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ALUMNI AFFAIRS
Alumni attorneys speak at Brown Bag Luncheon on campus
L to r: Stephanie Houston Mays,
Rodney Bargainer, and Alicia Fritz
Bennett in Stockham Parlor
BSC vs. Barons
—After welcoming some
2,500 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and baseball
fans through the gates at Regions Field on April 7, the
BSC baseball team took on Birmingham’s double-A
Barons. The Panthers recorded three hits in the game
before losing to the Barons 8-0. At the time of this
magazine’s printing, the baseball team is ranked sixth in
the nation and is looking to defend its Southern Athletic
Association title in late April.
BSC’s Black Alumni Group hosted a Brown Bag Luncheon in March
featuring successful Birmingham attorneys Rodney Barganier ’94, Alicia
Fritz Bennett ’92, and Stephanie Houston Mays ’04.
The panel—which covered such topics as trends in the legal
profession, the importance of mentorship, the challenges in today’s
legal landscape, and how a liberal arts education influenced their career
trajectories—was moderated by Gabrielle Harris Smith ’91.
Barganier studied history at BSC before advancing to Miles Law
School. In 2013, he opened his own firm, the Rodney Barganier
Law Group LLC, which specializes in the areas of product liability,
workplace injuries, injuries to children involving recreational/
playground equipment, and other cases involving personal injury and
wrongful death.
“While attending BSC, Dr. Mark Lester was my influence to become
an attorney,” he said. “His guidance and Birmingham-Southern
prepared me for the law school experience. Additionally, I come into
contact with so many attorneys who are graduates of BSC, which is a
credit to the college.”
Bennett, who studied English at BSC, earned her J.D. from Samford
University’s Cumberland School of Law. She works for the firm
Boardman, Carr, Bennett, Watkins, Hill & Gamble PC, where she is an
education attorney. Bennett discussed the unique challenges of her
practice.
“Today’s parents (and students) are different,” she said. “When I
was in school, if a teacher told my mother I had acted inappropriately,
I knew I would be punished accordingly. Today’s educators don’t have
as much parental support as they once did. I enjoy supporting our
educators as they take on the challenge of educating young people.”
Mays, who majored in political science on the Hilltop, also attended
the Cumberland School of Law. She was recently promoted to
shareholder at Maynard, Cooper & Gale PC, where she defends public
and private employers. Mays emphasized the importance of staying
“coachable” and being surrounded by people who know more than
you.
“Mentors, who provide a brain to pick, an ear to listen and a push
in the right direction, and sponsors, who are within your organization
and connect you with career opportunities and help promote your
accomplishments, are vital to success in the legal profession,” she said.
Look for the next scheduled Brown Bag Luncheon on the college’s
alumni website, as well in communications from Alumni Affairs.