FROM STAFF REPORTS

Patrick Kennedy has announced he will run for an open position on the 18th Judicial Circuit, serving Shelby County, in next year’s elections.

“After much prayer, consideration and encouragement, (my wife) Julie and I have decided to run for Circuit Court Judge in the 2018 election cycle. We’ve been amazed at the number of supporters, friends and colleagues who have reached out to us and urged us to make another run,” Kennedy wrote in a statement.

Kennedy lost a close runoff to current Circuit Court Judge Lara Alvis in 2016. He was one of the three finalists selected by the Shelby County Judicial Commission to replace Judge Hub Harrington in 2015.

He has extensive experience in all sides of the law. Patrick opened his own law practice in 2001, a general practice with an emphasis on juvenile law, criminal law, family law and civil law. He has been under contract with Administrative Office of Courts since 2004 to handle juvenile law matter both delinquent and dependency and has worked in several municipal courts in Shelby County to include filling in as a prosecutor on occasion.

Since 2009, Patrick has assisted as guardian ad litem in domestic relations Circuit Court with the “born out of wedlock” “custody in controversy” dockets.

Patrick served in the Army National Guard for eight years as an airborne trained infantry soldier.

He is and has been a Boy Scouts of America volunteer den leader, committee member and assistant scoutmaster for more than 10 years. Kennedy was hired as a baseball coach at Kingwood Christian School from 2010 to 2011. He is also a state baseball commissioner for Alabama Department of the American Legion. He has also been a volunteer and guest speaker on several topics such as career day, substance abuse, juvenile criminal system and leadership.

Patrick and wife, Julie, live in Alabaster with their three children: Patrick, 17, Wilson, 13, and Lauren, 8. They are active with the Branch at Mission Hills Church.

The primary election will be on June 5, 2018, the primary runoff, if necessary, will be on July 17 and the general election will be on Nov. 6.