Episode 116 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Michael Forton

I always say that I don't know anyone in Huntsville that doesn't know Jim Kaplan and his family. I've known Jim for probably 20 years and he is one of the most extroverted and warm individuals I have ever run across!  He and his wife Jennifer have raised a great family and I am fortunate to have them in my world. I hope you enjoy this inaugural podcast of Ronnie and Friends.  In the introduction of this podcast, I explain the evolution of the podcast name and it is not as self-involved as one would think!  

Attorney Eric Artrip is a partner with the law firm of Mastando and Artrip. This firm is highly respected, and you can listen to a podcast I did previously with one of Eric’s law partners, Teri Mastando, here.  As you'll hear me say on this podcast, for the past several years, whenever there is notable news of any type in North Alabama that entails some type of legal matter, I expect to see Eric's name attached to it. His case list is really a barometer of things that have happened in our community over the past decade or so.  I first met Eric many years ago when he worked with the chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee and former Alabama State Bar President, the late Tazewell Shepard.  Eric has since morphed his law practice into high end civil litigation, along with a focus on class action work as well.  I enjoyed catching up with Eric on this episode of the podcast.  

The Honorable Chris Comer has been on the bench for about the past decade or so, serving as a Circuit Court Judge in Madison County, Alabama.  Judge Comer is a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law. After graduating, he served as a judicial clerk for Judge Buddy Little.  He then worked for several years as an assistant district attorney in Madison County followed by a partnership at Wilmer and Lee before he became a judge.  Judge Comer is highly respected by both lawyers and litigants who practice before him.  He also gives back to the community in several ways, to include long time service as the judicial member of the Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program.  We are fortunate to have him on the bench here in Huntsville/Madison County and I hope you enjoy hearing his story on this episode of the podcast. 

I know attorney Robert Geller as a fellow member of the American Consumer Bankruptcy College.  As you’ll hear, Robert is personable, thoughtful, engaging and intelligent.  His main office is located in Tampa, Florida and he practices in the areas of consumer bankruptcy, personal injury, family law and immigration.  South Floridians are fortunate to have such an accomplished attorney available to represent them.  I enjoyed getting to know Robert’s story on this episode of the podcast and I hope you like it too!  

If there was a NBA Best Players list or a New York Yankees Murderers Row for lawyers, attorney Roy Black would unquestionably be on it.  He has been an integral part of American jurisprudence over the last 50 years.  His accolades are too numerous to list separately but you can find them here.  He even has his own Wikipedia page so that pretty much sums up his career!  He is a founding partner of the Black Srebnick law firm.  What I found interesting in talking to Roy on this episode of the podcast is that I have rarely encountered someone so passionate about the work that they do.  You will hear the vitality, vigor and enthusiasm in his voice and, if you didn’t know better, you would think that Roy was 25 years old and 6 months out of law school!  I hope you enjoy hearing his story on this episode. 

Attorney Laura Harper is the President of Lanier Ford, a large and well-respected law firm located in Huntsville, Alabama.   I have previously done podcasts with Lanier Ford partner, Andy Sieja and former Lanier Ford partner, Bob Bailey.  Laura practices in the areas of corporate law and estate planning.  Laura left her native Huntsville to attend law school at Mercer University in Georgia where she graduated summa cum laude and also served on the Mercer Law Review.  Laura ultimately made her way back to Huntsville and then took a couple of years detour to practice law in Seattle before returning once again back to Huntsville and Lanier Ford.  I have known Laura by reputation, but this is the first time that I have spoken with her.  I think you will enjoy getting to know her story on this episode of the podcast.

Brendan Prince is an attorney here in Huntsville, Alabama.  He is well-known as a “local product,” first for his athletic achievements (Alabama High School State Wresting Champion and Alabama State Swimming Champion) and, now, for his legal work in government contracting and procurement, in addition to all the work he does for non-profit organizations.  Brendan left Huntsville after high school to wrestle at the Citadel.  Following graduation, Brendan attended law school at the Stetson University College of Law in Florida.  It is clear that Brendan likes sun and warmth, as evidenced by the fact that he is admitted to practice law in both Alabama and Hawaii, where he spends a good bit of time each year.  I have known Brendan since he was the captain of the Grissom high school wrestling team his senior year.  He always struck me as being very squared away, humble and driven and you will hear that on this episode of the podcast.

I did not realize that attorney Jeff McKinney was part of the University of North Alabama crew that made their way to law school, including Brad Botes and Stuart Maples, until we talked on this podcast. I am sure there are several others in that group that I am probably missing. Jeff practices with his long-time law partner, Clint Butler, with the law firm of McKinney and Butler located in Huntsville, Alabama.  Jeff practices in the area of personal injury law and is considered to be a master at his craft.  I have not spoken to Jeff much prior to this podcast so I enjoyed getting to know his back story on this episode.  

This podcast features attorney Jonathan Lusk.  Jonathan is a highly respected attorney with offices in both Huntsville and Guntersville, Alabama. As you’ll hear on this episode of the podcast, Jonathan’s firm goes back to 1895 when it was started by his great-grandfather, John Lusk.  The law practice was then continued by his grandfather, Marion Lusk,  then his father, Louis Lusk, and, now, Jonathan.  In fact, his Guntersville office is in the same building that his great-grandfather purchased back in the late 1800’s!  Jonathan is a skilled and compassionate lawyer who has many positive reviews by satisfied clients.  He focuses his law practice in divorce and family law matters throughout North Alabama.  I enjoyed getting to know him on this episode of the podcast. 

As you’ll hear on this episode of the podcast, attorney David Hodge has really benefitted from his humble roots working throughout his childhood into his college years on his father’s farm.  Interestingly enough, his farm background has greatly benefited his clients with a number of plaintiff’s cases he has brought just because of what he knows and has seen in his past work on the farm!  David is a partner with the esteemed firm of Morris, King and Hodge, located in Huntsville, Alabama.  You can listen to the podcasts I have done with his law partners,  Harvey Morris here and Joe King here.  David is a very-well respected attorney in Alabama as reflected by the fact that he is consistently named as a top 50 lawyer in the State of Alabama by Superlawyers.  I have known David over the years but I never really understood his back story until this episode of the podcast.  I think you’ll enjoy hearing about his roots and how he has achieved the level of success that he now has with his legal career.