The University of Alabama School of Law welcomes Scott Donaldson as Executive Director for Graduate Law and CLE Programs and Assistant Professor of Law in Residence. Donaldson, who joined June 1, 2026, leads the school’s continuing legal education and graduate law programs.
Donaldson served 18 years on the Alabama bench, as a circuit judge from 2003 to 2013 and on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals from 2013 to 2021, and authored more than 900 appellate opinions, hundreds of them published in the Southern Reporter, Third Series. He came to the bench after 18 years of trial and appellate practice and has taken part in approximately 180 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials. He also served as general counsel for a multi-hospital system. He has since worked as a mediator and arbitrator.
Donaldson was Chief Judge of the Court of the Judiciary, served on the Alabama State Bar Commission and the State Bar Disciplinary Commission, and has served on the Evidence Committee, the Civil and Criminal Pattern Jury Instructions Committees, and the Appellate Rules Committee. He taught Trial Advocacy at Alabama Law from 2006 to 2022, has led more than 40 evidence courses for the National Judicial College, and wrote the Alabama Trial Notebook, published by the school’s CLE program. He is a Fellow of the Alabama Law Foundation.
“Scott Donaldson brings the perspective of an experienced lawyer and judge, as well as the instincts of a teacher who has trained judges and lawyers across the country,” said Dean Bill Brewbaker. “He will help transform the ways we serve practicing attorneys and the opportunities we offer for graduate legal education. We are fortunate to have a recognized leader like Judge Donaldson in this role.”
“The quality of education at Alabama Law is outstanding, and I am fortunate to be part of the great work being done here,” said Donaldson, who taught at the school from 2006 to 2022. “I look forward to working with the deans and faculty to support the mission of this institution.”
Learn more about Alabama Law’s continuing legal education and graduate programs at CLEAlabama.com.