With pride from his peers Honorable Bill Lewis of Wetumpka sworn into Alabama Court of Civil Appeals

Malia Riggs

Elmore Autauga News

Honorable Judge Bill Lewis was honored Thursday morning at the Heflin-Torbert Judicial Building in Montgomery for his investiture and oath of office as a Judge of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.

Judge Lewis will fill the vacancy left by long-time Judge William C. “Bill” Thompson, who retired in February of this year. Thompson served on the Court of Civil Appeals for 27 years, including as its Presiding Judge for the last 17 years.

On February 28, 2024 Governor Kay Ivey appointed Judge Lewis to serve on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.

“Being appointed by Governor Ivy is a tremendous honor. She is not afraid to work, and she is not afraid to serve her people. I thank you all for allowing me to serve as well,” Lewis said.

Judge Lewis has served as Circuit Court Judge for the 19th Judicial Circuit in Elmore County since 2016 and was serving as the Circuit’s Presiding Judge. Prior to becoming circuit judge, Lewis was the senior partner of the Lewis Law Firm, a firm he started in 2006.

Judge Lewis stated he was humbled, and thanked everybody for their time for coming and was overwhelmed by the turnout. He also went on to thank his family for their unwavering support and love in all that he does, stating when they hurt, he also hurts with them.

“To my 19th circuit family, I may work in Montgomery, but the 19th circuit is still home. You all are family and I still work for you, but just add 64 more counties,” Lewis said.

Judge Lewis served as Assistant District Attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit before going into private practice, making Lewis one of the few Judges in Alabama that has served as a prosecutor, defense attorney in criminal cases and practiced civil as well as family law.

Judge Lewis received his undergraduate degrees in political science and economics from the University of the South and his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law. Currently he serves on the Board of Trustees at the University of South Alabama.

He has also served as the Board of Directors of the Alabama Circuit Judges Association, the President of the Elmore County Bar Association, is a member of the Federal Criminal Justice Act Panel, serves on the Boards of Directors of the River Region United Way, the Elmore County Community Foundation, the Wetumpka Chamber of Commerce, and is a graduate of Leadership Elmore County.

Wetumpka High School Color Guard did the presentation of colors, Judge Lewis’s son, Billy Lewis presented the Pledge of Allegiance and Judge Lewis’s sister and Elmore County Commissioner, Desirae Lewis Jackson sang the national anthem.

Steve Marshall, Attorney General of Alabama, John B. Bush, retired Circuit Judge of the 19th Judicial Circuit and Fred Gray of Gray Langford Sapp McGowan Gray & Nathanson Attorneys and Counselors all gave remarks. Gray is most known for being a civil rights attorney representing Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the victims of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study. Gray is 93-years-old and still practicing law.

Many other state representatives, senators, elected officials and members of the public were present in the Alabama Supreme Court chambers to congratulate and celebrate the Honorable Judge Lewis.