On February 11, the School of Law hosted the annual Alabama Law Alumni Society Banquet at the Haven in Birmingham. Six distinguished alumni were honored this year for their significant contributions to the legal community and the School of Law. Due to the pandemic, this was the first time this event convened in-person since 2020—offering the opportunity for alumni and friends to reunite in numbers that haven’t been possible for quite some time.
Sam W. Pipes Distinguished Alumnus Award
Stephen Douglas Kane (Class of ‘69) was named the recipient of the Sam W. Pipes Distinguished Alumnus award—the highest honor bestowed by The Law School Foundation to outstanding alumni of The University of Alabama School of Law.
“Steve’s career has been one of truly remarkable success as an investor, as a business founder, as a senior executive, and as general counsel of a succession of profitable business enterprises,” said S. Dagnal Rowe, Kane’s classmate and an attorney and shareholder at Wilmer & Lee.
Rowe explained that while his business success is impressive, the true measure of Kane’s stature is found in the way he has “used and prioritized his time, talents, and prosperity” to care for his family and give back to the community and the School of Law.
Notably, Kane has established a scholarship for non-resident Alabama Law students, is a major donor to the new Alabama Law Program for Law and Business, and he serves as a member of The University of Alabama President’s Cabinet, an Emeritus member of the Alabama Law School Foundation’s Board of Governors, and a member of the Law School’s Capital Campaign Committee.
Alabama Lawyer Hall of Honor
Four additional Alabama Law alumni were inducted into the Alabama Lawyer Hall of Honor which was established in 2020 by the Board of Governors of the Law School Foundation to recognize the outstanding achievement of Alabama Law alumni and faculty. This year’s inductees include The Honorable Sonja F. Bivins (Class of ’88), William (Bill) N. Clark (Class of ’71), Michael D. Ermert (Class of ’90), and H. Harold Stephens (Class of ’80).
Among many moving moments throughout the night, fellow alumni offered a standing ovation in recognition of Alabama Lawyer Hall of Honor Inductee, Michael D. Ermert, who recently passed away. His award was presented to his wife, Lori Ermert, by Mike Ermert’s long-time business partner, Leon Ashford.
Alabama Rising Young Attorney
Danielle Blevins (Class of ‘12) was named the recipient of the Alabama Rising Young Attorney Award which recognizes a recent graduate who has shown significant leadership and purposeful service to the legal profession, their community, and the School of Law.
The 2022 Alabama Law Alumni Banquet offered a beautiful evening for alumni and their families to gather and celebrate the achievements of classmates and friends. If you were unable to attend, we hope you will join us next year. Meanwhile, you can see additional photos from the event and read the bios of each awardee in the banquet program.
