Robert Willson Jenkins Jr.

Today begins a three part series on the nominees to succeed Lauderdale Circuit Court Judge Mike Suttle.

Robert Willson Jenkins Jr. is a personal injury attorney practicing in downtown Florence. A partner in the firm of Jester & Jenkins P.C., Jenkins resides with his wife Bonnie in the Wildwood Park area of North Florence. Jenkins was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on December 31, 1962, and graduated with a bachelor's degree from Birmingham Southern College in 1985. In 1988, he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama.

Besides his law practice, Jenkins is an adjunct at the University of North Alabama where he works with the Paralegal Program. The local attorney is also an avid sailor, serving as the Commodore of the Muscle Shoals Sailing Club and Secretary of the Dixie Inland Yacht Racing Association.

Martindale ranks Jenkins with a visibility factor of 13 out of 113 practicing attorneys in the city of Florence, making him no stranger to high profile cases. In 1994, Jenkins represented local businessman Keith Varner in his divorce from wife and business partner Ann P. Varner (for those interested in this case, it can be easily Googled for more information). In 2007, Jenkins represented real estate developer Jimmy Neese in his effort to secure forgiveness for over $600,000.00 in loans from the city of Florence.

Willson Jenkins is one of three candidates to be chosen from an initial field of seven. Retired Judge Leslie Johnson has assured the public that the vetting process was both strenuous and bipartisan. Every citizen concerned with the future of the court system in Lauderdale County needs to familiarize themselves with these candidates and make their opinions known to Gov. Bob Riley as soon as possible.


Tomorrow: Gilbert Self