FROM STAFF REPORTS

Judge Julie A. Palmer has announced her bid for the open Circuit Court Judge seat, Place 2, due to Judge Hewitt L. “Sonny” Conwill’s retirement.

“With much encouragement from many members of the Shelby County Bar, I have decided to run for this open seat,” Palmer said.

Currently, Judge Conwill hears 25 percent of the domestic relations cases and 50 percent of the civil cases filed in Shelby County.

Palmer was awarded “Judge of the Year” in 2015 by the Family Law Section of the Alabama State Bar. She was presiding judge over the domestic relations courts of Jefferson County/Birmingham Division. She has many years of experience on both sides of the bench.

Opening her practice in February 1994 in Shelby County, she tried many custody cases and jury trials. Along with two other local attorneys under the leadership of then Judge Hub Herrington, she was instrumental in starting the court ordered mediation in domestic relation cases.

Until she took the bench in 2011, she directed this program for four years. Palmer is a requested speaker for continuing legal education classes, especially on the subject of Child Support as she is the chair of the advisory committee to the Alabama Supreme Court on Child Support.

She resides in the Riverchase community and attends Prince of Peace Catholic Church.

To learn more about Palmer, go to her Facebook page “Elect Judge Julie Palmer/Shelby Co.