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

Who Were the Other Four?

Retired judge Leslie Johnson has announced his selection committee's choice of three applicants to replace retiring Judge Ned Suttle. The three whose names will be forwarded to Gov. Bob Riley are James Hall II, Willson Jenkins, and Gilbert Self.

The missing pieces of the puzzle are the names of the four applicants that were cast aside. It had been rumored that Billy Jackson, a former Lauderdale District Attorney and a member of the Republican Party, had offered his name for consideration. While Johnson's remarks concerning the bi-partisan selection of the applicants sound noble on the surface, we must remember that party affiliation is hardly a secret here in the Shoals.

Hall is the only one of the three finalists to have judicial experience, something he was quick to point out in a TimesDaily interview. Should Hall be selected over the other two applicants, both known for their work in civil litigation, he will not be the first to use the Florence Municipal judgeship as a stepping stone to Lauderdale Circuit Court.

Obviously one must wonder why the names of the four also-rans are shrouded in secrecy. After all, it was a fair and unbiased decision, wasn't it?


What's up with this: For those who might not remember, Willson Jenkins was one of the attorneys who represented Jimmy Neese in his quest to avoid repayment of loans owed the City of Florence.

Billy Jackson

Much has already been written about the selection of Lauderdale Circuit Judge Mike Suttle‘s successor. While the ShoalsInsider reported six attorneys have applied in the initial selection process, another source has e-mailed us that in fact seven contacted selection committee head Leslie Johnson before the January 29th deadline. First reports on any news item are usually subject to change; therefore, the discrepancy is not surprising.

The ShoalsInsider has also published the names of five of the probable candidates, something the TimesDaily has so far not addressed. Whether the SI list is totally correct or not, one name stands out--that of Billy Jackson.

For a short time, Jackson was a Republican District Attorney for Lauderdale County and proved the office could be run efficiently and fairly. Let us hope that Mr. Jackson is indeed one of the applicants and will make the committee’s short list. The committee has previously stated that the application for the position did not inquire political affiliation. Certainly this is desirable; however, most of the members are long time associates of the local bar and know who belongs to which party. Whether that will make a difference in their vetting process remains to be seen.

No matter your political preference, don’t fail to make your wishes known to Gov. Bob Riley. We here in North Alabama are often treated as the proverbial step-child; we need to let Montgomery know we are here and we vote.


Reminder: There have been three fires in the Shoals area within the past 24 hours. Households with pets should remember to place decals in both front and back windows for the benefit of emergency personnel.

Sixty Days without a Judge

When George Wallace appointee Judge Mike Suttle retires on January 31, it may be as long as two months before his replacement is announced. Lauderdale County already has a backlog of cases, making a prompt decision not only desirable, but necessary.

Today is the deadline for applicants to file with the selection committee, headed by retired Judge Leslie Johnson. The committee will have until March 1 to send its recommendation of three names to Gov. Bob Riley. Riley will then have an additional 30 days to pick among the three finalists, making it a distinct possibility that Lauderdale County will be minus one Circuit Judge until March 31.

The TimesDaily has reported only one applicant as of a week ago, and Judge Suttle's staff offered no comment when we contacted his office for an update. This is the first instance of Lauderdale County utilizing such a strenuous vetting process, with thorough background checks for all applicants. Perhaps this has deterred some from applying despite the lucrative salary.

Once the commission releases the names of applicants for the position, all citizens of Lauderdale County should feel not only free, but obligated to contribute to this selection process. Perhaps one impediment to citizens' participation in county government is outdated information posted on Lauderdale websites: http://lauderdalecountyonline.com/Directory/index.html

If we do not hold our elected officials accountable, no one will. Take the time to make your opinions known.


What's up with this: Judging from the Lauderdale County website referenced above, the county webmaster has been on holiday for some time.