Graduates of Faulkner Law enjoy a wide range of career opportunities, with many reaching the highest levels of Alabama’s legal field. Alumni have served on the Alabama Supreme Court, state courts of appeal, as district attorneys and in various public service roles. Whether practicing in law firms, working in government, or pursuing careers in specialized areas like sports law or business, Faulkner Law graduates have built successful careers across the legal spectrum. Here’s a look at some of the notable alumni who have made their mark in these diverse fields.
Private Practice-
Many alumni work in top private practice law firms such as Beasley Allen, Greene & Phillips, Hill Hill Carter, and Capell & Howard. Private practice refers to lawyers who work independently or in law firms with multiple attorneys, including senior partners, associates and support staff. They handle a broad range of clients from individuals to large corporations, offering specialized services in various areas of law.
Greg Allen (JSL ‘80) is a principal and lead products liability attorney at Beasley Allen. With decades of experience, he has secured numerous high-profile verdicts and settlements, including a $122 million verdict against General Motors and a $151 million verdict against Ford. Known for taking on major corporations on behalf of injured clients, Allen has earned recognition as a top trial lawyer, being named to Super Lawyers and The Best Lawyers in America. He also serves as a mentor and educator, with Faulkner Law naming its mock trial competition in his honor.
David Bedgood (JSL ‘97), a magna cum laude graduate of Faulkner Law, specializes in real estate law at Bradley Arant, focusing on title insurance review and compliance. With extensive experience in residential real estate transactions, abstract examination and title curative issues, Bedgood has managed title insurance offices in Montgomery and Birmingham. He has underwritten title insurance for major underwriters and now supports partners in the Real Estate Practice Group.
J. David Greene (JSL ’96) founded Greene & Phillips Injury Lawyers after a successful career in landscaping. After earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Faulkner Law, he co-founded the firm, which has grown from a small office to a thriving practice with locations in Mobile and Birmingham. Greene serves as the managing member, specializing in personal injury law including wrongful death, auto accidents and job site injuries.
David W. Henderson (JSL ‘00) is the managing shareholder at Hill Hill Carter, where he specializes in insurance defense, commercial litigation, trucking, workers’ compensation and governmental entities. With more than 25 years of experience, Henderson has secured numerous successful outcomes, including defense verdicts and appeals to the Alabama Supreme Court. A former sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, he earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Aigner Kolom (JSL ‘15), a summa cum laude graduate of Faulkner Law, is a principal attorney at Beasley Allen. Recognized as a Midsouth Super Lawyers “Rising Star” and named to The National Black Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, Kolom is deeply committed to community service. She holds leadership roles in several professional organizations and serves on the board of Hope Inspired Ministries.
Will League (JSL ‘96), a personal injury attorney for Timberlake & League, P.C., has more than 25 years of experience advocating for clients. His journey into law was deeply personal, sparked by the tragic loss of his father during college. League is known for his multi-million dollar resolutions and successful jury trial awards.
Tamika Miller (JSL ‘10) is a partner at Miller Smith, LLC, in Montgomery. After earning her J.D. and a certificate in Alternative Dispute Resolution, she served as a judicial clerk for Judge Charles Price before joining private practice. Miller is an active member of the Alabama Lawyers Association and the Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program.
Mitch Williams (JSL ‘19) is a principal attorney at Beasley Allen, focusing on product liability class actions and business litigation. Known for his expertise in both legal and engineering issues, Williams has been involved in high-profile cases, including a $102.6 million verdict in the GM 5.3L oil consumption litigation and significant settlements with Toyota and Subaru. He graduated with honors as a Walter J. Knabe Scholar and gained experience as a judicial intern for the Alabama Supreme Court.
Alabama State Bar-
The Alabama State Bar is the licensing and regulatory body for lawyers in Alabama, dedicated to promoting professional responsibility, improving the justice system, and enhancing public understanding of the law. It ensures lawyers meet ethical standards and are competent to practice law.
Terri Bozeman Lovell (JSL ‘95) is the executive director of the Alabama State Bar. She became the first female executive director of the organization in its history when she began her tenure in 2021. She previously served as presiding circuit judge in the 2nd Judicial Circuit and as district judge of Lowndes County.
Gibson Vance (JSL ‘94) is the former president of the Alabama State Bar and is a principal attorney at Beasley Allen. With more than 30 years of experience, Vance has also held leadership positions in the Alabama Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice.
Government–
For almost a century, Faulkner Law graduates have ascended to a variety of important positions in state and federal government as justices on the Alabama Supreme Court, judges, prosecutors and members of Congress and the State Legislature.
Senator Greg Albritton (JSL ‘95) has represented Alabama’s 22nd Senate District since 2014. From 2002 to 2006, he served in the Alabama House of Representatives. Albritton chairs the Finance and Taxation General Fund Committee and serves on several others, including Judiciary and State Governmental Affairs.
Senator Will Barfoot (JSL ‘01) represents Alabama’s 25th District in the state Senate. Elected in 2018, he serves as vice chair of the Judiciary Committee and sits on the Agriculture & Forestry and Banking & Insurance committees. Barfoot is a founding partner of Barfoot & Schoettker, LLC.
Casey N. Bates (JSL ‘09) serves as chief of staff to Alabama Chief Justice Sarah Stewart. She previously worked with the Alabama Legislative Services Agency, was an assistant attorney general with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency and served as an assistant district attorney.
Judge Joy Booth (JSL ‘00), a circuit judge for Autauga County, was elected in 2022. She has served in various judicial roles since 2010, including district judge and special circuit judge for Protection from Abuse cases. Prior to her judicial career, Booth served as Prattville’s city prosecutor. She chairs the Autauga County Children’s Policy Council and serves on the Alabama Juvenile Justice Task Force.
