In 2023, Governor Kay Ivey signed Senate Bill 39 into law, adding 13 circuit and district judgeships to the circuits in greatest need in the state, as determined by the weighted case study load. DeKalb County was one of four new district judgeships added to the state in the 2024 election.
On January 17, a packed DeKalb County courtroom bore witness to a historic moment as Attorney Jeff McCurdy was officially sworn in as the Honorable Judge Jeff McCurdy for District 2. Colleagues, family, friends, and local dignitaries gathered to celebrate McCurdy’s ascension to the bench.
Probate Judge Ronnie Osborn presided over the investiture ceremony. Pastor Larry Haynes opened with an invocation. Osborn then introduced the officials and judges participating in the event and other local officials in the audience.
Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, a long-time friend and supporter of Judge McCurdy, spoke first to honor the new judge.
“I want to say what an honor it is to be here today, and I certainly appreciate Jeff and his friendship,” said Ledbetter. “We have been friends for a long time. I always feel like God puts you in the place He wants you to be, and Jeff, I think God has placed you here today.”
Next, Circuit Judge Andrew Harriston, who was a former political opponent of Judge McCurdy, spoke to honor and welcome the new judge to the bench. Harriston described the relationship he has had with McCurdy over the years, stating that the two had tried cases together and against each other as lawyers.
“No matter what side of a case or political race we were on, Jeff has always been a kind and decent gentleman,” said Harriston. “It doesn’t matter to Jeff who you are; what matters to him is he wants to help you if he can. I think he will do that for DeKalb County.”
District Judge Steven Whitmire then administered the Oath of Office to Judge McCurdy, who had his wife Christy at his side. After donning the traditional black judge’s robe, McCurdy gave an emotional and heartfelt address to all present.
McCurdy expressed his gratitude to everyone who had contributed to this significant moment in his life, starting with Speaker Ledbetter and Senator Livingston. He continued his remarks, thanking God, members of the bar who guided him, his family, office manager Denice Beard, and his wife. McCurdy then shared a glimpse of his journey to becoming a judge. He said he grew up on a farm with a loving family that instilled in him the values of hard work and integrity. McCurdy taught school for over 12 years before deciding he wanted to be a lawyer. He put himself through night school, passed the bar, and practiced law for the next 15 years.
Courtesy of Mountain Valley News
