Lee County Assistant District Attorney Margaret Mayfield announced her Republican candidacy for family court judge during an early evening family barbeque on Sunday, Sept. 20. Hundreds of friends and supporters gathered at the home of Drs. Allen and Shirley Lazenby in Opelika to support Mayfield’s candidacy, including Don Roberts, Bill Samford, Pep Melton, Bill Kelly, and Shirley Lazenby – all who offered personal words of endorsement. Auburn’s ultimate ska band Blame Sydney entertained the crowd between endorsements. “I am ready to apply my education, work experience, and attention to efficiency for the families of Lee County,” Mayfield told friends. “I look forward to the support from, but more importantly, the privilege to serve, the citizens of Lee County.”
An Opelika native, Mayfield’s education in the Opelika public school system included her selection as senior class president in 1977. She went on to academic distinction through earning a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University, an MBA from Samford University, and a juris doctorate degree from Cumberland School of Law. Her academic and professional training also includes coursework at The National College of Juvenile Justice and The National Institute on Child Sexual Abuse Victims.
While at Auburn University, Mayfield interned in Washington, D.C., for Congressmen Bill Nichols and Walter Flowers, and at the U.S. State Department, United States Embassy in Madrid, Spain. It was during this internship that she assisted an advance team in preparation for President Carter’s visit there.
Mayfield educated future professionals as a macroeconomics and principals of management instructor at Southern Union State Community College. At Auburn University, she has taught business, business law, hospitality law, juvenile justice, and corrections – among other topics.
Mayfield became an Assistant District Attorney for Lee County in 1984 and continues to serve in that role. She established her law practice in Opelika in 1985. Soon after, in 1991, Mayfield became the Assistant Prosecutor for the City of Opelika and then served as the municipal court judge – the first woman to hold that position.
Among Mayfield’s passions is her work with the Alabama Child Support Association, an organization devoted to supporting and training Department of Human Resources staff and attorneys handling the child support program in Alabama. Her work with ACSA includes serving as treasurer, secretary, vice president and two terms as president in 2004 to 2006. She is a member of the Alabama District Attorneys Association, the Lee County Bar Association, Opelika Kiwanis Club, and the Opelika Historical Commission.
Margaret and her husband, Carlos Serrano Mayfield, reside in Opelika with their teenage children, Megan and Brandon. As a family, they worship in the fellowship of the First United Methodist Church in Opelika.
The primary for Lee County family court judge is scheduled for June 1, 2010, with the general election following in November.
(Photo Credit: Natalie McVey)
