Neal Batson

Richard Neal Batson was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, a respected and trusted colleague, a dependable and loyal friend, and a faithful and grateful servant of God. Known for his sharp legal mind, skilled leadership, integrity, fairness and generosity, he was a man of great accomplishment who remained humble and recognized the value of others. He passed away peacefully at his home on San Juan Island, Washington, on September 1, 2025 at the age of 84, surrounded by family who loved him dearly.

Neal was born in Nashville, Tennessee on May 1, 1941 to the late John H. and Mildred N. Batson. He received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and his Juris Doctor from the Vanderbilt University School of Law, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif.

In 1966 Neal moved to Atlanta, Georgia, and began his law career clerking for The Hon. Griffin B. Bell, 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. He traveled with Judge Bell across the South to courtrooms where cases of civil rights, voting rights, and school desegregation were being argued, witnessing first-hand the courage of those seeking justice and the weighty responsibility the law carries, and seeing that lives were changed by whether justice was done in those courtrooms. His experiences deepened his conviction that the law was not just a career but a calling.

Neal joined Alston, Miller & Gaines, now Alston & Bird, in 1967, devoting himself to his work and pro-bono activities and finding great joy in mentoring his colleagues and seeing them succeed. He would tell his children and grandchildren, "I wake up every day excited to go to work, and my wish for you is that you find a vocation you feel passionately about." Neal's faith was also a vital part of his life, and he was active in the mission and ministry of Saint Anne's Episcopal Church where he served as a vestry member and Senior Warden.

Professionally, Neal was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the first class of Fellows of the American College of Bankruptcy, where he served as Director, President and Chair. He was the recipient of the College's Distinguished Service Award in 2010. He also served as President of the Atlanta Bar Association, President of the Southeastern Bankruptcy Law Institute, and as an Officer and Director of the American Bankruptcy Institute. He was a member of the American Law Institute, the National Bankruptcy Conference, the American Arbitration Association and the Advisory Committee on the Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure of the Judicial Conference of the United States. He taught at the Federal Judicial Center Workshop for Bankruptcy Judges and was both an Adjunct and Acting Professor at the Emory University School of Law. He was also a contributing editor and author of many bankruptcy publications, a member of various advisory boards, and a frequent lecturer on bankruptcy law. At Alston & Bird he served as Chair of the Partners Committee, Head of the Litigation Department, and Head of the Bankruptcy Practice Group, which he was instrumental in building. His court-appointed role as Examiner in ENRON was the capstone of a career that included numerous significant representations. In 2004 Neal retired from the partnership of Alston & Bird and became Special Counsel.

After his retirement, Neal moved to Snowmass Village, Colorado where he and his wife Jean Elizabeth Flanagan created a wonderful second chapter together serving their church and community and enjoying the beauty of the earth at home and abroad. They especially loved exploring the old mining roads and wilderness trails of Colorado by jeep and on foot. When high altitude hiking became too difficult, they enjoyed living and hiking in Switzerland for part of each summer. Faith was always at the center of their lives and Neal served twice as Senior Warden at Christ Episcopal Church, Aspen and was deeply involved in outreach programs including Feed My Sheep, Holiday Baskets, Meals on Wheels, the Aspen Homeless Shelter and Hospice. He believed that we are put on this earth to serve, and he embraced this second chapter with the same passion, dedication and energy he devoted to the first.

In 2020 Neal moved to San Juan Island, Washington, where he enjoyed a slower-paced final chapter of his life. His faith remained unwavering and he continued to care for others and to be awed by God's creation. He spent many happy hours hiking through the woods or along the coast and watching whales, porpoises, seals, bald eagles, black foxes, deer, and magnificent sunsets; but what brought him the most joy was simply being with his beloved wife, family and dogs.

Neal is survived by his wife Jean Elizabeth; their son Davis and his wife Karen; their son Hayes and his wife Alicia and their children, Amelia and Henry; his brother and sister-in-law Richard and Nancy Flanagan; his niece Bailey Flanagan, nephew Davis Flanagan, and nephew Allen Hobbs; and his cherished dogs Shubi and Liila. He was preceded in death by his sister Peggy Hobbs and his niece Ansley Hobbs.

The family will gather on San Juan Island for a Memorial Service celebrating Neal's life.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial gifts may be made to any organization that was close to Neal's heart,

or to

1. On Sacred Ground Land Trust, P.O. Box 1732 Friday Harbor, WA 98250 https://www.onsacredgroundlandtrust.org/donate.htm

2. Saint Anne's Episcopal Church, Atlanta, GA 30327https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z5B1/campaign/C-12FPT

3. Christ Episcopal Church Outreach Fund, 536 West North Street, Aspen, CO 81611https://www.christchurchaspen.org