The Volunteer Lawyers Program (VLP) began statewide in Alabama in 1991. Modeled after the highly successful Mobile Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Program, it provides a way for lawyers in Alabama to help their communities. Attorneys enroll in the program by agreeing to provide up to 20 hours per year of free legal service to poor citizens of Alabama. Cases are referred to the VLP from Legal Services offices around the state. Before referral, the cases are screened for merit and complexity (to see if the case resolvable in 20 hours or less) and the potential client is screened for income eligibility (must live at 125 percent of poverty level, currently $2,151.08 monthly, for a family of four.)

Update on Hormone Replacement Therapy Litigation by Navan Ward Jr.

Power Point Presentation Mass Torts made Perfect Permax/Dostinex Presented by: Vance Andrus and Navan Ward, Jr.

A product liability claim focuses on whether or not the product is defective. In automobile cases, the defective product could be the entire vehicle, or a component part such as the seat belt assembly or tires. Unfortunately, the average motorist has no idea how unprotected he will be in an accident as a driver or passenger in one of
these defective vehicles. Often, causes of action for product liability claims are hidden from the untrained eye. It is important to recognize possible defect claims in the motor vehicle accident cases. Any accident that involves paralysis, death, loss of limb, or brain damage should be analyzed for possible product liability claims.

A toxic tort is a civil wrong arising from exposure to a toxic substance, such as asbestos, radiation or a hazardous waste.1 Most toxic torts cases are brought under the common law trespass and nuisance causes of action. Although many plaintiffs often join common law claims with claims for potential recovery under federal environmental laws, the common law claims tend to provide more monetary damages, whereas the statutory claims may simply recoup cleanup costs.