UA Law School Taps Longtime Judge Scott Donaldson To Lead Graduate, CLE Programs

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama School of Law has named former Alabama Appellate Judge Scott Donaldson as its new executive director for graduate law and continuing legal education programs.

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Judge Donaldson was also appointed to the role of assistant professor of law in residence.

"Scott Donaldson brings the perspective of an experienced lawyer and judge, as well as the instincts of a teacher who has trained judges and lawyers across the country," UA School of Law Dean Bill Brewbaker said. "He will help transform the ways we serve practicing attorneys and the opportunities we offer for graduate legal education. We are fortunate to have a recognized leader like Judge Donaldson in this role."

UA says Judge Donaldson joined the law school on June 1 and will oversee Alabama Law's continuing legal education (CLE) and graduate law programs.

The law school said he brings decades of legal experience to the role, including 18 years on the Alabama bench.

"The quality of education at Alabama Law is outstanding, and I am fortunate to be part of the great work being done here," Judge Donaldson said. "I look forward to working with the deans and faculty to support the mission of this institution."

Judge Donaldson served as a Tuscaloosa County Circuit Court judge from 2003 to 2013 before serving on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals from 2013 until 2021, where he authored more than 900 appellate opinions.

UA said hundreds of these opinions were published in the "Southern Reporter, Third Series" — a regional case law reporter published by Thomson Reuters that compiles published appellate decisions from state courts in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Before becoming ascending to the bench, Judge Donaldson spent 18 years in trial and appellate practice, participating in approximately 180 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials.

He also served as general counsel for DCH Health System and most recently worked as a mediator and arbitrator.

During his judicial career, Judge Donaldson served as chief judge of the Court of the Judiciary and held leadership roles with the Alabama State Bar Commission and the State Bar Disciplinary Commission.

He also served on several statewide legal committees, including the Evidence Committee, the Civil and Criminal Pattern Jury Instructions Committees and the Appellate Rules Committee.

UA touted Judge Donaldson's longstanding ties to Alabama Law, where he taught Trial Advocacy from 2006 to 2022.

What's more, he has led more than 40 evidence courses for the National Judicial College and authored the "Alabama Trial Notebook," published through the school's CLE program.

He is also a fellow of the Alabama Law Foundation.

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