[This post originally appeared on October 25, 2017. Over a year later, these actions have become a pillar in the civil RICO lawsuit to be filed next year and appear to demonstrate the manipulation of the Alabama judicial system. The legal doctrine of estoppel looks like it has been violated for Balch & Bingham’s benefit.]

In February of 2015, when the Newsome Conspiracy Case was at its infancy, Balch and alleged other co-conspirators vehemently fought the sealing of the case.

Balch attorneys wrote at the time:

“While Plaintiffs couch their motion as a prophylactic measure to ‘protect’ the reputations of the attorneys involved in this lawsuit, neither Cooper or B&B request such protection and desire that this action remain unsealed as is clearly favored by Alabama law.”

What has changed?

Cooper was fired on March 3rd, two Balch Partners were indicted on September 28th, and Balch is now under scrutiny in two ongoing federal investigations.

Because of their own hubris and arrogance, Balch’s reputation appears to have been flushed down a toilet.

In August, while in the public spotlight, Balch fought for the complete sealing of the Newsome Conspiracy Case, and Judge Carole Smitherman, who received over $15,000 from a PAC backed in part by Balch partners, sealed the case without a hearing. All proceedings are now done in secret without public access in a closed court, a Star Chamber.

Balch & Bingham’s secretive Star Chamber is an example of sheer hypocrisy.

The sealing of the case is a belated action that may be too late to save Balch’s reputation, but symbolic of the enormous influence and unchecked power they have in Alabama.

Now, fortunately, law enforcement is looking at prophylactic measures to curb the alleged corruption, bribery, and unscrupulous behavior associated with  B&B and others.