On Friday, February 20, 2026, the Birmingham legal community came together for a distinguished evening at the 2026 Birmingham Bar Foundation Fellows Gala, held at B&A Warehouse in downtown Birmingham. The event celebrated the induction of the newest class of Birmingham Bar Foundation (BBF) Fellows and Life Fellows, recognizing attorneys and judges whose careers reflect exceptional professionalism, dedication to service, and a passion for advancing justice in Alabama. Among this year’s honorees was Chris Hood, partner at HGD Law Firm, whose induction as a 2026 Fellow reflects both his individual accomplishments and the firm’s deep commitment to ethics, community, and legal excellence.
What Is the Birmingham Bar Foundation?
The Birmingham Bar Foundation serves as the charitable arm of the Birmingham Bar Association. Established to unify and strengthen the philanthropic and educational contributions of the legal community, the Foundation supports a broad range of programs designed to advance justice, bolster legal education, and improve public understanding of the law. Through grant-making, scholarships, civic education, and access-to-justice initiatives, the Foundation amplifies the positive impact that lawyers have on their communities.
Over its more than 30-year history, the Foundation has become a driving force for equal access to justice in the Greater Birmingham area. The Foundation’s work includes funding nonprofits that provide direct legal services, supporting educational programs such as mock trials and juror handbooks, and facilitating public engagement with civic processes. In the process, the Foundation helps ensure that legal support is more than a concept — it becomes a practical lifeline for people who otherwise would struggle to navigate the justice system.
What Is the Fellows Program?
The BBF Fellows Endowment Program is a signature initiative of the Birmingham Bar Foundation that recognizes members of the legal profession who demonstrate:
- Professional excellence and ethical conduct
- Dedication to service and civility
- Leadership within the legal community
- A commitment to advancing access to justice
Fellows and Life Fellows are nominated by existing members of the Fellows class and selected by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Induction into the Fellows program is a prestigious professional milestone and reflects not only career achievement but ongoing devotion to ethical excellence and community impact.
Fellows support the BBF through contributions that help fund grants, scholarships, education programs, and other initiatives that strengthen access to legal aid and civic involvement. In this way, the Fellows serve as both champions and stewards of the Foundation’s mission.
The 2026 Fellows Gala and Chris Hood’s Induction
The annual Fellows Gala is one of the most anticipated events on Birmingham’s legal calendar. The black-tie celebration brings together attorneys, judges, community leaders, and sponsors for an evening that honors the Foundation’s newest Fellows while also supporting its mission. Proceeds from the event underwrite critical programs such as legal education for students, grants to local nonprofits, scholarships for law students, and efforts that expand access to justice for underserved populations.
At this year’s gala, the induction of Chris Hood as a 2026 Fellow showcased a remarkable legal career built on integrity, service, and leadership. Chris has long exemplified the core values that the BBF seeks in its Fellows: a consistent commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, an unwavering dedication to ethical practice, and a willingness to give back to both the profession and the community.
What Being a Fellow Means
To be a Birmingham Bar Foundation Fellow is to embrace a role that goes beyond professional accolades. It signifies a deep commitment to the betterment of the legal system and a recognition that justice must be accessible to all. BBF Fellows are advocates for fairness, champions of legal education, and leaders who inspire others to serve.
Fellows contribute their time, expertise, and resources to ensure that the Foundation can effect meaningful change. Whether through supporting legal aid initiatives, mentoring young lawyers, or participating in community outreach programs, BBF Fellows are at the forefront of efforts to make justice more equitable and attainable.
Why This Honor Matters to HGD Law Firm
For HGD Law Firm, Chris Hood’s induction is both a proud moment and a testament to the firm’s culture of service and excellence. HGD’s core values — Client-Centered, Integrity Driven, Respectful, Committed, Leadership Oriented, and Excellence Focused (CIRCLE) — align seamlessly with the principles celebrated by the Birmingham Bar Foundation Fellows program.
Chris’s recognition as a Fellow highlights not only his individual achievements as a personal injury attorney but also the impact that HGD as an organization has within the Birmingham legal community. His selection underscores the firm’s enduring commitment to:
- Providing white-glove legal service that prioritizes the client’s needs
- Maintaining ethical and professional integrity in every aspect of practice
- Supporting efforts that increase access to justice for individuals and families in need
- Leading by example in civic engagement and legal education initiatives
This honor reflects the firm’s belief that lawyers have a responsibility not only to their clients but to the community at large — a belief that motivates everyday work at HGD.
Looking Forward
As Chris Hood begins his tenure as a Birmingham Bar Foundation Fellow, he joins a select group of legal professionals dedicated to strengthening the administration of justice in Birmingham and beyond. This recognition is more than a career milestone — it is an affirmation of the values that define his work and the collective mission of HGD Law Firm to serve with purpose, compassion, and excellence.
