2011
David K. Pharr Receives 2011 Trailblazer Award for Museum to Market Trail Project
The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership’s 2011 Annual Meeting honored BABC partner David K. Pharr and Dr. Clay Hays with the 2011 Trailblazer Awards for their hard work and dedication on the Bicycle-Pedestrian Trail Project. The recipients worked with area mayors, community organizations, and transportation officials, to refine and promote trail projects and help secure more than $3 million in funding for trails in Greater Jackson. The Museum to Market Trail, Jackson’s first rails-to-trails development, will connect the downtown Mississippi Farmer’s Market to two of the most popular museums in the state, the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and Mississippi Children’s Museum at LeFleur’s Bluff State Park. The trail will follow the historic GM&O rail line for 2.5 miles along the eastern border of the Belhaven and Belhaven Heights neighborhoods.
Partner David Hill Bashford Ranked as 2012 Rising Star and Recognized as a Top Young Attorney in North Carolina
BABC Partner David Hill Bashford was recently honored by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star in North Carolina for 2012. Super Lawyers rates lawyers who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, and designates a state’s top up-and-coming attorneys as Rising Stars. Additionally, Charlotte Magazine recognized Bashford as a “Top Young Attorney in North Carolina.”
Bashford practices in the firm’s Construction and Procurement Practice Group, as well as the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. His primary focus in on risk and claim management, as well as dispute resolution on large scale public and private construction project disputes. David has extensive experience in pursuing and defending construction claims in various state and federal courts across the country, as well as in mediation and arbitration. He also serves as the Administrative Partner of the firm’s Charlotte office.
01/09/2012
Michael Bentley Published in the Mississippi College Law Review
Michael Bentley’s article on the separation of powers doctrine under the Mississippi Constitution was published in the Spring 2012 issue of the Mississippi College Law Review. The article examines a recent decision by the Mississippi Court of Appeals, Osborne v. Neblett, 65 So. 3d 311 (Miss. Ct. App. 2011), and analyzes whether the legislature may abrogate the common law waiver doctrine. Michael is an associate in the firm’s Jackson office, where his practice includes commercial and appellate litigation.
To view the article, click here.
1/19/2012
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Adds 25 New Attorneys
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that 25 new associates have joined the firm. The new attorneys are based in the firm’s Birmingham, Ala.; Charlotte, N.C.; Jackson, Miss.; Montgomery, Ala.; and Nashville, Tenn., offices.
Below is additional information on the new attorneys, organized by office.
1/24/2012
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Partner Martha Boyd Named a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Association
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Nashville partner Martha L. Boyd has been elected a Fellow of the Tennessee Bar Association, an association of 751 attorneys across the state. Invitations to membership, which is a position of honor, were extended to 33 attorneys this year by the Board of Trustees. The introduction of new Fellows took place at the annual Fellows' Dinner in Nashville.
Click here, to view complete press release.
1/24/2012
Prominent Antitrust Litigator Jay L. Levine Joins Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Washington, D.C. Office
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Jay L. Levine has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as a partner. His practice focuses on antitrust and consumer protection matters, both in litigation and counseling. Mr. Levine was previously a partner with Winston & Strawn LLP.
Click here, to view complete press release.
1/4/2012
Board of the Women's Fund of Mississippi
January 4, 2012 Wendy Mullins joins the Board of the Women's Fund of Mississippi, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and families in communities across Mississippi by promoting social change and economic self-sufficiency through advocacy and strategic grant-making.
Click "Board of the Women's Fund of Mississippi" to view.
1/20/2012
Bradley Arant Hires 9 Health Attorneys
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP has added nine attorneys to its health care practice group from Balch & Bingham LLP, increasing the team to forty-six health care attorneys.
Click "Bradley Arant hires 9 Health Attorneys" to view complete article.
1/19/2012
Partner Wayne Drinkwater Recognized for Fifth Circuit Work by Benchmark Appellate
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP and partner W. Wayne Drinkwater have received top-tier recognition for appellate work in the Fifth Circuit in the debut edition of Benchmark Appellate, which evaluates leading U.S. appeals litigation firms and attorneys. Benchmark Appellate ranked the firm as Highly Recommended, and named Mr. Drinkwater a Fifth Circuit Litigation Star.
