Jesse P. Evans, III Scholarship
The Board of Directors of the Land Title Association of Alabama has created and will sponsor the Jesse P. Evans, III scholarship to be awarded to the top student in one of the classes he taught at the Birmingham School of Law Graduation Gala in the spring. Dean S. Scott Garrett of the Birmingham School of Law related that Jesse was a personal friend and mentor so he appreciates our association’s gesture on many levels.
Many of us in the real estate and title insurance community have lots of stories about Jesse. Mark Davis, LTAAL’s director of the Plains Region, mentioned that Jesse was one of his favorite lawyers of all time. Actually, he said that Jesse was one his favorite people that he’s ever known. He was always very generous with his time. He told this story, “I was blessed to get the chance to work with him on several cases. I was sitting with him once in Chilton County Court waiting for our case to be called, and some Birmingham lawyers were at the bench arguing a real estate law issue. I noticed the judge started peering over them towards me and Jesse from time to time. I realized he was trying to read Jesse’s face, and Jesse wasn’t tipping his thoughts. Finally, the Judge said, ‘I don’t know what the law is on this point. I could go back to my chambers and get the book out, but Mr. Evans is sitting on the first row. I’m just going to ask him for his thoughts to save time.’ Everyone in the courtroom turned to watch, and Jesse casually told the judge what the law was and cited several cases, by name, from memory. It was quite impressive….and I was suddenly very confident that we were going to win our argument when our case was called.”
Price Evans, one of Jesse’s sons, said that among his father’s many passions, he loved Birmingham School of Law, enjoyed teaching law students, and cherished his relationships and memories with title industry professionals. Jesse’s wife, Dawn, and sons, Martin and Price, stated that this award is very special, and they would like to thank the association for the gesture which will keep Jesse’s legacy going into the future at the Birmingham School of Law.
