Gov. Robert Bentley Wednesday appointed Julie Sorrells Moody District Court Judge of the 22nd Judicial Circuit of Alabama, effective April 1 2014. She will complete the term of Judge Frank L. “Trippy” McGuire, III, who is retiring. The term expires in 2016.

“I am humbled, honored and extremely excited about this new opportunity,” Moody said. “I am honored that Gov. Bentley has entrusted this position to me. Also, I am very thankful for the support I have received during the appointment process.

“As district judge, Judge McGuire set a high standard, and I will strive every day to maintain that standard. I realize that this judgeship comes with great responsibility which I do not take lightly,” Moody said. “I look forward to serving the citizens of Covington County.”

Moody is an Opp resident and currently is a partner in Albrittons, Clifton and Moody, P.C. in Andalusia, where she has practiced law since 1995. She said she does not expect any significant changes in the way district court operates.

She has served as county attorney since 1996, and currently also represents the City of Opp, the Town of Red Level, the Covington County Sheriff’s Department, the Opp Housing Authority and the South Alabama Regional Airport Authority.

She was municipal judge for the City of Opp from 1996-2009.

Moody earned her undergraduate degree at Auburn and graduated from Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham in 1993. She was admitted to the Alabama State Bar that same year.

She participated in the Alabama State Bar’s Leadership Forum in 2006; served as Covington county Bar Association President in 1997-98; and served on the LBW College Foundation from 1998 until 2000, whcn she was president.

She is a member of both the Alabama Law Institute and the American Bar Association.

2006 Leadership Forum.

She and her husband, Rothel, have two children, Trey, 13, and Caroline, 10.