley, Jr.

Robert J. Crane

John J. Crowley, Jr.

Judson E. Crump

Ashley S. Day

Lisa B. Deen

Sondra A. Dempsey

Jaclyn Diard

Forrest B. Drinkwine

Gregory A. Eldridge

Page S. Ellis

Jacqueline Fleming‑Brown

Charles J. Fleming

Erin Fleming

Benjamin Y. Ford

Jonathan B. Friedlander

Richard W. Fuquay

William J. Gamble, Jr.

Lawrence F. Gardella

Thomas F. Garth

George C. Gaston

Thomas J. Glidewell

Kayla S. Graben

Jon A. Green

Irvin Grodsky

Christine H. Hart

R. Scott Hetrick

Jennifer Holifield

Stephen T. Hughes

Ivan E. Ingram

Sidney W. Jackson, III

John F. Janecky

Adam K. Jarvis

James C. Johnston

Neil C. Johnston, Jr.

Neil C. Johnston, Sr.

Andrew M. Jones

Eleanor J. Jones

Brooke K. Kelly

Joshua G. Kesling

Mary Carol Ladd

Gilbert B. Laden

R. Edwin Lamberth

William R. Lancaster

Clay Lanham

Ruth R. Lichtenfeld

Michael M. Linder, Jr.

Peter S. Mackey

E. Russell March, III

Danielle Mashburn‑Myrick

Kristine McCulloch

Matthew C. McDonald

Brenton C. McWilliams

Rose Metzger

S. C. Middlebrooks

Brooks P. Milling

Jessica A. Milling

L. Daniel Mims

Henry T. Morrissette

Robert H. Mudd, Jr.

Mark B. Murphree

Clifford T. Nelson

Carson I. Nicolson

C. Luke Nixon

John M. O'Dowd, Jr.

Paige M. Oldshue

Juan Ortega

Mary E. Pilcher

Charles J. Potts

Jean M. Powers

Virginia B. Poynter

Tiffany N. Ray

Brad Reasonover

James Rebarchak

Gabrielle Reeves

Blake T. Richardson

J. Burruss Riis

John G. Roach, III

Thomas M. Rockwell

Ian D. Rosenthal

Daphne R. Rudicell

Sheila S. Schoen

Steven Sciple

William E. Scully, III

Thomas E. Sharp, III

Clifford C. Sharpe

Julia J. Shreve

L. Robert Shreve

April D. Smith

Jason D. Smith

Lacey Smith

Caleb D. Smoke

Hendrik Snow

J. Alexander Steadman

Joseph D. Steadman

T. Jeff Stein

Stewart Thames

Joseph D. Thetford, Jr.

Renee E. Thiry

David T. Trice, Jr.

David P. Vaughn

Patrick J. Ward

William W. Watts, III

Zachary R. Weaver

Jessica L. Welch

Aaron M. Wiley

Anna M. Williams

Michael A. Wing

Ricardo Woods

Marion E. Wynne, Jr.

Thomas T. Zieman, Jr.

-12-

The following applicants were approved for membership by the Mobile Bar Association Executive Committee. They were welcomed into the Mobile Bar Association on Friday, January 12, 2024.

ACTIVE MEMBERS:

• Martin H. Cunningham, Jr., graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2021, admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2021, and is employed with Austill, Lewis, Pipkin, & Maddox, P.C.
• Christian Gramm, graduated from Northern Illinois University School of Law in 2001, admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2021, and is employed with Mobile County Public Defender’s Office.
• Travis Johns, graduated from Cumberland School of Law in 2018, admitted to the Alabama State Bar in2018, and is employed with Morris Bart.
• Chelsea Kendrick, graduated from Birmingham School of Law in 2020, admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2021, and is employed with City of Mobile Legal Department.
• Thatcher M. Smith, graduated from Duncan School of Law in 2021, admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2022, and is employed with Warren & Griffin.

BORN: MBA member Ryan Dardard and his wife, Gabriella, welcomed their son, Raphael Louis Dardard, on November 7, 2023. Raphael is the couple’s first child. Welcome, Raphael, and congratulations, Ryan and Gabriella.

DIED: MBA member Warren Candler Herlong, Jr., died on January 10, 2024. Born in Greenville, Alabama, in 1948, Warren was the son of an Air Force officer and spent his formative years in Japan and Libya. He graduated from BC Rain High School, the University of Alabama, and the University of Virginia School of Law. He also earned a Diploma of Roman Law from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Warren practiced law in Mobile at the firm that is now Helmsing, Leach, Herlong, Newman & Rouse for the entirety of his 45-year career. An eminent-domain specialist, he was selected as a Fellow in the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. Warren is survived by his wife and five children.

DIED: MBA member Walter Michael Gillion died on January 16, 2024. “Mr. Mike” graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1971 and practiced law for five decades. For 22 years, he served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, attaining the rank of Major. He was a past president of the Mobile County Democratic Executive Committee and a member of Mensa International. Mike is survived by his wife of 55 years, two children, and two grandchildren.

