A legal veteran with over 20 years of experience in the judicial system has been selected to serve as Madison County Circuit Judge in Alabama’s 23rd Judicial Circuit by Gov. Kay Ivey.
Birmingham native Ronald Smith first began his legal career in 2001 as an Assistant Madison County District Attorney, prosecuting a range of cases from misdemeanor and traffic violations to juvenile delinquency and felony cases.
In 2003, Smith transitioned into private legal practice, specializing in criminal defense, appellate and juvenile law, carrying him through three different law firms before establishing his own legal practice in 2013. In 2023, Governor Ivey appointed Smith to serve as District Judge for the 23rd Judicial Circuit in Madison County, where he rose to become Presiding Judge in 2025.
Ivey announced the news in a press release on Thursday, touting Smith's professional resume.
“Ron Smith is the right fit for the Madison County Circuit Court, bringing more than two decades of successful prosecutorial and general legal practice experience, capped by two years behind the bench as District Court Judge,” Ivey said. “The same high caliber of legal scholarship and judicial temperament that led me to appoint him as District Judge in 2023 make him the best choice to serve Madison County on the Circuit Court."
Smith thanked Ivey and expressed his gratitude for the appointment.
“It has been an honor and privilege to have served as Madison County District Judge and I am deeply honored and thankful for the opportunity and the trust placed in me by Governor Kay Ivey to serve Madison County as its newest circuit judge,” said Smith.
Smith’s appointment is effective immediately.
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