Thomas L. Jones, Albert P. Brewer, and Ralph I. Knowles Jr.
On May 3, former interim dean and professor Thomas L. Jones and Alabama Law alumni Albert P. Brewer (’52) and Ralph I. Knowles (’69) were inducted into the Alabama State Bar Alabama Lawyers Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was established in 2000 to recognize and memorialize lawyers in the State of Alabama for their distinguished achievement, leadership, service, mentorship, political courage, or professional success. Read more about each inductee below.
Thomas L. Jones (1931-2017)
Thomas Logan Jones was born in 1931. He received his law degree from the University of Kentucky and his Master of Laws from the University of Michigan. In 1962, Jones became a professor at The University of Alabama School of Law and served as interim dean from 1970-1971 before returning to teaching until 2006 when he became professor emeritus. Throughout his tenure at Alabama Law, Jones served as Associate Professor, Professor of Law, Associate Dean, Interim Dean, Vice Dean, and Class of ’36 Professor of Law. He represented Alabama on the Uniform Law Commission as vice president, and was the chief drafter of the Uniform Probate Code. Jones was a life member of the American Law Institute and director of the Alabama Law Institute. In 2016, former students established a scholarship and raised funds to renovate the Alabama Law Institute reception area and name it in his honor. Jones also served in various roles for Alabama Athletics, and remained a beloved member of the Law School community even after his retirement. He was dedicated to his church and community, was known for his sincerity and genuine love of people, and was a recognized legal teacher and scholar.
Albert P. Brewer (1928-2017)
Albert Preston Brewer was born in 1928 and earned his law degree from The University of Alabama School of Law in 1952. He practiced law in Decatur, Alabama, before serving three terms in the Alabama House of Representatives. He was elected Lieutenant Governor and became Governor in 1968 before returning to private practice in 1971. Brewer is the only person in Alabama history to serve as Speaker of the House, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor in succession. In 1987, Brewer became a professor at Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham. He helped to establish the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA), and was known as a man of great wit, keen intellect, and lion-hearted courage.
Ralph I. Knowles Jr. (1944-2016)
Ralph I. Knowles Jr. was born in 1944 and raised in Huntsville. He graduated from The University of Alabama School of Law in 1969 and was known as a fierce advocate for institutionalized persons. He served as the principal lawyer in federal litigation to reform Alabama’s prison system and served on an oversight committee for Alabama’s prison system. Knowles was the associate director of the National Prison Project, chairman of the Alabama State Bar’s Task Force on Prison Reform, president of the Tuscaloosa County Bar Association, and a member of the national Board of Directors for the ACLU and NOW Legal Defense Fund. He was also a member of the American College of Trial Lawyers and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.
