John Owens introduced former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Drayton Nabors. Drayton Nabers, Jr. is a former Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. He was appointed to the court in 2003 by Governor Bob Riley following Justice Roy Moore’s removal from office, an event that attracted national media attention

Justice Nabers’s career spans 50 years and includes serving as the former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice. He began his career practicing law at a Birmingham firm for 12 years before joining Protective Life Corporation in 1979, where he served first as General Counsel and later as President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board until his retirement in 2002. Justice Nabers was subsequently appointed Finance Director for the State of Alabama by Governor Bob Riley. He served in this capacity until his appointment to the Supreme Court in 2004. Following his loss for reelection, Justice Nabers’ returned to the practicing law for Maynard Cooper, P.C. Mr. Nabers’ practices in multiple areas, including: alternative dispute resolution, appellate law, complex litigation, governmental and regulatory affairs and insurance and financial services litigation.

Justice Nabers was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University in 1962 and a law degree from Yale School of Law in 1965. After graduating from Yale, Justice Nabers served as a Law Clerk for U. S. Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black. He joined the law firm of Cabaniss, Johnston, Gardner, Dumas, and O’Neal in 1967 as an associate before becoming a partner in the firm in 1971.

Justice Nabers is a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Mountain Brook, Alabama. He also serves as an Adjunct Instructor at Beeson Divinity School.

Justice Nabers is married to the former Fairfax Virginia Smathers. The Nabers are blessed with three children, Drayton Nabers, III, (Deak); Mary James Nabers Doyle (Mary); and Fairfax Virginia Nabers Blount (Sissy). The Nabers are also the proud grandparents of two granddaughters and four grandsons.

Justice Nabers is a member of the Alabama Academy of Honor and has served as chairman of Leadership Birmingham, United Way of Central Alabama, Prison Fellowship, Re-Entry Ministries and the American Council of Life Insurers. He also served as Director of Energen Corporation, Alabama National BanCorporation and National Bank of Commerce.