Judge Agness Chappell
Agnes Chappell has been in the legal profession for over 45 years, serving the people as judge and as attorney. She is a retired Circuit Judge for the 10th Judicial Circuit, Domestic Relations Division, Jefferson County Alabama. She has promoted social justice in the areas of child custody, child support, paternity, child daycare, domestic violence, sex trafficking and elderly law (being the first elderly law attorney in the State of Alabama). As judge, she established the first Domestic Violence Court (first therapeutic court) for the City of Birmingham. She is noted for her work with children at the Jefferson County Family County.
Agnes Chappell has been in the legal profession for over 45 years. She served for some 41years in the following judicial capacities: Circuit Judge, Municipal Judge and Senior Trial Referee. She has been an advocate for social justice in the areas of child custody, child support, paternity, child daycare, domestic violence, sex trafficking and elderly law (first elderly law attorney in the State of Alabama). She established the first therapeutic court (domestic violence) for Birmingham. She also was co-founder of the law firm Brown, Chappell and Burrell. She founded “Seniority on the Move,” a senior citizen’s exercise group.
Her work also includes: past chairperson of the Minor Sex Trafficking Committee for The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham (developed and organized training for over 300 first responders), past chairperson of the Grants and Allocations Committee of The Women’s Fund of Greater Birmingham, past member of Voices against Domestic Violence Steering Committee, president and founder of The NRS Community Support Corporation, member of the board of directors for The Rising Stars and Bethel Learning Centers, past member of the Alabama Domestic Violence Statutory Revision Committee and past member of the board of directors of the Community Policing and Revitalization of the City of Birmingham. She is a past member of the Momentum Leadership Alumni Board of Directors (helped in the initial stage of the development the Upward Early Career Leadership Program), served on the planning committee for the inaugural Momentum Leadership Conference, served as chair of volunteers for the 2014 Momentum Women in Leadership Conference. In addition, she is the chair of the Magic City Bar Association Judicial Council.
Judge Chappell has a special interest in protecting and improving the quality of life for young people as shown by her more than 19 years of service at the Jefferson County Family Court. She mentors high school and college students and young lawyers. Her mentoring is structured and is with much thought and purpose, as evidenced by her association with two learning centers. She participates in the City of Birmingham “Shadow an Executive Program,” as well. In this program, she allows high school students who are interested in the legal profession to experience day to day work in the courtroom. She has also instituted a program called “Goals and Justice Tour” where various high schools are invited to have a day long experience with the justice system. On this tour, the schools get to participate in a mock trial, visit the jail, the sheriff’s office, talk to the judges, district attorney, and the sheriff of the 10th Judicial Circuit. They also explore various other careers in the justice system. Judge Chappell also helped to develop the program, “HaitiSURGE,” which seeks to empower children in Haiti to enjoy an improved quality life. Its mission is to provide resources for dental and health care and education that they may graduate from primary and secondary school. The program emphasizes the development of economic skills to become entrepreneurs in Haiti.
She received the Metro Birmingham NAACP Equal Justice Award for 2009. In 2011, she was honored by the Magic City Bar Association for her domestic violence work. In 2013, she was named a Woman of Distinction by the North Central Girl Scouts of Alabama. Again, in 2013, she was named as a “Motivating Woman” by the Birmingham International Center. Also in 2013, she was named Judicial Humanitarian of Service for her community outreach work by the Community Policing and Revitalization of the City of Birmingham. She was honored in 2017 by the Boy Scouts of America, Greater Alabama Council and was honored by the SCLC with their “Keepers of the Dream” Award. For 2023, she was inducted into the Alabama Lawyers Association Hall of Fame; she was named Community Trailblazer by the NAACP Metro Birmingham; and she was honored by the Alabama Women’s Black Round Table for her community leadership. In 2024, she was named as one of the Top 50 over 50 by Positive Maturity. She has received a few other commendations since her retirement, as well.
She is a graduate of Shades Valley High School, the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Law. She has two children, Brooke and Thomas, a daughter-in-love, Candice Beavers, and 10 grandchildren. She is a member of New Rising Star, “The Star,” Church where her son serves as pastor. After a rewarding career as lawyer and judge, Judge Chappell retired on January 13, 2023.
