Associate Justice
Thomas A. Woodall
2001 - Present
Appellate Courts
Supreme Court of Alabama
Justice Woodall
Thomas A. (Tom) Woodall was born in 1950 in Meridian, Mississippi. He graduated from Meridian Senior High School with highest honors and as a National Merit Semifinalist.
Justice Woodall graduated magna cum laude from Millsaps College in 1972 with a B.A. degree in history. At Millsaps, Justice Woodall was inducted into several honorary societies, including Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership) and Eta Sigma (scholarship). Also, he was recognized by Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.
Justice Woodall received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1975. While in law school, he was employed as an editor at the Michie Company, where he was involved in revising or updating legal publications.
In 1975, Justice Woodall became employed by the Birmingham firm of Rives and Peterson where he remained until 1991. While serving as that firm's managing partner, Justice Woodall was recognized by the Birmingham Business Journal as one of its "Top 40 Under 40." From 1991 to 1996, Justice Woodall practiced with the Birmingham firm of Woodall and Maddox, P.C. His practice focused on civil litigation in state and federal trial and appellate courts.
Justice Woodall has been very active in professional activities. He was elected to serve on the executive committee of the Birmingham Bar Association and chaired several of that association's committees. He served on the Alabama Pattern Jury Instruction-Civil Committee from his appointment by the Alabama Supreme Court in 1985 until his election to the Supreme Court. Justice Woodall has delivered many continuing legal education presentations focusing on appellate and trial practice.
In February 1996, Governor Fob James appointed Justice Woodall a Circuit Judge in Jefferson County. He was elected in 1998 without opposition. In 2000, Justice Woodall was elected Associate Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. And, in 2006 Justice Woodall was re-elected Associate Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court.
Since Justice Woodall took office, the Alabama Law Foundation has inducted him as a Fellow. Also, Justice Woodall has been inducted as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Justice Woodall and the former Debbie Bogan, a teacher, married in 1972. They have three children- Scott, Matthew and Claire. Justice Woodall has been involved in numerous community and church activities.