Welcome back to Alabama Law!
Dean Brewbaker and the rest of the Alabama Law team are excited to welcome back our students, faculty, and staff for another wonderful year here at Alabama Law. Roll Tide!
Alabama Law is proud to welcome the Class of 2029 into the Law School Community. Drawn from a competitive pool of approximately 1,900 applicants, this incoming class consists of 117 students who represent 22 states and have studied in 43 different colleges and universities. Classes officially began on August 20, but these 1Ls got a head-start during a week-long orientation beginning on August 12.
During orientation, they heard presentations from faculty, the Student Bar Association, and other members of the Alabama Law community; had time to socialize and get to know each other; took a trip to Montgomery to visit the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama and the Equal Justice Initiative’s Legacy Museum; and completed a one-credit hour introductory class that prepared them to hit the ground running at the start of the semester.
Alabama Law Alumni Winners Celebrated
This summer, the Law School hosted receptions in Birmingham, Mobile, and Point Clear to honor the recipients of the 2026 Alabama Law Alumni Awards: Paula Hinton (’79), Penny Davis (’75), Curtis Liles III (’73), Robert L. McCurley, Jr. (’66), and Irving Silver (’65). An event honoring Caroline Milner (’18)as the Alabama Rising Young Attorney Award was held in DC earlier in the Spring. Thank you to all who came out to join us in celebrating the achievements of these outstanding alumni and faculty!
Now that we have wrapped up the 2026 award season, the Alabama Law Alumni Society and the Board of Governors are accepting nominations for the 2027 Alumni Awards! Learn more about the criteria for each award and to nominate an alumnus
Welcome New Faculty
The Honorable Scott Donaldson joins Alabama Law as Executive Director for Graduate Law and CLE Programs and Assistant Professor of Law in Residence. He comes to the school after 18 years on the Alabama bench, serving as a circuit judge and then on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, where he authored more than 900 appellate opinions. He now leads Alabama Law’s continuing legal education and graduate law programs.
Ben Grimes returns to his alma mater as Assistant Professor of Legal Writing. A 2022 graduate of the Law School, where he earned his J.D. summa cum laude and Order of the Coif, he joins the faculty from Maynard Nexsen in Birmingham, where he practiced complex and commercial litigation. He previously clerked for Chief Judge L. Scott Coogler of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
Fall Symposium: Retaliation and the Rule of Law
Join leading scholars, current and former government officials, and practitioners for a symposium examining retaliation protections across the law and their vital role in protecting those who report misconduct, participate in legal processes, and exercise their rights.
Alabama Law Career Services
The Career Services Office is happy to assist with all hiring needs including student law clerks, semester externs, post-graduate associates, and laterals. You can post positions on 12twenty directly or reach out to our office at careers@law.ua.edu for assistance!
Hiring for Summer 2027?
Registration is now open for our Fall 2026 On-Campus Interview (OCI) Program. We offer resume collects, in-person interviews, and virtual interviews with our 1L, 2L, and 3L classes for upcoming summer and graduate positions. Our remaining Fall 2026 OCI dates are September 14-18, 2026 and October 12-16, 2026.
Our OCI programs are 100% employer preselect and free of charge, and you can register today on 12twenty. Please contact Hannah McPhillips at hmcphillips@law.ua.edu for more information.
All Alabama attorneys must earn at least 12.0 total MCLE credits (including 1.0 ethics) by December 31 of each year. Catch up with our on-demand programming:
- Books & Tips For Being a Better Trial Attorney
- Fundamentals of Will Drafting
- Current Issues and Helpful Hints for Chapter 13 Practice
Visit the CLE Alabama website for details on additional courses.
Gifts
Recognition of gifts of $5,000+ May 2026 – July 31, 2026
Laura Crum (’82) facilitated a gift from the Crum Charitable Foundation of $30,000 to the Crum Family Endowed Lecture for Law & Business.
Ron Davis (’76) contributed $5,000 to the Alabama Law Alumni Society.
Helene Hibbard (’81) facilitated a gift of $10,000 in honor of fellow alumna Sue Thompson (’74).
Mike (’71) and Gina House contributed $100,000 to the Mike and Gina House DC Externship Student Support Fund.
Curtis Liles (’73) gave a gift of $15,000 to the Curtis O. Liles III Endowed Scholarship in Tax Law.
James (’78) and Nancy Richardson pledged $100,000 to establish a fund to support mental health initiatives for law students.
The following alumni from the Class of 1985 have made leadership gifts to establish a Professorship in Civil Rights Law:
Michael J. Brandt
Matthew C. McDonald
Marty Roberts
Fundraising is still ongoing for this effort. If you are interested in contributing, contact Jason Wear at jwear@law.ua.edu
The following alumni and friends (not mentioned above) either made or renewed an annual giving contribution to the Alabama Law Alumni Society this summer. Visit www.give.ua.edu to make or renew your contribution.
