Broox Garrett, Sr., is named to the Lawyers Hall of Fame

Broox Gray Garrett set his own history in motion as an attorney in Brewton for about 50 years from 1939 to 1988 to only be interrupted from his lawyer duties for four years of active duty in the Navy during World War II.

Garrett recently became the first attorney from Escambia County to be named to the Alabama Lawyer's Hall of Fame. Born in 1915, Garrett died in 1991, Garrett was officially inducted in 2019 but COVID-19 postponed the ceremony until recently.

Brewton attorney Evertte Price, who recently turned 80 years old, practiced law with Garrett from 1969 to 1977 and learned to respect the man by watching him in the courtroom trying a divorce case. Price was practicing law in Evergreen at the time.

"I liked the way he handled the case," Price said. "I felt like the opportunity to work for someone like him would be great."

Price came to Brewton for an interview and was later accepted.

"The thing that stood out with him was his persistence and tenacity," Price said. "He would never quit. He had the ability to lock in on it and until it was done he didn't let it go."

Price said Garrett was one of the best lawyers he ever saw in a courtroom and he always came prepared.

"He walked into a courtroom ready," he said. "He had the law buried inside his head."

Thad Moore, 78, who still practices law in Brewton, said Garrett was a mentor to him when he began practicing law.

"Broox, Sr., was the epitome of a fine southern lawyer and a fine gentleman," Moore said. "He was an excellent lawyer and a big influence in my life."

Moore began practicing law with Lee Otts and said that Otts and Garrett were good friends and both served as role models for him and went to both for advice all the time.

"Mr. Broox took me under his wing and was always there to help," Moore said. "He was a role model and mentor to most of the lawyers who came to Brewton. That relationship has continued with Broox, Jr."

Price and Moore both said watching Garrett and Hugh Caffey go at it in the courtroom was something to see as the two fought for their respective clients.

"He was a highly professional and able advocate who represented his clients zealously," Brewton Attorney Ed Hines wrote in the letter to the committee who would select the Hall of Fame honorees. "Yet he was very pleasant and unassuming with his quiet, easy-going personality, honesty and integrity, he won the respect of all who knew him personally and professionally."

Hines now practices law with Garrett's son, Broox Garrett, Jr.

"He was a brilliant man, but yet made everyone around him feel at ease," Hines wrote. "He adhered to the high standards of ethics of our profession and high principles of the moral teaching of his religious faith."

In his nomination to the Hall of Fame, Benjamen T. Rowe in Mobile wrote "He was a man of superlatively high standards, complete integrity and boundless enthusiasm for whatever task he took in hand. No one, whose privilege it was to know him, is likely to forget the candor of his speech, the courage of his faith, the warm and glowing brightness of his friendship."

Garrett received his bachelor's degree in 1937 and his law degree in 1939, both from the University of Alabama. He was accepted into the bar association and began practicing law in Brewton.

In addition to his dedication to his law profession, Garrett served his community and church on various boards and a member of the Brewton City School Board of Education.

Garrett was also elected to as vice president of the Alabama Bar Association in July 1981 and took over as president of the association in November of that year.