Ralph Hornsby, Jr. and Barnes Heyward are two of Huntsville’s most accomplished attorneys whose focus is helping people who are catastrophically injured in accidents or by the negligence of others. When their firm was founded in 1988 by S.A. “Bud” Watson & Ralph Hornsby, Sr., the population of Huntsville Metro Area was about 175,000, and most lawyers did a little bit of everything.
Birmingham was considered the place to be. In fact, only two lawyers from Huntsville passed the bar in the first quarter of 1988. Huntsville was home, though, for Bud who at 45, had already served as Chief Assistant DA in Madison County and held two Judgeships. When he retired from the bench in good standing in 1987, he had a vision to start a private practice with a single focus: Personal Injury. He had been on the bench for 15 years and enjoyed the opportunity to see the work of all the trial lawyers in the county. Admiring the work of Ralph Sr., Watson approached Hornsby to form a new firm with the single focus of representing victims of personal injury.
We all know how much things have changed since then! Now, Huntsville is the largest city in Alabama with more than 500,000 residents. There are attorneys on every billboard, and it is rare to find attorneys with a general practice. We caught up with Ralph and Barnes to learn more about who they are and most importantly, what “Lawyering” means to them.
When did you decide to become a lawyer?
Ralph: I remember my dad working late many nights. He would have deposition transcripts piled across a table at home with one of those old school super-hot desk lamps you could bend toward paperwork. I would read depositions while he was working. They were so interesting. While I was too young to really make a decision about what I wanted to do in life, becoming a lawyer was always in the back of my mind.
Barnes: As cliché as it sounds, I was inspired by literary characters like Atticus Finch growing up. I saw the legal profession as a means of helping people. My dad was a minister. I saw the different hats he wore and the way he got to serve people, and today I’m fortunate to have the ability to do the same. Luckily, through a good friend and attorney, I was introduced to Bud and Ralph who have similar ambitions.
The city has changed drastically. How has practicing law changed for you?
Ralph: When our city was smaller, it was easier to get cases based upon reputation. Consumers made their choices based on recommendations by their close family and friends, and on the recommendations of their general family lawyer. Performance and track record meant everything. Now, everything is more fragmented. It’s confusing to the consumer because some of the marketing out there makes it seem fast and easy to have your injury case handled. It’s much harder for people to find the best lawyer for their needs.
Barnes: I see it, too. People underestimate the value of having trial-tested counsel. Joe Schmo attorney can write a demand letter to an insurance company on your behalf. If he’s halfway decent he might get your medical bills covered. Having a deep knowledge of the law, developing strategy, and then executing at trial when the stakes are high. It’s not the same thing.
What’s the best part of your job?
Ralph: Lawyering. It’s an action word. When we are working with a client who has more than minor injuries, we are deeply involved in helping them. We know we are making a significant difference in their outcome and the overall trajectory of their life.
Barnes: Relationships. We get to know these families. Some become lifelong friends. They are relying on us for more than just winning, they are trusting us with their future and often, their dignity. We aren’t just representing people’s legal interests; we are representing people. The fact that I’m the one trusted to tell their story is an incredible privilege.
What’s the hardest part of the job?
Ralph: The high emotions before a trial. Someone’s future is in your hands and in the hands of twelve people it’s your job to convince.
Barnes: I agree. We’re all running on lack of sleep, minds that won’t stop churning ideas, emotional families, and high adrenalin.
When did you know you were meant for this profession?
Ralph: I represented a family whose 17-year-old son attended a birthday party. Sadly, the adult host of the party served alcohol to underage children. He was in the back seat of the car when it struck a utility pole. He suffered a catastrophic brain injury. This case took a lot of lawyering. This young man lost his future and will need medical care and home health for the rest of his life. We knew he would need an amazing outcome, but the insurance policy available to cover it did not have near enough limits to adequately compensate for the family’s loss. There was only $300,000 available. Through good lawyering, we were ultimately able to recover not only the $300,000.00, but millions of dollars on top of that. The satisfaction that came from helping that family was immense.
Barnes: At some point in every young lawyer’s career, they ask themselves, “do I have what it takes?” Ralph and I were trying a case last year. The stakes were high. Our client stood to lose a lot if we weren’t successful. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous – prepared, but nervous. On the final day of trial, I stood in front of the jury to give closing arguments and an immense sense of calm washed over me. The five years of work Ralph and I put into the case culminated in that moment, and all my preparation kicked in. The jury returned a large verdict in our client’s favor – $1.4 million. Knowing that I could stand up there and deliver when it mattered most was a huge confidence boost for me, and it certainly answered any question I had about having what it took.
What would you tell students who may want to practice law?
Ralph: Make sure you like service work. Great lawyers typically want to win because they want to help people.
Barnes: Talk to as many practicing lawyers as you can. Get the good, the bad, and the ugly. It was enormously helpful for me to have an idea of what area I wanted to practice in before I went to school. Find a great mentor. I was lucky to have Bud Watson and Ralph, two of the best, but I had others who helped guide me to where I am today, and I can’t understate their influence. Get involved in service work. We’re starting a program this year for high school seniors who are already doing community service. We’ll award a scholarship each quarter to a local student. The details are on our website.
You Can Nominate Your High School Hero Now!
Scan the code to nominate a High School Senior living in Madison County right now! Simply tell us in 700 words or less about the service work your senior is involved with and why they are an excellent choice for the $2500.00 scholarship. Full details are on the site.
Lawyering. It’s an action word. When we are working with a client who has more than minor injuries, we are deeply involved in helping them.
We get to know these families. Some become lifelong friends. They are relying on us for more than just winning, they are trusting us with their future and often, their dignity. We aren’t just representing people’s legal interests; we are representing people.