The First Female African American Presiding Judge in Jefferson County, Alabama

Judge Elisabeth French is the first woman selected to serve at the helm of the Jefferson County judicial system since its beginning in 1821.

She will replace Judge Joseph Boohaker who is retiring on February 29, 2020. The Presiding Judge is selected by the Circuit Judges of the 10th Judicial Circuit.

Judge French will begin her historic tenure as Presiding Judge on March 1, 2020.

The 10th Judicial Circuit is the largest Circuit of the Alabama Judicial System and consists of a total of 38 Judges, including 26 Circuit Judges and 12 District Judges. French is the first female African American Presiding Judge in the state of Alabama.

(CBS42)