Alabama Assistant Attorney General James Thrash has announced his candidacy for Lee County Circuit Court Judge, Place 2, a position being vacated by retiring Circuit Court Judge, John Denson. Thrash has been serving as an Assistant Attorney General for the last four years representing the Alabama Department of Environmental Management. He had previously been in the private practice of law in Lee County for nineteen years.

“I am uniquely qualified to serve the citizens of Lee County as its next Circuit Court Judge because of my diverse business background, broad range of legal experience and a commitment to public service.” Thrash graduated from Opelika High School in 1979 and then earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Alabama in 1983. In 1986 he graduated from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama. Thrash was in the private practice of law in Lee County where his practice consisted of business, corporate, banking, creditor, real estate, workman’s compensation, domestic relations, criminal defense, bankruptcy, social security disability and probate matters. He has practiced in all the trial courts of Alabama and has tried hundreds of cases during his career.

Among his cases were several jury trials including trials for capital murder, medical malpractice, automobile collision cases, condemnation cases, and wrongful termination. He served as Judge Richard Lane’s referee in the Family Court of Lee County where he presided over child support and juvenile trials and would make recommendations to Judge Lane for disposition of the cases. He currently serves as an Assistant Attorney General representing the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and the Alabama Scrap Tire Commission. He has tried enforcement cases throughout the State and has tried cases before the Environmental Management Commission. He is a member of the Alabama State Bar and serves on the Environmental Sections Executive Committee, and as its Treasurer. James and his wife, Cindy Henderson Thrash, reside in Opelika with their teenage son, James Ray Thrash.

As a family, they worship in the fellowship of First Baptist Church of Opelika. The primary for Lee County Circuit Judge, Place 2, is scheduled for June 1, 2010, with the general election following in November.