On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the City of Pell City welcomed Municipal Judge Phil Seay to the bench at City Hall.
Judge Seay was appointed to the position by the City Council during its regular meeting on January 13. He retired as Presiding Circuit Judge for St. Clair County on Jan. 20. Seay has served as a judge in St. Clair County for the past 20 years.
Pell City Municipal Judge Phil Seay
During his tenure, Judge Seay made a considerable impact on the St. Clair County Court System. Among many other accomplishments, he launched the county’s first Juvenile Drug Court, established a Community Corrections program, and created a dedicated domestic violence docket.
Seay serves on several community boards of directors in Pell City and St. Clair County, including Lakeside Hospice, St. Clair County Day Program, the St. Clair County Children’s Police Council, the Coosa Valley Youth Services Board, the St. Clair County Boys and Girls Club Advisory Board, and the Pell City DARE Board.
He previously served as president of the Pell City Kiwanis Club, the Pell City Chamber of Commerce, and the Logan Martin Red Elephant Club. Seay also served as chairman for the St. Clair County GOP, and a member of the Alabama GOP Executive Committee.
Judge Seay was selected as Trial Judge of the Year by the Alabama Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates in November 2024.
Seay replaces Judge James Hill, who was sworn in as St. Clair County Circuit Judge, also on Jan. 21. Hill served as Pell City Municipal Judge from October 2024 to January 2025.
Judge Hill was appointed to replace outgoing Judge Brandi Hufford, who was sworn in as St. Clair County District Judge on October 15, 2024.
Judge Hufford was appointed to the position of Pell City Municipal Judge following the retirement of Judge Van Davis in 2018.
Pell City Municipal Court convenes Tuesdays at City Hall at 2 p.m.