Cynthia Lee Almond (’90)
Travis M. Bedsole, Jr. (’74)
Dr. David G. Bronner (’72)
Richard E. Broughton (’81)
Hon. Howard F. Bryan (’72)
Betty J. Burroughs
Bennie D. Butler, Jr. (’92)
L. Peyton Chapman III (’96)
Allan J. Chappelle (’75)
Stephen E. Clements (’82)
Timothy O. Coyle (’92)
Laura Crum (’82)
Hon. John H. England, Jr. (’74)
Ross Frazer (’01)
Broox G. Garrett (’73)
William G. Hooks, Jr. (’84)
Thomas E. James (’97)
Curtis O. Liles III (’73)
Jon N. Loupe (’05)
Evelyn Vansant Mauldin (’81)
Col. Richard D. Mink (’88)
Susan Blair Molen (’79)
Patrick P. Hughes (’78)
James H. Richardson (’78)
Cynthia Ross-Zenick
Patricia B. Rumore (’75)
Samuel A. Rumore, Jr. (’74)
Albert J. Schibani (’74)
Hon. Jeff B. Sessions (’73)
Robert H. Shaw (’84)
Clement H. Shugerman (’68)
Nathan W. Smart (’14)
Jack P. Stephenson, Jr. (’73)
Hon. C. Michael Stilson (’74)
E. Tatum Turner (’88)
Gregory Edward Vaughan (’03)
Jason C. Wear
L. Ruth Weeks
Karen C. Welborn (’85)
James H. White, Jr. (’80)
James B. Wiley, Jr. (’80)
William Roy Willard (’70)
V. Lynne Windham (’96)
Nicholas Wilson (’15)
Lowell Asher Womack (’66)
Class Notes
Keep us in the loop! Send any updates to media@law.ua.edu
William “Bill” R. Adair Jr. (’86) retired as Walker County District Attorney.
The Honorable Cynthia L. Almond (’91) has been named to the 2026 Yellowhammer News Alabama Women of Impact list.
Robert Baxley (’16) joined Baker Donelson’s Birmingham office as a shareholder in the Firm’s Commercial Litigation Group.
Matthew “Matt” F. Bedingfield (’07) was named Global Chief Executive officer for Mint Innovation.
Gregory S. Bianchi (‘01) joined Bradley as a partner in the Healthcare Practice Group in Atlanta.
Joel Caldwell (’13) has been elected principal to Cory Watson Attorneys’ leadership team.
“Charlie” C. Carlton Jr. (’75) has been appointed to the Huntingdon College Board of Trustees.
Tiffany Webber Carpenter (’12) has been elected principal to Cory Watson Attorneys’ leadership team.
Phillip D. Corley Jr. (’94). has been named a shareholder in Maynard Nexsen’s Real Estate Practice.
J. Caleb Cunningham (’12) published a narrative non-fiction memoir, The State Rests: Crime and Punishment at Lake of the Ozarks.
Prim Escalona (’08) has rejoined Maynard Nexsen PC as a shareholder in its complex and commercial litigation practice.
David Felice (’01) has been elevated to President of the Delaware Bar Foundation.
Brandi B. Frederick (’02) joined Fisher & Phillips LLP as a Partner.
Scott S. Frederick (’13) was named partner of Bradley to the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group.
Jordan W. Gerheim (’08) was included in the 33rd edition of The Best Lawyers in America.
Samuel “Sam” S. Grimes Jr. (’16) was named partner at Burr & Forman LLP.
Thomas B. Hall (’18) has been named Member with Sherrard Roe Voigt & Harbison.
Christina E. Hamalian (’14) has been named Of Counsel at Weiss Serota Helfman Cole + Bierman (WSHC+B) in Miami.
E. Nathan Harris (’10) was recently elected to serve as Treasurer of the Alabama Association for Justice, placing him on the leadership track to serve as the organization’s president in 2030.
Francis “Inge” Johnstone (’98) has joined McWherter Scott & Bobbitt as Of Counsel.
Demarcus A. Joiner (’24) has been appointed to the Alabama Public Service Commission by Governor Kay Ivey.
Jeffrey “Jeff” P. Lisenby (’95) has been appointed Executive Vice President, General Counsel at EMPLOYERS.
Terrence “Terry” William McCarthy (’99) received the Alabama State Bar’s President’s Award for his exceptional contributions to the legal profession.
Crawford McCullers (’21) joined Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart LLP as an associate attorney.
Deborah D. McGowin (’91) has been appointed District Judge in the 13th Judicial Circuit in Mobile County.
Steve McPheeters (’97) has been added as a shareholder for Maynard Nexsen PC.
Ryan Mitchem (’02) has been named Husch Blackwell’s General Counsel.
Justin H. Nolen (’19) was promoted to partner at Clark May Price.
Robert “Shan” Paden (’86) has been appointed General Counsel at Central Alabama Water.
George R. Parker (’98) has assumed office as President-Elect of the Alabama State Bar.
Robert E. Pendley (’18) has been named as a shareholder for Baker Donelson.
