Judge Judson W. Wells, Sr., President

November 2025

Volume LIX, Issue 11

In This Issue...

November Luncheon...............Page 2

Remembrance Ceremony........Page 2

Ann's Article.............................Page 3

Sign-up for a Committee..........Page 4

CLEs........................................Page 8

Mentoring Matters....................Page 12

Lawyer Assistance...................Page 13

Mediation Moment...................Page 16

Young Lawyers........................Page 17

Women Lawyers......................Page 18

VZC Bar...................................Page 19

Significant Decisions................Page 20

SAVLP......................................Page 21

Lawyers in the News................Page 22

Announcements.......................Page 24

Mobile Bar Foundation.............Page 25

Birthdays..................................Page 29

  2025 OFFICERS

President - Judge Judson W. Wells, Sr.

President-Elect - Mary Margaret K. Bailey

Vice President - Sidney W. Jackson, III

Secretary - Maxine Walters

Treasurer - Gordon G. Armstrong, III

Asst. Treasurer - David D. Anthony

Executive Director - Ann Forbes

Editor - Michael D. Strasavich

President’s Message

Welcome to November, a great month for our Mobile Bar Association members, family, and friends! We are fresh off the fun of Halloween. In a few short weeks, we will celebrate Thanksgiving over a long weekend marked by family meals and reunions, thereby marking the start of the holiday season. I hope that you and your family will create lasting memories during the holidays this year!

November is a very busy and productive month for your Mobile Bar Association, starting with great activities in the first half of the month. The Vernon Z. Crawford Bar Association will host a Meet and Greet in the Multipurpose Activity Room in Government Plaza from 5:00-7:00 PM on Wednesday, November 5. The next day, on Thursday, November 6, the Young Lawyers Section hosts its annual November Social at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse from 5:00-8:00 PM. This event is sponsored by Cunningham Bounds. If you can attend these events, you will be glad you did!

A very special event is set for Friday, November 7, and I highly encourage all MBA members to attend. Your MBA will hold the second annual stand-alone Remembrance Ceremony at 11:00 AM in the Ceremonial Courtroom in Government Plaza. We will honor and memorialize 13 distinguished Mobile lawyers who passed away in the last year. This is a very solemn and moving ceremony in which judges from the 13^th Judicial Circuit, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, and the Mobile Municipal Court will sit en banc. Many thanks to our Resolutions Committee Co-Chairs, Kathy Miller and Mark Newell, for doing an exceptional job every year with this ceremony! A reception will follow.


The November Membership Luncheon will be held on Friday, November 14 at 11:45 AM at the Battle House Hotel. Following the theme of Veterans Day on November 11, we will honor all MBA members who are veterans. Thank you, MBA veterans! This is another “can’t miss” meeting, so please register now to attend! The keynote speaker is Mobile County Circuit Judge Mike Windom, a veteran who founded the Mobile County Veterans Treatment Court in 2023. Judge Windom is the perfect speaker to honor our MBA Veterans and to update us on the purpose and progress of the Mobile County Veterans Court. We will also present the proposed 2026 MBA officer slate approved by the Executive Committee and then will vote on the officers for 2026.

On Wednesday, November 12, nationally recognized local bar consultant Elizabeth Derrico will meet with many stakeholders of the MBA throughout the day—the officers and Executive Director, Executive Committee, the chairs of committees and sections, and other interested stakeholders. Ms. Derrico will review our governance and operations, and she will ultimately provide recommendations on best practices and how we can better serve our membership! Your input is invaluable in this process! If you are interested in providing your input to Ms. Derrico, please email her at elizabeth@elizabethderrico.com. Please stay tuned in early 2026 for an update from incoming 2026 MBA President Mary Margaret Bailey on Ms. Derrico’s report and recommendations.

On Tuesday, November 18, the Mobile Bar Foundation Board of Directors, consisting of Sarah Dorger, Ben Ford, John Crowley, Judge Brandy Hambright, Bryan Comer, Gaby Reeves, Judge Shelbonnie Coleman-Hall, Mary Margaret Bailey, and Robert Alexander, will meet to consider and vote on the grant applications submitted by local charitable organizations. I serve on the MBF Board of Directors as an ex-officio member. The MBF Board will do a great job of selecting the organizations to receive the grants. Each grant will be announced and awarded at the December Holiday Luncheon.

