Recognition - and an Attorney - That We are Proud of!

The 2013 Montgomery Advertiser’s Readers Choice Awards  recently named Bond, Botes, Shinn & Donaldson, P.C. as one of the top three law firms in Montgomery, Alabama. This was a tremendous honor – especially since the selection was made by a vote of the paper’s readers.    We have now served consumers facing financial challenges in Montgomery and elsewhere for close to twenty five (25) years, and if the good Lord is willing, will continue to do so for many more years.

Our longevity is due in large part to the compassionate and professional attorneys that make up our team.  I want to use this blog post to recognize one such member of our firm.  Twenty (20) years ago this month, a young lady fresh out of college applied with and was hired by our firm as a Receptionist.  Gail Hughes was impressive from the start and we soon increased her responsibilities making her an Administrative Assistant to our managing attorney in Montgomery.  After a brief period of time, Gail became our Office Manager and supervised our entire administrative staff in Montgomery.

What I have described thus far is impressive but the story doesn't end there.  While climbing the ladder of our administrative staff, Gail began and completed law school in April, 1999.  She thereafter passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in May, 2000. Gail now serves as the Managing Attorney of Bond, Botes, Shinn & Donaldson, P.C.   In the midst of all this, Gail met and later married Andy Donaldson , also an attorney and a rising star in the Montgomery Bar. She became Gail Hughes Donaldson.  Gail and Andy now have two beautiful daughters and are both respected members of the Montgomery Bar.

Gail recently shared a story with me that I think all young people should hear.  She told me that she had attended her grandfather’s funeral a few years back.  While there, she was standing with her Dad at the cemetery when a family friend that was one of her Sunday School teachers from when she was only 5 or 6 years old stopped to talk.  The friend shared that she had asked Gail back at that time what she wanted to be when she grew up.    Even at that young age, Gail said that she wanted to be an attorney.  The friend told Gail that she was proud of her for having followed through with her early plans.

We also are proud of Gail.  She has worked very hard to get where she is and is now one of the top consumer bankruptcy attorneys in Montgomery and, indeed, the State of Alabama.  But even more importantly, Gail is a great mom, wife and friend.  Gail Hughes Donaldson, Mary Conner Pool and the rest of our staff in Montgomery earned the 2013 Montgomery Advertiser’s Readers Choice Award for providing excellent service to our clients.  If we can help you in Montgomery or any of the other communities that we serve, please don’t hesitate to call.