Christian & Small is pleased to announce that Managing Partner Deborah Alley Smith was elected to be a member of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers at the Academy’s recent meeting. The Academy limits its membership to only 500 members in the United States, which makes this a very exclusive and top honor.
“I am so honored to join such a talented and impressive group of attorneys as a member of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers,” Smith said. “I appreciate the Academy’s consideration and look forward to being an active and engaged member of this preeminent organization.”
The American Academy of Appellate Lawyers was founded in 1990 to recognize outstanding appellate lawyers and promote the improvement of appellate advocacy and the administration of the appellate courts. Membership is by invitation only to those who possess a reputation of recognized distinction as an appellate lawyer. To be eligible for membership, a nominee’s practice must have focused substantially on appeals during at least the last 15 years. Candidates for this membership must be nominated by a present Academy member, reviewed and approved by a membership committee, and then elected at an Academy meeting.
Acknowledged as a leader in the legal profession, Smith has an active post-judgment and appellate litigation practice, is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and a member of the 2014 class of Leadership Birmingham. She has been recognized by Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America®, Benchmark Litigation, and Mid-South Region Super Lawyers, where she is ranked among the Top 50 2016 Women Mid-South Super Lawyers and the Top 50 2016 Alabama Super Lawyers. Smith currently serves on Teach for America-Alabama’s Advisory Board, the Birmingham Business Alliance’s Board of Directors, and is Immediate Past President of the Birmingham Bar Foundation’s Board of Directors.