There are other great MBA activities taking place in November. Please check this Bar Bulletin for more information.

A brief look back at just a couple of activities (of many) that were successful in October:

• The Red Mass, sponsored by the St. Thomas More Society’s Delano Palughi Chapter, was well-attended by our MBA judges and lawyers at the Cathedral. The new Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Mobile, Mark Rivituso, celebrated the Mass and prayed for blessings for the legal profession. I believe that Archbishop Rivituso and the attending MBA members were equally impressed with each other!

• We honored our 50-year MBA members at the October Membership Luncheon. A packed crowd honored 18 MBA members who have reached the 50-year milestone! They are: Richard Alexander, Jay Altmayer, Buster Asmus, Travis Bedsole, Pete Burns, Jim Crosby (posthumously), John Donald, Jim Fernandez, Barry Friedman, Jack Janecky, Shirley Justice, Vic Lott, Greg McAtee, Caine O’Rear, Grey Redditt, Judge William Shulman, Donald Stewart, and Frank Taylor. Charlie Potts gave a stirring speech. Congrats to our new 50-year members and thank you, Charlie!

• Many CLE opportunities were provided in October for our membership. One example was the Approach the Bench Seminar held at the federal courthouse on Thursday, October 30. Civil Practice Committee Chair Knox Boteler, Kasee Heisterhagen, and I served as the moderators for two panels of distinguished local judges. The judges gave tips for practicing in their courts, discussed current trends that the judiciary is seeing, and just generally provided a lot of great information that particularly benefitted our younger lawyers.

Many thanks to the following judges who served on the panels and did a great job. From the City of Mobile Municipal Court: Judge Christopher Arledge; from the 13^th Judicial Circuit Court of Alabama: District Judge Johana Bucci, Presiding District Judge Zack Moore, Circuit Judge Vicki Davis, Circuit Judge Brandy Hambright, and Presiding Circuit Judge Wesley Pipes; from the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama: Chief Judge Jeffrey Beaverstock, Judge Kristi Dubose, Judge Terry Moorer, Magistrate Judge Sonja Bivins, Magistrate Judge Katherine Nelson, Magistrate Judge Bradley Murray, and Magistrate Judge Bert Milling. Immediately after the seminar, the United States District Court for the Southern District had a formal admission ceremony for new lawyers, followed by a reception. Another great event where your MBA and our local bench came together!

As always, I’ll close with a few quotes:

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude.”

--President Harry S. Truman

“To our men and women in uniform, past, present, and future, God bless you and thank you.”

--Unknown

"We should just be thankful for being together. I think that's what they mean by Thanksgiving, Charlie Brown."

—Marcie, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

"The turkey. The sweet potatoes. The stuffing. The pumpkin pie. Is there anything else we can agree so vehemently about? I don't think so."

--Nora Ephron

Sincerely,

Judge Judson W. Wells, Sr.

Mobile Bar Association, 2025 President

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During the meeting:

• We will honor our members who serve or have served in a branch of the United States military. Make sure your profile on the website is up to date so we do not miss anyone!
• We will vote on the 2026 Slate of Officers.
• Our speaker will be Judge Mike Windom, 13^th Judicial Circuit Court of Alabama, who served in the U.S. Army Infantry and oversees the Mobile County Veterans Treatment Court.

Sponsor for the November Luncheon is Carr Riggs & Ingram.

So we are prepared for you, please register by Monday, November 10, 2025.

During the ceremony, we will remember Mobile attorneys who passed away in the last year. We will also have the pleasure of judges from the 13th Judicial Circuit Court of Alabama, the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama, and the City of Mobile Municipal Court sitting en banc.

We will remember the following attorneys:

Henry Harris Caddell; Stephen Gregory Crawford; James Hilton Crosby; Thomas Marlowe Galloway, Jr.; Edward Anthony Hyndman, Jr.; Chase Robert Laurendine; Peter John Madden; Gregory Antonio Ramos, Jr.; William Anthony Robinson; Donna Wesson Smalley; Charles Michael Smith; Joseph Charles Sullivan, Jr.; and Judge James Cooke Wood

Advance registration is not required for this event.

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November is a time for people to give thanks for their blessings. If you think for a moment, there is so much to be thankful for… your family, your health, your faith, and your job, just to name a few.

