Alabama Chief Justice Sonny Hornsby - Montgomery, Alabama
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xptwo
N 32° 22.678 W 086° 18.192
16S E 565545 N 3582545
Statue of former Alabama Chief Justice Ernest Clayton "Sonny" Hornsby.
Waymark Code: WMCZQN
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 10/30/2011
Views: 6
The newly opened (dedicated October 27, 2011) RSA Dexter Avenue Building was built over and around the old State of Alabama Judicial Building. The new facility includes an honor court with statues of the Alabama Supreme Court chief justices who served in the old building. One of the statues is of Ernest Clayton "Sonny" Hornsby, who served as Chief Justice from 1989 to 1995.
When Sonny Hornsby saw his statue at the dedication, his comment was: "I think it looks better than I do." (Source: (
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The following biographical information comes from this Alabama Archives web page: (
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Sonny Hornsby grew up in Tallassee, Alabama. He graduated from Auburn University and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law. Following his graduation from law school in 1960, Hornsby launched a 28-year career as a successful lawyer and businessman in the Tallassee area and served in all three branches of government. He was Assistant Superintendent of Insurance under Governor John Patterson, state senator for Tallapoosa and Elmore counties, and City Judge for the City of Tallassee. Hornsby's professional involvement is extensive. He is a past president of the Elmore County Bar Association, the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association, and the Alabama State Bar. In 1978-79 he was a member of the American Bar Association's House of Delegates. He is also a member of the International Society of Barristers and a member and past president of the Alabama Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
In the 1988 general election, Hornsby was elected chief justice of the Supreme Court and assumed office on January 17, 1989. Highlights of his tenure as head of Alabama's judicial system include the construction of the new judicial building, adoption of new rules of criminal procedure and of evidence, trial and appellate court automation, and implementation of time standards, putting Alabama in the lead nationally in the timely disposition of cases on all levels. Sonny Hornsby is married to the former Judith O'Daniel of Tallassee. They have three children, two of whom are lawyers, and three grandchildren.