Pope McGlamry’ founder, Neal Pope, was born in Montgomery, Alabama and graduated from Auburn University in 1961. Following his graduation, he served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He participated in the blockade of Cuba, commonly known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. He returned to Alabama after his active-duty service and earned a law degree from the University of Alabama in 1966. It was there that he and Earle met and became friends.
During the first 10 years of his practice, Neal tried over 100 jury trials. A large portion of his early years were spent in the practice of criminal defense, including numerous death penalty cases. Beginning in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Neal’s practice evolved into more of a Plaintiff’s civil practice with many of his cases taken to trial. Even by then, Neal was a formidable trial lawyer with a signature flair and a way with jurors, resulting in many large verdicts and settlements. In 1984, Neal brought together Max McGlamry, Paul Kilpatrick and Tim Morrison, to start a firm that could take on corporations with their large law firms, the inception of the present-day firm, Pope McGlamry. Neal was the consummate lawyer and continued to work right up to his passing.
Neal practiced law for over 50 years and was an incredible trial lawyer that was well-known and respected around the Southeast and across the country. His passion for the law and helping his clients allowed him to make an impact everywhere he went. He was a member of a variety of bar and trial lawyer associations and was admitted to practice in many Federal District Courts, Appellate Courts, and the United States Supreme Court. He was awarded the State Bar of Georgia’s Tradition of Excellence Award in 2014, and the Daily Report’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
Pope McGlamry was honored to attend such a meaningful event recognizing and remembering some of the stalwarts of the Columbus Bar Association. Neal and Earle both had illustrious careers and they are missed every day. Their service to their clients, their communities, and this firm will never be forgotten.
