August 4, 2017
eBrief
Avoid a sell-out - get your Pro Hops Vino! tickets today

Tickets have sold out for each of the previous Pro Hops Vino! parties, so secure your spot today. Purchase 
an individual ticket for $50, or buy a host package for $200 to receive two tickets, commemorative tasting glasses, and be listed in the event program as an individual or couple, with your firm, or in honor of a relative, colleague, or veteran. This package is a great way to show your support for the BBVLP's mission.

Get your tickets here.



If you are an active volunteer with the BBVLP, email Katrina Brown or Heather Bussey for ticket details. All Champions for Justice supporters are eligible for exclusive ticket offers- speak to your managing partner or email Nancy Yarbrough for more information.

Why the 2017 Pro Hops Vino! presented by ServisFirst Bank will be the best yet:
Attorney Spotlight: Melissa Doggett

Years volunteering with the BBVLP:  Six. (Melissa always has one BBVLP case open. When she closes a case, she immediately volunteers for another. Melissa has closed approximately six cases a year.)

Current case:  The client wanted to annul her marriage to her husband, who is incarcerated in Ohio. The client did not meet the requirements for an annulment, so Melissa helped her file for divorce.

Why was this case meaningful?:  "My client wanted to move on with her life."

Client comment:  "She did a great job!"
HELP A CLIENT IN NEED:

1. Help this abused grandmother with her divorce

The client has endured years of emotional and physical abuse from her husband. She has taken out a Protection from Abuse order against her husband because he threatened her life. Please help her complete her divorce.


(17-0009388)




2. Help this mother through her divorce

The client's husband is incarcerated in Florida. He is due to be released soon, and the client fears for her and her daughter's safety due to threats her husband made while in jail. Please help this client divorce her threatening husband.


(17-0009455)




3.  Help this client complete her divorce

This client is in the process of divorcing her abusive husband, and has a trial set for the end of August. Her husband owes her $40,000 but is not paying the debt. Please help this client prepare for her trial and receive the money she is owed.

(17-0009382)



4.  Please help this client protect their home from future flooding damage

This client bought her home in 2012 and has worked four jobs to keep the home from falling into foreclosure. There is a flooding issue at the home, which has already caused the client to have to take out a loan for $45,000. Please help this client overcome this obstacle.

(17-0009373)



HELP DESK ATTORNEYS: Thank you to the following attorneys
Civil Help Desk: 32 clients served
Miller Boxx
Legal Services of Alabama
Kris Burbank
Alexander Shunnarah
Kendra Johnson
John Civils
Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart
Michelle Pieroni
Huie, Fernambucq & Stewart
Steve Casey
Jones Walker
Leon Johnson


Domestic Relations Help Desk: 35 clients served
April Bauder
The Merrell Law Firm
John Bodie
John Milledge
Pam Weed
Robin Burrell
Najjar Denaburg

Pro Se Domestic Relations Court: 36 clients served
April Bauder
The Merrell Law Firm
Heather Fann
Fann Law
John Milledge
Kim Davidson
Amanda Duncan

Homeless Help Desk: 9 clients served
Julie Carter
Bradley
Ambria Lankford
Bradley
Stephen Parsley
Bradley
Grant Premo
Bradley
Dawn Sharff
Bradley
Volunteers:
Kim Fasking
Cumberland School of Law
Jasmine Fells
Colby Marks

Sydney Willmann
Cumberland School of Law



ATTORNEYS SIGNED UP FOR NEXT WEEK:
Alex Ealy
King Simmons
Bart Arnold
Porter, Porter & Hassinger
Karen Berhow
Porter, Porter & Hassinger
Randy May
Allison, May & Kimbrough
Walker Moss
Carr Allison

John Webb
Lloyd, Gray, Whitehead & Monroe
Courtney Brown
Burge & Burge
Jim Ferguson
Spain & Gillon
Steve Goozée
Priscilla Kelley

Volunteer
The BBVLP needs your help! Volunteer now to serve at one of our Help Desks.
ATTORNEYS WHO CLOSED CASES THIS WEEK:
Kenny Haynes

Kenny helped his client draft a simple will.

