BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
of
Karlos F. Finley, Esq.
Karlos Finley is a solo practitioner at the law firm of K. Fitzgerald Finley, P.C. His family’s roots in the city
date back to the late 1860’s. His parents were both educators. His father would eventually become a
pharmacist and open the first chain of drug stores in the state of Alabama owned by an African-American.
His parents, alongwith other progressive thinkers, led the Civil Rights movement of the late 1960’s and early
1970’s in Mobile with the goal of bringing about a more unified community, and equality for all of the city’s
citizens. Upon graduation from high school, he enlisted in the United States Coast Guard. He was decorated
with the a Meritorious Unit Commendation Medal for relief efforts during several Gulf Coast Hurricanes
and the Good Conduct Medal, then Honorably discharged. Finley earned his Bachelors of Science Degree
from the University of Mobile, Cum Laude and his Juris Doctorate from Miles School of Law in Fairfield,
AL, where he was chosen as class valedictorian. His first job as a lawyer was as an Assistant District
Attorney in the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office. He is a member of the Alabama Lawyers
Association and a past President of the Vernon Z. Crawford, Bay Area Bar Association. He is a member of
the Mobile and Alabama State Bar Associations. He serves as President of the Dora Franklin FinleyAfricanAmerican Heritage Trail and of the Paul W. Brock, Mobile Inn of Court. He is Vice-President of the Mobile
Bar Foundation. He’s a Fellow with the Alabama State Bar Foundation and a member of the Alabama
Lawyers Association. Karlos is married to Mrs. Kelly Finley, they have three wonderful children and five
dogs. He is a lifelong member of Most Pure Heart of Mary church and is an alumni of the 121 year old Most
Pure Heart of Mary Catholic School.