Alabama

Alabama Judge’s Unique Resolution: Lawyers Required to Have BBQ Lunch to Mend Professional Ties

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Hoover, Alabama – In a unique judicial order stemming from frustration over attorneys’ conduct, Chief Judge R. David Proctor of the Northern District of Alabama mandated an unconventional method to foster better communication and behavior between opposing counsels. He instructed the attorneys to resolve their differences over a meal, assigning the cost of lunch to the plaintiff’s counsel and the tip to the defense’s. The lunch took place on December 16, 2024, at Saw’s BBQ in Hoover, Alabama, where legal representatives spent an extensive session discussing both personal and professional matters. Reports indicate the conversation … Read more

New Year, New Laws: Alabama Rolls Out Crucial Legislation Affecting Childcare, First Responders, and Tax Exemptions Starting 2025

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Huntsville, Alabama — As the calendar flips to 2025, a batch of new Alabama laws are now taking effect, reflecting legislative decisions made in the past session. These updates span various sectors from childcare and public safety to fiscal policies affecting military personnel and municipal officials. One of the key legislative changes is encapsulated in House Bill 358, which aims to assist working parents by enhancing childcare options. The law introduces new fiscal incentives such as tax credits for employers who support childcare, similar credits for childcare providers, and grants for non-profit childcare organizations. These … Read more

New Slate of State Laws Usher in Sweeping Changes Across the US in 2025: From Childcare Credits in Alabama to Hollywood AI Regulations

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Across the United States, a swathe of new state laws will take effect in the new year, impacting everything from minimum wage rates to the use of artificial intelligence in Hollywood. These regulations reflect evolving societal norms and technological advancements, as well as the ongoing tug-of-war between consumer protection and industry interests. In Alabama, a notable measure aims to alleviate the financial burden of child care for working families. This legislation allows businesses to claim tax credits when they assist employees with child care costs. The program, which has an allocated $15 million in tax … Read more

Alabama Defends Anti-Panhandling Laws, Argues Historical Precedent Against First Amendment Protection in Federal Court

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Montgomery, Alabama — In a recent federal court debate, the state of Alabama defended its anti-panhandling statutes, urging a reversal of a lower court’s ruling which held these laws as unconstitutional. The appeal was heard by a three-judge panel of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, foregrounding a contentious dialogue between historical legal precedent and modern interpretations of constitutional rights. Jonathan Singleton, a homeless individual from Montgomery, catalyzed the discourse with his 2020 class-action lawsuit, after facing repeated arrests under these state laws. Earlier in 2023, a court concluded that Alabama’s panhandling prohibitions infringed upon … Read more