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Jason D. Woodard, 37, will become the region's new bankruptcy judge Jan. 16.
Woodard replaces David Houston III of Aberdeen, the court’s only judge since its formation in the 1980s.
Houston is retiring and Woodard was in attendance recently when Houston unveiled his official portrait at the expansive Aberdeen
c o u r t-house he worked hard to build.
Woodard’s selection was first reported by the Daily Journal several months ago, although it didn’t become publicly official until this week.
When he takes the bench, he will be one of the youngest bankruptcy judges in the country.
“Jason is an extraordinarily accomplished lawyer who has been an invaluable member of our firm,” said Gary London, managing partner of Burr & Forman’s Birmingham office, where Woodard has worked the past 12 years.
“His success as an attorney and his commitment to justice make him well qualified for this appointment. We are thrilled for
him and wish him the best in his new role.”
U.S. bankruptcy judges are appointed by the majority of judges of the U.S. court of appeals to exercise jurisdiction over bankruptcy matters. Congress determines the number of bankruptcy judges, who are appointed for 14-year terms.
After Houston’s portrait ceremony, Woodard said he and his family will live in Columbus.
Woodard received his undergraduate and law degrees from The University of Alabama.
He also served as a law clerk to Tamara O. Mitchell, chief bankruptcy
judge for the Northern District of Alabama from August 2000-August 2001.
Woodard’s legal practice has focused on financial and bankruptcy
matters. He is a past chairman of the Birmingham
Bar’s Bankruptcy & Commercial Law Section and formerly sat on the board of directors for the Birmingham Bar Foundation
and the executive committee for the Birmingham Bar Association.
patsy.brumfield@journalinc.com