Jim Sears

B.A, M.Ed, Ed.D, J.D.

Professional Summary:

Dr. James “Jim” Sears, a seasoned educator and advocate for individuals with disabilities and special needs, boasts a rich career history. Beginning as a special education teacher and public school principal, he went on to earn his masters and doctoral degrees in special education from the University of Florida. He has subsequently served as a professor at the University of Alabama, and as an adjunct professor at Spring Hill College and the University of South Alabama. After graduating from the University of Alabama School of Law, he has dedicated his practice to Special Education Law and Criminal Defense Law, representing children with disabilities and defendants with intellectual disabilities and/or mental illness. He has 35 years of experience practicing law after being licensed in 1988, and has represented more than 1,000 clients during his career.

Education:

• University of Alabama, J.D, 1988
• University of Florida, Ed.D, 1975
• University of Florida, M.Ed, 1971
• University of South Florida, B.A, 1968

Bar Admissions:

• 1988 - Northern, Middle, and Southern Division of Federal District Courts of Alabama
• 1988 - Southern Division of Federal District Court of Mississippi
• 1988 - Eastern Division of Federal District Court of Louisiana
• 1988 - United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit

Awards:

• Professional of the Year – ARC of Alabama, 1994
• Liberty Bell Award – Mobile County Bar Association, 2003
• Professional of the Year – ARC of Alabama
• Liberty Bell Award – Mobile County Bar Association

Memberships:

• Alabama Bar Association
• American Bar Association
• Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association
• National Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association
• Mobile County Bar Association
• Baldwin County Bar Association
• American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Council on Exceptional Children

Contact Information:

• jim.sears@searsandsearslaw.com
• (205) 588-0755