My inherited passion for helping others is the unrelenting force that drives me to obtain justice on behalf of my clients both in the courtroom and through the claims’ phase of client representation. Professionally, I am a member in good standing of the Alabama State Bar, the American Association for Justice, the South Alabama Trial Lawyers Association, and Mobile’s Paul W. Brock Chapter of the American Inns of Court. My primary area of practice is personal injury in the area of motor vehicle negligence. I also handle land condemnation matters.

Licensed to practice law in 2006, I attained a position with the Mobile County District Attorney’s office where I represented the State in the Juvenile and Adult Court Systems, at both the District and Circuit Court levels. In addition to my regular duties as an Assistant District Attorney, I gave the District Attorney’s weekly “Early Warning Truancy Address” to children attending schools throughout Mobile County along with their parents to insure an understanding of the laws that govern truancy, while underscoring the importance of a good education. I also learned our judicial system from within and the perspective needed to obtain a winning decision.

Moreover, in 1999, I earned my Bachelors Degree in Business Management, Cum Laude, from the University of Mobile while working full time at Kimberly-Clark Corp. Following graduation, I enrolled at Miles Law School in Fairfield, AL. While studying at Miles, I served as Student Bar Association Vice-President in 2004 and President in 2005. While in law school, I worked full time as Judicial Law Clerk to Circuit Judge Eugene R. Verin, Tenth Judicial Circuit, Jefferson County, Alabama. Although employed full time and active in the Birmingham community, I graduated as the class valedictorian in 2005 from Law School.

Striving to serve the community, I was elected President of the 2008 class of Leadership Mobile. I currently serve as President of the Mobile Chapter of the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform and the Vernon Z. Crawford, Bay Area Bar Association. In addition, I serve on the Board of Directors for the Dearborn Street YMCA, 15 Place Homeless Shelter, as well as the Executive Committees of the Mobile Bar Association and the Alabama Lawyer’s Association.

As the product of a family dedicated to community service for nearly a century, I am proud to carry on that tradition. My grandfather, Dr. James A. Franklin, a graduate of the University of Michigan’s Medical School in 1914, served Mobile’s medical needs for 53 years. The Franklin Memorial Primary Health Clinics were named in his honor. Continuing the legacy, my parents, the late Mr. James H. Finley, Sr. and Mrs. Joycelyn Franklin Finley started out as educators. My father opened the first African-American owned chain of drug stores in the state of Alabama (Finley’s Drug Stores). His efforts also helped to send the first African American State Representatives from Mobile to the State House in 1972. My mother taught history in Public Schools across the nation, including 25 years in the Mobile County Public School System. As Civil Rights Advocates, they instilled an early sense of social responsibility and commitment to the physical and spiritual health of one’s community.

I have taken up their torch of community stewardship as I strive to protect the rights of those in need. It is my goal to ensure that our clients are treated fairly and with the respect and dignity they deserve.