Allison O. Skinner of Vestavia Hills (pictured) is the recipient of the 2021 Nina Miglionico Paving the Way Award, presented by the Women Lawyers Section of the Birmingham Bar Association on Aug. 18.
The 2021 ceremony was postponed due to COVID-19.
“I’m very, very honored,” Skinner said.
The award recognizes lawyers who have actively paved the way for success and advancement of women attorneys. The bar association’s Women Lawyers Section created the award in honor of Nina Miglionico, who exemplified a life devoted to the public good.
“Miss Nina,” as she was affectionately known, was one of Alabama’s first women lawyers to engage in the private practice of law, in 1936, and was the first woman elected to the Birmingham City Council. Her short stature belied her tall standing as a role model and mentor to women lawyers in Alabama and the United States.
Skinner is president of the bar association and is the sixth woman in that role. She’s been a four-time recipient of its Distinguished Service Award. Currently, she is serving her third elected term as Alabama State Bar Board of Bar commissioner for Place 7. She has served or is serving in various capacities on many boards and committees in professional and civic organizations throughout her career.
She graduated from the University of Alabama and earned her law degree at the University of Alabama School of Law. Skinner is deputy general counsel of Cadence Bank, where she represents the bank on a wide range of matters and serves as the co-lead for the bank’s employee resource group for women.
After learning she would be receiving the award, Skinner said she and her son headed to Linn Park in downtown Birmingham to take a photo of her at the Nina Miglionico statue.
“I thought it would be nice,” Skinner said.
