My BSL Story
Three of four Circuit Judges in Etowah County -- BSL grads
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| From L to R: Circuit Judge Shaun Malone, former Dean Ginger Tomlin, Circuit Judge Will Clay, Presiding Circuit Judge Allen Millican and, representing the BSL Board of Directors, John Donaldson. |
On March 6, 2006, Will Clay, a 1995 BSL graduate, was administered the oath of office of Circuit Judge of Etowah County, Alabama. Will had previously practiced law and served as Municipal Judge for Mountainboro, as well as a Etowah County Commissioner. It was a proud occasion for Will and his family, but also for the BSL family. Will made the third currently serving Etowah County Circuit Judge to be a graduate of BSL. Other BSL graduates serving in that capacity are Presiding Judge Allen Millican, a 1983 BSL graduate, and Judge Shaun Malone, a 1995 BSL graduate.
Attending Will's induction ceremony were Dean Ginger Tomlin, BSL Board Member John Donaldson and numerous former BSL classmates, as well as dignitaries, friends and supporters from around the state. Presiding Judge Allen Millican recognized the contribution made by Birmingham School of Law to the lives of many in Etowah County. He said BSL provides an opportunity for a law degree to those whose life situations make such a degree otherwise impossible. Judge Millican spoke of the life-changing implications of a BSL degree and stated that the school's program helps people "make something of themselves."
BSL's ATLA Trial Advocacy Teams 2006
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| From L to R: James Mick, James Coleman, John McLain, Seth Diamond, Coach Stewart Springer, David Mauritson, Becky Thomas, Kerry Burgess, and Thanasios "T" Nicolau. |
On March 3-5, BSL's ATLA trial advocacy teams competed with teams from University of Alabma School of Law, Jones School of Law, Barry University of Orlando School of Law, Florida Coastal School of Law, Florida State University College of Law, Cumberland School of Law, Nova Southeastern University Law School, and University of Florida Levin College of Law. BSL put forward two teams who had been honing their trial skills since June, 2005. The group's dedication and hard work paid off in a stellar performance.
BSL students who are interested in learning trial skills should look for the notices posted in late Spring Semester 2006. All students who have completed Fundamentals of Legal Research are eligible. Presentations on various aspects of trial advocacy, as well as practice sessions and guidance from former team members, help even a "greenhorn" learn to compete with the best.
Mark McDaniel
McDaniel and McDaniel LLC
Huntsville, AL
I started to Birmingham School of Law in January, 1973. I had graduated from Athens College in December, 1972 and got married the week prior to beginning law school. My wife, Henri, and I met with Dean Hugh Locke, Jr., in early January, 1973. We told him we had just gotten married, had jobs at Athens College and would have to commute from Huntsville to Birmingham to obtain our law degrees. We were both twenty-one years old and broke, but wanted to be lawyers. He allowed us to enroll and begin classes immediately. We drove from Huntsville to Birmingham five nights a week (except summers) for four years. Upon graduation, we took the Alabama Bar Exam and both passed the first time. What BSL offered Henri and me, that other law schools did not, was an opportunity to work and attend law school.
The greatest benefit of Birmingham School of Law was the faculty. We were taught by practicing lawyers and judges. Upon graduation from law school, we opened our own law practice. We did not practice with any firm prior to having our own law practice. We had received such a practical legal education that we were able to build on that invaluable knowledge.
Would I recommend BSL to others? Let me say that my son, Ben McDaniel, graduated from Faulkner University, Summa Cum Laude. He applied to only one law school, Birmingham School of Law. Let me also add that other members of our family have graduated from BSL: John William McDaniel (brother), Marcus Helstowski (son-in-law), John Butler, Jr. (Henri's brother), J. Thomas Conwell (brother-in-law) and Emory McDaniel (cousin). As a teacher at Faulker and UAH, I do not hesitate to recommend Birmingham School of Law to any of my students who want to go to law school.
I consider it a great privilege and honor to be an alumnus of a great and respected law school - Birmingham School of Law.
Editor's Note: To read more about Mark McDaniel, his outstanding accomplishments, and his views on law practice, read this article in Culture & Leisure, Summer 2003.
Robby Owens
District Attorney for 18th Circuit, Alabama
BSL Graduate of 1982
B.S., University of Montevallo
M.S., Southern Christian University
J.D., Birmingham School of Law
I had the idea to attend law school because I wanted to be a District Attorney and help victims of crime. However, having a child coming, a house note, and a car note, night school was the only chance I had. Birmingham School of Law gave me that chance. I have never regretted the choice.
Paul A. Irwin, Jr.
BSL Graduate of 2004
In 1989, I joined the U.S. Marine Corps which gave me discipline and the ability to achieve the most out of life. In 1994, I joined the Birmingham Police Department and developed a career in law enforcement and a love for the law. I received two degrees and a law degree while working full time for the police department. I have received the Medal of Honor for the State of Alabama, the Medal of Valor, the Combat Cross and a Life Saving Medal while working for the City of Birmingham.
