James Douglas McElvy

J. Douglas McElvy has pursued truth, honor, and dignity in his practice of law. He has served as the Alabama State Bar President (2004-2005), he is a certified mediator by the American Academy of Attorney Mediators, and he is a graduate of and has also been an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama School of Law.

McElvy is admitted to practice before all Alabama courts, all Alabama Federal District Courts, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. A Biographical Sketch

Douglas McElvy earned a bachelor of science from the University of Alabama with a major in accounting, and graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law in May of 1971. He was licensed by the Supreme Court of Alabama to practice law in August of 1971.

After graduation from law school, McElvy clerked for Judge Charles Wright, chief judge of the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. He then directed and was the sole attorney for a legal services clinic for the poor in Lee County, Alabama.

Following this, he accepted a staff position with the Center for Correctional Psychology at the University of Alabama, where he taught juvenile justice, corrections, and related courses, and was involved in planning for correctional systems.

McElvy has practiced law since 1971. He is admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Alabama, and also in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

In 1978 he was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States. McElvy has been very active in the Tuscaloosa County Bar Association, serving on the Executive Committee, as secretary/treasurer, and as president of the Tuscaloosa County Bar Association in 1990-91.

He was also president of the Tuscaloosa County Public Defender Commission. He played an instrumental role in drafting and promoting the enactment of the Tuscaloosa County Judicial Commission, which refers nominations for open judicial positions to the governor. He has also served as Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Alabama.