Awards & Recognition: 2009 SUPER LAWYER designated by Birmingham Business Journal; WHO'S WHO in American Law, 2007; BV at Distinguished Peer Rating on Martindale Hubbell, 4.4/5.0; National Register of Who's Who among Executives and Professionals 1999; Who's Who Among Practicing Attorney's National Inst. Of Practicing Attorneys, 1989; Alabama State Bar Association Pro Bono Service Award, 1997.
Speaking Engagements: Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Attorneys, 1994 to present; Speaker, Effective Litigation of Complex Divorce-1993; Speaker, Practical Tips for Everyday Practice-1997; Speaker, Protection of Disability Benefits; "Partners" in Education representative; National Family Law Network, FAX Contact (for ABA policy formulation and research on Congressional developments in policy and practice.
Experience & Credentials: 1991-1998, Instructor, Trial Advocacy, University of Alabama School of Law; 1988-1991, Instructor, The University of Alabama, English Department, Legal Writing, (Developed materials and anthology); December, 1994, University of California, Berkeley, Received Teacher Certification National Institute of Trial Advocacy.
Employment: June 2010-present, Private Practice, Donna Wesson Smalley, P.C., Emphasis in Domestic Relations, Personal Injury and Plaintiff's rights, and Employment law; Sept. 2005-June 2010, Senior Associate Attorney, Ivey & Ragsdale, Emphasis in Personal Injury and Plaintiff's rights, senior litigator; 1987-Sept. 2005, Attorney, Solo practice, Donna Wesson Smalley, P.C., Tuscaloosa, AL, General practice, with emphasis in Personal Injury and Domestic Relations; 1995, Circuit Judge Pro Tem-Criminal Jury Trials; Appointed by Alabama Supreme Court July 27, 1995; 1984-86, Associate and Partner with Dan Gibson, Private, General Law Practice Tuscaloosa, Alabama; 1983-1984, Judicial Clerkship, Administrative Assistant, Tuscaloosa County District Court Judge Gay Lake and Judge Steve Wilson, Charged with implementation of mandatory DUT legislation, Developed and implemented DUI and alcohol related assessment teams, Liaison between the Judicial Offices and AOC; 1982, Williams and Pradat Attorneys At Law Temporary Associate, General Practice of law-Represented clients to State Board of Adjustment before Hon. Redding Pitt; 1978-1982- State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance; Company Senior Field Claims Adjustor, Prepared litigation, handled, Pro Ami settlements-Liaison to Rives, Peterson, Insurance Defense Finn; 1977-1978, Clerk Tuscaloosa County District Attorney's Office, Chief Research Clerk; Committee on Law and Citizen Education-I, 1993-present; Chairperson 1995-97; Outstanding Continuing Legal Ed. Achievement, 1993- 94-95-96; Mediator, Civil and Domestic Relations & Appellate Mediator, since 1997; Board of Governor's 1991-2000; Executive Committee 1994-1998; Chair, Minority Affairs Committee, 1994-96; Alabama Bar Institute for Continuing Legal Education (Instructor, 1990-).