Law school was a dream my grandfather had for someone in my family to attain before his death in 1997. [My grandfather was a fan of the deceased BSL graduate, David Cromwell Johnson. ] I wish my grandfather could have seen me graduate in 2004.
Because of BSL, I was able to work full time and support my family while attending law school. My family's support, understanding, and willingness to sacrifice helped me to achieve my goal. I am thankful to BSL for the opportunity to prepare for a career to help others during their times of crisis. The graduates of BSL will always owe a debt to the school which is not financial and cannot be measured.
Walter F. Johnsey
Senior Executive Vice President
Drummond Company, Inc.
BSL Graduate of 1965
I graduated from Birmingham School of Law in Spring of 1965 and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in July, 1965.
Having an engineering and accounting-finance background at a large public company in the 1960s, it became apparent to me the importance of legal training. My experience at that time clearly showed that engineers provided the concepts and substance of design, accountants-finance would then provide plans for execution and financing, and the accountants would tell everyone how the books and records would be kept. The licensed lawyers would test all these above actions and decisions for appropriateness under the law, rules and regulations. In the end, the lawyers would usually have final say as to thumbs up or thumbs down. As an executive in a large public company, I was not seeing all the processes for final executive approval. This gave me incentive to attend law school. Birmingham School of Law provided an avenue to achieve this by having academic studies at night. An education in law with prior education and experience gives a new perspective of business problems and improves the quality of decisions on matters of importance. Studying law has the effect of changing the outlook of one's life and therefore makes you a better citizen.
I feel that Birmingham School of Law gave me excellent training for entering the court system to help render justice and settle disputes. After all, the licensed lawyers in America have the ability to execute the above in order to help make our system of government work. The study of law will change your life forever, as most education does, and prepares you for many choices in life that you may not have otherwise. I want to thank Judge Hugh Locke, Sr. [the founder of the school] for guiding me and giving encouragement during my four years of Birmingham School of Law.
Why did I go back to school in my late forties? First, I went for my (MBA) Masters in Business Administration and then for my law degree. I am a graduate of Auburn University and have had one career since 1976; however, that career has continuously changed over the years from a stockbroker who pushes product, to the role of an investment consultant/advisor.
I first graduated from Auburn in 1976. Currently, I own my own investment firm in Leeds, Alabama. I have been in the securities business since 1982, and it has been a very rewarding career. Although I do not plan to leave my current career for one in the legal profession, I do plan to use my law degree to improve what I know and do in my current profession.
I have always believed that education was a never-ending process. One must continue to learn to keep current with society. Education is not just the piece of paper called a diploma, but it is personal growth, knowledge, and learning. Continuing education allows a person to bring to his customers the most value, and that value is what the customer expects and wants. The professional who can bring the most value to the client relationship is the one who earns the greatest rewards.
Therefore, for me, going back to school was just a part of the natural process of working. I truly expect my law degree to help me deal with customers on a higher plane as far as knowledge and service is concerned. I also expect it to help me deal with other advisors my clients currently have (lawyers, CPAs, bankers, etc.). In addition, I feel it will help me move to a more respected role in my profession. Above all, I know my law degree will increase my confidence and professionalism.
As a child, I developed a strong desire to become an attorney. I have always wanted to speak up for those who could not speak for themselves. However, an even stronger desire to immediately become financially independent after obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree outweighed the goal to immediately attend law school. I decided to pursue a Masters Degree instead so that I could maintain a full-time job.
Even after obtaining the Masters Degree, I did not feel professionally complete. Yet, there was no way that I could end my career to attend a law program which would not allow me to work a full-time job. Birmingham School of Law provided the perfect opportunity for me to pursue a Juris Doctor in Law while continuing to excel in my present career.
Realizing that every career demands professional skills and experience, BSL affords the opportunity for individuals to maintain a career while attending law school. What more could an employment agency or law firm want than a professionally developed and multi-skilled attorney who is dedicated and disciplined enough to have maintained a full-time career while attending law school. BSL has given me an opportunity to realize and improve my strengths, organizational skills, and discipline as I meet the challenges of my career and law school.
BSL has provided an opportunity for me to achieve my childhood dream without sacrificing all that I have already accomplished in the career world.
After recently graduating from The University of Alabama, I found a law school that is perfect for me. Birmingham School of Law became my choice for numerous reasons. The first influence came from my brother who is a BSL graduate and speaks highly of the education he received here.
I also wanted to be able to work in the legal field while attending classes full-time. I am currently working as a law clerk in a local firm to help me decide the type of law I would practice, and gain as much experience as possible.
The instructors at BSL are practicing attorneys, so they can give me the extra edge that will help me succeed.
I am enrolled in classes five nights a week and this will enable me to graduate in less than three years.
Another factor that helped me choose BSL is the affordable cost along with the payment plan. I will be able to graduate debt free!
I am in my first year at BSL and everything is going well, just as I expected.