---
title: "Michael F. Bolin | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/michael-f-bolin-3608"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Michael F. Bolin

Supreme Court of Alabama · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Alabama
- State: Alabama
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Supreme Court of Alabama, 2005-present
- Following his judicial tenure, Bolin was elected Jefferson County Commissioner for District 5 in July 2023
- Michael Franklyn Bolin is an American lawyer and jurist best known for his long service as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Alabama from 2005 until January 2023.
- Elected to the Alabama Supreme Court in 2004, serving as Associate Justice until January 13, 2023
- He was elected Probate Judge of Jefferson County in 1988, re-elected in 1994 and 2000, and later held the role
- 21 years as Associate Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court

### Education

- a J.D. cum laude from Cumberland School of Law in 1973, where he held the role of Associate Editor of the Cumberland-Samford Law Review and was inducted into.
- B.S. in Business Administration from Samford University in 1970
- Samford University — B.A.

### Additional information

- He was re-elected in 2010 Probate Court of Jefferson County, Alabama.
- Practitioner, 2004-2004
- He also served as Chief Election Official for Jefferson County (1992–2003) and was active in the Alabama Probate Judges Association in leadership roles.
- In this role, he authored Alabama’s Putative Father Registry law, protecting rights in adoption cases, which earned him the 2000 National “Angels of Adoption”.
- National “Angels of Adoption” Award (2000)
- From 1973 to 1988, Bolin practiced law.
- Bolin grew up in Birmingham and Homewood, Alabama, graduating from Shades Valley High School in 1966 as a member of the National Honor Society Alabama Judicial System.
- Born October 1, 1948, in Jefferson County, Alabama.
- Date of birth: 1948-01-01
- McInish and Mantiply v.
- During his tenure, he authored over 300 published opinions, including notable cases such as KGS Steel, Inc. v.
- Birth place: Birmingham

## 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://www.courtlistener.com/person/3608/michael-f-bolin/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/3608/michael-f-bolin/)
- [Supreme Court of Alabama current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/3608/michael-f-bolin/)
- [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)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/3608/michael-f-bolin/)
- [Wikidata: Michael F. Bolin](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16727569)

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