At our November Membership Luncheon, scheduled for Friday, November 14, we will honor our members who serve or have served in a branch of the United States military. Our speaker is Judge Mike Windom of the 13^th Judicial Circuit Court of Alabama who served in the U.S. Army Infantry and who oversees the Mobile County Veterans Treatment Court. I look forward to hearing more about Veterans Treatment Court and all the good work it is doing.

To our members with military service: please make sure we know about your military service. If you are not sure if the MBA has it on record, please log-in to your profile on the MBA website and add your military service information, or call us and we will add it. We don’t want to leave out anyone!

I’m thankful for our members who have served on our various committees and sections this year. We appreciate your dedication and commitment to the association and the legal profession. We can’t do it without you!

Don’t forget! It’s time to consider how you would like to share your time, talents, and expertise as a volunteer on one or more of the MBA’s committees for 2026. Below my article is a link to view the list of available committees AND sign up to volunteer. Sign up today!

Lastly, I give thanks for each of YOU! November 7 is Love Your Lawyer Day, created in 2001 by attorney Nader Anise to celebrate the valuable contributions made by attorneys in their communities. The good that lawyers do on a daily basis is often forgotten. Thank you for all the long hours, and for your dedication to helping your clients, the Mobile Bar Association, and our community to ensure justice prevails.

Happy Thanksgiving! Remember, be a blessing and give thanks.

Onward,

P. Ann Forbes

Mobile Bar Association, Executive Director

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Serve on a Committee

Volunteerism is at the core of the Mobile Bar Association. We could not function without YOU. Our volunteer opportunities come in all shapes and sizes, and each one plays a very important role. Sharing your time, talents, and expertise, whether by reviewing art and essays for Law Day, providing legal services as a volunteer attorney with South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program, or serving on the Board of Directors of the Mobile Bar Foundation, provides support to the long-term growth of the association, the community, and the legal profession.

To complete your 2026 committee preference form, click the button below and volunteer.

DEADLINE TO COMPLETE: MONDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2025

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Friday, November 7, 2025

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT

By Raymond Bell, Nominating Committee Chair

The following Mobile Bar Association members have been nominated as officers for 2025. They were presented to the membership during the October Membership Luncheon on Friday, October 10, 2025, and will be voted on during the November Membership Luncheon scheduled for Friday, November 14, 2025.

The 2026 Slate of Officers are:

• President-Elect: Sidney (Sid) W. Jackson, III
• Vice President: Gordon G. Armstrong, III
• Secretary: Jennifer L. Susman
• Assistant Treasurer: C. Luke Nixon

Pursuant to the MBA bylaws, our current President-Elect, Mary Margaret K. Bailey automatically elevates to the position of President, and David D. Anthony, our current Assistant Treasurer, automatically elevates to Treasurer.

Thank you to the members of the Nominating Committee who participated in the consideration of these nominees. If you have any questions, please email me at rbell@maynardnexsen.com.

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CLE COMMITTEE

By Daya Naef, CLE Committee Co-Chair

The Future of Legal Pricing: From Hours to Outcomes

For more than a century, the billable hour has been the backbone of legal revenue. However, by 2025, that model is starting to show its cracks. Clients are less interested in how long something takes and more interested in what it’s worth. And with AI transforming how we deliver legal services, measuring value in 6-minute increments is outdated.

AI tools can now draft contracts, summarize discovery, and generate first-pass research in minutes instead of hours. If we continue to bill by the hour, we risk undervaluing our expertise, including our judgment, strategy, and results.

Forward-thinking firms are already adapting. Flat fees, subscription-based services, success fees, and hybrid pricing models are helping lawyers create more predictable revenue, align incentives with clients, and compete with larger firms.

In our October AI Panel CLE, Travis Johns, Pete Mackey, and I discussed this topic, having all used “alternative fees” in our practices. We explored how innovating and saving time is becoming a win-win, while still respecting and easing out of the entrenched model of our industry.

Challenges include staying sharp on shifts, which do come quickly. ABA Model Rule 1.1 since 2012 has included not just understanding the technologies that shape our work and how they change what clients value, but also has been applied in practice as understanding the limitations of these tools, independently verifying AI-generated output, and selecting appropriate, professional-grade AI tools for legal work. And, as we’ve seen recently, the failure of attorneys to verify AI output has led to sanctions.

