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League of Women Voters of Greater Birmingham Decision 2018: An Election Year Discussion

Leonette W. Slay, President Ida Tyree Hyche, Esq., Forum Coordinator

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CANDIDATES’ BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Teresa T. Pulliam For Circuit Court Place 16

Judge Teresa T. Pulliam is a Circuit Court Judge in the Criminal Division of the 10th Judicial Circuit for the State of . She grew up in Huntsville, and is a 1980 magna cum laude graduate of Birmingham Southern College. She graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1983 and began her legal career as a prosecutor in the Mobile District Attorney’s Office, moving to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office in 1986. Before appointment to the Circuit Court bench in 2005 by Governor Riley, she had her own private law practice for 14 years. She was elected in 2006 and was re- elected to the bench in 2012, unopposed.

Judge Pulliam has been an instructor for the National Judicial College in the area of capital murder litigation, and is regularly called on to teach new judges in the state in this area of the law. She serves as President-Elect of the Alabama Circuit Judges Association and President of the Birmingham Bar Foundation. Judge Pulliam currently serves as one of two circuit judges statewide, appointed by the Chief Justice, working on the State’s Prison Reform Task Force. Judge Pulliam has been actively working towards prison and sentencing reform in the State of Alabama since 2008. She presently serves as a member of the Executive Council of both the state and federal work groups charged with re-entry and sentencing reform. Judge Pulliam serves by appointment of the Circuit Judges Association on the Sentencing Standards Committee and is Chairman of the Alabama Supreme Court Pattern Criminal Jury Instruction Committee.

Judge Pulliam is an active member of the Alabama and Birmingham Bar Associations, serving on the Executive Board of the Women’s Section, and longtime member of the Future Leaders Forum Committee. She has been honored as a Fellow of the Bar and is a recipient of the Drayton James Award awarded by the Young Lawyers Section. She is a recipient of the NAACP’s Justice Award. Judge Pulliam is a member of the board of trustees of Children Village. She is past president of the National Alumni Association for Birmingham Southern College, a current member of the Board of Trustees of Living River, A Retreat on the Cahaba and an Elder at Independent Presbyterian Church. She is a graduate of Leadership Birmingham. Judge Pulliam is a member of the Rotary Club of Birmingham and Sustainer of the Junior League of Birmingham. She has been married for 32 years to Max Pulliam, a practicing attorney in Birmingham. She and Max are proud parents of 19 year old, Alice Jordan Pulliam, who is currently a sophomore at her parents’ alma mater.

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Linda Hall For Circuit Court Place 16

Education: , juris doctorate, 1992; University of Alabama at Birmingham, Bachelor’s of Science, 1983.

Professional experience: Private law practice, 1997- present; legal counselor for Committee to Protect the Homes; volunteer, Birmingham Bar Association, Civil and Domestic Relations.

Civic experience: Board member, Epilepsy Foundation; volunteer, Birmingham Museum of Art; former member, Homewood Rotary Club and Vulcan Kiwanis.

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Marshell Jackson Hatcher For Circuit Court Place 8

Marshell Jackson Hatcher is a candidate for Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge, Place 8 and is a solo practitioner, practicing law in the Birmingham, Alabama area since 1997. Her practice includes civil litigation, focusing on contractual disputes, housing matters, domestic relations and personal injuries. She has worked alongside the to assist in the enactment of new legislation. She also serves as Adjunct Professor at Miles College Law School.

Marshell is the former Associate Counsel for the Housing Authority of the Birmingham District, having served the agency for 15 years and a former Jefferson County Deputy Sheriff. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, with a concentration in Forensic Science from Jacksonville State University in 1988 and a Juris Doctorate degree from the Birmingham School of Law in 1996.

Marshell enjoys traveling with her husband, McKinley, and volunteering with countless organizations in advancing the quality of life for citizens and making resources accessible.

