The mayor of the city that anchors Alabama’s largest metropolitan area is available to work as your lawyer.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, who is licensed as an attorney in Alabama, took to his personal Facebook page last week to announce his availability.

Woodfin said he wants to hear from people “in the unfortunate circumstance you or a family member suffer a personal injury or need a criminal lawyer.”

“I can help you navigate your options,” Woodfin added in his post, listing a telephone number.

The May 7 message ended with a legal disclaimer which is required for all lawyer ads and commercials.

Woodfin, whose role as mayor is a full-time position, told AL.com that he remains committed to his role as mayor, but said he’s also able to serve the public in the legal realm.

The mayor said he decided to make the social media post because people have consistently asked him for legal help. Woodfin said his offer of legal services is another element of his public advocacy.

“Lately, I have noticed that there is hardly a day that goes by that someone isn’t reaching out to me about a need,” he said. “Needs that are rooted in legal matters, ones that go outside of my realm as a municipal servant. Some are urgent. Some are heartbreaking.”

Woodfin’s post received mostly positive reactions from his followers. Still, others were left a bit confused.

“What in the world kind of post is this, Randall Woodfin?” wrote Donna Bennett Farrington. “Giving legal referrals now, are we? Is that not a bit shady if not unethical? What’s going on here?”

Others came to the mayor’s defense.

“He’s free advertising for himself. Can he help it if his page is more recognizable than yours?” Leslie Reeder shot back. “Is there a conflict of interest? Pretty sure the educated attorney with the law degree will know if and when he needs to recuse himself.”

As Birmingham’s mayor, Woodfin earns $130,000 annually including a $108,000 base salary and a $22,000 expense allowance.

While it is rare, Birmingham’s Mayor/Council Act, the state law that sets the framework for city government, neither prohibits nor even mentions the mayor having another job or moonlighting.

Woodfin is not the first Birmingham mayor to do so. Former Birmingham mayor Larry Langford was employed by Birmingham Budweiser while he led the city from 2007 to 2009.

Woodfin in his latest state ethics financial public statement of economic interest form checked ‘no’ when asked if he or his spouse engaged in a list of services, including legal.

The statement however, does note that he works for “compensation in any position other than your public position.” Specifically what other work he does is not clear from the form.

Woodfin told AL.com that he has not worked on a case as a lawyer since 2023 and avoids conflicts related to the city of Birmingham.

“I have been a practicing attorney for over 15 years with no plans to stop,” he said. “I want to let those folks know that I am here to help.”