Continuing legal education is no longer just about ethics or substantive law; it’s about staying ahead of change, learning to leverage AI responsibly, and designing business models that reflect today’s realities. Several of our upcoming CLEs will include AI as a component.

Stay tuned and make a point to be there to learn and to have your questions addressed. For questions and CLE ideas, please contact me by email at daya@thesuccesspartner.com or by phone at 504-669-1020. Thank you!

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NOVEMBER CLEs

Bankruptcy Section Meeting

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Available CLE Credits: 1.0

LOCATION: FEDERAL COURTHOUSE | JURY ASSEMBLY ROOM

For more information: Jennifer Morgan by email at

jennifer_morgan@alsb.uscourts.gov or Alex Garrett by email at

agarrett@silvervoit.com.

So we are prepared for you, please register by Monday, November 17, 2025.

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DECEMBER CLEs

So we are prepared for you, please register by Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

Workers Compensation Section Meeting



Monday, December 8, 2025 | 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Available CLE Credits: 1.0

Cost: Lunch ($20.00)

LOCATION: The Athelstan Club | 170 Saint Francis Street

Topic: To be announced.

Reserve your seat: Contact Boyd Miller by email at rbmadr@icloud.com.

So we are prepared for you, please register by Friday, December 5, 2025.

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ON-DEMAND CLES

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MENTORING MATTERS

By Koby Kirkland, Mentoring Co-Chair

How many tabs are open on your internet browser right now? If you’re reading this, it’s a near-certainty that you’re not doing deep work. Deep work is when we do our best work: our most meaningful, creative, and high-quality output. Procrastinators like me utilize deep work when we HAVE to get something done, so we plug in and do it, no distractions or other tasks. Legal reasoning, subtle nuances, persuasive arguments—none of that can be done well between emails and calls.

The key to deep work is focus. Avoid multi-tasking and fragmented attention. How? Create a distraction-free zone by silencing phone notifications and apps. Keep only the tools relevant to the task open (one browser tab, one document, etc.). Signal to others that you’re in deep work mode: close your door, wear headphones, set “Do Not Disturb” indicators.

Time-block your calendar and schedule deep work sessions like fixed appointments. Set clear goals for each session: “outline three argument sections” is better than “work on case.” Do deep work when your energy peaks (in the morning for me). Start small and build—begin with 60–90-minute sessions, then 2 hours, and so on.

Do you need a mentor? The Mentoring Committee is made up of lawyers from a broad cross section of Bar membership. If you seek guidance or mentorship in a particular practice area, let us know so we can connect you with mentors who have relevant experience. Email me at koby@kobykirklandlaw.com for more information.

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LAWYER ASSISTANCE/WELLNESS

By Beth Rehm, Lawyer Assistance/Wellness Committee Chair

Finding Gratitude Amid the Stress of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often. – Johnny Carson

I don’t know how many of you feel this way, but the Thanksgiving holiday can be stressful, particularly when many people are combined together.

But Thanksgiving is meant to center around gratitude—a day to pause, gather, and give thanks. For many, it also brings a fair amount of stress. The weeks leading up to the holiday are often packed with year-end projects, deadlines, and personal responsibilities. Add family dynamics to that, and the pressure to create the “perfect” celebration, and the holiday can start to feel more exhausting than restorative.

Yet gratitude is most meaningful when life feels busy. It isn’t about ignoring stress or pretending everything is fine. It’s about choosing to see what’s good even when circumstances aren’t perfect.

Let Go of Perfection

Many of us approach Thanksgiving with high expectations about how the day should look, how the meal should taste, or how smoothly family interactions should go. Real gratitude begins when we let go of that perfectionism. A slightly burned pie, the turkey falling from its platter to the floor (yes, that has happened at a family Thanksgiving), or an awkward conversation, doesn’t erase the value of the moment. Shifting focus from “everything must be right” to “I’m thankful this is happening” makes room for peace and perspective. I can assure you that the turkey falling to the floor resulted in laughs 30 minutes later and is remembered each year when someone says, “Remember when you dropped that turkey on the floor.” By the way, it was not me who dropped that poor bird.

