“Discussing racism and discrimination is not easy, and various people have helped us create a learning experience that we hope will be educational, participatory and make us a better company. We want this to be an open and honest conversation starting with our partners,” wrote Howard Schultz , Executive Chairman of Starbucks, this morning as all Starbucks will shut down this afternoon for corporate discussion and training on bias and racism.

Why won’t Tom Fanning, CEO of Southern Company do the same:  have an open and honest conversation about the alleged institutional racism that happened in North Birmingham by their partner: the sister-wife law firm and “vendor” Balch & Bingham?

From what we can tell, Balch & Bingham is no longer doing federal lobbying in Washington, D.C. on behalf of Southern Company or its subsidiaries since 2016.

Maybe Fanning is quietly ending or phasing out the relationship.

And people are asking, has Balch become a burden for their long-time clients who have to justify their relationship with the embattled firm?

With only days away from the June trial of Balch partners Joel I. Gilbert and Steven McKinney, we know of at least three different legal teams preparing or considering RICO and/or class action filings upon their convictions.

Besides their clients, Balch looks like it could become an even bigger financial burden on Balch’s remaining partners and its insurance carriers if the two partners are found guilty.

Maybe the honorable partners at Balch need to also have an open and honest discussion, today, now, this very week.