The promotion of judges set in motion by the appointment of Judge Bill Lewis to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals is over. Friday, Ben Baxley was sworn in as Elmore County District Judge replacing Judge Patrick Pinkston who is now in Lewis’ position. All three positions were filled by Gov. Kay Ivey’s appointments. Baxley was on the job a few weeks before Friday’s investiture but he has already noticed something — judges work a lot.
Baxley was at the Elmore County Judicial Complex working late as he was trying to get accustomed to everything.
PHOTOS: Baxley Investiture Ceremony
“I thought it was time to go home,” Baxley said. “I walked out the door and thought my predecessor Judge Patrick Pinkston had already gone home. I walk out in the parking lot and his truck is still here. I immediately sent him a text and said it is time to go home.”
Pinkston has helped the newly minted judge learn the many things a new district court judge must do. But Baxley noticed one part of the job reminded him of a television show.
“There is a thing called a motions queue,” Baxley said. “In Star Trek there are these creatures called Tribbles. They have an amazing ability to breed and multiply. Every motion you rule on, just breeds more motions. They can go on forever.”
Baxley was a 1990 graduate of the University of Alabama Law School along with Alabama attorney general Steve Marshall and Elmore County district court judge Glen Goggans. Baxley’s fellow district court judge gave him some advice especially knowing there are circuit and appeals courts above them.
“I remember hearing district judges say if they don’t like it, they can just appeal,” Goggans said. “Most people don’t appeal. It is very important to remember we are all human beings. We need to all be polite and courteous. We have to call it fairly and accurately.”
Baxley has served as a prosecutor in multiple districts in Alabama, in the U.S. Attorney's Office and under Marshall in the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, most recently over the opinion’s division. Marshall said Baxley is well suited for the job he has recently taken in Elmore County calling him highly intelligent, a gifted communicator and a hard worker.
“The man we honor has the disposition and makeup to treat litigants and lawyers in the same manner,” Marshall said. “He will be respected and trusted by all.”
Marshall said even attorneys who didn’t win a ruling from Baxley will still respect him.
“When they go home they will have to admit he got it right,” Marshall said.
