MONTGOMERY, Alabama — Bay Minette resident Lyn Stuart has been officially appointed as chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, replacing Roy Moore, who resigned on Wednesday, April 26.

According to a release issued last week by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey’s office, Stuart, first elected to the Alabama Supreme Court in 2000, has served as associate chief justice and was appointed as acting chief justice since May 6, 2016.

She is the first female Republican chief justice in the history of the State of Alabama.

“To ensure a continuity of leadership and a smooth transition that keeps the ship of state steady, I have appointed Justice Lyn Stuart as chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court,” Ivey said. “Chief Justice Stuart has served with honor and integrity on the high court for more than 16 years. I look forward to working with her as she now leads the judicial branch of state government.”

Stuart is a native of Atmore. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Auburn University with high honor in 1977 and her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Alabama in 1980. Her legal career includes stints as an assistant State Attorney General, special assistant Attorney General for the State Department of Corrections, and as an assistant District Attorney for Baldwin County.

Stuart was elected a district judge in 1988 and again in 1994. She was appointed a circuit court judge in 1997 and was elected to the position in 1998. She has been elected three times to the Supreme Court, in 2000, 2006 and 2012.

“I also thank Roy Moore for his years of public service to the people of Alabama and wish him the best in the next step of his journey,” Ivey said.