LEGAL ISSUES WITH MOST TRAFFICKED SURVIVORS | Zonta Birmingham

Zonta Club of Birmingham – Thursday, August 6, 2026 Meeting

Join us for our August meeting as we gather for lunch, networking, and for an impactful and eye-opening program featuring a dedicated pro bono attorney advocating for survivors of human trafficking. This important discussion will explore the legal challenges survivors face and the pathways available to help them rebuild their lives with dignity and hope. Learn about expungement and fresh-start opportunities, legal protections for survivors, available federal and state resources, and ways communities can better understand the trauma and realities of trafficking. Attendees will also gain insight into how traffickers and those who enable exploitation can be held accountable through both civil and criminal action. This is a powerful opportunity to become informed, inspired, and equipped to make a difference.

Schedule:

• 11:30 AM – Lunch & Networking
• 11:45 AM - Business Meeting
• 12:15 - 1:00 PM – Presentation Begins (extended time for our speaker)

Program Title

LEGAL ISSUES WITH MOST TRAFFICKED SURVIVORS (and any related persons- domestic violence victims, etc.).

Speaker:

Jeannie Walston

Pro-Bono Attorney, The Wellhouse

Speaker Bio

Jeannie is a retired lawyer whose practice of 30+ years was devoted to civil defense litigation,

including defending Federal Black Lung claims, workers’ compensation litigation, and defending

mass toxic torts and general civil matters at both trial and appellate levels. She has wide

experience in representing mining and mineral companies with various issues, including mineral

rights, contractual issues and environmental and toxic tort issues. Jeannie also has significant

experience in handling Federal Black Lung claims at all levels. She graduated from the University

of Alabama in 1989 and its School of Law in 1992. Now, Jeannie is a pro bono attorney for

trafficked women and children via The WellHouse. This encompasses 30+ hours/week.