October 21, 2009



BOSTON -- Joe Whatley has been inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in America. The induction ceremony took place before an audience of approximately 974 persons during the recent 2009 Annual Meeting of the College in Boston, Massachusetts.

Founded in 1950, the College of Trial Lawyers is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States and Canada. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation to experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years of trial experience to be considered, and membership is limited to no more than one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. The College strives to improve and elevate the standards of trial practice and the administration of justice, and calls on qualified lawyers from all branches of trial practice.

Joe Whatley is a partner in the law firm of Whatley Drake & Kallas and has been practicing law for over 30 years. He was raised in Monroeville, Alabama and is an alumnus of Harvard University and the University of Alabama Law School. Mr. Whatley is an experienced trial lawyer who has tried numerous cases, including class actions, to verdict. He has a wide-ranging national practice that includes representation of labor unions, financial institutions, medical societies, physicians, employees and consumers.