The Birmingham Bar Foundation and Cumberland School of Law co-hosted the Alabama Appellate Courts during their October 7-8, 2009 visit to Birmingham.  On October 7th the Appellate Courts enjoyed a welcome reception at St Paul’s Cathedral Life Center.  On October 8th, the Courts heard Oral Arguments at Samford University.  The Supreme Court heard the appeal of Andrew Miller on issues involving the Community Notification Act.  The Court of Criminal Appeals heard the appeal of Demetrius Jackson from his capital murder conviction in the 2006 shooting death of Fairfield Police Officer Mary Smith.  Lawyers representing parties in the cases included the following: Bryan Stevenson; Richard Anderson; Todd E. Hughes; Charlotte Morrison; Brandon Buskey; Troy King; Winfield Sinclair; Peter Smyczek; and, Corey Maze.

Schools attending the event included the following: Huffman High School; Brookwood High School; Hewitt Trussville High School; Gardendale High School; Wenonah High School; Ramsay High School; Jackson-Olin High School; Homewood High School; Erwin High School; Hoover High School; Kingwood Christian School; Spain Park High School; Mortimer Jordan High School; Vestavia High School; Restoration Academy; Virginia College; Miles School of Law; Samford University; and, Cumberland School of Law.

Over 1100 students, attorneys and other members of the community were in attendance with Cumberland School of Law students serving as hosts during the arguments.  This year’s Oral Arguments was remarkable in terms of the level of advocacy and the Courts’ engagement.  We look forward to the Alabama Appellate Courts next visit to Birmingham October 13-14, 2010.

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