The Alabama Center for Law and Liberty (ACLL) is under new management now that the organization's president, Matt Clark, has stepped down to join Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Tom Parker’s staff as his senior staff attorney. The ACLL’s board has picked Laura Clark, Matt Clark’s wife, to take over as interim president.
The ACLL was formed in 2021 as the legal arm of the Alabama Policy Institute focused on fighting for limited government, free markets and strong families in the courts. It became an independent organization in June 2023.
Located in Prattville, the firm has seen significant success in its first two years, including leading a campaign in Montgomery to defeat Mayor Reed’s proposed Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity ordinance, playing a key role in forcing the University of Alabama Birmingham to drop its vaccine mandate for employees, suing the Biden administration over the OSHA vaccine mandate, and teaming up with Alliance Defending Freedom to defeat restrictive speech codes at the University of Alabama Huntsville.
The ACLL also lent amicus support in major Supreme Court decisions such as Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Org., Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, and NYSRPA v. Bruen, and the State Supreme Court has twice commended the firm for briefing the court on the original meaning of the state constitution.
“I am grateful to ACLL’s board, staff, donors and allies, as well as to the Alabama Policy Institute, for giving me the chance to fight for conservative principles in the courts since March of 2021,” Matt Clark said. “I am also grateful to my wife for taking over the company, and I know it will be in good hands. I am also thankful to Chief Justice Parker for allowing me this wonderful opportunity to take the next step in my career. Finally, I am thankful to God for blessing me with the chance to run ACLL for two years and to continue to serve my state by working for the Chief Justice.”
Laura Clark is a graduate of the Thomas Goode Jones School of Law where she received her Master of Laws degree. She has previously volunteered her time to assist the firm and has experience in pro-life litigation, First Amendment law and family law.
“I appreciate the great opportunity to lead ACLL and continue the great work it has been doing in fighting for conservative values,” Laura Clark said. “I value nothing more than faith, family, and our constitutional rights. I look forward to fighting for all these principles in the days ahead.”
Allen Mendenhall, ACLL’s chairman, commended Matt Clark for his work at the firm and welcomed Laura Clark to her new role.
“Matt Clark has far exceeded expectations in his work at ACLL, which has accomplished more in two years than other organizations have," Mendenhall said. "ACLL is in good hands with Laura Clark, who will carry the torch of liberty with grace and confidence.”
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