Judge Hoyt Elliott Leaves the Bench—and a Legacy— Behind

Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Ryan McGill

In 1982, Hoyt Elliott Jr. walked through the doors of downtown Jasper’s Blanton Building. A fresh graduate of Samford University's Cumberland School of Law, Elliott was ready to begin his career as an attorney. 

Though the first day of a new job typically carried the weight of anxiety or stress over the unfamiliar, this particular environment was all too familiar to him. For as long as he could remember, this had been the site of Hoyt Elliott, Sr.’s law office, and now he would be joining his father, practicing law in the town he had always called home.

"Practically everything significant in my life, save for going to Vanderbilt University for undergraduate studies, Cumberland for law school, and going to Augusta, Georgia, to marry my wife, has happened in Jasper," Hoyt says. "I was born at People's Hospital, raised in a house on Sixth Street, and attended church and school in Jasper. I never considered another career other than law, and I never considered practicing anywhere other than Jasper."

For the next nine years, Hoyt and his father worked together daily. While their time as partners in practice was short, the lessons Hoyt learned from his father spanned many years and extended beyond the office and courtroom settings. He recalls his father walking to work every morning—a subtle sign of a strong work ethic—and the more obvious signs: hours poured into his work and the staunch belief that those in the practice of law serve a greater purpose in the lives of the clients they represent. It was his father's perseverance and dedication that encourage Hoyt to succeed.

Following Hoyt Sr.'s passing in 1993, Hoyt Jr. continued to head up the esteemed practice his father had established until 2006, when he decided to run as Circuit Judge for Alabama's Fourteenth Judicial Circuit. His campaign culminated in success that November and he was sworn in on January 15, 2007. 

In the last fourteen-plus years on the bench, Judge Elliott has overseen hundreds of cases. He says that a particular stand-out moment in his career is hard to pinpoint. What he finds incredibly rewarding is when others express to him that a positive difference has been made in their lives because of what happened in a courtroom over which he presided.

"A case may not always seem to be a very big deal on the surface, but I have to stay grounded and remember that it is a big deal to the people involved. So, we work to make a positive difference in their lives as best we can," Elliott says. "On the other side, when a juror comes to me after a trial and says they have a newfound appreciation for what the court system does, that's gratifying because everyone at this courthouse works hard to ensure we do our jobs to the best of our abilities." 

The last 40 years of Hoyt Elliott's life have been dedicated to the legal profession. For 25 of those years, he bore the title of an advocate of the law, and for the next 15 years, arbiter. At the end of the working day on December 31, 2021, Elliott left his office on the third floor of the Walker County Courthouse for the last time. He went home to enjoy time with his loved ones wake up in a new year with a new title: retiree. 

"You know, in some ways I'm sad about it," Hoyt laughs. "But I know the time is right, and I leave satisfied with the work I've done, fortunately in good health, and with the belief that I have sufficient time left on this earth to explore my interests. I also leave here with immense gratitude for the people I've come to know throughout my career, and the roles they played in helping me succeed."

Elliott won't be taking on retirement alone; his wife of 39 years, Libba, began her retirement from Synovus Securities on the same day. The two have no set plans for what they will accomplish in the early days of their retirements, but they know they will involve family as much as possible. The two are parents to daughters Grace and Sarah, and son, Hoyt III. Last November, Hoyt III and his wife, Allie, welcomed their son, Hoyt Massey "Ford" Elliott IV.  

As he leaves his remarkable career in law, he offers two simple pieces of advice to those who wish to follow a similar career path. "First, have a broad, well-rounded experience,” he says. “Get at least 10 years of practice under your belt and cover as many aspects of the law as you can. Those experiences will stand you in good stead to become a judge, because you'll have a greater appreciation for the demands of the practice."

"Second, never stop learning,” he continues. “From the day I was sworn in until the minute I walk out of this office on December 31, I will have never stopped learning. Being a judge is more of an art than it is a science. You continue to learn every day, in many ways, from many people. Appreciate everything you learn along the way." 

In addition to witnessing his first grandson's upcoming milestones, Judge Elliott now plans to pick up some hobbies that had taken the backburner, such as studying history, playing piano and guitar, golf, and tennis. 

"There's a lot to do, and I look forward to all of it!" he says. 78

Editor’s Note: Blanton Media Group and 78 Magazine wish Judge Hoyt and Libba Elliott the very best in their retirements!