The Alabama Law Foundation Announces New Fellows
The selection committee of the Fellows of the Alabama Law Foundation meets annually to select lawyers, from among those nominated by incumbent Fellows, to be invited to membership. Those selected have demonstrated outstanding dedication to their profession and their community.
New members were inducted at the annual Fellows Dinner which was held Saturday, January 25, 2020, at the Renaissance in Montgomery, Alabama.
The Fellows program was established in 1995 to honor Alabama Bar members for outstanding service and commitment. Since no more than 1% of bar members are invited into fellowship, the selection committee chooses new members from an exceptional group of lawyers. Executive Director of the Alabama Law Foundation Tracy Daniel explains, “We are honored to welcome the 2019 class of Fellows to the Alabama Law Foundation. This class reflects the best of the best. Throughout their careers, these men and women have distinguished themselves as lawyers, judges, and servant leaders in the profession and community. We are proud to welcome them into the ranks of our foundation.”
The foundation depends upon Fellows to provide financial and personal support. Fellows’ gifts help the foundation fund important projects and programs that benefit Alabama residents and the legal community alike, toward the goal of providing equal access to justice for all Alabama citizens. The foundation awarded $1,147,667 for calendar year 2020. Eighty-eight percent of grants were given to organizations providing free civil legal aid to low-income residents of Alabama, and the remaining twelve percent went to projects to improve the administration of justice.
Fellows accepted into membership for 2019 are the following:
Annemarie C. Axon, Birmingham – University of Alabama, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. United States District Judge, Northern District of Alabama.
Emily L. Baggett, Decatur – Mississippi University for Women, B.S. Cumberland School of Law, J. D. Legal Department, City of Decatur.
Liles C. Burke, Huntsville – University of Alabama, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. United States District Judge, Northern District of Alabama.
Bradley R. Byrne, Mobile – Duke University, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. United States House of Representatives, 1st District of Alabama.
Shawn J. Cole, Montgomery – University of Alabama, B.A. Cumberland School of Law, J. D. Shareholder in Hill, Hill, Carter, Franco, Cole & Black.
John H. Graham, Scottsboro – Berea College, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J. D. Circuit Judge, 38th Judicial Circuit.
Elizabeth H. Huntley, Birmingham – Auburn University, B.S. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Of Counsel, Lightfoot Franklin & White.
Clinton H. Hyde, Evergreen – University of Alabama, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Partner in Hyde & Hyde.
J. Elizabeth Kellum, Montgomery – University of Alabama, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Judge, Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.
Karen L. Laneaux, Montgomery – University of Alabama Birmingham, B.S. Tulane University School of Law, J.D. Law Offices of Sandra Lewis.
J. Trent Lowry, Cullman – Auburn University, B.B.A. Mississippi College School of Law, J.D. Partner in Griffith, Lowry & Meherg.
E. De Martenson, Birmingham – University of Alabama, B.S. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Senior Partner in Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart.
Matthew C. McDonald, Mobile – Vanderbilt University, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Partner in Jones Walker.
A. Clark Morris, Montgomery – Hollins University, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Office of the Attorney General, State of Alabama.
Mark A. Newell, Mobile – University of Alabama, B.S. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Partner in Armbrecht Jackson.
Andrew S. Nix, Birmingham – Auburn University, B.S. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Shareholder in Maynard, Cooper & Gale.
George R. Parker, Montgomery – Auburn University, B.S. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Partner in Bradley Arant.
Jill P. Phillips, Mobile – Spring Hill College, B.S. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit.
James Rebarchak, Mobile – Spring Hill College, B.S. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Partner in Jones Walker.
Benjamin R. Rice, Huntsville – Samford University, A.B. Cumberland School of Law, J.D. Partner in Wilmer & Lee.
Donald N. Rizzardi, Huntsville – University of Alabama/Huntsville, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. District Judge, 23rd Judicial Circuit.
J. Gregory Shaw, Birmingham – Auburn University, B.S. Cumberland School of Law, J.D. Associate Justice, Supreme Court of Alabama.
Patrick M. Shegon, Montgomery – Auburn University, B.S. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Shareholder in Rushton, Stakely, Johnston & Garrett.
Robert F. Smith, Florence – University of North Alabama, B.S. Cumberland School of Law, J.D. Sole Practitioner.
Scott M. Speagle, Montgomery – Birmingham-Southern College, B.S. University of Alabama Birmingham, M.S. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Managing Shareholder in Webster, Henry, Bradwell, Cohan, Speagle & DeShazo.
Finis E. St. John IV, Cullman – University of Alabama, B.A. University of Virginia School of Law, J.D. Chancellor of The University of Alabama System.
Sarah H. Stewart, Montgomery – University of Arkansas, B.A University of Arkansas, M.A. Vanderbilt University School of Law, J.D Associate Justice, Supreme Court of Alabama.
R. Gregory Watts, Mobile – University of Notre Dame, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Partner in Johnstone Adams.
Judson W. Wells, Daphne – University of Alabama, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Shareholder in Carr Allison.
Stephen E. Whitehead, Birmingham – University of South Alabama, B.A. University of Alabama School of Law, J.D. Shareholder in Lloyd, Gray, Whitehead & Monroe.
E. Ham Wilson, Montgomery – University of Alabama, B.A. Cumberland School of Law, J.D. Partner in Ball, Ball, Matthews & Novak.
A. Kelli Wise, Montgomery – Auburn University, B.S. Auburn University, M.P.A. Thomas Jones Goode School of Law, J.D. Associate Justice, Supreme Court of Alabama.