HB673 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Jim HillRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Justices and judges, qualifications revised to increase requirement for licensure as an attorney, Secs. 12-2-1, 12-11-1, 12-12-1 am'd.

Summary

HB673 would raise the minimum attorney-licensure requirements for Alabama’s judges before they may take office, with different year thresholds for Supreme Court justices, circuit court judges, and district court judges, taking effect in 2016.

What This Bill Does

The bill increases the minimum total years of licensure an applicant must have before taking a judicial office. For Supreme Court justices, the required licensure would be a combined total of 10-15 years or more (from the Alabama Bar or any other state bar). For circuit court judges, the requirement would be a combined total of 5-12 years or more. For district court judges, the requirement would be a combined total of 3-6 years or more. These requirements apply to people elected or appointed after January 1, 2010 and must be met prior to beginning the term of office or a vacant term. The act becomes effective January 1, 2016.

Who It Affects

• Prospective Supreme Court justices, circuit court judges, and district court judges who are elected or appointed after January 1, 2010; they must meet the new licensure-year thresholds before taking office.
• The Alabama State Bar Association (and other state bar associations) as the licensing bodies; they must verify and certify that candidates meet the new combined licensure-year requirements before they assume office.

Key Provisions

• Amends sections 12-2-1, 12-11-1, and 12-12-1 to increase minimum attorney-licensure requirements for justices and judges.
• Supreme Court: new rule requires a combined total of 10-15 years or more of licensure (Alabama Bar or other state bars) prior to starting a term, for those elected or appointed after January 1, 2010.
• Circuit Court: new rule requires a combined total of 5-12 years or more of licensure prior to starting a term, for those elected or appointed after January 1, 2010.
• District Court: new rule requires a combined total of 3-6 years or more of licensure prior to starting a term, for those elected or appointed after January 1, 2010.
• Effective date: the act becomes effective January 1, 2016.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Judges