Situated in the Southeastern portion of the United States, the state of Alabama is the 30th largest state in the US by area. In terms of population, it is the 24th largest in the US. Nicknamed the Yellowhammer state, after its state bird, Alabama is often referred to as the “Heart of Dixie” and “The Cotton State.” AL was admitted as the 22nd state of the United States in 1819.  The state’s capital city is Montgomery, while Birmingham is the most populous city in the state. Huntsville is the largest in terms of area, and the state’s oldest city is Mobile.

Alabama’s state government includes an executive, legislative and judicial branch.  It is organized under the 1901 Constitution of Alabama, which is the longest constitution of any government in the world. 

The Executive branch consists of the governor, and other elected state-wide offices.  There are more than 25 departments, with the head of each department seated in the state’s cabinet and advising the governor.

The Legislative branch consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives.  In the House of Representatives, there are 105 members with each member representing a district of about 40,000 people.  The Senate includes 35 senators, with each senator representing a district of about 125,000 state residents.

The Judicial branch of the state is led by the Supreme Court of Alabama.  The Supreme court has administrative as well as judicial powers, and is led by the Chief Justice and eight associate justices.  The Court of the Judiciary is convened when a judge needs to be reviewed or potentially removed.

The National Law Review covers a wide range of cases which are heard in the state. From Civil Rights and Labor employment issues, health and food safety, gender-equality, to immigration cases, election-news, and tax law cases. The National Law Review also covers bankruptcy proceedings, appeals, discrimination ordinances, legislation and election news, and general state-related topics, as well as litigation coming out of the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals which has jurisdiction over Alabama.