If you are a fan of the books by author - attorney Robert Bailey, then here is some good news! Bob's latest book, The Last Trial, will be available on May 8, 2018 at bookstores everywhere. Here is the Amazon link to all three of the books in the McMurtrie & Drakeseries. THE PROFESSOR is book one and came out in 2014. BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE is book two and came out in 2016. There will be a book launch for THE LAST TRIAL at Books-A-Million on Memorial Parkway in Huntsville on May 9th from 6-8 pm. I have Bob's first two books sitting in a prominent position on my nightstand. For reasons that I explain in the podcast, I am waiting to read them because I am both envious of what Bob is doing and writing my own fiction novel (or trying to!). As a result, I have not been reading fiction as of late because I'm trying to keep my head clear with my own story. In any event, Bob is living the life that a number of lawyers, myself included, wish they were doing - the full-time practice of law along with what is appearing to be for Bob a full-time and well-received writing career. You can keep up with his story by "liking" his Facebook Page. Bob is a highly respected lawyer with the esteemed firm of Lanier Ford located in Huntsville, Alabama. I enjoyed spending some time with him discussing both the law and the craft of writing and where and how he finds the time to do it. I think you will enjoy this and pick up Bob's novels when you get a chance!
I recently sat down and talked to attorney Morris Lilienthal. Morris is a talented and respected lawyer with the long-established Huntsville firm, Martinson and Beason. I have previously done a podcast with Doug Martinson. Morris' legal work is well-respected. He practices primarily in the area of personal injury but he and his wife also find time to do a good bit of philanthropic work here in the North Alabama area. I was reminded that Morris is a younger attorney (at least younger than me!), as we discussed his young son who is trying to emulate Steph Curry. Morris is also technically savvy and smart as a relates to marketing for himself and his law firm in the digital age. He hosts the Mo Show Live on Facebook which not only covers legal issues but also motivational and everyday practical advice as well. As I tell folks, I don't look at Facebook much but I have now made it a point to watch the Mo Show Live every time Morris puts a new one up. I enjoyed being able to spend some time with him and I think you will enjoy hearing his story as well.
I have known Dan Aldridge for several years as a talented and respected personal injury lawyer who practices throughout Alabama with his main office in Huntsville. Dan practices with Jimmy Sandlin here in North Alabama. Imagine my surprise, then, when I was watching the Woodpickers play at Merrimack Hall in Huntsville a couple of months back. The crowd loved the music, as did I. I have known for a long time the name of a very popular musician here in North Alabama, Rob Aldridge. At the Woodpickers concert, someone mentioned that “Aldridge” was on the stage and I asked if that was Rob. I was told no, that it was Dan Aldridge. I asked if that was the lawyer, Dan Aldridge, and was told yes. My eyesight is getting worse with age! Dan sang with his daughter there as well, who is also very talented, and, while talking to him later, Dan told me that Rob is his son but that he is too good to play with Dan! In any event, Dan is a skillful and compassionate lawyer with a very cool hobby. He even sings a couple of original songs on this podcast that he and Jimmy Sandlin wrote together. Dan is a really good guy and that comes across loud and clear.
It seems that abhorrent workplace discrimination and sexual harassment is in the news literally every day as of late. In that light, I thought that there would be no better and more timely guest on the Next Lawyer Up podcast than Teri Mastando. Teri is a talented, highly-respected and experienced attorney in this area and she really knows what she is doing. She handles the plaintiff's side of employment law and also helps out a number of companies with regard to their discrimination policies and tries to educate them on and prevent them from having far reaching sexual harassment issues, which can not only damage a company but, oftentimes, destroy it completely. It's pretty reasonable insurance to have Teri on your side! Teri practices with the law firm of Mastando and Artrip located in Huntsville, Alabama. Both her partners, Tony Mastando and Eric Artrip, are also highly respected and skilled in their own practice areas. In fact, I think about this law firm often whenever cutting edge legal issues come up - they invariably are usually the first ones out of the gate as far as class actions and prosecuting claims to help their clients. I enjoyed spending some time with Teri and anyone who wants to know more about this area of law will learn a great deal. I know I did!
This is an interesting podcast to me because I first met Clint Butler several years ago through his oldest son, Hunter. Hunter played football for me in a youth football league along with my middle son, Tom. Hunter was a tough, confident, smart and perceptive kid as a 7 year old as was his little brother Alec. Both played fullback and linebacker for me over several years and I could always count on them as they both had a knack for seeing the entire field and game for what it was and not just an individual play or two. As I learned, the sons simply emulated the father. Clint is a highly respected lawyer in Alabama and he practices with two equally talented law partners, Jeff McKinney and Roy Braswell with the law firm of McKinney, Braswell and Butler. I enjoyed catching up with Clint. As we discussed, Hunter and Tom have remained good friends to this day and it is hard to believe they are now 22 years old! Those past days on the football field seem like yesterday.
For this 25th episode of the Next Lawyer Up podcast, you'll note that I have changed the title to the "Next Soldier Up" podcast. Colonel (R) Greg Gunter is a 30-year Army veteran who has given his blood, sweat and tears to our country. He and I were commissioned as Second Lieutenants on the same day in May, 1984 from the University of Arizona. My Sigma Chi fraternity brothers liked Greg so much that we offered him a bid late in his college career. Greg went through pledge ship in the spring of his junior year, so that we could be fraternity brothers and have an uproarious senior year. As it turned out, Greg's father was a Sigma Chi at the University of Arizona and his mother was the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi. I was in New Orleans in the spring for a legal conference where I also did the podcast of Pete Barry and Cary Flitter. While there, I also did one with Greg so we that could commemorate a little bit of our history for posterity's sake. Greg lives in New Orleans after retiring from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He is a great guy and I hope you like this little bit of personal history.
Greg Reeves is a Decatur, Alabama native, a good guy and a very talented lawyer. I have known Greg for a number of years through his legal work. Coincidentally, his father Bobby Reeves, who is also a great guy, has been our landlord at our Decatur, Alabama office for many years. Greg is an excellent personal injury trial lawyer who also serves as a teacher and mentor for other trial lawyers. He also served his community as an elected member of the Decatur, Alabama City Council for a number of years. I enjoyed catching up with Greg and I think you will like listening to his story.
On this episode of Next Lawyer up, Bill Baxley. Mr. Baxley has done so much for this state as attorney general, lieutenant governor, military officer and private attorney.
I won't say that Harvey Morris is a legal legend here in North Alabama but, just by me making that disclaimer, you know that it is pretty much the case. Harvey has been practicing law throughout the state of Alabama and the country for just about 50 years.
If you believe that estate planning is a straight forward and simple area of the law, you'll think differently after listening to L. Thomas "Tom" Ryan, Jr.
Tom is a very well-known lawyer in North Alabama and his firm's offices are in Huntsville, Mobile and Pensacola, Florida.