Sue Bell Cobb

Retired Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, the daughter of Otis and Thera Robinson Bell grew up in Evergreen, AL. She graduated from the University of Alabama, receiving degrees in history and law.

Immediately following her admission to the Bar, Cobb was appointed in 1981 as District Judge of Conecuh County, becoming one of the State’s youngest judges. She was elected and re-elected to that position. During her tenure on the bench, she accepted trial court assignments in approximately forty counties. Chief Justice Cobb was the first woman elected to the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals serving two terms, and in 2006, became the first woman elected as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama. During her time leading the Unified Judicial System of Alabama, Chief Justice Cobb was known for accomplishing many reforms. Among them were sentencing reform, juvenile justice reform, access to justice, mandatory judicial education, and statewide eFiling of all court cases. She received a national award from the National Association of Drug Court Professionals for the largest increase of model drug courts in the nation and has been inducted into Leadership Alabama, the Alabama Academy of Honor, and the University of Alabama School of Law Hall of Honor.

Of all the numerous awards that Chief Justice Cobb has received, she is most proud of the Judicial Award of Merit presented to her by the Alabama State Bar and the decision by the Alabama Chapter of the National Drug Court Professionals to name its top awards in her honor.

Having been the first former juvenile judge to become head of the court system and one of the co-founders of the Alabama Children First Foundation, Chief Justice Cobb placed a large priority on juvenile justice reform. The drafting and ultimate passage of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2008 resulted in the reduction of children in detention by two-thirds and the creation of the Children First Trust Fund focusing hundreds of millions of tobacco settlement dollars to the needs of children and families. These victories, as well as others, resulted from the relentless advocacy of Children First and Cobb. Having served on the CFF Board for almost 30 years, she continues to serve in a leadership Position.

Since her retirement as Chief Justice, Cobb has taught at Jones Law School, the Honors College at the University of Alabama, The National Judicial College and has consulted on a number of cases. Presently, she is serving as the Pro Bono Executive Director of Redemption Earned, Inc., a non-profit organization she founded. Redemption Earned provides pro bono assistance to worthy aged and infirmed incarcerated people, and works to gain their freedom with most being placed in nursing homes.

She is married to William J. Cobb and together they have three children, Caitlin, Bill and Andy and four grandchildren. They are devoted members of the First United Methodist Church of Montgomery.