Jana Russell Garner is a candidate for Circuit Judge, Place 2, of the 4th Judicial Circuit and asks for your vote in the election on March 1, 2016.

There are 41 judicial circuits in the state of Alabama with the 4th Circuit being the largest geographically including Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry and Wilcox Counties.

Judge Jack W. Meigs is not pursuing another term in office, and Garner is a candidate for the judicial seat he will vacate.

“I am not a politician,” Garner said. “I am simply an experienced lawyer who sees the very real need to have judges in this circuit who maintain the integrity of the court, apply the laws to the facts with the right dose of mercy, and act fairly with no agenda other than to serve justice for the betterment of the individual and community as a whole. The people of Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry and Wilcox Counties deserve to have confidence in the unbiased integrity of the circuit court in our area. I seek to be your candidate, the people’s candidate, and ask for you to vote for me, Jana Russell Garner, on March 1, 2016.”

Garner has deep roots in the counties she seeks to serve. She is the daughter of Judith Ware Bridgers and Cherry and Donnie Russell of Perry County, formerly of Dallas County. She is the granddaughter of Dot and David Crawford of Marion Junction in Perry County, the late Ginny and Hogan Ware, and the late Jacque and Donnie Russell Sr. all of Dallas County.

Her father, along with sister and brother-in-law, Rayne and James Osborn, serve the dental needs of the children in this area at Children’s Dentistry of Central Alabama. Her uncle, the late Edgar P. Russell, Sr., served this community as Circuit Judge of the 4th Judicial Circuit until 1984.

Jana Russell Garner graduated in 1994 from Judson College in Marion in Perry County and obtained her Juris Doctorate in 1997 from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. She was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 1997 and has been a member in good standing continuously since that date.

In 1997, Garner moved to Greensboro, Hale County, where she lived and maintained her principal office practicing law with James H. Seale III, for nine years. Since then, Jana lives with her family in Dallas County and maintains her principal office with the firm of Reeves & Stewart, P.C., in Selma.

“I became a lawyer to be a voice for those seeking due process and to be heard in the legal system,” Garner said.

In 2013, Garner received the Alabama State Bar President’s Award for exemplary service to the legal profession.

“I have been successful in being a voice for individuals, families, and businesses throughout Bibb, Dallas, Hale, Perry and Wilcox Counties during 18 years practicing law in the 4th Judicial Circuit in criminal, contract, property, personal injury, divorce, custody, estates, workers compensation and all other types of legal matters before the Courts,” Garner said.

Garner has also been a voice for the 4th Judicial Circuit statewide. In 2012, Jana Russell Garner was elected to serve as Alabama State Bar Commissioner for the 4th Judicial Circuit and was elected to a second term in 2015. She sits on the Alabama State Bar Disciplinary Panel and serves on the Alabama Board of Court Reporting by appointment of Gov. Robert Bentley.

In addition, Jana Russell Garner is experienced representing children in the courts as a lawyer and a certified Guardian ad Litem. She also is an experienced mediator and is listed on the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution State Court Mediator Roster. Garner was instrumental in the Parents are Forever Mediation Program established by the Center for Dispute Resolution and the Alabama Supreme Court. She also mediated a significant number of cases to assist homeowners and lenders avoid foreclosure on residences located within the 4th Judicial Circuit. In 2015, Garner was awarded the Alabama State Bar Mediator Pro Bono Award in recognition of mediation services to those in need.

Jana, and her husband Paul, who is employed at Bush Hog, have two children; Sam, 9, and Fair, who will be 8 this month. They attend Blue Jean Selma and are members of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.

In addition to her commitment to God, family and serving the legal profession, she has been active in community civic and service organizations such as Central Alabama Children’s Advocacy Center and the Salvation Army.