Ms. Reese began her undergraduate studies at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida and completed her Bachelor's of Science in Political Science at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. Ms. Reese completed enough hours in statistics to also graduate with a minor in statistics. While at the University of Central Florida, Ms. Reese served on the President's Leadership Council and was both the Student Government Judicial Advisor and the Attorney General.
Ms. Reese graduated in the top of her class from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama in 1999. While at Cumberland, Ms. Reese served as the Senior Associate Editor of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy and had several articles published during her tenure with the American Journal of Trial Advocacy. Her articles can be found at the following citations:
Reese, Wendy A., Professional Responsibility - Switching Sides: Analyzing Lux v. Commonwealth - Does the Presence of a Criminal Defendant's Former Counsel in a Prosecutor's Office Require Disqualification of the Entire Office, 21 Am. J. Trial Advoc. 431 (1997-1998). Ms. Reese’s article, Professional Responsibility - Switching Sides: Analyzing Lux v. Commonwealth - Does the Presence of a Criminal Defendant's Former Counsel in a Prosecutor's Office Require Disqualification of the Entire Office? has been cited by the South Dakota Supreme Court.
Reese, Wendy A., Tort Law - Actual Exposure or Possible Exposure: The AIDS Phobia Debate - Are Courts Opening the Litigation Floodgates or Illustrating Judicial Proscription?, 22 Am. J. Trial Advoc. 495 (1998-1999). Ms. Reese’s article Actual Exposure or Possible Exposure: The AIDS Phobia Debate - Are Courts Opening the Litigation Floodgates or Illustrating Judicial Proscription? has been taught at Duke University School of Law in a course entitled AIDS and the Law. Further, Ms. Reese’s article was cited by the Superior Court of Pennsylvania in Shumosky v. Lutheran Welfare Services of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Inc., 784 A.2d 196 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2001), reversing and remanding the lower courts decision and holding that Shumosky could assert a “fear of AIDS” claim where she was able to establish actual exposure to HIV. Ms. Reese’s article was also cited by the Mississippi Supreme Court in South Central Regional Medical Center v. Pickering, 749 So. 2d 95 (Miss. 1999), affirming the decision of the trial court denying South Central Regional Medical Center’s motion for summary judgment and, further, holding that where a defendant allowed or caused evidence to be destroyed, there is a rebuttable presumption in favor of the plaintiff that she had been actually exposed to the disease.
It was during her time with the American Journal of Trial Advocacy that Ms. Reese developed her love of legal writing and the intricacies associated with legal writing and correct citation. Ms. Reese was also on the National Moot Court Team and the National Trial Team at Cumberland.
Upon graduation from Cumberland, Ms. Reese passed and was admitted to the Alabama State bar on September 30, 1999. Ms. Reese formed the partnership Bailey, Wollitz & Reese, LLC which she remained a founding partner of until 2002 when she decided to form her own law firm. Bailey, Wollitz & Reese, LLC handled federal civil rights cases, criminal cases, family law matters, juvenile court matters and civil and criminal appeals. In 2002, Ms. Reese formed the sole-proprietorship, Wendy Allison Reese, Attorney at Law. From 2002-2008, Ms. Reese operated as Wendy Allison Reese, Attorney at Law focusing on family law matters, juvenile court matters, and federal and state criminal and civil appeals. In August of 2008, Ms. Reese formed her current business entity, The Law Offices of Wendy Allison Reese, LLC (“WAR Law”). Ms. Reese's practice areas remain family law matters including divorce, divorce modification, child custody, juvenile court matters, such as juvenile delinquency and DHR matters as well as federal and state criminal and civil appeals.
Ms. Reese has spoken before the Alabama Senate Judiciary committee several times in regard to Alabama's system of indigent defense. In 2010, Ms. Reese was appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee Sub-Committee on Indigent Defense by the Honorable Sue Bell Cobb, Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court and still serves on that committee today. Ms. Reese is a founding member of the Jefferson County Association of Family Court Attorneys (JCAFCA) and has served that organization as Vice President. Ms. Reese is currently on the By-Laws Revision Committee for JCAFCA. Ms. Reese has been recently appointed to the 2014 Birmingham Bar Association Scholarship Committee which reviews law school scholarship
applications for the recommendation of two Birmingham Bar Association scholarships. Additionally, she is a member of the Family Law Section of the Alabama State Bar Association and the Women Lawyers Section of the Birmingham Bar Association. Ms. Reese is also an active member in the Birmingham Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program. Ms. Reese also volunteers her legal services through Birmingham AIDS Outreach. In June 2014, Ms. Reese will be attending a 40 hour Divorce and Family Law Mediation Continuing Legal Education seminar in Huntsville, Alabama.
