BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Alabama Governor Bob Riley has appointed RumbergerKirk partner James F. Walsh to the Alabama Family Trust (AFT) Board of Directors on behalf of residents who have mental and developmental disabilities as well as physical impairments. Established by the Alabama Legislature in 1994, the AFT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that administers special needs trusts for Alabama citizens with a disability.

“I am proud to be an influential part of this organization that has made a tremendous impact in the lives of needy citizens throughout our great state,” said Walsh. “Through the hard work of the Board of Directors, the Trust has maintained a high level of service and has served more than 400 trust beneficiaries and provided the structure of the pooled trust account totaling more than $8.5 million for beneficiary deposits.”

Medicaid and SSI rules limit the amount of resources a person with a disability may own or income they receive, and therefore family members who provide support may, in fact, be limiting or causing them to lose their eligibility for these programs. The AFT is a Qualified Income Trust (QIT) that permits family members to deposit funds into the trust to provide for the care of their loved one without the worry of losing Medicaid or SSI eligibility.

At RumbergerKirk, Walsh focuses his litigation practice in the areas of commercial litigation, consumer practices with an emphasis on breach of warranty and Lemon Law claims and product liability defense.  His practice also includes representing clients in matters involving medical and mental health issues, claims filed under the Federal Torts Claim Act, criminal defense and military law matters.  He also represents clients in professional liability and commercial litigation including allegations of breach of contract, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, constructive trust and violations of state and federal statutes including the Uniform Commercial Code.

Defending manufacturers and dealers of automotive vehicles against claims by consumers is another facet of his practice.  He regularly represents clients in cases involving the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, Alabama’s Lemon Law and common law breach of warranty and fraud claims.

A West Point graduate and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Walsh uses his military experience to assist clients in matters involving military law.  This includes consulting with clients on issues related to military procedure as well as representing them in litigated matters when required.  Representing clients in matters involving the Federal Tort Claims Act is also part of his practice.

Outside of his litigation practice, he is an active member of the Birmingham community.  He is a member of the State Executive Board of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and serves on the Birmingham Board of the American Diabetes Association.  An active participant in scouting for the 27 years, Walsh served in various positions over the years including that of Scoutmaster (Retired).  Within the legal community, he has served on the Grievance Committee of the Birmingham Bar Association as well as its Fee Arbitration Committee.  At the state level, he is a past state chairman of the Military Law Section of the Alabama Bar Association.

Walsh earned his law degree, cum laude, from the Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, in 1976.  He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, West Point from which he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1968.

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RumbergerKirk provides litigation and counseling services in a wide range of civil practice areas including product liability, commercial litigation, construction, intellectual property litigation, environmental, labor and employment law, insurance coverage, professional liability and administrative law. Offices are located in Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Tallahassee and Birmingham, Alabama. For more information, please visit www.rumberger.com.