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Tracey Crisan McDonald For Circuit Court Place 8

Tracey Crisan McDonald, as a 40+ year resident of Jefferson County, is seeking your support and vote for Jefferson County Civil Circuit Court Judge, Place 8. Tracey brings a lifetime of service to this endeavor. Tracey received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama – Birmingham School of Nursing and immediately put her knowledge and training to work on behalf of those most vulnerable – our children. Serving as a Pediatric ICU nurse at Children’s Hospital of Alabama and in the Neonatal ICU at St Vincent’s Hospital. Tracey embarked on a different journey of service when she entered the legal profession following graduation from at Samford University. As an attorney, Tracey has exclusively handled the same type of litigation matters that she will preside over as your Civil Circuit Court Judge. During her career, Tracey has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in civil litigation. Through her handling of those cases, Tracey has gained the respect of the legal community through her strict ethics, her professionalism, her dedicated advocacy on behalf of clients and her unwavering adherence to the Golden Rule in all of her dealings – treat others as you would like to be treated. Tracey possesses the experience, wisdom and judicial temperament the citizens of Jefferson County both desire and deserve. Tracey is a member of Church of the Highlands where she has served in children’s ministry, has led small groups and currently serves faithfully in the prayer ministry. *******

Alaric May

For Circuit Court Criminal Place 27

Alaric May received his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama, and law degree from The University of Florida.

Licensed to practice in Georgia (1995) and Alabama (1996), the majority of Alaric’s 23 years of practice has focused in the area of criminal law, handling thousands of criminal cases. Additionally, the last 18 years, Alaric has been appointed either full or part time to serve as a Special

Circuit, District, and Municipal Court Judge.

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A member of First Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, Alaric has served his church in various capacities, as well as mentoring youth throughout the city and state. As a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, his dedication to service to the community is unwavering.

Professional Experience Sworn in as Full Time Interim Judge for City May Law Firm (2008 - Present) of Birmingham (Jan 2002 - March 2002) May & Green, LLC (2000 - 2008) Appointed Judge Pro Tem for the City of Law Offices of Edward E. May (1996-2000) Adamsville (2006-2008) Law Offices of Alaric May (1995-1996) Appointed Judge Pro Tem for the City of Homewood (2006-2008) Education University of Alabama -- (Bachelor of Arts - Bar Memberships 1992) Member of Alabama Democratic Executive University of Florida, College of Law (Juris Committee (2006 - 2010) Doctorate -- 1995) Member of Georgia Bar Association (1995 - Present) Civic Experiences Member Alabama Bar Association (1996 - Appointed Special Circuit Court Judge Present) (2004-Present) Member of the National Bar Association Appointed Special District Court Judge (1996 - Present) (2006-Present) Member of Birmingham Bar Association Appointed Judge Pro Tem for City of (1996 - Present) Birmingham (2000-2008) ******************* Leslie Schiffman Moore

For Circuit Court Criminal Place 27

Leslie Moore is a lifelong Jefferson County resident with strong family connections throughout the county. Hardworking all of her life, she paid her own way through college and law school with the help of scholarships. Leslie has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from UAB and her law degree from the University of Alabama. Leslie has practiced for 18 years and has handled all types of cases that will be tried in this court, from the prosecution side and from the defense.

In the Bessemer DA’s office Leslie worked her way up to Chief Assistant District Attorney and tried more cases in one year than any other attorney in the history of the Bessemer DA’s office. Because of her expertise in cases where women and children were victims Leslie was called on by the Attorney General to prosecute cases all over the State.

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William Davis Lawley, Jr. For District Court, Place 3 (Family Court)

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS:

30 years of law and civil service in Alabama, the District of Columbia, and the Federal Courts of Appeal. Endorsed numerous times by the Jefferson County Police Chiefs Association. Co-Founder of the Jefferson County Association of Family Court Attorneys. Appointed numerous times to sit as judge in Family Court and the Criminal Division. Listed in the Birmingham Bar Poll as most qualified.

