Alex T. Howard, Jr. joined the Journal's Editorial Board in 1991. During a distinguished maritime career with the Mobile law firm of Johnstone, Adams, Howard, Bailey & Gordon, he held numerous public offices, including president of the Mobile Bar Association, director of the Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, and associate editor of American Maritime Cases. These accomplishments were capped in 1986 when he was chosen by President Ronald W. Reagan to become a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Alabama. In 1996, he took senior status. Judge Howard holds an LL.B. from Vanderbilt University.