Miles Law School Latest News
MILES LAW SCHOOL MOURNS PASSING OF JOCK SMITH, ESQUIRE Print
Monday, 09 January 2012 00:00

The Miles Law School family is deeply saddened by the death of Attorney Jock M. Smith on January 8, 2012. Attorney Smith was a true friend and supporter of the law school.

Known for his exceptional legal ability and legendary courtroom skills,  Attorney Smith captivated the audience as the featured speaker for the Student Bar Association's Annual Law Day Banquet in May 2010.   Always willing to give of his time and talent, Attorney Smith taught a course on Lawyering Skills as a visiting professor at the law school during the fall 2010 semester.

Attorney Smith practiced law in Tuskegee, Alabama, with The Cochran Firm and was one of its founding partners. He will be remembered as a champion for the people in protecting the exploited. Our sincerest sympathy is extended to his family and colleagues.

 
Alumni In The News: Rodney Barganier & Karlos Finley Print
Friday, 16 September 2011 11:15

Miles Law School alumnus, Rodney F. Barganier, joined a select group of attorneys in the United States with  the announcement by IMPACT and the National Bar Association of the "2011 Nation's Best Advocates: 40 Laywers Under 40." As quoted in IMPACT's press release, NBA President Demetrius Shelton said the awardees are recognized "for their significant accomplishments and contributions towards the legal profession and community." Attorney Barganier is a member of the Class of 2001 and is a shareholder in the Birmingham-based firm of Petway, Tucker & Barganier, LLC. Attorney Barganier's practice involves primarily personal injury cases. He has appeared as counsel of record in many sucessful lawsuits across the Southeast.  He is a former president of the Alabama Lawyers Association. In addition to his professional involvement, Attorney Barganier devotes considerable time teaching as the law school's current torts professor. 

After only three years as an associate with the Mobile, Alabama firm of  Moore & Wolfe, alumnus Karlos F. Finley recently was named a partner, and the firm is now known as Boteler, Finley & Wolfe. Attorney Finley handles personal injury matters, as well as represents small businesses. He is the current president of the Vernon Z. Crawford Bay Area Bar Association, treasurer for the Alabama Laywers Assocation and a member of the executive commitee of the Mobile Bar Association. He presently serves as the President of the Mobile Chapter of the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform. He is a former assistant district attorney for Mobile County. Attorney Finley is a 2005 graduate of Miles Law School.

 
Here Come the Judges! Print
Wednesday, 29 June 2011 18:52

For most attorneys, becoming a judge represents


the pinnacle of success in the legal profession. However, attaining that career milestone is only for those who have demonstrated keen legal acumen, ethical character and civic responsibility. Miles Law School is fortunate to count among its many accomplished alumni several distinguished jurists serving locally.

The longest serving law school alumnus of the Alabama judiciary is the Honorable Eric M. Fancher. Judge Fancher is a district court judge in the Bessemer Division of the Tenth Judicial Circuit, presiding over all criminal matters. He is a 1983 law school graduate.

The Honorable Katrina Ross is a district court judge in the Birmingham Division of the Tenth Judicial Circuit. Like Judge Fancher, Judge Ross also presides over criminal proceedings such as misdemeanor trials and felony preliminary hearings. Judge Ross is a 1999 law school graduate.

The Honorable Nyya Parson-Hudson is a new addition to the bench in Birmingham Municipal Court. She was appointed to replace the retiring presiding judge, Raymond P. Chambliss, a 1984 graduate. Former Miles Law School dean Emory Anthony Jr. also served on the Birmingham Municipal Court. Judge Anthony graduated in 1979. Honorable Carnella Greene Norman, class of 1984, is a former Birmingham municipal judge as well. Judge Parson-Hudson joins the Honorable Brendette Brown Green on the municipal court bench. Judge Parson-Hudson is a 2000 graduate and Judge Greene is a 1988 graduate. Other newcomers include Honorable Lynneice O. Washington, who sits on the Bessemer Municipal Court. Judge Washington is a 1995 graduate

The Honorable David J. Hobdy, Jr. is a circuit court judge in the Bessemer Division of the Tenth Judicial Circuit of Alabama. Judge Hobdy is a 1994 law school graduate. Judge Hobdy is the second law school graduate to sit as a circuit judge.

The first law school graduate to serve as a circuit judge was the Honorable Carole C. Smitherman, a 1979 graduate. Circuit court is the highest trial court level in the state.

Honorable Clotele Brantley is a referee judge for the Jefferson County Family Court, Birmingham Division. Judge Brantley is a 1999 graduate. Other alumni serving in this capacity in the past have been Honorable James Earl “Peter” Finley, a 1989 graduate, and Raymond P. Chambliss.

As the record indicates, Miles Law School is most ably represented on the bench!