University of Alabama Panelists
Ellise Washington
EMW LAW, LLC
Elise M. Washington is the Founder and Principal of EMW LAW, LLC, a client-focused law firm whose primary objective is to think outside the box to serve its clients in a smart, innovative, and professional manner. A true Fairfield and Birmingham native, Attorney Washington attended Fairfield High Preparatory School, Birmingham-Southern College, and Samford University's Cumberland School of Law.
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As an accomplished attorney, she has received a number of accolades and awards including being named to the National Black Lawyers Top 40 under 40, a Birmingham Top Attorney by Birmingham Magazine, a Super Lawyers Rising Star, and is the inaugural recipient of the White & Case LLP Circle of Excellence Award given annually to an outstanding young lawyer in the National Bar Association.
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Attorney Washington is currently the President of the Black Women Lawyers Association of Alabama.
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Attorney Washington is an Adjunct Professor at Jefferson State Community College where she teaches a Paralegal Certificate course.
Jana Russell Garner
JRG Law Offices
Jana Russell Garner obtained her Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from Cumberland School of Law in 1997. Prior to obtaining her J.D. She received her B.A. from Judson College and graduated from St. Andrews - Sewanee Episcopal School.
Jana Russell Garner established JRG Law Offices, LLC in the fall of 2017. She maintains office locations in Selma and Tuscaloosa.
Kiana Kennamore
University of Alabama
Brandy Robertson
Heninger Garrison Davis
Brandy Robertson began her career in the legal field as a secretary having earned an associate degree from Gadsden State Community College in Paralegal Studies. Brandy worked as a paralegal for 14 years and attended classes at night to obtain her undergraduate and law degree. Brandy received her B.A. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Criminal Justice and her J.D from the Birmingham School of Law in 2006.
Brandy joined Heninger Garrison Davis in 2011, in the Mass Tort department helping clients who have been damaged from medical devices or harmful products. In 2017, Brandy followed her heart and made a move to the civil litigation department at Heninger Garrison Davis where she represents clients who have been wronged or injured. Brandy’s practice area includes personal injury, civil sexual abuse, wrongful death, nursing home abuse / negligence, and medical malpractice matters.
Laura Presley
Corey Seale
Senior District Attorney
Tuscaloosa County District Attorney's Office
Corey Seale is originally from Demopolis, Alabama. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2016 and was admitted to practice in Alabama the same year. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing and Human Environmental Sciences in 2012. Mrs. Seale worked for Phelps Jenkins Gibson & Fowler, LLP for two years practicing civil defense. She joined the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney’s Office in 2018 as an Assistant District Attorney and became the Senior Assistant District Attorney in 2020. Mrs. Seale is a graduate of Leadership Tuscaloosa (2020) and the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum (2021).