Ron Syskstus talks to Huntsville attorney Doug Martinson about coming from a long line of Alabama attorneys, his involvement with local organizations, and playing and refereeing hocking. 

In this episode of Next Lawyer Up podcast Ron Sykstus talks with Taze Shepard of Sparkman , Shepard and Morris PC in Huntsville, AL. 

Mr. Shepard's family has a significant history in North Alabama which he talks about in this episode. 

In this episode of Next Lawyer Up podcast Ron Sykstus talks with Derek Simpson of Warren and Simpson in Huntsville, AL. 

Derek is a respectful and easy-going trial attorney. He gives back to the community by volunteering at the Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program and through the Huntsville Bar Association. 

Derek also works as a sports agent and we will talk a little bit about that during the podcast.

Attorney Ron Sykstus of Bond Botes Sykstus and Tanner recorded this weeks episode of the Next Lawyer Up podcast with local Huntsville attorneys Brinkley and Brinkley. The family owned and operated firm discusses what it's like to work with family and what they do to get involved in their community.

The fourth installment of the Next Lawyer Up podcast features Illinois attorney Dave Philipps. Dave and Ron discuss their work on consumer law and growing up in Illinois. 

Episode 3 of the Next Lawyer up Podcast features Alabama, attorney Tommy Siniard. His credentials, background and the work he has done for his clients over the years is impressive and well-respected throughout the state of Alabama. 

This episode of the Next Lawyer Up podcast features attorney Amy K. Tanner. Amy has been my law partner, friend and colleague since 1999. She is originally from Montgomery, Alabama where she was born and raised.

Since the work of being a lawyer is a lot about the grind, meaning putting in a great deal of time and effort on every case for every client, maybe that is why I focus on and give a great deal of deference and awe to work ethic.

This “Lawyer Up” podcast interview is with attorney Brad Botes  founding partner of the law firm of Bond & Botes, PC with offices all over Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Currently, he is the remaining founding member of the firm (Mark Bond retired in 2006). Brad has extensive responsibilities. Not only does he practice law, he also oversees the firm’s operations at many locations in three states.

Ron met Brad in Chicago before moving to Alabama.

“Brad and I have been great friends for a long time. We are both from Chicago. In fact, that is how I got to know him. Brad is a really great guy with an unbelievable capacity for work… legal work… charitable work… wearing a Fitbit (a device that tracks activity) he is pretty consistently at 25,000 steps daily, which is astounding.”

Brad moved to Alabama in 1979 as did Ron. Ron reflects on growing up in Chicago in the suburb La Grange and speaks about his fond memories. Brad graduated from Lions Township High School in La Grange in 1978. Brad and Ron reminisce about playing high school sports and memories of the Cubs team playing afternoon games at Wrigley Field because there were no lights at the baseball field.

Brad talks about his first trip to Alabama. He drove down from Chicago with a friend because he knew a pretty girl that lived in Jasper, Alabama. His hair was very long and in an afro style. He wore jeans, a t-shirt, and boots. He was really out of place in Jasper, because most of the young men in Jasper at that time had short hair and wore button-down shirts with khaki pants. They had little respect for Brad’s hippie, rock and roll style.

The girls they met in Jasper talked Brad and his friend into staying and going to school at the University of North Alabama. Brad never dreamt he was going to be in Alabama for more than a college semester. He met his wife Kay at that school. Brad cut his hair and cleaned up his look. He went on to be the university’s student president for two years as a junior and a senior. They reminisce about the high price of telephone calls, collect calls, and trying to get to use a Watt’s line that was a free call someone else paid for. They talk about how much technology changed since that time.

During these years, Brad’s interests changed and he got into law school. After graduating law school Brad passed the bar and then got an internship at a Federal Court as a court clerk. Brad gives some tips for today’s law students.

Brad met the other founder of Bond and Botes, Mark Bond, because Brad rented a room from Mark’s mother. They decided to form a law firm and started out very modestly. Now, the Bond and Botes law firm has offices in many states.

Some of the legal issues discussed include Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy. They talk about the immediate relief of stopping foreclosures, wage garnishment, or a car from being repossessed. After filing the legal documents with the court for a bankruptcy, the harassing phone calls stop and the threatening letters stop. Stress goes down, marriages can be saved, and families can stay together. No one wants to file bankruptcy, but the relief is immediate upon filing bankruptcy.

Brad and Ron enjoy helping people get a fresh start.