DIED: MBA member Leo Crain died on January 19, 2024. Born in 1927 in Bastrop, Louisiana, Leo was a proud Navy veteran of World War II. He attended Murphy High School and the University of Alabama. As a lawyer, he was appointed by Governor John M. Patterson as a Special Assistant Attorney General and was an incorporator of The Legal Aid Society of Mobile. Leo was a brilliant businessman and known as the thriftiest man alive. He loved playing golf and cards. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, four children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

DIED: Nancy Hughes, wife of retired MBA member Greg Hughes, died on November 19, 2023. Small and mighty, Nancy radiated a spirit of adventure, fun, and unconditional love. Her love for family and delicious food fueled her passion for creating simple and delicious recipes. Over a career that included TV and radio appearances, work with national organizations, 25 published cookbooks, and more than 8,000 recipes developed and tested in her Daphne home, Nancy left her mark on the culinary world. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, three children, and ten grandchildren.

DIED: George “Richie” Richardson Irvine, Jr., the father of MBA members George Irvine, III, and Carson Nicolson, died on January 17, 2024. A native Mobilian, Richie spent his boyhood fishing on Mobile Bay in Point Clear. In 1979, he won the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo after catching a record-setting Broadbill Swordfish. After graduating from McGill Institute in 1950 and the University of Alabama with a B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration in 1954, he became a successful land developer. Richie is survived by his three children and six grandchildren.

-13-

Beasley Allen proudly welcomes Jessica Haynes as a new prinicipal with the firm.

Office space available at 1111 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL 36604. For more information, contact Buzz Jordan by phone at 251-421-1056.

Have you recently replaced or upgraded your dictation equipment and now have unwanted equipment that you want to get rid of? If so, please call Vicky at 251-432-0337.

DOWNTOWN OFFICE SPACE FOR LEASE: Beautiful, spacious office in a historic home in the beautiful DeTonti Square neighborhood. Plentiful onsite parking with EV Charging station, available conference room, waiting area, and kitchenette. Receptionist on site. Fiber-Optic Internet provided. A block from the Federal and Bankruptcy Courthouses. Perfect for a solo or out-of-town firm desiring Mobile presence. Available now. 205 N. Conception St. Contact HENRY BREWSTER by phone at 251-338-0630 or by email at hbrewster@brewsterlaw.net.

Calling all Legal Administrators, Office Managers, and Attorneys without an office manager. Please join the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) Mobile Chapter for their annual Business Partners Expo. Location - The Crown at 853 Dauphin St. at the corner of Dauphin and Broad. Date - February 29^th from 11:00 am -1:30 pm. Please RSVP with Patty Risher by email at pdr@frazergreene.com.

Registration is now open for the 12th Annual Mobile County District Attorney's Office Foundation Clay Shoot. The date for the event is Thursday, March 14, 2024. To reserve your spot, contact Joni Green by email at foundation@mcdafoundation.org.

-14-

In memory of: Robert A. Beckerle, Douglas K. Dunning, Lawrence J. Hallett, Jr., Judge Warren Hammond, Jr., Edward Massey, Jr., Judge Dominick J. Matranga, Andrea P. Pennington, Frank L. Shuford, Jr., and Billy C. Bedsole

Donation made by: Irvin Grodsky

In memory of: R. Greg Watts

Donation made by: Ben H. Harris, Jr.

In memory of: Judge T. Virgil Pittman

Donation made by: William H. Reece

In memory of: Judge Dominick J. Matranga and Faith P. Nixon

Donation made by: Judson and Barbara Wells

In memory of: Ed Massey, Jr.

Donation made by: JoJo Schwarzauer

-15-

PLEASE CONSIDER MAKING A TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATION TO THE

MOBILE BAR FOUNDATION



Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: _______________________________________ E-Mail: _____________________________________

YES, I want to make a donation to the Mobile Bar Foundation -

In honor/memory of: ______________________________________________________________________

Acknowledgement sent to:

Name ____________________________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________

YES, I want to become a member of the Mobile Bar Foundation -

__ Life member ($5000, can be paid in up to 5 annual installments)

__ Associate Member ($100 or more annually)

__ Regular Active Member of MBA ($25 - $99 annually)

__ I would like more information on including the Foundation in my estate planning

I donate my gift of: $__________

Check: __________ (Please make checks payable to the Mobile Bar Foundation)

*Credit Card: Visa/Mastercard# ____________________________________________________________

Signature: ______________________________________________ Exp: ___________________________

Mail to: Mobile Bar Foundation, P.O. Drawer 2005, Mobile, AL 36652



* All credit card transactions will incur a $2.00 processing fee.

-16-

-17-

Listed below are members who celebrate a birthday in February.

-18-

STAY CONNECTED