Greetings,

What a wonderful evening we had on April 5, celebrating and inducting the 2025 Class of Fellows. Even though our outdoor cocktails under the lights at Ross Bridge were rained out due to a sudden shower, we adjusted quickly to an indoor space. I can tell you that spirits were not dampened in any way. For those who were cheering on their team with NCAA Final Four games, we had a big screen TV to show the first game between Auburn and Florida. As I made my way to various groups, I was so pleased to see my colleagues enjoying each other’s company and happy and upbeat to be participating in the celebration.

We inducted 29 Fellows, all of whom provide financial and personal support to help ALF fund important projects and programs that benefit Alabama residents and the legal community toward the goal of providing equal access to justice for all. Our Fellows Committee, chaired by Jim Ward of Birmingham, did an excellent job in selecting this outstanding class.

In further recognition of how important our Fellows are to ALF, we introduced a new award this year – the Excellence Award. This award is given by the ALF board for: Outstanding contribution by a Fellow to the Alabama Law Foundation and the impact of that contribution. This year’s honoree was Mary Margaret Bailey from Mobile. Any of you who know Mary Margaret are aware of her long-term commitment and passion for ALF. Please be sure to congratulate Mary Margaret when you see her!

Not only did the attendees to this event get to honor and support the new class of Fellows, they were able to see the outstanding work ALF did in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025 through a video. This video showcased some of our grantees, such as Marco Mastin, recipient of a Kids Chance Award, who is now an Ambassador for Kids Chance, and Hannah Hart, recipient of the Janie Shores Award. The testimony of these two individuals was dynamic, and once again, I am proud that we offer these scholarships to young people as they further their education.

Seeing the work done firsthand by our VLPs through various programs such as Wills for Heroes is so impressive and makes you realize the impact lawyers can have in our community if we participate in the volunteer programs. Dawn Hathcock, our Executive Director, and her staff worked tirelessly to produce this video, which was first class!

As we enjoy the spring season and look forward to the warm weather of summer, take a moment to see what opportunities you have in your community to volunteer through the various VLPs as well as other programs offered by ALF, the ASB, and other organizations. We can do good work in the lives of so many Alabamians if we work together to provide access to justice for all.

“All the great things are simple, and many can be expressed in a single word: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.”  Winston Churchill

Warmest Regards,

Leslie R. Barineau

President, Alabama Law Foundation