Published by Euromoney’s Legal Media Group, Benchmark Appellate was spawned by the 5-year-old Benchmark Litigation, the publisher’s hallmark publication that focuses on trial-level litigators and law firms. Benchmark Appellate’s rankings are subcategorized according to law firms’ and their attorneys’ respective federal circuits. Rankings were determined through research interviews with litigators and their clients.
Click "Partner Wayne Drinkwater Recognized for Fifth Circuit Work by Benchmark Appellate" to view complete press release.
1/19/2012
Brown Bag Lunch
January 19, 2012 In conjunction with the ABA Woman Advocate Committee, Wendy Mullins hosted the first Brown Bag Lunch of the 2012 year at the Bradley Arant office in Jackson, Mississippi. The lunch was attended by local female attorneys where they enjoyed a roundtable discussion of mentoring and its importance in a successful career.
1/17/2012
Trademark Issues in Social Media
January 17, 2012 Angie Holt and Wendy Mullins developed a presentation on "Trademark Issues in Social Media" which Wendy delivered as part of a half-day seminar hosted by the firm in Jackson, Mississippi titled "Issues in the Cyber World for Businesses."
1/9/2012
BBA Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Section Executive Board
James Bailey has been appointed to the 2012 executive board of the Bankruptcy & Commercial Law Section of the Birmingham Bar Association as Member At Large (Bankruptcy).
1/6/2012
Apple's Not Playing Around With Steve Jobs Action Figure
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Partner Mark Bledsoe was quoted in MacWorldNews and referenced in Forbes regarding the production of Steve Jobs action figure.
1/5/2012
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Names Three New Partners
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce the firm has elevated attorneys Graham W. Gerhardt, Brian S. Shelton and James L. Webb to partner. They join the firm’s partnership effective January 1, 2012.
“We congratulate our new partners on their ongoing successes that have earned them this achievement,” said firm chairman Beau Grenier. “Their elevation also reinforces the strength of our practice groups in key areas that serve many of our clients.”
12/27/2011
Leading Health Care and Information Technology Attorney Amy Leopard Joins Bradley Arant Boult Cummings
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Amy S. Leopard has joined the firm as a partner in the Health Care Practice Group. Leopard is highly experienced in advising diverse clients on corporate matters involving health care and information technology. She is based in the firm’s Nashville office and will also work out of the firm’s Washington, D.C., office.
12/28/2011
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings and Attorneys Kevin Newsom and Matthew Lembke Recognized by Benchmark Appellate as Appeals Litigation Leaders
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP and two of the firm’s appellate attorneys received top rankings in the debut edition of Benchmark Appellate, which evaluates leading U.S. appeals litigation firms and attorneys.
The firm was ranked one of the top circuit litigation firms in the Eleventh Federal Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings partners Kevin C. Newsom, chair of the firm’s Appellate Litigation Group, and Matthew H. Lembke were listed by Benchmark Appellate as top circuit litigation attorneys.
12/27/2011
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Partner Bill Norton III was elected to be an Emeritus Board Member of the American Board of Certification
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Partner Bill Norton III was elected to be an Emeritus Board Member of the American Board of Certification. This is a national board that coordinates the exams and application for certifications for bankruptcy specialists.
12/21/2011
Microsoft Wins Part Ruling Over Motorola Mobility
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Partner David Mixon was quoted in Bloomberg Businessweek regarding patent infringement between Microsoft Corp. and Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc.
Click "Microsoft Wins Partial Ruling Over Motorola Mobility" to view article.
12/20/2011
Christopher L. Hawkins Selected to City School Board
The Homewood City Council has appointed Christopher L. Hawkins, partner in the Birmingham office, to a five-year term on the Homewood Board of Education. Homewood City Schools are known for their commitment to excellence and exceptional student learning, and board members provide direction through strategic planning and policy setting. Mr. Hawkins is honored to be appointed to the board, which strives to provide an optimal learning environment for teachers and students and to act as the voice of the community in support of excellence in education.