Ida Tyree-Hyche

Ida helped her client obtain documents that the state refused to send.
 
Melinda Guillame

Melinda helped a client divorce her husband.


ATTORNEYS WHO ACCEPTED CASES THIS WEEK:
Debra Lewis

Debra agreed to help a client with a living will.

Steve Casey

Steve offered to help a client with a district court lawsuit.
UPCOMING CLE OPPORTUNITIES:
Mark you calendars to hear a national speaker on domestic violence on August 10


On Thursday, August 10, national domestic violence attorney  Jennifer Arsenian will be speaking at the Birmingham Bar Association Center. Arsenian will discuss the implications of domestic violence, safety, and accountability in court interventions. This free session is worth two CLE credits and lunch will be provided. Please RSVP to Lisa Florence by clicking here.







Judge Patricia Stephens
Learn how to volunteer at the Domestic Relations Pro Se Court

The latest BBVLP Pro Se CLE will be held on September 8th from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in Judge Patricia Stephens' courtroom at the Domestic Relations Courthouse at 2124 7th Avenue North. Attend presentations from Judge Stephens and Judge Nakita Blocton on best practices for serving pro se clients. Participants will receive one CLE credit and lunch is provided. Attendance is free; sign up by clicking here.


NEWS TO KNOW:
BBVLP Attorneys in the News!

Congratulations to  Anthony A. "AJ" Joseph  (far left), a shareholder at Maynard Cooper & Gale, who has been named the new board president of the Alabama Law Foundation, a  charitable foundation committed to supporting organizations, such as the BBVLP, that provide free legal aid to the poor.  Joseph is a longtime volunteer and supporter of the BBVLP as well as a former board member.
 
In other news, congratulations to  Stan Blanton (second from left), managing partner of Balch & Bingham, and  Greg Curran (middle), chairman of Maynard Cooper, for being named to Birmingham Business Journal's 2017 Executives of Influence, which highlights key leaders who are shaping both their businesses and Birmingham's economy.
Maynard Cooper and Balch are Leadership Donors through the BBVLP's Champions for Justice campaign and both firm's attorneys are active volunteers with the BBVLP. Additionally, both firm's attorneys hold leadership positions with the BBVLP including  Andrew Nix (second from right), Maynard, BBVLP Board President, and  Christopher Yeilding (far right), Balch, BBVLP Board Treasurer.

Support the BBVLP's monthly Bankruptcy Help Desk

The first Friday of every month, the BBVLP holds an extra Help Desk session to assist low-income individuals who need debtors relief, including filing Chapter 7 bankruptcies. Clients who attend can meet with an attorney who will advise them on whether or not to file bankruptcy and assist with the filing if they decide to do so. Learn more here.

Please help us spread the word about this much-needed resource for low-income citizens. Tell qualifying clients to go to to the Robert S. Vance Federal Bankruptcy Courthouse on 1800 5th Avenue North from 9 to 11 a.m. on the first Friday of each month. If you are interested in volunteering, click here .
Thank you to our sponsors!



Guardian Ad Wine 'Em

Wine Sponsor


Vino Dire

Res Brewdicata
 
In memory of Mike Turner:



Mike and Gillian Goodrich



Hopeus Corpus
 
Joe and Melinda Guillaume



Ad Hops
BBA Probate Section BBA Solo/Small Firm Section


Sam and Betty Franklin



Steve McKinney
Balch & Bingham

In memory of
Belinda C. Bennet,
National Labor Relations Board
Region 10 Birmingham
Resident Officer
Contributors
Adams & Reese
Alabama Family Law Section
BBA Federal Practice Section
BBA Workers' Compensation Section
Birmingham School of Law
Bond & Botes
Hughes & Scalise, P.C.
Katherine McDonald
Meadow Homes
Miglionico & Rumore
Sara Williams
Alexander Shunnarah Personal Injury Attorneys

Venue Sponsor

Donate
Donations from the community are the number one funding source for the Volunteer Lawyer Program.  Click  here  to donate.
There are two ways attorneys can choose to help with the Volunteer Lawyer Program. Click  here  for what you can do.
Only clients who cannot afford representative are served by the BBVLP. Click here to see the eligibility guidelines.
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