A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (October 2023) |
William Burwell Sellers[1] (born February 10, 1963)[2] is an American lawyer who has served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama.[3]
Will Sellers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama | |
| Assumed office May 25, 2017 | |
| Appointed by | Kay Ivey |
| Preceded by | Lyn Stuart |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Burwell Sellers February 10, 1963 Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Lee Grant |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Hillsdale College (BA) University of Alabama (JD) New York University (LLM) |
Sellers was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama.[4] He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree at Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan in 1985, with majors in history and political economy.[5] He then completed a Juris Doctor degree at the University of Alabama School of Law in 1988, and a Master of Laws degree in Taxation at New York University in 1989.[3]
Sellers was in private practice in Montgomery, Alabama from 1989 to 2017, specializing in tax law and litigation.[3] He was a partner with the prominent Montgomery law firm Balch & Bingham, where his work mainly involved litigation with the Internal Revenue Service[6] and the Alabama Department of Revenue.[7][4] He has been active in many community organizations, including the Rotary Club, United Way, and the YMCA and received the President's Award for service in 2012 from the Alabama Bar Association.[3]
In 2016, Sellers was a member of the electoral college,[8] his 4th time to serve as a presidential elector from Alabama.
Governor Kay Ivey appointed Sellers as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama in May 2017, to replace Justice Lyn Stuart, who had been elevated to chief justice.[3][9] Sellers previously served as chair of Ivey's successful campaigns for Lieutenant Governor of Alabama in 2010 and 2014.[10]
Sellers ran for a full term in 2018 and was unopposed.[5][11] Sellers's campaign was endorsed by the Business Council of Alabama, Alabama Society of CPAs, the Alabama Farmers Federation, The Alabama New South Coalition and the Alabama Civil Justice Reform Committee.[11] His current term expires in 2025.
On January 16, 2023, Sellers administered the oath of office to Governor Kay Ivey.[12]
On October 16, 2023, Sellers qualified to run for re-election for Associate Justice - Place 3.[13] When the deadline for qualifying ended, Justice Sellers had no opposition in either the Republican primary or general election.[14]
In the Alabama Supreme Court's ruling regarding frozen embryos, Sellers wrote a dissenting opinion. [15][16]
Justice Sellers authored the majority opinion allowing for the appointment of a receiver for the City of Prichard Water Works and Sewer Board.[17]
In the Court's decision reviewing responsibilities of landlords when dangerous conditions of the common areas of leased premises are open and obvious, Justice Sellers authored the dissenting opinion. [18]
References
edit- ^ William Burwell Sellers martindale.com
- ^ Hubbell, Martindale (May 1997). Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Martindale-Hubbell. p. AL286B. ISBN 9781561602223.
- ^ a b c d e "Justice Sellers". Supreme Court of Alabama. Alabama Judicial System. 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
- ^ a b "Governor Ivey Appoints William B. Sellers to the Alabama Supreme Court". WTVY. Montgomery AL. May 25, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
- ^ a b Conrad, Brooke (June 4, 2017). "Hillsdale Alumnus William Sellers fills open seat on Alabama Supreme Court". The Collegian. Hillsdale MI. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
- ^ "FindLaw's United States Eleventh Circuit case and opinions". Findlaw. Retrieved 2022-04-19.
- ^ "Ivey Appoints Tax Attorney Sellers to Supreme Court". U.S. News & World Report. Montgomery AL. May 25, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
- ^ "Letters, calls urge Alabama elector not to vote for Trump". AL.com. Retrieved 2018-09-03.
- ^ Gray, Jeremy (April 26, 2017). "Gov. Kay Ivey appoints Lyn Stuart Alabama Chief Justice". Alabama Media Group. Montgomery AL. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
- ^ Seale, Michael (May 26, 2017). "Balch attorney appointed to Alabama Supreme Court". Birmingham Business Journal. Birmingham AL. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
- ^ a b "Justice Will Sellers To Seek Full Term on Alabama Supreme Court". Yellow Hammer Media. Birmingham AL. September 11, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
- ^ Montgomery, Charles (16 January 2023). "Gov. Ivey sworn-in for second term". www.waff.com. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
- ^ "2024 Qualified Candidates". Alabama Republican Party. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
- ^ Britt, Bill (2023-11-13). "Justice Will Sellers running unopposed, secures another term". Alabama Political Reporter. Retrieved 2023-11-13.
- ^ Brown, Elizabeth Nolan (2024-02-21). "Frozen embryos are now children under Alabama law". Reason.com. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
- ^ Associated, Press (May 5, 2024). "Alabama Supreme Court won't revisit frozen embryo ruling". Alabama Daily News. p. 1.
- ^ Sharp, John (May 18, 2024). "'System in crisis': Alabama Supreme Court backs decision appointing receiver for Prichard water". Al.com. p. 3.
- ^ Tripp, DeMoss (June 19, 2024). "In 'Case' You Missed It: Alabama Supreme Court clarifies landlord liability for 'open and obvious' conditions".