Self fills vacancy on court

FLORENCE - Gil Self is spending a lot of time on the telephone lately, answering calls from well-wishers congratulating him on his appointment as circuit court judge.

Gov. Bob Riley appointed Self, an attorney in Florence since 1988, to fill the unexpired term of Lauderdale County Circuit Court Judge Mike Suttle, who retired.

Self, 46, who learned late Monday that he was Riley's choice to replace Suttle, said his phone rang almost nonstop Tuesday.

Self was one of three nominees the Lauderdale Judicial Commission recommended to Riley in February. The committee selected the nominees from seven local attorneys who applied for the vacant judgeship.

"I was humbled to have been one of the three names forwarded to the governor by our Lauderdale County judicial commission," Self said Tuesday. "Now that Gov. Riley has appointed me to fill the void left by the retirement of an icon like Mike Suttle, it is a little overwhelming."

Suttle retired Jan. 31 after more than 24 years as a circuit court judge. He is now an attorney in Florence. Suttle delayed his retirement until the judicial commission, which was approved by voters in the November general election, was in place to make recommendations for his replacement.

Todd Stacey, press secretary for Riley, said the governor appreciates assistance from local groups, such as the Lauderdale Judicial Commission, when filling the unexpired terms of elected officials.

Stacey said Riley takes all political appointments seriously. "It's a very deliberate process. He wants to make sure he is selecting the best person for the job."

Self, who identifies himself as a Democrat, said Riley did not ask which political party he supports.

Retired Lauderdale Circuit Judge Leslie Johnson, who is chairman of the local judicial commission, said a goal of the committee was to make the selection process for judges to fill unexpired terms less political.

Self is a Lauderdale County native and graduate of Coffee High School - where he was a star football player - Auburn University and Cumberland School of Law. His father, Hal Self, a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, was a football coach and instructor at the University of North Alabama. His mother, Shirley Self, is a retired teacher.

"Lauderdale County is home for me and my family. I only want the best for it," Self said.

Presiding Lauderdale Circuit Judge Mike Jones plans to meet with Self today to discuss how cases will be assigned.

In recent years, Jones has handled primarily criminal cases, with Suttle hearing mostly civil cases and Circuit Judge Jimmy Sandlin specializing in family court matters.

Jones plans for Self and him to share the caseload for both criminal and civil trials, with Sandlin continuing to hear divorce, child custody and similar cases.

Dennis Sherer can be reached at 740-5746 or dennis.sherer@TimesDaily.com.