Dear Members:

Thank you for your loyal support to the legal and greater Birmingham community. Recently, the MCBA, BBA and BBA Foundation raised $125,000 to support the tornado relief effort. The funds were donated to the American Red Cross.

As usual, we continue to provide social, educational and volunteer/community events and opportunities. In May and June, we host and participate in two volunteer initiatives, one free CLE and one social event. Please go to the “Calendar” website to view upcoming events.

Greetings:

It my distinct honor to serve as the President of the Magic City Bar Association in 2011.

In response to a need to promote the professional advancement of African-American attorneys, to preserve the independence of the judiciary, to foster improvement of the economic condition and protect the civil and political rights of all citizens, and to uphold the honor and integrity of the legal profession, nine individuals established the Magic City Bar Association, Inc. (MCBA) in November of 1984.

Today, the Magic City Bar continues to be a force to be reckoned with. With a strong dedication to enhancing diversity in our profession by supporting law students, and by exposing our profession to those in high school and college, we continue to be dedicated stewards of the vision of the nine founders. We do so through community service initiatives, including, but not limited to, presentations to high school students, by incorporating law students into our process and allowing them to participate in the Magic City Bar, through our Law Clerk reception, and by providing four $2,500 scholarships to four (4) promising law students on an annual basis.

We understand that one of the main ways to encourage diversity in our profession is to expose our members to the larger legal community and to enhance their legal skill set. For that purpose, this year we will focus on partnering with our sister bar associations to host social events which promote relationship-building amongst members of the greater bar. We will also feature CLE programming designed to enhance the legal skill set of our younger members.

I look forward to working with each and every one of our members to ensure that the MCBA remains a strong organization, dedicated to improving our profession, and creating opportunities for our members.

My door is always open, and I invite and encourage you to email me at ddebrosse@gtandslaw.com, to volunteer your service, share your ideas, or just to talk.

Diandra S. “Fu” Debrosse

President

Please join us on May 26, 2011 for our Second General Meeting and Cocktail Reception. With great colleagues, food and drinks, it is a guaranteed good time! The event will be held at the Wine Loft at 5:30PM.

We can’t wait to see you there!

MCBA’s International Month November 2009

International Affairs Chair – Judge Eugene R. Verin

Scholarship Benefit

Scholarship Benefit Chair – Shayana Davis

Board and Membership Meeting and Election of Officers, 11:30 A.M.

Note: Officers will be elected at 11:30 A.M. All members interested in running for office may contact Derrick Mills at dmills@mrblaw.com

Nominating Committee Chair – Derrick Mills

Continuing Legal Education, 8:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M.

Chair – Lynneice O. Washington

LaVeeda Morgan Battle Chair

Greetings :

It is indeed my pleasure to serve as the president of the Magic City Bar Association during its 25th year anniversary.

Twenty five years ago, a small group of African American lawyers recognized the need for a Birmingham organization to address legal issues in the community, regardless of race, creed or color. Those same lawyers also had a desire to assist in the promotion of the legal profession as a career to minorities. As a result, the Magic City Bar Association was born.

During the last 25 years, this organization has played a prominent role in attending to a variety of issues in this community. I remember so vividly in the early years when the Magic City Bar partnered with the Alabama Lawyers Association and presented Laymen’s Law Seminars throughout the community. We went to churches, schools and other community based groups to give lectures and perform skits to teach laws of interest to everyone. During those seminars, citizens learned so much about how to keep their families safe, solvent and subjected to equal justice. Since others had not provided the same kind of seminars to the community, citizens were thrilled to have us satisfy a previously unfulfilled need.

The Magic City Bar Association has always recognized the importance of role models to minorities interested in the legal profession. Through the years, members of this organization have consistently mentored young African American lawyers. The mentoring has served as a catalyst in building stellar careers for many. For years, this organization’s Scholarship Benefit has provided academic scholarships to students attending Miles, Cumberland and the University of Alabama Law Schools.

For a quarter century, MCBA has certainly been a viable force in addressing issues pertaining to the Birmingham area. However, we now recognize that some of those same issues extend beyond our borders. Therefore, this year we have decided to broaden our focus to the world at large. In keeping with one of the original purposes and objectives of this organization which was “ to promote the professional and social intercourse of the American Bar and International Bar “, the Magic City Bar Association has adopted as its 25th Anniversary Theme “Addressing Local Issues From A Global Point of View’’. All the issues addressed this year will enlighten and benefit Birmingham as well as the world at large.

Please review the Calendar of Events planned for this year and become actively involved in this historic organization. I invite you to email me at ahverin@yahoo.com to volunteer your service to committees for those events. With your help, we will experience an exciting 25th year.
Annetta H. Verin
President of the Magic City Bar Association