President's Page, 1114 ALBJ, 75 The Alabama Lawyer 358 (2014)

• Author: Richard J.R. Raleigh, Jr., Judge.

PRESIDENT'S PAGE

Vol. 75 No. 6 Pg. 358

Alabama Bar Lawyer

November, 2014

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0 Richard J.R. Raleigh, Jr., Judge.

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0Persuade Your Neighbors To Compromise Whenever You Can ¹

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0There are two concepts I am focusing on in this "President's Page"-alternative dispute resolution and pro bono service.

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0Because much of this issue of The Alabama Lawyer is focused on alternative dispute resolution, it is a good time to reflect on the wise advice above given by Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln's career was marked by service to others and his community, even in his early years as a lawyer. He was serving in the Illinois legislature when he was admitted to the Illinois bar.² He did not shy away from difficult cases, but he also knew that "the nominal winner is often a real loser-in fees, expenses and waste of time. As a peacemaker, the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man. There will still be business enough."³ Although highly respected as a trial lawyer, Lincoln acted as a mediator and apparently settled more than 1,600 cases over his career.⁴ We all have a duty to do what is best for our clients and for society as a whole, and should follow Lincoln's advice to be peacemakers and compromise when possible.

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0There are many wonderful ADR programs taking place in Alabama. One that deserves mentioning involves foreclosures and mortgage modification and is nun by the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution under the direction of Judy Keegan. The center now offers a free foreclosure mortgage modification mediation program to Alabama homeowners. Through April 30, 2015, the center will pay the cost of specially-trained mediators to assist Alabama homeowners and the mortgage-holders with foreclosure and mortgage issues.

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0The work of the center and the collective efforts of all Alabama lawyers and judges engaged in mediation and arbitration relieve pressure on our courts and help resolve problems more quickly and with less expense. Consider how you can promote compromise and utilize alternative methods for peaceful settlement of disputes.

\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0\xA0And, this issue of the magazine also comes out just as we wrap up Pro Bono Celebration Month. Alabama Rule of Professional Conduct 6.1 Pro Bono Publico Service provides...