Pause and Reflect

Taking short, intentional pauses can transform the day. Before everyone gathers, take a quiet moment or a quick walk to reflect on what’s going well. Think of three things — big or small —that you are grateful for. Maybe it’s your health, a supportive coworker, or the simple comfort of a warm meal. These quick mental check-ins help slow racing thoughts and bring you back to what truly matters.

This may sound silly, but for me, one of the things I always appreciate about Thanksgiving is that no matter what else is going on, I can count on good oyster dressing and this odd gelatin cranberry mold cut into slices and placed on iceberg lettuce. It seems very 1970s and makes me pause and reflect on my mother. Yes, small things, but meaningful.

Show Grace to Others

Thanksgiving gatherings often include a mix of personalities, opinions, and emotions — just like any workplace. Practicing gratitude for others, even when it's challenging, helps build patience and connection. A kind word, a sincere “thank you,” a smile, or simply choosing to listen can ease tension and foster goodwill. Extending that same grace to yourself is equally important — especially if the day doesn’t unfold as planned. 

Appreciate the Small Moments

Gratitude doesn’t always come from grand gestures or major achievements. It thrives in the small, fleeting moments that are easy to overlook: the sound of laughter from another room, the smell of something baking, a favorite song playing in the background. When we take time to notice these details, we turn ordinary moments into reminders of abundance.

Carry Gratitude Forward

The feeling of Thanksgiving doesn’t have to end once the leftovers are gone. Building gratitude into daily life can reduce stress, increase resilience, and improve overall well-being. Consider keeping a short gratitude journal or mentally naming one thing you appreciate each day. Over time, this habit rewires your focus toward positivity and perspective — benefits that extend well beyond the holiday season.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season – it is going to be busy. Take time to laugh and enjoy what is sure to be a chaotic time. If you need a good laugh, watch National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation and be thankful your family does not include Cousin Eddie. If there is a Cousin Eddie in your family, just remember family is like fudge – mostly sweet with a few nuts.

Be thankful for all in your life and remember the true joy of this season!

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LAWYER ASSISTANCE HIKE

Join our Lawyer Assistance Committee on a group hike on Sunday, November 16 at Blakeley Park.

CREATE YOUR OWN UNIQUE PIECE OF ART

Where: Coastal Makers/Central Presbyterian Church

1260 Dauphin Street, Mobile AL

Cost: $55.00

Ready to unwind, meet fellow MBA members, and make something amazing? Join us for a relaxed, hands-on art class where you’ll create your own unique masterpiece — perfect to keep or give as a holiday gift!

We’ll have plenty of fun materials to play with: canvas, crushed glass, shells, scales of justice, and maps of Mobile Bay.

Want to make it truly you or the perfect gift? Bring your own special touches — photos, golf tees, fishing lures, bits of jewelry, broken china, Mardi Gras trinkets, concert tickets — basically anything that tells your story.

Come laugh, create, and let your inner artist shine. You’ll be amazed at what you can make!

Seating is limited so reserve your spot as soon as possible by contacting either Ben Kearns, bkearns@outsidechieflegal.com or Beth Rehm at edr@johnstoneadams.com.

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MEDIATION MOMENT

By Bill Lancaster, ADR Section Chair

“What?! Mediation? We already had an unsuccessful mediation, and then the trial, and we won! Ok if the other side appealed, but now we have to mediate AGAIN?”

I think I probably said something like that when I was first introduced to Appellate Mediation. After I calmed down, read the Notice from the Supreme Court, and then read the Rule, I realized that (1) Appellate Mediation is almost always mandatory, and (2) it’s really a good idea if you are interested in a reasonable resolution for your client in a much shorter time frame.

Once again, we have several excellent mediators in our area who are also qualified as Appellate Mediators. And yes, a mediator can be qualified as an Appellate Mediator by taking the additional training for appellate mediation and being designated as such on the Dispute Resolution website.

Mediators listed on the website have taken the required training, but Appellate Mediators are qualified as such because they have taken the additional training approved by the Supreme Court to deal with the special issues involving mediation of cases on appeal.



So, being ordered to Appellate Mediation is not a bad thing; it will probably provide a better setting to find a resolution than the usual back-and forth among counsel. In fact, it will probably provide everyone a better chance, in some cases at least, to obtain the closure that everyone is seeking. If you are ordered to Appellate Mediation, get on board, check the website, find an Appellate Mediator, and get to work!

