Lanier Ford appears on the list of top patent firms in the United States. The list is published in the March 2011 edition of Intellectual Property Today. For 2010, the number of patents issued to clients of the firm increased by 34.1%, compared to the number issued to clients in 2009. The magazine’s list is based on the number of patents granted to clients of the law firm by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office during 2010.
On April 18, 2011Deborah Spencer Garner, the firm’s accounting manager, was inducted in the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame.
In 1987, as a junior in Buckhorn High School, Ms. Garner was named “all county” in basketball and softball and honorable-mention “all state” in basketball.
In 1988, she was named first-team “all-state” in basketball, while averaging 18.5 points, 8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 4 assists. She was also named the most valuable player of the state 4A tournament and honorable-mention “all America.”
Later, as a 4-year starter at David Lipscomb University, she played in 136 games and scored 1,494 points—eighth best in school history. In 1991, she was named to the all-conference team. She graduated with a B.S. in accounting from David Lipscomb University.
Ten shareholders of the Huntsville-based Lanier Ford law firm have been listed in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America:
Generally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States, this book frequently serves as the basis of articles about best lawyers in national magazines and local newspapers. Unlike many other legal directories, lawyers cannot pay to be listed in The Best Lawyers in America; neither does purchase of the book determine whether a lawyer is listed. Instead, practicing lawyers nominate, frequently without solicitation from the publisher, their fellow lawyers for inclusion. Lawyers then confidentially comment and vote on those nominated.
Those lawyers who vote are asked to answer this type of question in determining their vote: If you were not able to handle a relative’s legal problem because of limitations of time or conflict of interest, whom would you recommend?
During its July 2010 annual meeting, the Alabama Defense Lawyers Association (ADLA) elected Claude Hundley to its board of directors. Mr. Hundley will represent District I on the board. The Alabama Defense Lawyers Association has a membership of over 1,200 attorneys dedicated to the defense of civil actions and the promotion of fairness and integrity in the civil justice system.
The following shareholders of the Lanier Ford have been named Alabama Super Lawyers by Superlawyers.com:
In addition to being named a SuperLawyer, Donna Pate was also named one of the top-25 women lawyers in Alabama.
Lawyers cannot pay to be on the list and go through a rigorous review process that not only considers the opinions of fellow lawyers, but also considers verdicts, settlements, transactions, clients, special licenses and certifications, professional activities, community service, scholarly writings and lectures, education, and other achievements.
Lanier Ford appears on the list of top patent firms in the United States. The list is published in the March 2010 edition of Intellectual Property Today. For 2009, the number of patents issued to clients of the firm increased by 11.1%, compared to the number issued to clients in 2008. The magazine’s list is based on the number of patents granted to clients of the law firm by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office during 2009.
J. R. Brooks named fellow in Alabama Law Foundation
On February 22, 2010, J. R. Brooks was inducted as a fellow by the Alabama Law Foundation. No more than 1 percent of Alabama Bar members may become fellows; therefore, the selection committee invites into fellowship an exceptional group of lawyers who have demonstrated their dedication to improving the world around them. The Alabama Law Foundation established the fellows program in 1995 to honor bar members who have made a significant contribution to their profession and their community. George W. Royer of our firm is also a fellow.
On January 27, 2010, Graham Burgess was named a shareholder in the firm. Mr. Burgess has been an associate since 2004.
Discipline and special education was the subject of a presentation by Rodney C. Lewis at the Law Conference sponsored by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools held on Tuesday, February 9, 2010, in Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Lewis frequently provides in-service training to educators on the subject of special education and the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
J. R. Brooks, who frequently advises school boards about employment law and represents school boards in litigation of personnel issues, made a presentation about the Alabama teacher tenure law, involuntary transfers, and fair dismissal laws.
Ten members of the Huntsville law firm of Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C. have been listed in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. In terms of Best Lawyers, this number means that the firm is ranked number one in north Alabama and Huntsville.
The two newest members of the firm added to the list are John M. Heacock and D. Edward Starnes, III. Mr. Heacock was added in the area of commercial litigation. Mr. Starnes was added in the area of workers’compensation law.
Attorneys previously listed and once again appearing in the publication for 2010 include the following:
Generally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States, this book frequently serves as the basis of articles about best lawyers in national magazines and local newspapers. Unlike many other legal directories, lawyers cannot pay to be listed in The Best Lawyers in America; neither does purchase of the book determine whether a lawyer is listed. Instead, practicing lawyers nominate, frequently without solicitation from the publisher, their fellow lawyers for inclusion. Lawyers then confidentially comment and vote on those nominated.
Those lawyers who vote are asked to answer this type of question in determining their vote: If you were not able to handle a relative’s legal problem because of limitations of time or conflict of interest, who would you recommend?
The largest law firm in north Alabama with over 39 attorneys, Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne is a full-service law firm, providing legal services to a wide variety of businesses, individuals, and public entities.
SuperLawyers.com has named Donna Pate among the top 25 women lawyers in Alabama, in addition to naming her a 2009 Alabama Super Lawyer in the area of general litigation. J. R. Brooks has been named a 2009 Super Lawyer in the area of business litigation. And Stan Rodgers and Dan Beasley have been named 2009 Super Lawyers in the area of medical malpractice defense.
Super Lawyers are named on the basis of information received from a variety of sources, including other lawyers. They are evaluated according to 12 criteria: verdicts, settlements, transactions, representative clients, experience, honors and awards, special licenses and certifications, position with a law firm, bar and other professional activity, pro bono and community service, scholarly lectures and writings, and education and employment background.
For more information, visit the Super Lawyer’s web site.
Lanier Ford is once again listed as a top trademark firm by Intellectual Property Today magazine (May 2009 edition). The number of Lanier Ford’s Federal trademark registrations increased 10.9% in 2008 over its number of registrations in 2007. The list is based on the number of trademark registrations for clients of the law firm by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office during 2008.
The March 2009 edition of Intellectual Property Today has published a list of the top patent firms in the United States. Once again, Lanier Ford is the only Alabama-based law firm on the list. For 2008, the number of patents issued to clients of the firm increased by 26.3%, compared to the number issued to clients in 2007. The magazine’s list is based on the number of patents granted to clients of the law firm by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office during 2008.
