Homecoming Tailgate at Alabama Law
Join Dean Brewbaker and fellow Alabama Law alumni on the front lawn of the Law School as we celebrate homecoming before the Crimson Tide takes on the Oklahoma Sooners on November 15. The tailgate will begin at noon and go until kickoff at 2:30 p.m. Enjoy great food, drinks, and games—and for those attending the game, we’ll provide transportation to Bryant-Denny Stadium. Click here to RSVP!
Path Makers Legacy Plaza Update
Thanks to the generosity of our alumni and friends, the Law School is approaching the $1.5 million goal to begin construction of the Path Makers Legacy Plaza—but we need your help to cross the finish line.
Plans for the plaza were first introduced in 2023 as a part of a 50th anniversary commemoration celebrating the first Black graduates at Alabama Law. The plaza will be an ADA-accessible, outdoor space where students can gather and the Law School can host events for alumni, visiting scholars, and friends in the community.
To learn how you or your organization can make a difference and explore donor recognition opportunities, please contact Alabama Law’s Associate Director of Development, Caroline Strawbridge, at cstrawbridge@law.ua.edu.
Fall 2025 Faculty Promotions & Appointments
The Law School announced five faculty promotions and new appointments effective Fall 2025. The promotions recognize outstanding scholarship, teaching, and service across a range of legal disciplines.
Professor Ben McMichael was promoted to professor of law and appointed the Jere L. Beasley Professor of Law, Professor Shalini Ray was promoted to professor of law and appointed the Yetta G. Samford Jr. Endowed Professor in Legal Ethics, Professors Clare Ryan and Daiquiri Steele were both granted tenure as associate professors of law, and Professor Russell Gold was named an Irving Silver & Frances Grodsky Silver Faculty Scholar in addition to his role as the Frank M. Bainbridge-Walter L. Mims Professor of Law.
Congratulations to these distinguished faculty members on their accomplishments and ongoing contributions to legal education and research.
Gifts
Recognition of gifts of $5,000+ over the past month
The Alabama Civil Justice Foundation contributed $25,000 to the Alabama Law Summer Scholars Program.
Jonathan Davies (‘80), with a matching gift from PricewaterhouseCoopers, contributed $11,000 to the Law School Foundation Unrestricted Fund.
Hon. Samarria Dunson (‘03) and Kendall Dunson (‘96) contributed $5,000 to the Path Makers Legacy Plaza.
Anna (‘98) and Steven Grizzle contributed $10,000 to the Anna and Steven Grizzle Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Hon. Hardie B. Kimbrough Sr. (‘68) contributed $25,000 to the Judge Hardie B. Kimbrough Endowed Scholarship Fund and $5,000 to the Alabama Law Alumni Society.
Stephen L. Scott (‘95) contributed $5,000 to the Alabama Law Alumni Society.
M. Wayne Wheeler (‘66) contributed $100,000 to the Judge Robert J. Wheeler Scholarship Fund.
The following alumni and friends (not mentioned above) either made or renewed an annual giving contribution to the Alabama Law Alumni Society this month. Visit www.give.ua.edu to make or renew your contribution.
James M. Adams Jr. (‘14)
Frederick W. Allen (‘98)
Kobina P. Ankumah (‘15)
Jason Avery (‘06)
Braxton W. Ashe (‘68)
Nathaniel A. Barlow (‘25)
Hon. Milton E. Belcher (‘76)
Stanley E. Blackmon (‘15)
Cortlin L. Bond (‘19)
Lindsey C. Boney IV (‘09)
Heather C. Brock (‘93)
Richard Brock (‘93)
Mazie R. Bryant (‘20)
William P. Burgess Jr. (‘73)
Hon. Sue Bell Cobb (‘81)
Patrick B. Collins (‘89)
James M. Corder Jr. (‘83)
Kate G. Courtney (‘92)
Stewart M. Cox (‘87)
Daniel S. Culpepper (‘16)
Christopher B. Driver (‘15)
Hallman B. Eady (‘04)
Bruce P. Ely (‘80)
Frederick T. Enslen Jr. (‘66)
George C. Garikes (‘82)
Chris Glenos (‘93)
T. Michael Goodrich (‘71)
Glenn S. Gray (‘20)
T. Parker Griffin Jr. (‘08)
Stephen H. Hall (‘98)
Christopher B. Harmon (‘91)
Judd A. Harwood (‘01)
K. Wood Herren (‘90)
Carolyne J. Hess (‘14)
Rudy Hill (‘10)
David B. Hodgins (‘07)
Thomas J. House (‘82)
Annie C. Hughes (‘24)
David G. Hymer (‘85)
Brice M. Johnston (‘05)
Collin M. Keller (‘19)
Jonathan R. Key (‘11)
Mason A. Kruse (‘22)
Ingrid B. Lunsford (‘99)
Michel M. Marcoux (‘08)
Kimberly B. Martin (‘94)
Charles J. Mataya (‘85)
Marion McKathan (‘82)
David W. Owen (‘00)
George R. Parker (‘98)
Virginia C. Patterson (‘86)
Hunter W. Pearce (‘18)
Jerry F. Perkins Jr. (‘97)
Christopher A. Pettey (‘83)
Gregory B. Pipes (‘13)
James B. Pittman Jr. (‘98)
Thomas B. Proctor (‘16)
Ryan P. Robichaux (‘09)
Laura S. Robinson (‘94)
Donald R. Rhea (‘81)
Emily M. Ruzic (‘14)
Mark W. Sabel Jr. (‘93)
Jack W. Selden (‘81)
Melinda E. Sellers (‘05)
Rachel M. Sims (‘23)
Edward S. Sledge IV (‘03)
Frederic L. Smith Jr. (‘96)
George A. Smith II (‘91)
Gabrielle A. Sprio (‘21)
David K. Taylor (‘84)
Spencer M. Taylor (‘96)
Michael A. Vercher (‘99)
William H. Webb (‘22)
Class Notes
Keep us in the loop! Please send any updates to media@law.ua.edu.