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YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

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WOMEN LAWYERS

By Kelly Adams, Women Lawyers President

The MBA Women Lawyers is hosting a Welcome to the Bench happy hour for Judge Deborah Tillman on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Firehouse Wine Bar, 216 St. Francis Street. The Happy Hour is open to everyone in the local legal community, and we look forward to seeing you there!



As we also move into the Thanksgiving holiday, I would like to take a little time to express my gratitude for the wonderful members of the MBAWL Executive Board for all their hard work this year. My heartfelt thanks go to Rachele Reis (Vice-President), McRae Young (Treasurer), Samantha Gunnoe (Secretary), and Maxine Walters (Trailblazer Committee Chair). These remarkable women have helped put together fantastic CLE lunches and enjoyable happy hours. Their dedication and efforts consistently remind me of the depth of talent we have across the organization. Without them, these events would not be possible. I want to publicly recognize and thank them for their efforts. 

If you have any questions about MBAWL, wish to sponsor an event, teach a CLE, or make any suggestions, please email us at mbawomenlawyers@gmail.com.

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VERNON Z. CRAWFORD BAY AREA BAR ASSOCIATION

By Tierany Hatcher, Vernon Z. Crawford Bay Area Bar Association President

Our Annual Meet & Greet will take place in the Multipurpose Activity Room in Government Plaza on Wednesday, November 5, from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. This year’s honoree will be the Honorable Freddie D. Stokes. All members of the Bar are cordially invited to attend.

If your firm or agency has a newly admitted African American attorney you would like acknowledged at the ceremony, please send an email to vernoncrawford1980@gmail.com.

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In Ex parte Sansom, No. SC-2025-0278 (Ala. September 19, 2025), the Supreme Court issued a writ of mandamus directing a trial court to vacate a previous order transferring venue, despite the new venue being the county in which the case’s underlying real property was located. The Supreme Court held that the trial court exceeded its discretion by granting the motion to transfer venue without affording the non-moving party sufficient time to respond (in this case granting the motion less than 48 hours after being filed).

In Ex parte Thompson, No. SC-2025-0127 (Ala. September 25, 2025), the Supreme Court held that a plaintiff had failed to timely file an amended complaint, despite having filed the original complaint less than two months after the underlying incident. The plaintiffs’ original complaint listed several fictitious defendants and was amended multiple times over the course of several years to substitute named defendants. The Supreme Court, however, held that the plaintiffs’ sixth amended complaint, filed some six years after the original complaint, did not relate back to the original and was therefore barred by the applicable statute of limitations. According to the Court, the plaintiffs failed to exercise due diligence to determine whether a specific substituted Defendant was involved in the underlying incident, notably waiting approximately one year after the Defendant was first identified to initiate informal discovery and even longer to amend their complaint to substitute the specific defendant in question.

Clarifying prior holdings regarding apparently overlapping venue statutes, the Supreme Court held in Ex parte Rivers, No. SC-2025-0301 (Ala. September 26, 2025), that the applicable statute for determining proper venue when a defendant is a limited liability company (LLC) is Ala.Code § 6-3-7 (governing corporations), not Ala.Code § 6-3-2 (governing individuals). In so doing, the Supreme Court overruled prior caselaw, including Ex parte WMS, LLC, 170 So.3d 645 (Ala. 2014), to the extent such caselaw held otherwise.

In Terminix International Co., L.P v. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, No. SC-2024-0626 (Ala. October 24, 2025), the Supreme Court held that a dispute arising from alleged termite damage and infestation in two buildings was subject to arbitration based on an arbitration clause contained in a 2006 agreement, even though the 2006 agreement concerned a completely separate edifice from those underlying the dispute. According to the Court, the arbitration clause, though included in an unrelated agreement, contained unambiguous language that “any claim, dispute, or controversy (‘Claim’) . . . shall be resolved by neutral binding arbitration.”

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By Cliff Nelson, South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program, President

Want to volunteer with the South Alabama Volunteer Lawyers Program but can’t commit to full client representation? Then come spend a few hours being “Lawyer for a Day” at our office in downtown Mobile, where you can provide consultation services for pre-screened SAVLP clients without the obligation to accept full representation.

Depending on the client, you may be able to resolve the issue without the need for full attorney intervention. And even if a client’s needs are in an area you are not proficient in or comfortable with, you will still be providing valuable assistance to SAVLP by homing in on and clarifying the relevant issues, so that we can better determine what the client’s next steps should be.



