Longtime local resident and attorney Ben Hand was recently appointed as one of two municipal judges for the City of Opelika.
The Opelika City Council appointed Hand, senior partner with Hand & Associates law firm in Opelika, to the municipal judgeship in January to replace Greg Morgan, who asked not to be reappointed, according to Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller.
“I think he’ll do a terrific job as one of our municipal judges,” Fuller said. “He’s a solid citizen (and a) good person.”
Hand was one of about 10 people considered for the two-year appointed position. As Opelika municipal judge, Hand will handle misdemeanors and traffic cases.
Hand said he was interested in filling the municipal judge position so that he could provide residents fair treatment in cases and disputes. “It’s a good way to serve the community,” said Hand, who has been a city judge in Wedowee for 12 years.
Hand was born in and lived in Lee County until the 1970s, when he moved to Central America with his parents, Benny and Nelda Hand, who were missionaries.
In 1990, Ben Hand moved back to the county, opening a private law practice in Auburn. He moved his business to Opelika in 1997. The law firm represents a number of churches and private schools, and handles personal injury and business-related cases.
In addition to his private law practice, Hand serves as a family court referee in Lee County and as a city prosecutor for Roanoke. He served as city prosecutor in Opelika before being appointed as municipal judge.
Gov. Bob Riley appointed Hand to be an administrative law judge for the state Health Planning and Development Agency.
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