Maynard Nexsen, Bradley, and Burr & Forman Make Major Commitments to Path Makers Legacy Plaza

Maynard Nexsen and the firm’s Alabama Law alumni have pledged $250,000 to support the construction of the Path Makers Legacy Plaza at The University of Alabama School of Law. Bradley Arant Boult Cummings and Burr & Forman have each also pledged an additional $150,000 to contribute to the project.

The Plaza, introduced as part of the Law School’s 50 | 150 Anniversaries in 2022, will honor the first Black graduates of the Law School, Michael Anthony Figures, Booker T. Forte Jr., and Ronald E. Jackson, as well as Judge John H. England Jr. Judge England enrolled with Figures, Forte, and Jackson, but was drafted into the Army while in law school. Upon completion of his military service, Judge England returned to Alabama Law and earned his JD in 1974. In addition to celebrating the achievements of these graduates, the Plaza will serve as an outdoor space where students can gather and the Law School can host events. 

“When Dean Brewbaker approached us about possibly contributing to this project, the response from our UA Law graduates was overwhelming,” said Maynard Nexsen’s Chairman, Greg Curran (Class of 1989). “UA Law has been a big part of the success of our firm and continues to provide us with a pipeline of excellently trained associate attorneys year after year. It is our pleasure to give back to an institution that has been a key part of our success.”

Maynard, Bradley, and Burr & Forman join a growing list of organizations and individuals who have made commitments in support of the Path Makers Legacy Plaza including:

$50,000

• Alabama Power Foundation
• Fournier “Boots” Gale (1969) and Louise Gale
• John J. McMahon, Jr. (1968) and Betty T. McMahon

$25,000

• Bill Brewbaker and Becky Brewbaker
• The Honorable Samarria Dunson (2003) and Kendall Dunson (1996)
• Lightfoot, Franklin & White

$5,000 - $10,000

• The Honorable Sue Bell Cobb (1981) and William Cobb
• Elizabeth H. Huntley (1997)
• Frank S. James III (1978) and Jothany James
• Wesley L. Laird (1986)
• Terrence W. McCarthy (1999)
• James F. Watkins (1992)
• Stephen W. Williams (2010)

Additional Donors

• J.R. Brooks (1971)
• Ann S. Crosby (1978) and Samuel N. Crosby (1978)
• The Honorable Vivian D. Figures
• Jini H. Koh (2004)
• Vanessa Leonard (1995)
• Marcus M. Maples (2006) and Kwoya N. Maples
• Robert D. Segall (1971)

Undisclosed Amount

• The Caring Foundation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama

Additional funds are needed to begin the construction of the Path Makers Legacy Plaza at Alabama Law. To learn how you or your organization can make a difference and explore donor recognition opportunities, please contact our Advancement Office at 205-348-5752 or email Caroline Strawbridge at cstrawbridge@law.ua.edu.