For more information or to schedule a consultation period, call (251) 433-6693 or email office@savlp.org.

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KUDOS: After winning a close runoff election on September 23, 2025, MBA Member Spiro Cheriogotis will take office as Mayor of Mobile on November 3, 2025. Spiro served as a Mobile County District Court Judge from 2018 until he stepped down to run for mayor early this year. He will be the first lawyer to serve as Mayor of Mobile since Joseph Langan and George E. McNally each served in the 1960’s. Congratulations, Spiro!

KUDOS: MBA Member Ricardo Woods was announced as the new Second Vice President of DRI at its Annual Meeting on October 17, 2025. DRI is the nation’s largest association of civil defense attorneys and corporate counsel. A nineteen (19) year DRI member, Ricardo has served as a National Director of DRI’s Board of Directors, Chair of the 2025 Annual Meeting, ADR Committee Board Liaison, DRI Foundation Board Member, and DRI for Life Chair. He has been actively involved with DRI’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, Governmental Liability Committee, Toxic Tort and Environmental Law Steering Committee, and more. His new position places Ricardo on a two-year track to the DRI presidency. Congratulations, Ricardo!



KUDOS: On October 10, 2025, Mobile Lawyer Jason Darley was named the Criminal Justice Act (“CJA”) Panel Lawyer of the Year for 2025 by the Southern District of Alabama at the CJA Annual Luncheon. The award recognizes a CJA Panel Attorney who has provided outstanding legal representation to indigent criminal defendants and consistently demonstrated the ideals of professionalism and excellence expected of CJA Panel Attorneys. Congratulations, Jason!

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During our October Membership Luncheon, we recognized our members who have practiced law for 50 years. They are: Richard Alexander, Jay Altmayer, Buster Asmus, Travis Bedsole, Pete Burns, Jim Crosby (posthumously), John Donald, Jim Fernandez, Barry Friedman, Jack Janecky, Shirley Justice, Vic Lott, Greg McAtee, Caine O’Rear, Grey Redditt, Judge Bill Shulman, Donald Stewart, and Frank Taylor. What a great group! It was an honor to hear about their many accomplishments, and you can read about these by clicking the link below. Thank you again to these lawyers for their many years of service to their clients and to the community.

The following applicants were approved for membership by the Mobile Bar Association Executive Committee. They were welcomed into the Mobile Bar Association on Friday, October 10, 2025.

ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

• Julie R. Anton graduated from Jones School of Law in 2025, was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2025, and is employed with Hernandez & Associates LLC.
• Hutson M. Breckenridge graduated from Jones School of Law in 2025, was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2025, and is employed with Carr Allison.
• James M. Guffy, Jr. graduated from Jones School of Law 2025, was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2025, and is employed with Waterside Law LLC.
• Patricia Elizabeth Hamman graduated from Mississippi College School of Law in 2024, was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2025, and is employed with William C. Poole, LLC.

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Mike Strasavich is pleased to announce that he has opened Mike’s Law Office, aka Mike Strasavich Law LLC, for the general practice of law. Address and contact information is Post Office Box 8066, Mobile, Alabama 36689, phone 251-588-9117 and email mike@mikeslawoffice.com.

Are you and/or your legal assistant in need of a Government Plaza ID Badge? If the answer is “YES," then the Mobile Bar Association is your first stop to acquire your ID Badge. Each badge is $50. For more information, please contact the Mobile Bar Association by phone at 251-433-9790 or email at info@mobilebarassociation.com to start the process.

Office space for lease on Downtowner Blvd. It has 1,200 square feet with four office spaces and two restrooms. For more information, contact Matt Cummings by phone at 251-476-6000 or by email at matt@cummingsassoc.com.

EXCELLENT MIDTOWN OFFICE SPACE: Nice, affordable offices for rent in Midtown at the Loop. Located on Government St. next to Little Flower Catholic School. Plenty of free parking. The space includes 1-3 offices as well as a reception area, bathroom, and kitchenette. A conference room is also available. Contact Mike McNair by office phone at 251-450-0111, by cell at 251-510-3223, or by email at msm@mcnairlawyer.com.

