Each year, Cumberland School of Law recognizes accomplished alumni through the Distinguished Alumni Awards. The honorees will be recognized at the law school's alumni reception on October 24. The 2025 award recipients are: 

Distinguished Alumnus of the Year: Wayne Morse, JD ’76

Given to an alumnus/na who has distinguished himself/herself in the practice of law, service to the community and leadership in the profession 

Wayne Morse “never had a bad day at Cumberland.” In the mid-70s, Morse explained, Cumberland had the best possible educators for aspiring lawyers: Frank Donaldson, a drafter of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, Charles Gamble, author of the treatise on the Alabama Rules of Evidence, and contracts scholar Brad Bishop. During his time as a student, he made lifelong associations and friendships, including ones with Charlie Waldrep and Mike Kendrick with whom he has practiced law for decades.

Morse is a partner and trial lawyer at Waldrep, Stewart & Kendrick, LLP. He has litigated in trial and appellate courts in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee and Georgia. His practice involves commercial, employment and civil rights cases. He is a fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, the American Bar Foundation and the Birmingham Bar Foundation.

As a longtime Cumberland advocate, Morse is involved with raising support for Cumberland’s advocacy program. He has judged mock trials and authored “Death Actions for Federal Rights in Alabama,” which was published in the Cumberland Law Review. Morse funds a book scholarship in honor of his late father, Hoss Morse, U.S.M.C., which is given to a deserving student who served in the military.

Morse was counsel to Tarrant in Jefferson v. City of Tarrant, 522 U.S. 75 (1997) and to Cory Maples in Maples v. Thomas, 565 U.S. 266 (2012), a landmark due process decision holding that Maples, convicted of murder and facing a death sentence, must have another opportunity in court because of lawyer abandonment.

“Serving at Cumberland has been gratifying, allowing me to be of use and to stay connected to an institution to which I owe everything,” Morse said. “Cumberland has had success, but I am confident we will see the plans of the indefatigable and visionary Dean Blake Hudson accomplished and expectations exceeded. Cumberland is and will be even more so, a top tier law school.”

Young Alumna of the Year: Averie Armstead, JD ’19

Given to an alumnus/na who graduated within the past 15 years and who has distinguished himself/ herself in the practice of law, service to the community and leadership in the profession 

Averie Armstead is an associate at Starnes Davis Florie, LLP, where she is an employment litigator, collegiate sports attorney and professional liability and higher education adviser. She represents both public and private employers and universities.

A proud graduate of Cumberland School of Law, Armstead has remained deeply connected to the Birmingham legal community. She completed the Birmingham Bar Association’s 2024 Future Leaders Forum, and she was recognized by the National Black Lawyer’s “Top 40 Under 40” for the state of Alabama consecutively for two years. Armstead currently serves on the Young Supporters Board of the O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB, where she was recently honored with the director’s award in recognition of her outstanding leadership, service and commitment to cancer awareness and fundraising initiatives.

Armstead’s professional excellence is matched by her heart for service and mentorship. She is passionate about empowering the next generation of legal professionals, and she continues to invest time mentoring young lawyers and aspiring law students. This is evidenced by Armstead’s service as the mentoring co-chair of the James Edwin Horton Inn of Court, an adjunct professor at Cumberland, and member of the core leadership team of the city of Birmingham’s women’s initiative.

While a student at Cumberland, Armstead was senior class president, a member of the American Journal of Trial Advocacy, a Judge Abraham Caruthers fellow, a member of the career services advisory board, graduate student council representative, an admission ambassador, and a leader in the Student Bar Association. Cumberland imparted in Armstead a commitment to servant leadership and a love for litigation.

Volunteer of the Year: Vic Hayslip, JD ’85

Given to an alumnus/na who has demonstrated exceptional loyalty and commitment to Cumberland School of Law through volunteer service to the school 

Vic Hayslip has made a lasting impact on Cumberland School of Law through decades of leadership, service and unwavering commitment. A partner at Burr & Forman, LLP, Hayslip leads the firm’s commercial litigation practice group. With 21 offices across the Southeast, as well as in Chicago and Washington, D.C., Burr & Forman has benefited greatly from Hayslip’s efforts to recruit top talent from his alma mater.

Hayslip played a key role in founding the James Edwin Horton Inn of Court at Cumberland, serving on the original executive committee alongside former dean John Carroll. Through that initiative and others, he has worked tirelessly to support Cumberland students and young lawyers. He also spearheaded fundraising efforts among Cumberland alumni at Burr & Forman for many years.

In a meaningful tribute to his class, Hayslip helped establish and raise funds for the Class of 1985 Scholarship, further demonstrating his dedication to supporting future generations of Cumberland lawyers. His influence also extends to campus culture—he was instrumental in founding the Federalist Society chapter at Cumberland, encouraging robust legal debate and intellectual engagement.

Originally from Tuscaloosa, Hayslip moved to Birmingham in 1982 to attend Cumberland. He and his wife, Barbara, continue to be valued members of the Cumberland community.

Friend of Cumberland: Jim Noles 

Given to a friend, although not a graduate, who has contributed time and resources to enhance the quality of the law school and the educational experience of the students 

Jim Noles is a professor of practice in Auburn University’s College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, where he leads the school’s environmental law minor program. Prior to teaching, Noles practiced environmental law as an associate and equity partner with Balch & Bingham and then as a founding partner of Barze Taylor Noles Lowther (BTNL), where he continues to serve as of counsel.

Since arriving in Birmingham in 1997, Noles has built lasting connections with Cumberland and its students through professional development, mentorship and recruitment efforts. At Balch & Bingham and later at BTNL, he championed student hiring and growth, especially for Cumberland students. His service on the Alabama State Bar’s environmental law section executive committee also reflects his commitment to students, supporting scholarships that allow them to attend the annual conference and explore careers in environmental law.

He has served as a guest speaker on the topic of professional responsibility for Cumberland’s first-year students and contributed articles to the Cumberland Law Review and the Journal of the Legal Profession. In 2023, he secured the former U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia as the guest speaker for the annual Cordell Hull Lecture Series. Beyond the law school, Noles has served on Samford’s leadership council in support of the Alabama Governors School.

A U.S. Army veteran, his commitment to public service has continued locally as he has led the boards of the Alabama Humanities Foundation, the Alabama School of Fine Arts and the Mountain Brook Library Foundation.