Representing Alabama

After practicing law for 18 years, Chad Hanson is looking forward to opening a new chapter in his legal career.

In June, the Trussville resident won the Republican nomination as a judge on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, Place 2. He received 53 percent of the statewide votes to the incumbent’s 48 percent. He also carried 63 of the state’s 67 counties. Unopposed in November’s general election, Hanson will serve a six-year term after being sworn in office Jan. 11, 2019 in Montgomery.

“I’ve been practicing for 18 years and wanted to serve my community but in Jefferson County isn’t conducive to Republican office holders, as there is only one Republican judge in Jefferson County. I thought I had a better chance for a state-wide race,” he said. 

Hanson’s parents were educators and his father also served as superintendent, and he said he learned the value of hard work from a young age. 

After graduating from the University of Alabama and then earning his law degree from the Mississippi School of Law in 1997, Hanson worked in the litigation department at an insurance company for two years before deciding to branch out on his own.

He is a founding partner of Seal Hanson Law Firm, where he practices primarily bankruptcy law at his office in downtown Birmingham. The firm, which also has an office in Anniston, works with personal injury cases, consumer protection, DUI and divorce cases, as well as bankruptcy.

Although he will be spending a majority of his time in Montgomery, Hanson said he plans to commute and for his family to stay in Trussville, which has been their home 16 years. He and his wife Joy have been married for 18 years, and their daughters Reagan and Riley attend Trussville City Schools. 

“We really love Trussville,” he said. “It’s got everything you need in a small town.”

On the Court of Civil Appeals, Hanson will get randomly assigned cases each week, along with the other four judges. They will include civil matters under $50,000, divorce appeals and juvenile cases. 

“Basically, any cases the Supreme Court doesn’t want will get sent to us,” he said. “The other judges and I will vote and rule on the cases.”

He hopes to “lead the state back to the conservative principles on which it was founded.” His plans include fighting judicial activism, adhering strictly to the Constitution and fighting agenda-driven litigation. His goal is to treat those who come before the court with honesty, integrity and respect. 

“I not only want to hold office, but to represent the people of Alabama,” he said. “They’ve always been good to me, and I hope I can serve them well in this capacity.”