Kay Ivey appoints Lyn Stuart as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court

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Lyn Stuart
Lyn Stuart swearing-in. [Photo courtesy of office of Gov. Kay Ivey]

Following the resignation of suspended Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court Roy Moore, Governor Kay Ivey appointed Acting Chief Justice Lyn Stuart to permanently lead the state’s highest court. Stuart is the first female Republican Chief Justice in the history of the State of Alabama. 

“To ensure a continuity of leadership and a smooth transition that keeps the ship of state steady, I have appointed Justice Lyn Stuart as Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court,” Ivey said. “Chief Justice Stuart has served with honor and integrity on the high court for more than 16 years. I look forward to working with her as she now leads the judicial branch of state government.”

A native of Atmore, Ala. Stuart received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Auburn University with high honor in 1977 and her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Alabama in 1980. Her legal career includes stints as an Assistant State Attorney General, Special Assistant Attorney General for the State Department of Corrections, and as an Assistant District Attorney for Baldwin County.

Stuart was elected a District Judge in 1988 and again in 1994. In 1997 she was appointed a Circuit Court Judge and was elected to the position in 1998. Since then, she’s been elected to the state Supreme Court three times — in 2000, 2006 and 2012.

 Moore resigned from the bench on Wednesday upon announcing that he was going to run for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Jeff Sessions when he became U.S. Attorney General.

“I also thank Roy Moore for his years of public service to the people of Alabama and wish him the best in the next step of his journey,” Ivey concluded.

Stuart’s appointment is effective immediately.