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Greetings from the Alabama Lawyers Association!

In 1971, several legal greats founded the oldest and largest bar association for African-American attorneys in the state of Alabama. The Alabama Lawyers Association ("ALA") was founded to encourage the study of law, to provide support services to its members and to protect the civil and political rights of all citizens. Today, the organization continues to uphold those purposes.

It is truly an honor to be a part of an organization with such a rich history, and I am excited about the upcoming year. Through its many efforts, such as providing quality CLEs and networking events, ALA serves as a wonderful resource to lawyers around the state. In the spirit of nurturing future lawyers, ALA also hosts an annual law student seminar and networking reception, where law students have an opportunity to meet local lawyers and discuss the practice of law and issues facing law students. Additionally, ALA has a clerkship program, which is the pride and joy of our organization. Through our clerkship program, we work with various firms and legal organizations around the state to provide clerkships for law students.

Over the next year, the Board and I will discuss ways in which ALA can continue to serve as a resource to the legal profession. So far, we have an amazing year ahead of us. For instance, in May 2010, the ALA will hold its Spring Retreat aboard Carnival Cruise Line's Triumph. This retreat will provide wonderful networking opportunities, as well as informative CLE sessions. Our last retreat on the sea was great, and we know this next voyage will not let us down. I hope to see you there!

If you have not joined ALA, we invite you to take a moment to complete and submit a membership application. We welcome and look forward to the opportunity to work with you in our continued efforts to improve the professional development of lawyers in this state.

Sincerely,
Tamula R. Yelling
President