WELCOME
It is my honor and pleasure to serve ADLA and its members as its 45th President. The ADLA is the fifth largest state or local defense organization (SLDO) in the United States and includes more than 1200 members. Our commitment to diversity is reflected by our membership - individuals representing diversity in gender, race, law firm size, and towns and cities throughout the State of Alabama. The common thread uniting our diverse membership is our professional commitment to the practice of law.  Membership is restricted to attorneys licensed in the State of Alabama who devote over one-half of their civil practice to the defense, or are house counsel for corporations or insurance providers. Additionally, attorneys employed by Federal or State Government who engage in the defense of civil actions are eligible for membership.

ADLA'S PURPOSE
The purpose of ADLA is to bring together lawyers of Alabama who devote a substantial amount of their professional time to the defense of civil cases in order to:

  1. Exchange information, ideas, techniques and court rulings relating to the defense of civil litigation;
  2. become better lawyers;
  3. Promote and maintain the highest standard of ethical and professional conduct;
  4. Support and work for the preservation and improvement of the adversary system of jurisprudence;
  5. Improve the administration and quality of justice; and
  6. Promote fellowship among its members.

ADLA HISTORY
ADLA's history is impressive. In 1964, Tommy Parker (Montgomery), James Clark (Birmingham), Paul Brock (Mobile, Ralph Ford (Huntsville), Alto Lee (Dothan), Clarence Simmons (Gadsden) and Bibb Allen (Birmingham) met at Tommy Parker's home to discuss forming a defense lawyer association. Shortly thereafter, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association was formed and began publication of the Journal. Each of those founding fathers subsequently served ADLA as President.

A review of the Journal reveals that ADLA has played a role in the formation of other state organizations as well as ADLA's ties and support of DRI. At one of the first meetings in Biloxi, Mississippi in 1965, lawyers from Mississippi attended looking for guidance in the formation of their own organization; a year later lawyers from Tennessee met with ADLA and the newly-formed Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association. The following year, defense lawyers from Georgia and Florida met with ADLA members for the purpose of organizing their own associations. For over 20 years, Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee had an annual meeting at various places in the southeast.  ADLA member Don Pierce (Mobile) served as Convention Chair. When the DRI Southeast Region was formed, the Quad States meeting ceased but today, Alabama, Georgia and Florida defense associations continue to host their counterpart officers at their annual meetings and each association regularly visits with our sister associations in other southeast states by providing speakers, sharing information on programs and training opportunities, and attending meetings.

ADLA has been and will continue to be a leader in state defense organizations. Among the seven largest SLDOs, ADLA has served as a role model in developing and providing continuing legal education programs for defense lawyers and those programs will continue. The Association holds two general membership meetings each year: the Annual Meeting in June and a Fall meeting. Additionally, a deposition boot camp is offered in March and the Young Lawyers Section sponsors a trial academy in early August. We also offer ski/CLE trips and an occasional cruise, such as the Alaskan inside passage in August 2008.

The ADLA Journal is published biannually and contains timely articles on a variety of professional topics. The Journal is widely read by defense lawyers and judges in our State.

The ADLA Amicus Curiae Committee is available to submit appellate briefs on issues of vital interest to our members and clients. The Committee reviews each request and determines if the issue is relevant to the defense of civil litigation; and, if approved, a member prepares the appellate brief on behalf of ADLA.

ADLA is blessed to have wonderful members who devote their time and talent to the defense of civil litigation. Ed Livingston has been our Executive Vice President for 19 years. Ed and his wife and right hand assistant, Louise, have served ADLA tirelessly and have played a major role in the growth and development of ADLA during his tenure as Executive Vice President.

Our Officers and Board of Directors want to hear from you. If you have questions, suggestions, criticisms, or needs that should be addressed by ADLA, please let us know. Our contact information is provided in the Officers and Directors page of this website.

H. Harold Stephens, President