PROVEN ABILITIES AND RESULTS:

2017-Currently Board of Advisors; Skejit Corp. (Idaho); Grid 20/20 (Toronto & Virginia) Operations and business consultant related to business and military software and solutions.

2010-2014 Assistant Attorney General, Child Welfare Division. Trial attorney in various counties out of the Birmingham Office. Specialized in child abuse and neglect cases in Family Courts. Also, headed the administrative hearings for Central Alabama.

2007-2009 Presiding Judge of the Jefferson County Drug Court (special circuit court specializing in resolving all drug and related criminal matters for the 10th Circuit of Alabama). Chosen from over 30 applicants, by the bi-partisan Jefferson County Judicial Commission, and approved by Governor, to head this very important court. Took the largest docket in the state, and in 18 months, brought it down to the lowest active docket among any district judge in that division while also improving recidivism rates and the working relationships between attorneys and prosecutors.

1994-2007 Private Practice in the areas of criminal, juvenile dependency, business litigation, probate, and personal injury. Also, experienced in worker’s comp, multi-district litigation, and business development. Success in all areas practiced. Lead appellant counsel and trial attorney for the Talladega Federal Prison Riot cases including oral arguments before the Federal Court of Appeals (11th Cir.). Regional Counsel in MDL 926 (Dow Breast Implant litigation) for a 4 state area. Licensed real estate agent and state certified mediator. Served as special circuit and district judge since 1998. • National Judicial College (General PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: Jurisdiction, 2007) • Member, National Association of Drug • Hampden-Sydney College, Bachelor Court Professionals of Arts (1984); Macro Economics; • Member, Alabama, Birmingham, and Minor in Psychology

District of Columbia Bar Associations ACTIVITIES: • Elected to Honor Council, • Coach/ Founder of Hayes and Ramsey Washington University School of Law High School Lacrosse (U.S. Lacrosse Inner-City Project) EDUCATION: • Adjunct Professor; Birmingham • Washington University School of School of Law Law, Juris Doctorate (1989); Member of the Honor Council 7

• Senior Staff Counselor for Alabama • Member of Mountain Brook Baptist Boys State (10 years) Church • Chairman of Davis Lawley College • UAB Men’s Lacrosse (Interim Scholarship for Children of Police Coach, 2018); Vestavia High School and Firefighters (Offensive Coach, 2016)

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Pamela Wilson Cousins For District Court Place 3 (Family Court)

Pamela Wilson Cousins is the CEO and managing attorney of the law firm of Pamela Wilson Cousins, P.C. With over 26 years of experience practicing law, Pamela has served as an outstanding litigator, mediator and compassionate family lawyer. Attorney Cousins started her legal journey many years ago and built her litigation skills by working with top notched criminal, family and corporate lawyers. Pamela developed an appreciation for seeing both sides of the law. These skills have enabled Pamela to handle an array of complex litigation cases.

Pamela is an advocate for children, families and diversity. Pamela has appeared as a featured guest on the television program, “Law Call” with a focus on Family Law issues. She has also served as a member of the Birmingham Bar Diversity Committee. Pamela is currently a candidate for District Judge, Place 3 in Jefferson County Family Court. The Judicial Commission of the Birmingham Bar Association recommended Pamela’s name to the Governor of Alabama as a possible replacement for the unexpired term of previous Family Court Judge. You may often find Pamela engaged in various community service projects such as mentoring a group of elementary & middle school children, working with high school students by teaching them alternative ways of handling disputes, working with Habitat for Humanity or participating in free legal clinics.

Pamela earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Tennessee State University, a Master’s Degree in Personnel Administration from Alabama A&M University and a Juris Doctor in Law from the Birmingham School of Law. She is also a registered mediator on the Alabama State Court Mediators Roster, a member of the Alabama State Bar, the Birmingham Bar Association, the Magic City Bar Association, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the U.S. Northern District Court of Alabama, the U.S. Middle and the Southern District Courts of Alabama. Pamela is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and Living Stones Temple Church.

