Gail Hughes Donaldson

We know that financial problems can create tremendous stress. If you need help, please call us at  (Montgomery) or  (Opelika).

I grew up in Columbia, Alabama, a small town in southeast Alabama always wanting to be an attorney when I grew up.  I went to a junior college in Dothan, Alabama and transferred to Auburn University at Montgomery my Junior year of college.  I had never lived in a "big" city but had fun in sorority life at college (Alpha Gamma Delta) and graduated in June 1993 with a B.S. in Justice & Public Safety.  I then had to find a job in my field which proved very difficult with no experience.  I found a receptionist job with Bond & Botes in August 1993.  I took the job to get a "foot in the door" and later moved up to a paralegal position.  The partners at Bond & Botes came to me and offered me the opportunity to attend law school at night at Jones School of Law in Montgomery.  So I worked full time and attended school.  I graduated in 1999 and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2000.  I now am the managing partner at Bond, Botes, Shinn & Donaldson and love the opportunity of helping every day folks get out financial trouble.  

Education
Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, Montgomery, Alabama, 1999
Juris Doctor
• Best Paper Award: Trial Advocacy, Summer Semester 1998
• Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity

Auburn University at Montgomery, Montgomery, Alabama , 1993
Bachelor of Science in Justice and Public Safety
• Alpha Gamma Delta Fraternity

Bar Admissions
Alabama State Bar May 2000
United States District Court of the Middle District of Alabama May 2000
United States District Court of the Southern District of Alabama June 2000
United States Tax Court April 2014

Memberships & Affiliations
Member of the Montgomery County Bar. (2000 to present)
Alabama State Bar Mortgage Foreclosure Task Force. (2008)
Past Member of the Attorney Advisory Group for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Alabama. (2012 to 2013)
Alabama State Bar Pledge of Professionalism.
Member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys. (2000 to present)
Attended the 11th Circuit Judicial Conference at the invitation of Judge Dwight H. Williams in May, 2013.
Guest attorney for the Beasley Allen Report numerous times to discuss Bankruptcy. (2012, 2013, 2014)
Trainer for Bankruptcy Basics: The Nuts & Bolts for Legal Services of Alabama. (2012 and 2018)
Continuing Legal Education speaker on bankruptcy for the Montgomery Area Legal Professionals (MALS). (2013)
WSFA Business Break guest on topic of Bankruptcy. (2011, 2013)
Member of the Bankruptcy and Commercial Section of the Alabama Bar. (2000 to present)

Publications
Assisted writing article for Alabama State Bar Responds to Mortgage Foreclosure Crisis By Thomas J. Methvin (November 2008) 

Legal Seminars & Presentations
Panel speaker on topic of “Proof of Claims filed by Debt Purchasers”, CLE Alabama , November 2016

Local Charity Participation
First Baptist Church, Active member of Sunday school, Pre-School teacher
Joy to Life, helped organize firm team to participate in 5K (2011); Volunteer (2014).
Montgomery Half Marathon participant (2011).
Morningview Baptist Church, finance committee, active member of Sunday school, Acteens teacher, Junior High Sunday School teacher, deacon search committee, served in various positions for community outreach for Fall Festival held at Garrett Coliseum (2000 to 2005).
Brantwood Children’s Home, organized church teens to volunteer time at Christmas. (2003)
Hillview Terrace Nursing Home, led church teens in singing Christmas carols for residents (2003)
Saint James School, Silver Sponsor of Sunset on the Quad (2015; 2016; 2017); Parents Admissions Network (PAN) member (2014 to present); Hosted Coffee at home for potential STJ families as a member of PAN (October 2014); Member of Parent Team for Annual Fund (2014); Co-Chairman of Fall Festival Bake Sale (2014, 2015); Chairman of wrist ticket sales for Fall Festival 2013; Sponsorship for Fall Festival Games (2013; 2014) Season Ticket Holder for Saint James Athletics; Room Mom (Current and various years past), Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) volunteer, Concessions worker, Trek for the Track participate.
Alabama Distinguished Young Women Host Family (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Montgomery Chamber of Commerce, member. (2012 to present)
2013 and 2014 Montgomery Advertiser Reader’s Choice Award, firm recognized as one of the top three best law firms in Montgomery.

Favorite Local Restaurant
My favorite place to eat in Montgomery is Charles Anthony’s The Pub. I love the atmosphere and the great food. I also love Little Donkey—the chicken is delicious! My favorite place to eat in Auburn is Acre. It’s truly a must stop to eat fresh local farm to table.

What I like best about my job
The best part about my job is that I get to help people and see first-hand how they can relief from the financial pressures. There is nothing better than seeing someone realize that there is truly a way out of financial problems! I get to show them they aren’t alone with the curveballs we can all get by one change in circumstances, whether it’s a job loss, sickness or just plain mistakes! It happens but there is relief.