12/15/11
Chris Bowles Joins Bradley Arant Boult Cummings in Nashville
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Chris Bowles has joined the firm’s Nashville office as an associate in the Real Estate Practice Group.
Bowles will focus his practice on matters involving alternative energy, energy, economic development, environmental issues, land use, and commercial real estate.
“Chris has diverse experience in both the public and private sectors with various economic development, environmental, energy and other matters that will make him a valuable addition to our real estate group and economic development team,” said J. Thomas Trent, Jr., a real estate partner in the firm’s Nashville office and chair of the firm’s economic development team. “We welcome Chris to the firm and look forward to his contributions to our clients.”
12/15/11
2012 Board for the Bankruptcy & Commercial Law Section of the Birmingham Bar Association
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Associate Jenny Henderson has been elected to serve as Chair Elect for the Bankruptcy & Commercial Law Section of the Birmingham Bar Association in 2012, placing her in line to be Chair of the section in 2013.
1/17/2012
Issues in the Cyber World for Businesses
BABC attorneys Revelle Gwyn, Elena Lovoy, David Mixon, and David Pharr will bring you up to date on legal issues related to data privacy and information technology, including a panel discussion on social media issues. Presentations will address liability risks and compliance requirements facing all companies that make use of computer networks or conduct business online. This seminar will be held in the Jackson office.
12/13/2011
Rob Couch Appointed to Bipartisan Policy Center’s Housing Commission
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Counsel Rob Couch was appointed by the Bipartisan Policy Center to serve on its Housing Commission. The Commission is charged with creating “realistic and actionable policy recommendations” with bipartisan appeal that offer solutions to the nation’s suffering housing sector, a crucial element of the economy. The Commission will host regional forums across the country, actively seeking public input as well as expert advice from industry leaders. In addition, the Commission will conduct a review of the effectiveness of the current housing systems as well as the federal government’s role therein. The commission will need to consider the consequences of the current policies in conjunction with the future housing needs of a growing population. Former U.S. Senator and U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Mel Martinez explained that “we face new challenges for which we need a thoughtful and well-reasoned plan…This group of commissioners is positioned to do just that.”
12/9/2011
Alabama Streamlined Sales Tax Panel Recommends State Administer Local Taxes
Bruce Ely, a partner in the Birmingham Office, was quoted in
The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. Weekly State Tax Report regarding the efforts of the Alabama Streamlined Sales Tax Commission and the current sales tax regime that Alabama retailers now must endure.
Click here to view "Alabama Streamlined Sales Tax Panel Recommends State Administer Local Taxes".
12/9/2011
Two BABC Associates Elected to Executive Committee of Birmingham Bar Young Lawyers Section
Two associates in the Birmingham office, Jason Bushby and Jay Wright, were recently elected to the Executive Committee of the Birmingham Bar Young Lawyers Section. The Young Lawyers Section, comprised of over 500 attorneys in Jefferson County under the age of 36 or in their first years of practice, is extremely active in providing opportunities to its members for professional growth, networking and charitable giving.
12/5/2011
Bruce Ely Named as One of the Top 10 SALT Lawyers
Bruce Ely, a partner in the Birmingham Office, is considered one of the best tax lawyers by his peers and adversaries and was just voted one of the “Top 10 SALT Lawyers” in the United States by State Tax Notes.
Click here, to view their website.
11/18/2011
Alabama Could Soon Bring in $240M in Online Sales Taxes
Bruce Ely, a partner in the Birmingham office, was recently quoted in the
Birmingham Business Journal regarding the possibility of new online sales tax laws.
Click"
Alabama Could Soon Bring in $240M in Online Sales Taxes" to read the full article.
12/1/2011
David Deusner to Present at "An Update on e-Discovery Case Law"
David Deusner will present "An Update on e-Discovery Case Law", Hosted by the 2011 Birmingham ESI Round Table. The presentation will be held Thursday, December 1 at Burr & Forman from 12:00 - 1:00.
11/28/2011
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Named Among Top Law Firms for Economic Development in Alabama and Tennessee
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that the firm has been named by Southern Business & Development magazine as one of the top three law firms for economic development matters in Alabama and Tennessee.
