William A. Bell Jr.

Party: Democratic

Age: 46

Residence: Birmingham

Political experience: Elected to district court, 2016; former municipal judge for Lipscomb and for Irondale.

Professional experience: Previously a private practice attorney focusing on criminal law; former municipal prosecutor in Brighton; former public defender for Homewood; for public defender for Fultondale; former professor, Miles College School of Law; former assistant district attorney, Milwaukee County Wisconsin Domestic Violence Unit; former investment representative for SouthTrust Securities Inc.

Civic experience: Has volunteered for the Sickle Cell Foundation, Salvation Army and Junior Achievement of Greater Birmingham; was an executive committee member for the Boy Scouts of America Greater Alabama Council, board member for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, board member for the Birmingham History Center.

Education: Bachelor of Arts, the University of Alabama, 1998 graduate; juris doctorate, University of Alabama School of Law.