Alabama’s highest court welcomes a new face with a historic appointment. Governor Kay Ivey announced on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, that Judge Bill Lewis would join the Alabama Supreme Court. This move makes Lewis the first Black Republican to hold a seat on the state’s top court.
Lewis steps into the role following the resignation of Justice Jay Mitchell, who left to pursue future political opportunities. Until now, Alabama’s Supreme Court has not seen a Black Republican justice in its long history.
A Respected Legal Career and Trusted Leader
Judge Bill Lewis brings years of experience to this important role. Before this appointment, he served on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. Governor Ivey appointed him to that position in 2024, recognizing his commitment to fairness and public service.
Lewis also worked as the presiding circuit judge in the 19th Judicial Circuit, covering Elmore County. His career has earned him a strong reputation for integrity and justice, qualities Governor Ivey praised in her official statement.
“Judge Bill Lewis continues demonstrating justice and fairness under the law, as well as a willingness to serve the people of Alabama,” said Governor Ivey. “His decades of experience will serve the Supreme Court of Alabama well, and I am confident he is the best choice.”
The First of His Kind on Alabama’s Supreme Court
While Lewis is the fourth Black justice to serve on Alabama’s highest court, he is the first to represent the Republican Party. The three before him — Oscar Adams, Ralph Cook, and John England — were all Democrats.
Alabama’s Supreme Court has been made up entirely of white justices since 2001. Over the past decade, it has remained firmly Republican-controlled. Lewis’s appointment introduces a new chapter to the state’s legal leadership while reflecting gradual changes in representation.
State’s Judicial Elections and Longstanding Challenges
Alabama’s appellate judges, including Supreme Court justices, are selected through statewide partisan elections. The same system applies to other top state offices like the governor and attorney general. This method has often led to a lack of diversity in the courts.
In 2016, a group of Black voters filed a federal lawsuit challenging this system. They argued it resulted in all-white courts in a state where one in four residents is Black. However, the challenge was unsuccessful.
Despite this, Judge Lewis’s appointment signals a step forward in changing the court’s long-standing makeup. It also highlights the governor’s ability to shape the court’s future through key appointments.
Justice Jay Mitchell’s Departure and Political Ambitions
Justice Jay Mitchell, whose seat Lewis now fills, resigned from the court on Monday. In a letter to Governor Ivey, Mitchell shared his plans to become more involved in politics. He also expressed his support for former President Donald Trump’s political movement.
“President Trump is moving boldly to restore the United States Constitution — and we must ensure that his agenda takes root not only in Washington, but also in the states,” Mitchell wrote.
Mitchell gained national attention for an opinion he wrote on a wrongful death case involving frozen embryos. That decision temporarily halted many IVF services in Alabama due to legal risks for clinics.
What Comes Next for the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals
With Judge Lewis moving to the Supreme Court, Governor Ivey will now appoint his replacement on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. This appointment will further shape the state’s legal system in the months ahead.
As Judge Lewis settles into his new role, legal experts and citizens alike will watch how his leadership influences Alabama’s highest court. His presence marks both a professional achievement and a meaningful moment for representation in the state’s judiciary.
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