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Thomas E. Thrash For District Court Place 11 Criminal Court Bessemer Division

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Thrash Law Firm (Solo Practitioner) 2006-Present Areas of Practice: Criminal Defense; Personal Injury; Family Law; Landlord/Tenant Law. Seventy Five (75%) of my case load is Criminal Defense Work. I have handle cases ranging from Theft, Drug Possession, Trafficking to Rape, Robbery, Assault, Murder and Capital Murder (Second Chair). I have practiced in courtrooms throughout the State of Alabama and before numerous judges throughout the State of Alabama.

City of Birmingham Police Department 1995-2018 (Retired Police Sergeant) Narcotics Detective/Undercover Operations; Crimes Scene Investigation; E-911 and Dispatcher Supervisor; Patrol Supervisor

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy 1993-1995 Corrections Division Supervision Pre-trial Inmates (County Jail)

Hueytown Fire firefighter/Medic 1990-1993 Fire Prevention Safety; Emergency Medical Technician Level II

United States Army Reserve 1988-1994

EDUCATION: Associate Degree (Criminal Justice) Lawson State Community College Bachelor’s Degree (Criminal Justice) University of Alabama at Birmingham Juris Doctorate Miles School of Law

CIVIC EXPERIENCE: Volunteer, Red Cross (Board Member, Bessemer Office, 2013-2016) Member, Criminal Defense Lawyers Association Treasurer, Alumni Association 2015 Leadership Cup Award Winner (Birmingham Police Department) Deacon & Member, 21st Street Baptist Church Sponsor of Bikes for Bessemer (2013-present) Sponsor of God’s Good Girls (2016-present)

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Jill Ganus For District Court Place 11 Criminal Court Bessemer Division

Judge Jill Ganus is a district judge for the criminal court of the Bessemer Division of Jefferson County. She was appointed to the Family Court in January 2006 and was subsequently elected in November 2006.

Jill Ganus earned her J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1991 and earned a B.A. in Political Science, with a minor in English, from the University of Alabama in 1988.

Judge Ganus was an assistant district attorney in the Bessemer Division of Jefferson County prior to her appointment and election to the bench.

************************** Phillip Brown For Circuit Clerk, Jefferson County

Phillip Brown, born in Detroit Michigan, and raised in Elba, Alabama, is the tenth of twelve children of the late Hayward and Jean Brown. He is married to the former Diane Jones of Birmingham, Alabama. They currently reside in the Birmingham Jefferson County area. They have six adult daughters and often enjoy the company of their six grandchildren. Phillip is a graduate of Elba high school and holds a BA from Faulkner University. Phillip is lifelong Republican and became actively involved in the Alabama Republican Party in 2011. He has served as Chairman of the Alabama Minority GOP’s Birmingham chapter and was elected in 2012 as the State Chairman of the ALMGOP and is now serving his third, two-year term of office. In December of 2012 Phillip was appointed by Governor Bentley to serve as a commissioner for the Alabama Crime Victim’s Compensation Commission and was reappointed by Governor Kay Ivey in 2017. He has recently received an appointment by Governor Kay Ivey in September of 2017 to the Alabama Board of Registered Interior Design. Phillip Brown has served the Jefferson County community as a Technical Education Teacher for the last 16 years. 10

Jackie Anderson-Smith

For Circuit Clerk Jefferson County

Jackie Anderson-Smith has been serving the people of Jefferson County for decades. Her heart for public service and history of getting the job done right are unmatched.

Since 1986, Jackie has served students, parents, educators, and the community on the Jefferson County Board of Education. Before the role of Deputy Registrar was vested in the Circuit Clerk’s office, Jackie held the position and helped to register well over 10,000 new voters. She has served as Secretary of the Jefferson County Citizen’s Coalition and is a graduate of Leadership Birmingham.

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VOTE411

VOTE411.org is a "one-stop-shop" for election related information. This innovative voter resource provides nonpartisan information to the public with both general and state-specific information. Register to vote, find candidate information, and much more atVOTE411.org

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