Coale named district judge

Brewton attorney Eric Coale will take office Jan. 15 as Escambia County's new district judge following his appointment my Gov. Kay Ivey, who notified Coale Dec. 19 via an email.

Coale, 50, will fill the vacancy created when current District Judge Jeff White was elected without opposition to the circuit court slot being vacated by Judge Bert Rice, who did not seek re-election. White will also take office on Jan. 15 as the county's new circuit judge.

Coale has already announced he will seek the Republican nomination in 2020 for a full six-year term as the district judge.

"I'm excited," Coale said. "It's an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Escambia County."

A native of Brewton, Coale is a 1986 graduate of T.R. Miller High School and received his bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Alabama. He worked for three years at Union Bank in Evergreen before going to Jones School of Law in Montgomery where he received his law degree in 1997.

Prior to his graduation from law school, Coale joined the Brewton law firm of Otts, Moore and Jordan and is currently a part of the firm now known as Otts, Moore, Coale, Godwin, Stearns and Darby.

Coale has also served as an assistant district attorney since 2003 and served 18 years as the Department of Human Resource's attorney prosecuting cases for DHR.

He said one of the main reasons he applied for the open judgeship was the ability to help young people, noting his experience with DHR has given him the experience to understand the juvenile justice system which is a key component of the district judge's duties.

"I want to continue to implement what Judge White and Judge (Dave) Jordan have implemented in the district judge's office," Coale said.

He said he will look for other avenues to assist families and juveniles as resources become available.

"I think the goal of any district judge is to intervene as early as possible to get families back on track," he said.

"As one of my appointees, you will be making important decisions that directly affect the citizens of Alabama," Gov. Ivey wrote to Coale. "I have made honesty and integrity a priority in my administration, and I know that you will embody these two virtues while serving the people of Alabama."

"Please plan to attend all meetings within reason, be a good steward of the taxpayers' money, and work in your position to instill trust in state government," she added. "The responsibility that comes with this appointment is not to be taken lightly. I trust that you will rise to the occasion and set a standard for others to follow. I appreciate your serving in this capacity, and I am confident you will render valuable service to the citizens of Alabama."

Coale is married to the former Tammy Gray of Castleberry who serves as a counselor at Brewton Middle School. The couple has one daughter Grayton, 13, who is a student at BMS.