Candidate Biography
The following biographical information was provided by the candidate. It is published here verbatim up to a limit of 250 words for each biographical line item.
| Place of Residence: |
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2900 Briarcliff Road, Dothan, AL 36303 |
| Family: |
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I am 48 years old and have been married for 23 years to the former Susan Enfinger whose family has lived in Alabama since before Alabama became a State. We have four children: Rachel is a junior at the University of Alabama, Sara is a 10th grader, Emma is in 7th grade and Eli is in the 2nd grade. We are active members of Covenant United Methodist Church in Dothan where I have served on the Administrative Council and as lay leader. I currently play bass guitar in the church’s praise band. My parents are still living at ages 80 and 76. My father used to work in a factory and he also farmed. My mother used to work as a secretary. We have a very large family: I have 5 brothers and 4 sisters.
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| Education: |
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I graduated from the public schools in the small town of Bonifay, Florida in 1979. I attended community college and then earned a B.S. degree from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications in 1985. I attended a semester of Bible training at Capernwray Bible School in Carnforth, Lancashire, England. I earned my law degree from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1992.
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| Employer: |
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Morris, Cary, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC
3334 Ross Clark Circle, Dothan, AL 36303 |
Bar Admission(s) &
Date(s) of Admission: |
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Alabama, 1993
Florida, 1994
Georgia, 1999
District of Columbia, 2000
United States Supreme Court, 2000
Tennessee, 2003
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Legal / Judicial
Experience: |
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I have never served as a trial judge, as is true of most of the current members of the Alabama Supreme Court before they were elected judges on our appellate courts. My legal experience consists of the following: I worked as a law clerk for the University of Alabama Office of Counsel from 1991-1993. From 1993 to 1994, I served as law clerk and staff attorney for Justice Hugh Maddox, then the senior associate justice on the Alabama Supreme Court. From 1994 to 1999, I worked as an attorney in private practice with Cherry & Givens in Dothan. In 1999, I started my own law firm, Morris, Cary, Andrews, Talmadge & Driggers, LLC in Dothan. We have 12 employees and we represent a variety of individuals and businesses throughout the southeastern United States in civil litigation. I have also handled juvenile cases. I served as a JAG officer in the Alabama Army National Guard and did a variety of legal work connected to the military. I have taught paralegal students at Troy University’s paralegal program. I am routinely called upon to speak to lawyers at continuing education seminars and I have written a number of articles on various topics published in magazines designed to educate lawyers. I have also been trained as a mediator. I have handled cases in many Alabama counties as well as in several states. |
| Other Experience: |
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Coming from a large family, I worked a variety of jobs in farming, retail and restaurants to put myself through college and law school. Later, I served as an officer on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1987-1990, and served in the Alabama Army National Guard from 1990-1995. My highest rank obtained was Captain. I was president of the Houston County Bar Association, chair of the Workers' Compensation Section, a member of Class II of the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum, and a graduate of Leadership Dothan. I have served on various committees of the Alabama State Bar including Taskforce on Diversity in the Profession, Editorial Board for the Alabama Lawyer magazine, and chair of the Workers’ Compensation Law section. In my younger days, I spent 19 months traveling across the country playing guitar in a traveling Christian band. I am very active in my church, Covenant United Methodist Church, and have served in a variety of ways including teaching, serving on committees and playing in the praise band. |
| Honors & Awards: |
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In the Army, I was basic training Trainee Leader of the Cycle and while I was on active duty in the Army’s Big Red One, I was awarded the Army Commendation and Army Achievement Medals. I graduated from the United States Army Officer Candidate School, Ft. Benning, GA. I served as President of the Houston County Bar Association; was a board member of the Christian Legal Society of Alabama; was founding member and Administrator of Wiregrass Inns of Court; Member, Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce; Deacon, Chairman of Deacons, Sunday School teacher - Bethlehem Baptist Church (1997-2002); Former Board member of Wiregrass Leadership; WIZB Christian Radio; Bethlehem Child Development Center; Member of College Republicans, University of Florida; Member of Law School Republicans, University of Alabama; Member of Federalist Society; and Society of the Big Red One. |
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