(May 23, 2023 – Atmore, Alabama) This May, Lori Stinson, Attorney General and Chief Legal Officer for the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, was one of 12 Atmoreans inducted into the Atmore Area Hall of Fame. The hall of fame, which began in 2005, recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions in the fields of: business/medicine; government/military; education/theatrical/ministry; and athletics.
Stinson was selected because of her superior competence and professionalism, being a positive role model, and the significant contributions she has made to the betterment of the community.
“I am very humbled and honored to be included in the same category as the other recipients, both past and present, including seven other amazing tribal members,” said Stinson.
Stinson grew up in Atmore and has made it her home most of her adult life. She graduated from Escambia Academy in 1995 as valedictorian of her class. After high school, she attended Samford University and graduated summa cum laude in 1995. While at Samford, Stinson lettered in varsity tennis and was inducted into numerous honor societies.
While in college, she worked for local attorneys, Robert H. Maxwell and Shirley D. Darby, during her breaks from school. “Mr. Maxwell and Ms. Darby not only introduced me to the practice of law, but they inspired me to pursue it as a career,” she said. Stinson attended Thomas Goode Jones School of Law, where she graduated at the top of her class in 2003.
Stinson met her husband, Brad, in law school, and they practiced together in Enterprise until 2007, when Stinson came home and began working for the Tribe, in the in-house legal department.
In January 2014, Stinson was hired as the Attorney General for the Tribe. As AG, she leads the enrollment department and a team of in-house attorneys who provide legal services and representation to the Tribe, the Tribal Council, and all the Tribe’s entities, including Tribal Government, PCI Gaming Authority (d/b/a Wind Creek Hospitality), and Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority. Being AG has given her opportunities to testify before a Congressional committee on behalf of the Tribe; draft tribal, state, and federal legislation; assist with the Tribe’s litigation; and manage the Tribe’s appellate issues in tribal, state, and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. Stinson is most proud of the role she has played in protecting her Tribe’s lands and sovereignty.
“Lori Stinson is an incredible asset to the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, not only in her professional capacity as our Attorney General, but on a personal level as well,” remarked Poarch Band of Creek Indians Tribal Chair & CEO, Stephanie A. Bryan
Stinson is a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, First Baptist Church of Atmore, the Atmore Planning Commission, the Atmore Historical Preservation Commission, the Alabama Anti-Human Trafficking Alliance Task Force, Main Street Atmore’s Economic Vitality Committee, and United Bank’s Escambia County Advisory Board. She is a 2000 graduate of Leadership Atmore and is currently in Leadership Alabama’s Class of XXXII.
Bryan went on to say, “Lori is a wonderful mother, friend, and role model to our younger generations. She is a Tribal member who grew up in Atmore and chose to come home after law school and give back to our community. Lori is a selfless person who works tirelessly to protect our Tribe’s sovereignty and she leads a team deeply committed to our long-term security and prosperity.
Our Tribe is blessed to have Lori Stinson as a member and we congratulate her on this great and well-deserved honor.”
Stinson is the widow of Brad Stinson. She has two daughters, Bradleigh Anne and Bailey Catherine, and is the daughter of Billy Conn and Shirley Madison.
