Cory Watson Attorneys is proud to announce that co-founding attorney Leila H. Watson has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Susan Bevill Livingston Award, presented by the Women’s Section of the Alabama State Bar.
Named in honor of the late Susan Bevill Livingston, a respected attorney at Balch & Bingham, the award recognizes outstanding women lawyers who have demonstrated excellence in leadership, mentorship, community service, and dedication to the legal profession throughout their careers.
Recipients of the Susan Bevill Livingston Award are selected based on their demonstrated commitment to mentoring others, sustained leadership within the legal community, service to their communities and the advancement of women in the profession, and their longstanding dedication to the practice of law. The award is one of the Alabama legal community’s most respected honors and is traditionally presented at a special reception hosted by the Women’s Section.
For more than four decades, Leila has exemplified the qualities this award was created to celebrate. Throughout her distinguished legal career, she has earned a reputation as a tireless advocate for individuals and families, a respected leader within the legal profession, and a mentor to countless attorneys.
Leila’s commitment to the legal profession extends well beyond her work on behalf of clients. She has dedicated substantial time to bar leadership and professional service, most notably serving as President of the Birmingham Bar Association and At-Large Bar Commissioner for the Alabama State Bar. Throughout her career, she has worked to strengthen the legal community, promote professionalism, and create opportunities for the next generation of attorneys. Her willingness to mentor young lawyers and support women in the profession has made a lasting impact on countless colleagues across Alabama.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Leila has devoted significant time and energy to community service and civic engagement. Her work reflects a deep commitment to improving the lives of others and advancing causes that benefit both her community and the legal profession. Whether through bar-related activities, public service initiatives, or efforts that support women in law, Leila has consistently demonstrated the leadership and service that define the Susan Bevill Livingston Award.
“Leila’s impact on the legal profession extends far beyond the cases she handles,” said Stephen Hunt, Shareholder at Cory Watson Attorneys. “Throughout her career, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving her clients, mentoring young attorneys, and strengthening the legal community across Alabama. She leads with integrity, compassion, and excellence, and this recognition is a reflection of the tremendous respect she has earned from her peers. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor.”
The Susan Bevill Livingston Award joins a long list of honors recognizing Leila’s exceptional contributions to the practice of law and public service. Throughout her career, she has earned the admiration of colleagues, judges, clients, and community leaders for her dedication to excellence and her commitment to serving others.
This latest recognition reflects not only Leila’s professional achievements, but also the legacy of leadership, mentorship, and service she continues to build within the legal profession and the broader Alabama community.
Everyone at Cory Watson Attorneys congratulates Leila on this tremendous achievement and thanks her for her continued leadership, service, and commitment to excellence.
About Cory Watson Attorneys
Cory Watson Attorneys is a nationally recognized personal injury law firm with offices in Birmingham, Alabama, and Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee. The firm has recovered more than $4 Billion for clients across the country and is frequently appointed to leadership roles in major class actions and multidistrict litigations including dangerous pharmaceuticals and defective products. Practice areas include Personal Injury, Product Liability, Class Actions, Mass Torts, Business & Commercial Litigation.
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