---
title: "James E. Hill, III | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-e-hill-iii-circuit-court-judge-alabama-thirtieth-judicial-circuit-court-al"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# James E. Hill, III

Alabama Thirtieth Judicial Circuit Court · Circuit Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Alabama Thirtieth Judicial Circuit Court
- State: Alabama
- Role: Circuit Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-29

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media recording photography broadcasting

Scope: statewide

Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4 permits televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings only as provided by Alabama judicial ethics canons, law, or another court rule.

Evidence excerpt: The taking of television pictures or other photographs in or of the courtroom during the progress of judicial proceedings or the radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings may be permitted as provided in Canon 3(A)(7) and (7B), Canons of Judicial Ethics, promulgated by the Alabama Supreme Court, or as otherwise may be permitted by law or other rule of court.

[Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://stclair.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Official roster](https://stclair.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Alabama Administrative Office of Courts official judicial roster](https://stclair.alacourt.gov/circuit-judges/)
- [Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Elected Alabama Circuit Court Judge serving in St. Clair County (Circuit 30) until December 31, 2030
- He retired from the bench in 2013 after 19 years on the district and circuit benches, then returned as of counsel to the law firm Hill, Gossett, Kemp, Barrentine & Seay, P.C., which he co‐founded.

### Education

- Cumberland School of Law — J.D.

### Additional information

- In 2025, he was elected back to the Circuit bench in St. Clair County and left the firm to serve.
- Public Records: Listed in the Alabama Administrative Office of Courts official judicial roster
- Professional Experience: held the role of City Attorney for Leeds and Moody, Alabama Held leadership roles in the Alabama League of Municipalities City Attorney Association Former partner at Hill, Gossett, Kemp, Barrentine & Seay, P.C.
- Hill’s judicial career includes prior service as St. Clair County District Judge and Circuit Judge before his current elected role.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-2bb56569e2cd3665169eeff4) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Criminal proceedings only.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.