Ms. Reese is a member of the Cathedral Church of the Advent located in Birmingham, Alabama. Ms. Reese currently serves as the Alpha Delta Pi Collegiate Province Director for the Beta I Province. She oversees and assists three chapters of collegiate women at Troy University, Epsilon Kappa Chapter, the University of Montevallo, Zeta Delta Chapter and the University of North Alabama, Zeta Eta Chapter. Prior to serving as Beta I Collegiate Province Director, Ms. Reese served as the Chapter Advisor for the Zeta Delta Chapter of Alpha Delta Pi Sorority at the University of Montevallo for three years and as the Standards Advisor for Zeta Delta for four years. Ms. Reese believes that it is one of her callings to inspire young women to pursue higher education and become strong, ethical leaders. Ms. Reese is also an active supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Practice areas
Uncontested divorce, contested divorce, complex divorce trial experience, legal separation, divorce decree modification, contempt of court, mediation, collaborative practice
21 years
Child custody is usually a part of divorce but under this category, I am specifically referring to change of custody, a relative seeking custody, DHR removing custody, and custody battles between non-married parties
21 years
Juvenile delinquency, mental health commitment of a child under the age of 19, paternity, child support between non-married parties with a child, violation of the compulsory school attendance law, and prenuptial agreements
21 years
Appeals can be necessary if you are unsuccessful in a trial matter. I handle appeals from all family law matters including, but not limited to divorce, custody, child support, and termination of parental rights.
21 years
Step-parent adoptions and non-relative adoptions
17 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
AL | Occupational License - Authorized to Practice | 1999 | 11/10/2020 |
Legal answers | 36 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Top Women Attorneys | B-Metro Magazine | 2015 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Partner | Law Offices of Wendy Allison Reese, LLC | 2002 - Present |
Member | Senate Judiciary Committee Subcomittee on Indigent Defense | 2001 - 2010 |
Partner | Bailey, Wollitz & Reese, LLC | 1999 - 2002 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Legal Writing Institute | Member | 2014 - Present |
American Society of Legal Writers | Member | 2014 - Present |
Birmingham Collaborative Alliance | Member | 2013 - Present |
International Academy of Collaborative Professionals | Member | 2013 - Present |
Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts | Member | 2013 - Present |
National Association of Professional Women | Member | 2012 - Present |
---|---|---|
Jefferson County Association of Family Court Attorneys | President | 2010 - Present |
Alabama State Bar, Family Law Section | Member | 2010 - Present |
American Bar Association, Family Law Section | Member | 2005 - Present |
Birmingham Bar Association, Women Lawyers Section | Member | 2005 - Present |
Birmingham Bar Association | Member | 1999 - Present |
American Bar Association | Member | 1999 - Present |
Alabama State Bar | Member | 1998 - Present |
Birmingham Bar Association | Scholarship Committee Member | 2013 - 2014 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
American Journal of Trial Advocacy | The AIDS Phobia Debate | 2008 |
American Journal of Trial Advocacy | Professional Responsibility | 2000 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Samford University, Cumberland School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1999 |
University of Central Florida | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1996 |
University of Florida | BS - Bachelor of Science | 1995 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Second Saturday, What Every Woman Needs to Know About Divorce | Divorce | 2014 |
Jefferson County Association of Family Court Attorneys Continuing Legal Education | Appellate Issues in Family Court | 2011 |
Jefferson County Association of Family Court Attorneys Continuing Legal Education Series | Handling a Juvenile Dependency Case, Start to Finish | 2009 |
Jefferson County Association of Family Court Attorneys Continuing Legal Education Series | Being An Effective Guardian ad Litem | 2008 |
Lorman Education Services Continuing Legal Education Series | Dependency & Termination of Parental Rights | 2007 |
Lorman Education Services Continuing Legal Education Seriece | Dependency & Termination of Parental Rights | 2006 |
---|---|---|
Lorman Educational Services Continuing Legal Education Series | Dependency & Termination of Parental Rights | 2005 |
Lorman Education Services Continuing Legal Education Series | Juvenile Delinquency | 2005 |
Lorman Education Services Continuing Legal Education Series | Juvenile Delinquency | 2004 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
T.S.H. v. Jefferson County Department of Human Resources | Petition for Writ of Certiorari granted by Alabama Supreme Court |
T.S.H. v. Judge S.S. | Petition for Writ of Mandamus Granted by Alabama Court of Civil Appeals |
T.H. v. Jefferson County Department of Human Resources | Case reversed and remanded to trial court |
Montgomery v. State | Reversed and Remanded |
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Homer Jordan, Divorce and separation Attorney on May 21, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Lindsey Eastwood, Child custody Attorney on Jan 4, 2018
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I’ve had cases against Wendy, and she is a very competent attorney. She works hard for her clients and obtains great results. She is a pleasure to work with and well-liked among lawyers and judges.
Gregory Cade, Child custody Attorney on Jan 10, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Wendy is a dedicated, diligent and professional attorney, bound to solve even the most complex and challenging cases. She is a top notch attorney in her areas of practice and a well respected lawyer in the legal community. I recommend her quality services without hesitation to anyone seeking legal representation.
One of the absolute best. Exceptional attention to detail, service next to none. I endorse this lawyer.
David Johnson, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jan 9, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Ms. Reese whole heartedly. She knows the law and how it is applied in real life. She is one of the people out to help others and makes me proud to be an attorney.
Jason Bonar, Family Attorney on Dec 31, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Attorney Wendy Reese. She is highly skilled in the courtroom as well as on appeals.
John Patti, Divorce and separation Attorney on Dec 30, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have reviewed Wendy's gratuitous responses helping others. Wendy is well written, has knowledge and experience in the area of matrimonial law.
Allen Shabani, Divorce and separation Attorney on Dec 30, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I wholeheartedly endorse Ms. Reese. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community
This lawyer is highly respected in the community. I endorse this lawyer.
Dmitriy Shakhnevich, Adoption Attorney on Sep 28, 2014
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community.
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