Jennifer Powell Decker, a seasoned Balch & Bingham partner and one of the top-ranking women at the embattled firm, has dumped Balch after 15 dedicated years. The announcement follows the abrupt and suprising departure of long-time Balch legacy partner Rob Fowler who appears to have taken a step downward, becoming inside counsel for a coal company currently not operating due to the lack of permits. Powell Decker is now “of counsel” at Baker Donelson in Birmingham according to news reports. Last week, we learned from high-level sources that an alleged federal probe is looking at possible obstruction of justice. Allegedly…

Balch & Bingham and their sister-wife Alabama Power have relied on the obscure services of Matrix, the political consulting firm that dropped the mailing during the North Birmingham Bribery Scandal that reprehensibly discouraged African-Americans from having their toxic and contaminated property tested by the EPA. Matrix has a legendary (if not mythical) reputation of being a “dirty tricks” outfit that allegedly engages in AstroTurf efforts and smear campaigns. Joe Perkins, the head of Matrix, is in a two-state legal battle with former protégé Jeff Pitts. The Matrix Meltdown has provoked a probe from federal investigators, sources claim, and an avalanche…

Posted yesterday, CNN’s bombshell visual and interactive story on polluting ash ponds outlines potential environmental disasters and the “money-making” schemes surrounding those foolish decisions. Alabama Power’s Barry Plant (and toxic ash pond) near Mobile, Alabama is a central figure of the investigative story and highlights the controversy surrounding the future of these contaminated ash ponds. But the real explosive grenade was confirmation that the EPA is probing Alabama Power. CNN reports: While state regulators approved Alabama Power’s plans for the Barry pond in July, EPA Administrator Regan told CNN last month that his agency is “actively investigating (…) the Plant Barry situation.” “We…