Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has appointed Cullman County attorney Chad Floyd to fill the district judgeship vacancy left by the mid-term retirement of longtime former judge Kim Chaney.

Floyd, who has served the Cullman County Commission as county attorney since 2015, already has met with the other three Cullman County judges serving Alabama’s 32nd Judicial Circuit in the wake of his new appointment, and said Friday that he’s still adjusting to the welcome news he received when Ivey contacted him by phone earlier in the day.

“There was nobody more surprised than me when I got that call from the governor today,” said Floyd. “It was a fantastic call. I’m honestly humbled that the governor would have enough confidence to appoint me to such a position. My goal will be to serve the people of the State of Alabama, the governor, and the people of Cullman County to do the best job that I can as district judge.”

Floyd’s appointment took effect with Ivey’s announcement, which means his legal representation for Cullman County already has effectively ended. Floyd said he hopes to work with the county commission to help ease the transition of ongoing legal matters that involve county business in the days leading up to his official swearing in as district judge.

“The appointment is made effective immediately, which means that, at this point, I’m not going to be able to give any more legal advice to the county,” said Floyd. “I will take the oath of office on Friday, the 20th of March, and I will begin my time on the job on Monday the 23rd. The first court docket is set for the 24th, so that will be my first day on the bench.”

In all, the governor’s office interviewed seven local attorneys before Ivey selected Floyd to fill the vacancy. Floyd joins sitting district judge Rusty Turner, as well as Circuit Judges Greg Nicholas and Martha Williams, to round out the four judgeships of the 32nd Judicial Circuit, which comprises all of Cullman County. The three remaining judges had been handling Chaney’s caseload following Chaney’s retirement from a 27-year career last month.

“I’m excited, I’m humbled, and I’m ready to go to work,” said Floyd. “I know there’s a lot to do, and that the other three judges not only have been doing their own jobs, but have also been sharing the load that was Judge Chaney’s job as well.”

A West Point High School graduate and Cullman County native, Floyd obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama, working outside the legal field for three years before attending law school in 2002 at the Mississippi College School of Law. He returned to Cullman in 2006, and went into private legal practice — where he remained until 2016, when the county commission hired him full time as county attorney.

In 2011, then-attorney general for the State of Alabama Luther Strange appointed Floyd as a deputy attorney general representing the state’s Department of Human Resources for the Cullman area. Representing cases involving paternity, child support, and protective services for children and adults, the appointment brought Floyd into contact with many of the same residents who also frequently would appear before Judge Chaney’s court.

In addition to speaking with The Times, Floyd also shared a prepared statement on Friday, which is included in full below:

For the past decade, it has been my intention to seek the seat of District Judge, Place 1, whenever Judge Chaney concluded his service. I didn’t know whether Judge Chaney would stop serving after 24 years, 30 years, or more. I had anticipated seeking this office for the first time in the Primary Election in May of 2022; however, Judge Chaney’s retirement advanced the timeline to today.

I have been fortunate during the course of my legal career to have practiced in front of many excellent judges. While the appointment is effective immediately, I anticipate taking the bench for the first time during the week of March 23rd. Once the Cullman County Commission determines the direction that they wish to take with their legal services, I hope to apprise their new attorney of each pending matter in which I am presently engaged. I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to the Cullman County Commission for giving me the opportunity to grow professionally, and personally, during my 4.5 years of service to the County.

I am incredibly humbled and honored by the confidence that Governor Ivey has placed in me with this appointment. There were seven incredibly qualified and well-deserving candidates who interviewed with the Governor’s Office for this position. I will strive daily to serve the citizens of Cullman County, and the State of Alabama, with fairness and impartiality.

With sincerest thanks —

Chad Floyd