history

In 1994 the Birmingham Bar Foundation was incorporated as the charitable arm of the Birmingham Bar Association by the following visionary Birmingham Bar Association members: Ronnie Noojin, Edgar Elliott, Bill Clark, Edward Allen, Andrew Campbell, Bill Dawson, Tim Dillard, Warren Lightfoot, Rodney Max, Carol Sue Nelson, Alton Parker, Lee Pittman, Ferris Ritchey III, Bill Rose and Tom Woodall. These members became the initial Board of Directors for the Birmingham Bar Foundation, with Mr. Noojin serving as the President, Mr. Elliot serving as the Vice President, and Mr. Clark serving as the Secretary-Treasurer.

During that same time, the Birmingham Bar Association under the leadership of President Bill Clark and President-Elect Fred Ingram, was exploring purchasing property located on 2nd Avenue North and known as the Drennen Building in which to house its operations. The Association and Foundation leadership formulated a plan for Association members to participate in a Capital Campaign by pledging $100 per year for five (5) years to pay $1.2 million to purchase and renovate the new Birmingham Bar Association home. 

Many law firms and attorneys renewed their pledges for additional years and gave generously to the building campaign. Through these gifts the mortgage was paid in full in January 2003. A donor recognition wall stands in the Bar Center lobby paying tribute to these many generous gifts by Birmingham Bar Association members. 

In 2001, the Birmingham Bar Foundation was converted to a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and today continues to serve as the charitable arm of the Birmingham Bar Association, promoting and supporting charitable work of the Association and activities in furtherance of justice and legal education.