James R. (“Spud”) Seale

Noteworthy

• Obtained award to Plaintiffs for 24+ million in class action representing all military retirees in the State of Alabama on tax refund case. Rinehart, et al. v. Sizemore, et al.
•  Plaintiff’s award of 5.4 million was reversed on appeal. Toole v. McClintock and Baxter Healthcare.
•  Defense of class action seeking 100+ million in back pay; Judgment in favor of Plaintiffs. Award of $0.0, other than attorney’s fees. Waldrop, et al. v. State Board of Education, et al.
•  Defense of 30+ county and city boards of education for allegations of violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Successfully defeated collective certification in most cases. Some cases conditionally certified. All cases resolved on favorable terms to city and county boards.
• Summary judgment granted in favor of defendants in suit alleging violations of Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Fourteenth Amendment, and equal protection. Fields v. J. Phillip Raley, et al.
• Summary judgment granted in favor of defendants in suit alleging breach of contract, fraud or misrepresentation, violations of the due process clause and equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, Alabama’s Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and conspiracy. Conway, et al. v. Montgomery County Board of Education, et al.
• Summary judgment granted in favor of defendants in suit alleging violations of due process and equal protection clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, and Alabama’s Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Jones-Walton v. Lowndes County Board of Education, et al.
• Summary judgment granted in favor of defendants in suit alleging violations of Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, 42 U.S.C. § 1985, First Amendment, equal protection, and negligent supervision. Hurst v. Montgomery County Board of Education, et al.
• Summary judgment granted in favor of defendant in suit alleging violations of Title VII, Alabama’s Age Discrimination in Employment, and state laws for unlawful employment practices and acts of intentional discrimination and retaliation. Shumate v. Selma City Board of Education.
• Summary judgment granted in favor of defendants in suit alleging violations of Title VI, Title VII, Thirteenth Amendment, and Fourteenth Amendment. Thomas v. Troy City Board of Education, et al.
• Summary judgment granted in favor of defendant in suit alleging violations of Title VII, Title IX, and 42 U.S.C. § 1981. Dickerson v. Montgomery County Board of Education.
• Summary judgment granted in favor of defendants in suit alleging violations of the Equal Pay Act. Nixon v. Autauga County Board of Education, et al.
• Summary judgment granted in favor of defendant in suit alleging violations of Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and Alabama’s Age Discrimination in Employment Act. Burkette v. Montgomery County Board of Education.
• Summary judgment granted in favor of defendants in suit alleging violations of Title VII and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Harvey v. Montgomery County Board of Education, et al.
• Summary judgment granted in favor of defendants in suit alleging fraud, slander of tile and conversion. Donald Garrison v. Estate of U.D. Guthrie, et al.
• Summary judgment granted in favor of defendants in suit alleging hostile working environment and violations of First Amendment rights. Tompkins v. Montgomery County Board of Education, et al.
• Summary judgment granted in favor of defendant in suit alleging violations of Title VII, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, and 42 U.S.C. § 1983. Thomas v. Autauga County Board of Education.
• Judgment in favor of the Board following a three-day bond validation trial. Montgomery County Board of Education v. Citizens of Montgomery County, Alabama
• Board granted unitary status following three days of fairness hearings. Lee v. Autauga County Board of Education.
• Dismissal of case where Plaintiffs alleged decision of administrative law judge was not supported by legal evidence, administrative law judge incorrectly applied the law to the facts, and proceedings did not comply with the Students First Act and due process. Richard Streetman, et al. v. Montgomery County Board of Education, et al.

Practice Areas

Commercial & Complex Litigation
Education
Governmental Entities
Labor & Employment

Education

1969

University of Alabama School of Law
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, J.D.

Honors:

• Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society

1966

University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, B.A.