Governor Ivey’s Appointment of Will Parker Raises Questions About Judicial Independence in Alabama

On Monday, Governor Kay Ivey appointed her close legal confidant, Will Parker, to the Alabama Supreme Court seat left vacant by Bill Lewis, who recently ascended to a federal judgeship under President Donald Trump. While this move may appear routine, it spotlights an ongoing concern about the politicization of judicial appointments that too often sidelines the core principle of impartial justice. Will Parker’s deep ties to Governor Ivey — serving as her general counsel since 2019 and part of her administration since 2017 — make him more than just a qualified lawyer; he is very much a political insider. Though...