In July 1966, a Vanderbilt Law School graduate, 26 years young, travels to Montgomery, Alabama to take the Alabama State Bar Exam. His legal training at Vanderbilt began in January 1964, following his early release from serving
as an officer in the United States Navy. Taking law courses year-round enabled him to complete his legal education in two and one-half years instead of the normal three years. After taking the bar exam he was permitted to work without a license in nonlegal matters at the law firm, Rives, Peterson, Pettus, and Conway as its ninth lawyer. His legal career started in early September of that year after receiving notice that he had passed the bar exam and then made his oath. That lawyer was me.
There has been a lot of water over the dam since then. Partnership after three years, non-jury trials and then jury trials, representing major insurance companies and self-insured clients, trained by the best trial lawyers in Alabama. Along the way, I assumed responsibility for firm management by serving on the firm Executive Committee, and then perhaps the greatest honor of my life, serving as the Managing Partner of the firm on two separate occasions overseeing the firm’s growth to 47 lawyers.
This past July, I celebrated 57 years with this firm, now known as Christian and Small, the only law firm I ever worked for and with. Granted, I had offers from other firms but never seriously considered any of them. One of the things that attracted me to the law was the opportunity to work on many varied legal problems and issues. This firm certainly allowed me to do that. Different clients, different facts, different laws, different judges, and different people on juries meant nothing was the same.
With the firm’s indulgence, and with my gratitude, I have been permitted to remain with the firm, 
albeit in a limited capacity, long after I made any significant financial contribution to the firm. I can’t just completely walk away from the law or my firm after it was so much a part of my life for so many years. But all things must come to an end. So, I am now giving notice of my formal retirement. I will still be coming to the office as the firm has graciously given me office and secretarial support.
I have had the good fortune of practicing law with outstanding lawyers, past and present. When you need a lawyer, I will gladly refer you to one of them. They are all accomplished practitioners who will give you superb representation at a reasonable price.
One of the things I have loved about being a lawyer is that I have made friends with lawyers all over the world. Some of my clients have been international corporations, some have been individuals. It was a privilege to represent all of them in court. I intend to stay in touch with them as long as I can.
You may wonder, what will I do after retirement? Celeta and I plan to travel some. I feel blessed to have had her love and support for 62 years.
Duncan Y. Manley is a founding partner and long-time leader of Christian & Small. He served on the Executive Committee and as managing partner of the firm’s predecessor, Rives, Peterson, Pettus & Conway. Under Duncan’s leadership, Christian & Small became a member of The International Society of Primerus Law Firms, served as chairman of the Primerus Defense Institute from 2004 to 2007, and was thereafter named Chair Emeritus.
About Christian & Small
Christian & Small LLP represents a diverse clientele throughout Alabama, the Southeast, and the nation with clients ranging from individuals and closely held businesses to Fortune 500 corporations. By matching highly experienced lawyers with specific client needs, Christian & Small develops innovative, effective, and efficient solutions for clients. With offices in Birmingham, metro-Jackson, Mississippi, and the Alabama Gulf Coast, Christian & Small focuses on the areas of litigation and business, is a member of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms, and is a Mansfield Rule™ Participating Law Firm. Our corporate social responsibility program is focused on education, and diversity is one of Christian & Small’s core values.
No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.