R. Sid McAnnally (‘90) was elected Chair of the American Gas Association Board of Directors for 2026.
Sela S. Blanton (‘02) joined Butler Snow’s tort, transportation & specialized litigation practice as an attorney in Birmingham.
Courtney Brown (‘25) joined Fisher Phillips’ labor & employment practice as an associate in Denver, Colorado.
Kamryn Carpenter (‘25) joined Starnes Davis Florie’s complex business litigation practice as an associate in Birmingham.
Emily Carico (‘25) joined Dentons Sirote’s corporate practice as an associate in Birmingham.
Hon. Spiro N. Cheriogotis (‘11) won the Mobile mayoral run-off election.
Alisha Clay (‘25) joined Burr & Forman’s lending practice as an associate in Birmingham.
Braxton Comer (‘08) joined 1919 Investment Counsel as a Principal, Business Development Officer in Birmingham.
Marjorie Head Cope (‘23) joined Starnes Davis Florie’s medical malpractice litigation practice as an associate in Birmingham.
Carla Crowder (‘09) was inducted into the Walk of Honor in Florence, Alabama. She also received the Huntingdon College Alumni Achievement Award in Law and Public Service and was honored during a ceremony in Montgomery.
Caroline Dean (‘23) was named Baker Donelson’s Birmingham Pro Bono Attorney of the Year.
Atticus DeProspo (‘19) was named Young Lawyer of the Year by the Bar Association of DC.
Kevin Doh (‘25) joined Balch & Bingham’s banking & financial services practice as an associate in Birmingham.
Andrew R. Dolan (‘15) was named to Leadership Alabama’s Class VIII of the Alabama Leadership Initiative.
Danielle Douglas (‘18) was selected to participate in the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges’ 2025 Next Generation Program.
James Duer (‘25) joined Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart’s automotive litigation and product liability practices as an associate in Birmingham.
Carson Freund (‘25) joined Wicker Smith as an associate in Nashville.
Guy F. Gunter III (‘73) is retiring as the city attorney of Opelika, Alabama, after 50 years of service.
Henry Hamlett (‘25) joined Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann’s business litigation practice as an associate in New Orleans.
Julius Hammond (‘24) joined Serious Injury Law Group as an attorney in Birmingham.
Mallory Harper (‘25) joined the University of Alabama Office for Research and Technology Agreements.
Laura Alice Hillhouse (‘25) joined Starnes Davis Florie’s medical malpractice litigation practice as an associate in Birmingham.
Ann Marcum Hines (‘25) joined Balch & Bingham’s real estate practice as an associate in Birmingham.
Norman Jetmundsen Jr. (‘79) released his latest book, Unrivaled: Sewanee 1899, with co-author Karin Dupree Fecteau.
Franklin Johnson (‘11) was named chief of the Alabama Department of Workforce’s Workforce Pathways Division.
Alex Jones (‘25) joined Bradley’s tax, trust & estates practice as an associate in Huntsville.
Masami Kanegae (‘25) joined the ACLU of Utah as a staff attorney.
Julia Koonce (‘25) joined Smith, Spires & Peddy as an associate in Birmingham.
Kyra Lockhart (‘25) joined Burr & Forman’s real estate and lending practices as an associate in Birmingham.
Brandon Marsh (‘25) joined the Madison County District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney in Huntsville.
Kevin A. McGovern (‘02) joined Butler Snow’s business services practice as an attorney in Birmingham.
Elizabeth Meeker (‘25) joined the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama as a term law clerk for Magistrate Judge Kelly Fitzgerald Pate.
Hon. Hal D. Mooty III (‘08) was confirmed as a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama.
Louisa Palker (‘25) joined Wicker Smith as an associate in Atlanta.
Russell Register (‘15) joined the Florida State University College of Law as the Director of Professional Development in Tallahassee, Florida.