Law firms were chosen through the magazine’s survey of the economic development communities in the South’s 14 states. Respondents were asked to name what they believe are the region’s best law firms, utilities, contractors, engineers and site location consultants. The top law firms are featured in the magazine’s “2nd Annual Trade Allies: The South’s Best Economic Development Law Firms” directory, which appeared in the magazine’s Summer 2011 issue. Published quarterly, Southern Business & Development is a guide to corporate relocation and expansion opportunities in all Southern states.
11/29/2011
Worksite Immigration Compliance & Year in Review
The Labor and Employment group will sponsor a seminar on immagration compliance. This is part of the Breakfast with Bradley series. The seminar will be held live in Birmingham and video-conferenced to Huntsville, Jackson, and Montgomery.
11/29/2011
Worksite Immigration Compliance & Year in Review
The Labor and Employment group will sponsor a seminar on immagration compliance. This is part of the Breakfast with Bradley series. This seminar will be held in the Nashville office.
11/16/2011
Tripp Haston Selected to The International Who’s Who of Life Sciences Lawyers 2012
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings partner Tripp Haston of the firm’s Birmingham office has been selected by
The International Who’s Who of Life Sciences Lawyers 2012 through research with clients and peers as being among 546 of the world’s leading Life Sciences lawyers. Out of the 546 nominees, 162 are from the USA, and only 3 are from Alabama. Tripp co-chairs BABC’s Life Sciences Practice Group and represents multi-national pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in products liability litigation on regional, national and international engagements.
11/16/2011
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Attorneys Ethan Tidmore and Benjamin McArthur Selected as Members of Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum Class 8
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that Ethan T. Tidmore, a litigation partner in the firm’s Birmingham office, and Benjamin L. McArthur, a litigation associate in the firm’s Huntsville office, have been selected as members of the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum Class 8.
The mission of the Leadership Forum includes building a core of practicing lawyers who strive to raise the overall standards of the Bar and change the trajectory of the State of Alabama through active leadership.
“Ethan and Benjamin have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and drive in addition to their outstanding litigation work on behalf of their clients,” said Firm Chairman Beau Grenier. “We congratulate both on their selection to the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum.”
11/15/2011
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings Partner H. Harold Stephens Appointed to Alabama Law Institute
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP is pleased to announce that H. Harold Stephens, a litigation partner in the firm’s Huntsville office, has been appointed to the prestigious Alabama Law Institute for a five-year term ending in 2016.
Created by an act of the Legislature in 1967, the Alabama Law Institute is a legislative agency that works to clarify and simplify the laws of Alabama, to revise laws that are out-of-date and to fill in gaps in the law where there exists legal confusion. The organization, which limits its membership to a maximum of 150, is made up of Alabama State Bar Association members who are elected for fixed terms; the judges of the Alabama Supreme Court, courts of appeals and circuit courts; federal judges domiciled in Alabama; full-time law faculty members of Cumberland Law School and the University of Alabama School of Law; and all lawyer members of the Legislature who are licensed to practice in Alabama.
11/14/2011
Chuck Stewart to Speak at DRI’s Upcoming Fourth Annual International Conference in Barcelona
Defense Research Institute (DRI) International is presenting DRI's Fourth Annual International Conference in Barcelona, Spain entitled "The Changing Landscape of International Litigation: Hot Topics." The conference is specifically tailored to educate corporate managers, in-house counsel, insurance representatives and external counsel who are involved in the conduct of business or litigation in multiple countries, whether throughout Europe, in North America, or elsewhere. The conference will be dedicated to addressing the constantly changing laws and regulations which impact multi-jurisdictional litigation, providing an update on the current status of critical areas of the law, along with practical tips on resolving day-to-day problems.
11/14/2011
BABC Partner Charles Sanger in Memphis Daily News
Charles Sanger, a partner in the firm's Nashville office, was the previous successor trustee to the Oakhaven Apartments. The apartments recently sold to a Florida based company, Investments Australia LLC.
Click here to view the entire article.