By Adam Dodson | The Selma Times-Journal

The swearing-in of the new clerk for Alabama’s 4th Judicial Circuit, Christmas Green, will take place Thursday, Feb. 1. The public ceremony will be at the Dallas County Courthouse and will begin at noon, before Green moves on to her private swearing-in.

Green takes over for Cheryl Strong-Ratcliffe, who has worked in the public sector for more than four decades, after she decided to retire from office. Ratcliffe served as the circuit clerk for the fourth circuit for 16 years, beginning her tenure in 2001 after winning her election.

The transition of circuit clerks is one Selma has not seen in a while, but one that provides the city with a new perspective in the office.

Green has spent 15 years as an attorney in Selma, establishing connections with people in the public and private sphere. Green believes the various relationships she has been able to establish as a result of her practice will help her get the ball rolling in her new position.

“Being a member of the (Alabama) bar helps, because it gives insight that others may not have,” Green said. “You wonder as an attorney how it all works from the other side, so I am excited to get to experience that.”

While Ratcliffe has been the recipient of praise from colleagues and community members for how she ran her office, Green has voiced her interest in changing a few things up once her tenure begins.

Green, who has been grateful of Ratfliffe’s public service as well, expressed a desire to “organize the office in a different way” that may allow them to operate more efficiently.

Also, Green has shown specific interest in getting a website up and running for the circuit clerk’s office. The office has never had an online presence with their own website.

“It would certainly be beneficial to have it. It would increase our availability to the public,” Green said. “It would also help contact and inform jurors and help others make online payments.”

Once sworn in, Green will no longer be able to practice with her firm, The Green Law Firm.

The firm will be put on “special status” and all current cases will be delegated to other legal professionals.