Bobby Bright (JSL ‘82) served from 2009 to 2011 as the representative from Alabama’s 2nd congressional district. Before that, he was the three-term mayor of Montgomery, Alabama, from 1999 to 2008.
Justice Tommy Bryan (JSL ‘83) has served as an associate justice on the Alabama Supreme Court since 2013. Prior to his appointment, he served on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals and as an assistant attorney general. Bryan was reelected to the Supreme Court in 2018 and again in 2024.
Judge Christy O. Edwards (JSL ‘08) was elected to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals in 2018. She previously served as an associate judge on the Alabama Tax Tribunal, assistant attorney general, and legal and policy advisor for the Alabama Department of Revenue. She serves as alternate chief judge of the Alabama Court of the Judiciary.
Hon. Ben A. Fuller (JSL ‘90) serves as counsel at Hawthorne, Atchison & Riddle. He served as circuit judge for the 19th Judicial Circuit from 1996 to 2023, including two terms as presiding judge. Fuller previously clerked for Judge Sam Taylor of the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals and served as staff attorney for Alabama Supreme Court Justice Henry B. Steagall II.
Judge Kimberly G. Kervin (JSL ‘97) was elected Autauga County Probate Judge in 2018 and took office in 2019. She oversees matters such as estates, wills, adoptions, guardianships, business licenses and elections.
Judge Carole Medley (JSL ’95) was elected as a Fourth Circuit Court judge for Lauderdale County following a 2022 legislative decision. She served as a district judge in Lauderdale County, Alabama, since 2008, after being appointed by then-Govenor Bob Riley. She made history in 2010 as the first Republican elected to that seat since the Civil War. She also serves on the Faulkner University Board of Trustees.
Judge Wes Mobley (JSL ‘08) is the district judge of Cherokee County. A prosecutor since 2010, he has handled thousands of cases, including misdemeanor, juvenile, and felony offenses, and currently serves as a drug court prosecutor. He led efforts to provide legal assistance following the 2011 tornado outbreak.
Azzie Oliver (JSL ‘03) was appointed as Montgomery County District Attorney by Governor Kay Ivey. She also served as chief deputy district attorney and chief of the Criminal Trials Division in the Alabama Attorney General’s Office and has experience in domestic violence prosecutions and victim services.
Durell Peaden Jr. (JSL ‘87) was a Republican member of the Florida Senate, representing the 2nd District from 2001 to 2010. He was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1995 through 2000.
Ahmad L. Smith (‘18 and JSL ‘21) is a deputy district attorney with the Alabama 15th Judicial Circuit’s District Attorney’s Office. In his role, Smith serves as a trial attorney in the Street Crimes Unit handling cases involving property and drug offenses. Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from Faulkner.
Judge Belinda Strickland (JSL ‘20) was elected as Russell County Probate Judge. Strickland has served as a special probate judge and guardian ad litem in the county, specializing in mental health and veterans’ cases. She has audited more than 250 probate court cases, including numerous adoptions.
Alex Thompson (JSL ‘23) is an assistant district attorney with the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney’s Office.
Judge Josh Wilson (JSL ‘11) is the district judge for Coffee County. Prior to his appointment, Wilson served as an assistant district attorney for the 12th Judicial Circuit for six years. A former certified public accountant, Wilson returned to law school and opened a practice in Elba before joining the District Attorney’s Office in 2013.
Judge Mary B. Windom (JSL ‘99), a magna cum laude graduate of Faulkner Law, has served on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals since 2008, becoming its presiding judge in 2012. Prior to her election to the court, she was an assistant U.S. attorney and deputy attorney general for Alabama. She is involved in the Alabama Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Criminal Procedure, the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement of Mobile and Alabama Children First.
Justice Kelli Wise (JSL ‘94) currently serves as an associate justice on the Alabama Supreme Court. She was the youngest woman elected to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals in 2000 and later became its presiding judge. Dedicated to serving at-risk children, she has been involved with various boards, including the Alabama Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, the Family Sunshine Center and the Junior League of Montgomery.
Sports Law–
Sports law intersects with labor law, contract law, antitrust law and tort law, and encompasses various legal fields that affect the sports industry.
Hollis Jackson (JSL ‘02) currently serves as the director of Compliance for Recruiting and Personnel at the University of Georgia. He oversees compliance for the baseball, softball, tennis, swimming and diving teams. Before transitioning to NCAA compliance, Jackson practiced law for nearly 19 years, including 12 years as a municipal judge.
Lobbying–
Lobbyists are professional advocates hired to influence government policies and decisions on behalf of individuals, organizations or industries. They work to propose new legislation or amend existing laws.
Deborah Kay Miller (JSL ‘96), a principal attorney with Miller Development Group, is a skilled advocate with expertise in the legislative process, procurement and regulatory issues. Known for her successful track record, she is recognized for her work on the Prompt Pay Act for Subcontractors, which was named the “Deborah Kay Miller Act” by the Alabama Legislature. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Faulkner Law.
Business–
Paul Pinyan (JSL ‘04) is the executive director of the Alabama Farmers Federation and general manager of Alabama Farm Bureau Services, Inc. He has held various leadership roles within the Federation since 1998, including director of governmental affairs.
Eddie Sorrells (JSL ‘03) was appointed president of DSI Security Services. Previously serving as chief operating officer and general counsel, Sorrells has been with DSI since 1991.
Our graduates know the importance of service and caring for those in need. That’s why so many have sought positions where they can make a significant difference in their communities.