Lightfoot Academy Students Visit the Middle District
Aleah Brown, ALMD Summer Intern.
On Tuesday, June 9, 2021, the Alabama Middle District welcomed seven students of the Lightfoot Academy and several attorneys from the Lightfoot, Franklin & White law firm. Sitting in the historic Courtroom 2FMJ, the group was able to watch proceedings from Braggs v. Dunn.
Before joining the virtual hearing, the interns met with counsel and were able to learn more about the practice of trial law. When asked about maintaining civility while arguing for opposing sides, both attorneys shared that being a fierce advocate for your client does not preclude maintaining professional discourse. Though trial attorneys are staunch, relentless advocates for their clients, mutual respect is often given to those who strongly represent their clients and advocate civilly, as they have jobs to do as well.
During a recess in the Braggs trial, Senior District Judge Myron H. Thompson joined the interns for lunch in the Johnson Library and spoke about his experiences as a judge in the Alabama Middle District. The interns’ questions ranged from topics seeking advice for students entering the legal profession to maintaining a work/life balance as a judge.
Located in Birmingham, Alabama, the Lightfoot Academy provides an immersive five-day experience created by Lightfoot Franklin giving rising college seniors and recent graduates the opportunity to live, learn, and perhaps launch future careers as trial attorneys.
Logan Matthews (associate), a former term clerk to Senior District Judge W. Harold Albritton III, was instrumental in bringing these interns for a visit to the Alabama Middle District. Matthews values his experiences clerking and seeks to provide students with similar opportunities. Attorneys Haley A. Cox (partner), Sanford G. "Sandy" Hooper (partner), and recruiting manager, Blakeley Marston, also accompanied the interns as they visited several locations in the Montgomery area, including the Equal Justice Initiative, continuing a learning experience where civil rights and the law intersect.