Isabella Ragsdale (‘25) joined Swift, Curry, McGhee & Hiers as an associate in Atlanta.
Dakota Rivers (‘25) joined Rushton, Stakely, Johnston & Garrett as a civil litigation associate in Montgomery.
Anna Robinson (‘25) joined Burr & Forman’s corporate & tax practice as an associate in Birmingham.
Guadalupe Orozco Rosiles (‘25) joined Burr & Forman’s creditors’ rights and bankruptcy practice as an associate in Birmingham.
John Saxon (‘77) was sworn in as President of the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham, the world’s largest. He previously served as President of its foundation. He was also reappointed to the Ethics and Professionalism Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers and elected President of YMBC Civic Forum in Birmingham.
Gregory Short (‘25) joined Trenam Law as an associate in Tampa, Florida.
Zach Stanton (‘25) joined Balch & Bingham’s energy practice as an associate in Birmingham.
Alli Swann (‘25) joined Burr & Forman’s commercial litigation practice as an associate in Birmingham.
Glenda D. Webb (‘98) was recognized at the Britto Foundation’s Women’s Leadership Luncheon for her leadership in the Tuscaloosa area.
Katie Wilson (‘12) was selected for Birmingham Business Journal’s 2025 NextGen Class.
Elizabeth I. Winter (‘98) was named one of the Community Foundation of West Alabama’s 2025 Pillars.
Faculty Notes
Associate Dean Jeff Baker’s article, Christian Realism and the Sins of Mass Incarceration, was published in Georgia Criminal Law Review.
Professor Kimberly Boone received the Huntingdon College Alumni Achievement Award in Education for this year, which the college has designated the Year of the Educator. She was honored alongside other alumni award recipients in a ceremony at her alma mater on October 3.
Professor Russell Gold taught a seminar for the University of Alabama Teaching Academy on driving student engagement in lecture classes and participated in a public conversation with Corinna Barrett Lain about her recent book, Secrets of the Killing State, at Ernest & Hadley Booksellers in Tuscaloosa.
Professor Emerita Susan Pace Hamill presented on Alabama’s 1901 Constitution for the Blackburn Institute. She also presented her chapter, Evangelicals and Other Contemporary Protestant Denominations in the United States, at a conference held at Georgia State College of Law honoring the publication of Christian Perspectives on the Role of the State, Justice, and Taxation (Robert F. van Brederode ed., Springer 2025). Finally, Professor Hamill was interviewed for an AL.com article about a Louisiana voting rights case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court and its possible impact on Alabama’s most recently created majority-black congressional district.
Professor Luke Herrine was selected as one of four Freedom Scholars by the Marguerite Casey Foundation for his work as a pioneer of mass student debt cancellation. He also published a report on transformations in state higher education governance over the 20th century with the Roosevelt Institute.
Professor Ron Krotoszynski Jr. presented his draft book chapter, Regulating Private Social Media Platforms in the Shadow of the First Amendment: Some Comparative Law Observations and Lessons on the Scope of Fundamental Rights, at a workshop co-sponsored by the Global Freedom of Expression Project at Columbia University and The University of Alabama School of Law. This chapter will be included in Platform Regulation and the Freedom of Expression in the United States and Europe: Across the Great Divide (Oxford University Press, forthcoming), for which Professor Krotoszynski also serves as one of four co-editors. He presented an earlier draft of this chapter in Budapest, Hungary, at the Freedom of Expression Global Scholars Forum and the Platform Regulation Symposium, both hosted by the National Public Service University (Ludovica) School of Law.
Professor Krotoszynski also presented his forthcoming article, Renormalizing the Nondelegation Doctrine (Emory Law Journal, 2026), at the Administrative Law Global Scholars Forum, hosted by the University of Stockholm School of Law in Stockholm, Sweden, and Gitlow Revisited: Disentangling Ideas and Crimes Via the Harm Principle at a faculty workshop hosted by the Seattle University School of Law. This article, solicited as part of a major symposium sponsored by the Stanton Foundation and hosted at Arizona State University Sandra Day O’Connor College of the Law marking Gitlow v. New York’s 100th anniversary, will be published in the Journal of Free Speech Law later this year.
Finally, Professor Krotoszynski spoke on recent Supreme Court cases in administrative law at the Supreme Court Update panel at the Southeastern Association of Law Schools Annual Meeting.
Professor Amber Polk presented Living the Good Life in a Paradox: Consumption and Sorties Problems in the Anthropocene at The Environmental Law Collaborative’s workshop at the University of Miami.
Professor Clare Ryan served as chair for the annual meeting of the Younger Comparativists Committee of the American Society of Comparative Law. Additionally, her forthcoming article, The Public/Private Home (110 Cornell Law Review, 2025) was reviewed on Jotwell.
Professor Sean Tu signed on to two amicus briefs: Vanda Pharmaceuticals v. United States and Sandisk Technologies, Inc. and Western Digital Technologies Inc.