Ethan Picone (’15) has been named Counsel at Ballard Spahr in Seattle, WA.
Paul Rand (’13) recently joined the ACLU of Alabama as Senior Counsel.
Sarah Beth Sanders (’19) has joined as a partner of Graham Neal Seal & Bell.
Amy L. Savoie (’04) has been named in Birmingham Business Journal’s 2026 Women to Watch Honorees list.
Melinda Sellers (’05) has been appointed Chair of the Common Interest Ownership Committee of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers.
Lewis “Robert” Shreve (’11) has been appointed City Attorney for Mobile.
Edward “Ed” S. Sledge IV (’03) has been appointed to the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Board of Directors.
Sue Thompson (’74) was honored at the Tuscaloosa Branch of NAACP’s Living Legend Luncheon on Juneteenth.
Julia “Chrissy” C. Tubbs (’25) has joined Cory Watson Attorneys as an Associate Attorney.
Andrew B. Tuggle (’19) joined Holland & Knight in Huntsville
Brittany R. Turner (‘16) joined Ogletree Deakins’ Birmingham office as Of Counsel.
Kaleb S. Walker (’15) joined Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP as a Partner on its Energy & Infrastructure team in Houston.
Robert “Rob” H. Wall (‘02) was elected to serve a three-year term on the North Carolina Bar Association’s (NCBA) Board of Governors.
Jon “Kevin” Webb (’01) has been promoted to Principal at Warren Averett in the firm’s Estate & Trust Division.
Calvert “Callie” S. Whatley (’03) has been named in Birmingham Business Journal’s 2026 Women to Watch Honorees list.
The following alumni have been named to Leadership Alabama’s Class XXXVI.
Mary Margaret C. Bradford (’10)
The Honorable David L. Faulkner, Jr. (’94)
Wesley B. Gilchrist (’05)
Mary Pat Lawrence (’00)
The Honorable L. Bernard “Burt” Smithart (’89)
The Honorable Catherine “Callie” Waldrep (’04)
Faculty Notes
Professor Grant Christensen published his essay, State Tax Exemptions for Tribal Cultural Property, in the Yale Law Journal Forum, 136 Yale L.J.F. 1 (2026) (with Andrew Appleby). They argue that state and local taxes on land transferred to tribal governments raise the cost of reacquiring ancestral land, and that exempting those transfers would recognize tribal sovereignty. Earlier in the summer, Professor Christensen and Anne Mullins published an op-ed in the Washington Post on Justice Elena Kagan’s first solo dissent, Solo dissents are uncommon. Justice Kagan just made her first. The two have further work on lone dissents forthcoming in the Florida Law Review and the Georgetown Law Journal Online.
Professor Ron Krotoszynski published Renormalizing the Nondelegation Doctrine in the Emory Law Journal, 75 Emory L.J. (2026) (with the Honorable A. Richard M. Blaiklock). He also completed the fifth edition of his casebook, The First Amendment: Cases and Theory (Aspen Publishing), with Timothy Zick, Lyrissa Lidsky, Caroline Mala Corbin, and Charlotte Garden. Professor Krotoszynski took part remotely in a free-speech forum hosted by the University of Luxembourg’s Faculty of Law, Economics and Finance.
Vice Dean Joel Nichols completed the Institute for Management and Leadership in Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in June, where a set of invited academic leaders met for a week of conversations and learning on strategic leadership, change management, and building mission and culture. This spring, Vice Dean Nichols served as an invited external reviewer for a top-25 private law school’s JD program and later participated in an accreditation site visit to a thriving law school in the Southeast.
Professor Travis Ramey received the John Minor Wisdom Award for his article, Interlocutory Appeals in Complex Litigation: A Rule 23(f) Analog for Collective Actions, published in Volume 100 of the Tulane Law Review.
Professor Ken Rosen published an op-ed, What Socialists Get Wrong About the Founding Fathers, in the Washington Examiner, marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Professor Tobie Smith published his article, Recidivism Jury Trials, in the June 2026 issue of The Champion, the monthly publication of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Professor Sean Tu published Rethinking Regulatory Protections for Accelerated Approvals With Supplementary Indications in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (with Catherine S. Hwang and Martha S. Gerrity). Cancer therapies now account for about 85% of the drugs cleared through the FDA’s accelerated approval pathway, and the authors argue that new uses of already-approved drugs should rest on stronger evidence.
Professor Tu also published Pitfalls of announcing regulatory policy in medical journals in The BMJ (with Aaron S. Kesselheim), on federal officials using medical journals, rather than notice-and-comment rulemaking, to announce changes to FDA guidance. STAT News interviewed Professor Tu for its Aug. 3 article, California Supreme Court Sides With Gilead in ‘Duty’ to Innovate Case.
Professor Fred Vars published two op-eds on the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent Second Amendment decision: Why Drug Addicts Are Carved Out of a Supreme Court Gun Decision in the Washington Post and Gun-Free Stores Still on States’ Menu After Supreme Court Ruling in Bloomberg Law.