1938
Born in Dothan, Alabama, as the youngest of six children of Lindon Alexander Long and Della Gladys Pilcher Long.
1952
Writes his first book (unpublished) at age 14.
1956
His parents die while he was a senior in high school, eight days apart in April and May 1956. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Long graduates from Dothan High School as a Co-Salutatorian, a member of the National Honor Society, editor of “Dothanhi Sootzus,” and is given a Certificate of Merit by the National Merit Committee.
1956
Attends Columbia University, New York, on academic scholarship and graduates with a B.A. in physics in 1960.
1960
Attends the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia, on academic scholarship, and earns a J.D. in 1963. Was inducted into the Order of the Coif, served as the Comments & Projects Editor for the Virginia Law Review, and was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa, Raven Society, Pi Delta Epsilon, Phi Delta Phi, as well as a resident on the historic Lawn.
1963
Joins Bradley Arant Rose & White. Is an associate from 1963 to 1970 and partner from 1970 to 2011. Is a member of the Executive Committee and serves as chair of the Antitrust, Business Torts and Intellectual Property Practice Group.
1963
Joins the U. S. Army Reserves and receives an Honorable Discharge as Captain, JAGC, in 1969.
1966
Married Carolyn Frances Wilson, who holds a B.A. from Hollins College and University of Paris and a M.A. from the University of Alabama, in August 13, 1966, in Birmingham, Alabama.
1971
Receives awards for initiating and drafting legislation requiring enhanced education for intellectually disabled children in Alabama.
1972
Celebrates the birth of his children: Louisa Frances Long, Oct. 18, 1972, and Wilson Alexander Long, Aug. 14, 1975.
1975
Founds and serves as first President of Antitrust and Business Torts Section of Alabama Bar Association. Later chairs the Long Range Planning Committee of the Alabama Bar, chairs the Birmingham Bar Grievance Committee and serves as trustee of Birmingham Bar Legal Aid Society.
1988
Becomes an adjunct professor of law at the University of Alabama Law School, teaching antitrust law, for a 12-year period. Also serves as an adjunct professor of law for several years at Cumberland Law School, teaching patent law.
1991
Is first listed in Best Lawyers in America in 1991 and continuously thereafter (in nine different categories of expertise). First listed in Who’s Who in America in 1994 and continuously thereafter.
1992
Serves as a member of Editorial Board of The Trademark Reporter (Int’l TM Ass’n) for years and is awarded Great Communicator Award among all members.
1995
Wins a defense verdict in a jury trial in Lowndes County. The case involves an exploding tire resulting in the death of one person, brain damage to another and serious injuries to still others. The victory came despite a bribery attempt on the plaintiff side and in a hostile venue. The National Law Journal selects this case as the number one among 12 selected major defense verdicts in the nation in that year.
1996
Becomes an elected member of the prestigious American Law Institute, serves as a member of the Alabama Law Institute and is a fellow of the Alabama Law Foundation.
1998
Establishes the Canterbury Methodist Foundation and serves as secretary and a trustee in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Serves in many civic capacities, including president of Greater Birmingham Arts Alliance, president of the Birmingham Music Club, president of the Birmingham-Jefferson Historical Society, trustee of the Oscar Wells Trust for the Birmingham Museum of Art, president of the Society of the Revolution and governor of the Society of Colonial Wars.
2001
Establishes Thad Long Legal Services and has taken time to write memoirs and make multiple trips around the world and to all seven continents. Best of all these accomplishments are the joys of grandchildren.