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The Last Secret of Robert Archer Martin
Robert Archer Martin died on September 15, 2020. He was one of the most important figures in Alabama judicial history. Never has one man done so much to impact the lives of Alabamians in such a profound and positive way. This article reveals the last secret of Robert Archer Martin.

Donald V. Watkins
Mar 243 min read


The Missing Portrait of Mr. Ramus Rhodes
I have met presidents of nations and dignitaries all over the world. I have visited people from the White House to the poor house. No man has ever stood taller than Mr. Ramus Rhodes. He was the definition of “greatness” and the epitome of “class and character.” He was my real "professor" at the University of Alabama law school from 1970 to 1973. He is the one who deserves the credit for my 217-8 win-loss record in courtroom battles during my 46-year litigation career.

Donald V. Watkins
Mar 43 min read


Making History and Setting National Records in USA v. Richard Scrushy
The criminal case of USA v. Richard M. Scrushy made history and set several national records in American jurisprudence. These records remain unbroken 21 years later. It is highly unlikely that they will ever be broken. This article tells what happened and why these records remain unbroken.

Donald V. Watkins
Feb 23 min read


Clyde E. Jones: My Fierce Courtroom Battle Against This Master Litigator
From 1985 to 1998, I battled scores of good litigators while representing the City of Birmingham and Mayor Richard Arrington, Jr. The best one, by far, is Clyde E. Jones. This article tells the amazing story of my fierce courtroom battle against this master litigator.

Donald V. Watkins
Jan 113 min read


The Time When Black Lawyers Asked Mayor Richard Arrington to Run Me Out of Birmingham
Looking back on my legal career today, I am probably the only Birmingham lawyer who had three different local groups seeking to run me out of town simply because: (a) I disturbed the “good relations” White business leaders in Birmingham had with the "Colored community,” (b) I was proficient at picking the highest caliber of legal talent for my litigation Dream Teams, and (c) I was winning all of my assigned cases. This article tells the story of the third group -- local Blac

Donald V. Watkins
Jan 103 min read


The Legal Dream Team that Devised and Perfected the Art of Laser Litigation
This team of exceptionally talented lawyers and paralegals devised and perfected the art of laser litigation. This litigation technique was deplored in cases where losing was not an acceptable option. Meet the lawyers who birth laser litigation and turned winning in the courtroom into an art form.

Donald V. Watkins
Jan 82 min read


David L. Barnes: Unbridled Sexual Lust Cost this Birmingham Jurist His Judgeship
This is the true but sad story of how and why Birmingham, Alabama Municipal Court Presiding Judge David L. Barnes lost his judgeship. In the end, unbridled sexual lust cost this longtime and distinguished jurist his judgeship.

Donald V. Watkins
Dec 28, 20254 min read


The Last Christmas for a Dying Tuskegee Syphilis Study Participant
It was the week before Christmas, 51 years ago. Mr. Charlie W. Pollard and another survivor led me to a small shack in rural Macon County, Alabama. The man inside the shack could not come to the door, but he called out for us to enter his tiny home after Mr. Pollard knocked loudly on the door and announced our presence. This man was dying from the effects of 40 years of untreated syphilis and related health problems. He was a fellow participant in the infamous Tuskegee Sy

Donald V. Watkins
Dec 21, 20257 min read


McKinley Bailey: A Rocket Scientist and Civil Rights Warrior with Mesmerizing Brainpower
McKinley Bailey was an incredibly brave civil rights warrior. Bailey, who had a genius IQ, was a rising GS-11 aerospace engineer at Redstone Arsenal’s U.S. Army Missile Command (MICOM) in Huntsville, Alabama. He specialized in designing missile guidance systems. He was also president of his local NAACP chapter. Bailey's brainpower was mesmerizing. This is his inspirational story.

Donald V. Watkins
Oct 31, 20253 min read


All Americans Must Respect Police Officers and Obey the Rule of Law
Every profession has bad employees. Police departments around the nation are no exception. Yet, we cannot have peace in the streets of America without justice, and we cannot have justice without a healthy respect for police officers and the rule of law by all Americans.

Donald V. Watkins
Sep 17, 20255 min read


The Never-Ending Battle for Justice in America
The never-ending legal battles for justice in America continue, with no end in sight. These battles are just as cruel, ugly, and vicious as they were in the 1970s. This time, there are very few lawyers who are qualified, capable, and committed to fighting and winning them.

Donald V. Watkins
Jul 1, 20254 min read


The Journey From Industrial Arts Student to Human Rights Advocate
In high school, I wanted to become a residential architect. A book I read in college inspired me to become a lawyer, instead. I have experienced a rewarding legal career and an inspirational and energizing career in international business. My career journey has been amazing, and the opportunity zones afforded to me have been fascinating.

Donald V. Watkins
May 14, 20252 min read


She Was My First Marital Rape Client
She was my first divorce client who was a marital rape victim. Her husband was a high-ranking state trooper. This is her incredible story.

Donald V. Watkins
Apr 5, 20254 min read


Robert Archer Martin: One of the Great Ones
No single person did more to minimize the adverse effects of generational white racism in Alabama's judicial system than Robert A. Martin.

Donald V. Watkins
Mar 27, 20252 min read


How Advancements in Medicine at Johns Hopkins University Leveled the Playing Field for Black Lawyers in Alabama Courtrooms
Advancements in medicine at Johns Hopkins University helped to level the judicial playing field for black lawyers in Alabama in the 1980s.

Donald V. Watkins
Mar 26, 20253 min read


Benjamin Bryan Starr: One of the Great Ones
Benjamin Bryan Starr was the father of legendary NFL quarterback Bart Starr. He was also my ally in the Montgomery County courthouse.

Donald V. Watkins
Mar 24, 20252 min read


Mary Griffin Auburtin: One of the Great Ones
From 1963 to 1989, Mary G. Auburtin was a court clerk in a rural Alabama county. During an era of open racism, she was a beacon of light.

Donald V. Watkins
Mar 23, 20254 min read


As We Near the End of 2024, How Far Have Blacks in Alabama Advanced in the Last 37 Years?
This interview discussed the status of Alabama's Black citizens in 1987. How far have Blacks advanced since this 1987 interview? You decide.

Donald V. Watkins
Dec 31, 20241 min read


Mr. Ramus Rhodes: A Bigger Man Than I Ever Realized
Ramus Rhodes was the janitor at the University of Alabama's law school. He was my friend, mentor, and real law school professor.

Donald V. Watkins
Sep 21, 20246 min read


My First Legal Case was My Own and It was Fought Inside the Halls of UA's Law School
My first legal case was my own. It occurred while I was a second-year student at the University of Alabama’s School of Law.

Donald V. Watkins
May 30, 20247 min read
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