President's Message
Welcome
Welcome to the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. It is an honor to serve as President, and I am grateful for the trust the Board and our membership have placed in me to help carry this association's mission forward.
The ACDLA was built on principles that do not bend with time: the presumption of innocence, the right to a zealous defense, and the belief that every person accused of a crime in this state deserves competent, dedicated counsel. Those principles are why this association exists, and they will remain the foundation of everything we do together this year.
Above all, the ACDLA is a community of lawyers who support one another — professionally and personally. That support is the heart of this association, and I'm grateful for the time and effort our members give to lift each other up in the courtroom and beyond.
Our work has never been confined to the courtroom alone. It reaches into the communities we serve — where we advocate for a fairer, more equitable criminal justice system; educate the public on their rights; support pro bono efforts; and invest in the professional growth of the lawyers who do this difficult work every day.
As we look forward, our goals remain rooted in what has always guided this association:
1. Championing Justice and Equality
We remain committed to equality before the law, and to advocating for a criminal justice system that treats every Alabamian fairly, regardless of race, gender, economic circumstances, or background.
2. Protecting Constitutional Rights
The right to counsel, the presumption of innocence, and protection from unlawful searches and seizures are not abstractions — they are the daily work of our members. We will continue to defend these fundamental rights for generations to come.
3. Supporting Professional Growth
Through continuing legal education, workshops, and mentorship, we will keep giving our members the tools they need to serve their clients at the highest level.
4. Advocating for Criminal Justice Reform
We will continue to push for policies that promote fairness in the legal system, particularly for indigent clients who too often bear the brunt of an imbalanced system.
5. Building a Strong Community of Defense Lawyers
We are a community first, and we will keep finding ways for our members to support, mentor, and lean on one another — because we are stronger together than any one of us is alone.
This year, I hope to bring our members meaningful education and opportunities they can carry with them into courtrooms across the state. We will continue our support of the Alabama Criminal Defense College, and I'm excited about the new CLEs we're building — ones focused on practical advice members can use immediately. I hope these new programs reinvigorate our members and draw new criminal defense attorneys to join us.
The challenges facing criminal defense lawyers in Alabama are real, but so is the strength of this association. I am proud to lead alongside a Board that shares an unwavering commitment to this mission, and I invite every member to stay engaged — through our CLE programs, our committees, and simply by showing up for one another.
Thank you for the work you do every day for your clients, and for your continued commitment to the ACDLA. It is a privilege to serve you.