FOR SALE: Attractive historical home (1890) located in Church Street East Historical District; 154 S. Lawrence Street; law office presently; 6 rooms; 1 and 1/2 baths; kitchen; residential/business; some office furnishings available; on street parking; gated parking in back of home; walking distance to courthouse. Contact Virginia Haas by phone at 251-433-0027 or by email at: vwhaas7@gmail.com.

FOR SALE: Law Office or Professional Office Building for Sale at 2408 Government Street. Corner Lot with free parking. Property set up for 3 lawyers but easily could fit up to 4 lawyers. Four offices, kitchen and living room/sitting area, conference room, library, 2 bathrooms. Contact Dan Sayers by phone at 251-422-0888 or by email at danielsayers44@gmail.com.

FOR SALE: Historic Building in immediate proximity to Government Plaza and courts at 205 Church Street. The building dates back to 1844 and is an ideal location for a law firm. For further information, please contact Jeremy Milling by phone at 251-694-5050 or by email at Jeremy@Millingre.com.

DOWNTOWN OFFICE SPACE: 209 N. JOACHIM STREET IN HISTORIC DETONTI SQUARE. Available: One large office upstairs, one large office downstairs, and one small office downstairs, including secretarial space. Within walking distance of federal courts. Amenities: Receptionist, VOIP telephone, internet, WIFI, email, fax machine, large color copier/scanner, onsite parking, lobby, conference room and kitchen. Contact Evans Crowe by phone at 251-431-6011 or by email at crowe@evanscrowe.com.

Legal office space for rent: 1111 Dauphin Street. Contact Buzz Jordan for more information by phone at 251-421-1056 or by email at buzz@rossandjordan.com.

DOWNTOWN OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE: The Commerce Building, 118 N. Royal Street, Suite 804. One large office available to share space and expenses with well-established lawyers. On-site parking, conference room, law library, waiting area, internet, WiFi, color copier/scanner, fax machine, adept paralegal, close to courthouses. Room for another legal assistant if need be. If interested, contact Michael R. Holberg by phone at 251-432-8863 or by email at mholberg@micro-comm.com, or Camille R. Ford by phone at 251-361-2100 or by phone at camille@thefordlawfirmllc.com.

FOR SALE: Beautiful, spacious house/legal office in historic DeTonti Square neighborhood. Currently fully leased out to legal and other tenants. Plentiful onsite parking with EV charging station. Available conference room, waiting area, kitchenette, and fiber-optic internet connected. One block from the Federal and Bankruptcy Courthouses.  Available now. 205 N. Conception St. Contact Henry Brewster by phone at 251-338-0630 or by email at hbrewster@brewsterlaw.net.

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Dear MBA Member:

For the past 31 years, members of our Association have played a large part in the success of the Mobile Bar Foundation. We can’t thank you enough for your support over the years.



The Mobile Bar Foundation strives to improve the legal system, promote justice, and support the legal profession's dedication to the Mobile community. Last year, we provided grant allocations to eight area non-profit agencies that are directly making a positive impact in Mobile County. Our goal of making a community impact was successful!

Many of you contribute when paying your membership dues to the Mobile Bar Association or by making contributions to memorialize or honor a loved one or friend. We greatly appreciate your continued support in these ways.

As you and/or your firm prepare for year-end donations, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to the Mobile Bar Foundation. Contributions of any size are greatly appreciated. Donations may be made by credit card or check. To pay by credit card, sign in to the Mobile Bar Association website at www.mobilebarassociation.com, and click on the tab DONATE. If you would like to donate by check, please complete the form below and mail your form and check to Mobile Bar Foundation, 150 Government Street, Suite 1000-A, Mobile, Alabama 36602.

I hope to see you at the Mobile Bar Association’s December Membership Luncheon on Friday, December 12, at the Battle House Hotel. During that luncheon, the Mobile Bar Foundation will proudly present our 2025 grant allocations to area non-profit agencies.

Thank you again for your continued support of the Mobile Bar Foundation. We are 31 years strong because of YOU!

Sincerely,

Sarah B. Dorger

Mobile Bar Foundation, 2025 President

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What: Inn of Court

When: Thursday, November 13, 2025

Where: Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel | Harbor Room

Time: 5:30 p.m.

Contact: Evan Parrott by email at eparrott@maynardnexsen.com

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Listed below are members who celebrate a birthday in November.

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STAY CONNECTED