Covington County Circuit Judge Benjamin M. Bowden has been appointed to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals by Gov. Kay Ivey, the governor announced Wednesday.

Bowden replaces Judge Bill Lewis on the five-member appeals court.

On Tuesday, Ivey appointed Lewis to the Alabama Supreme Court to replace Associate Justice Jay Mitchell, who resigned and is expected to run for attorney general.

Bowden has served as circuit judge in the 22nd Circuit in Covington County since his election in 2016. Before that, Bowden was Covington County probate judge from 2008 until 2016.

Bowden is a graduate of the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Law. He served in the U.S. Air Force Judge Advocate General’s Corps at Bitburg Air Base in Germany and Aviano Air Base in Italy.

After leaving active duty in 1997, Bowden worked for a law firm in Andalusia, was a municipal prosecutor in Andalusia and was an assistant district attorney.

During his career, he successfully prosecuted two capital murder cases, one of which was the longest jury trial in the history of Covington County, the governor’s office said.

Bowden was in the Air Force Reserves until he retired as a colonel in 2023.

“Judge Bowden’s impressive record as a legal scholar is matched by his exemplary performance as an attorney, prosecutor and judge,” Ivey said. “He has steadfastly demonstrated a dedication to justice and fairness under the law. I have the utmost confidence that he will serve with the highest integrity.”

Bowden thanked the governor.

“I am humbled by the confidence Governor Ivey has shown in allowing me to serve on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals,” Bowden said. “Angie and I are thrilled at this new opportunity. I’m a public servant at heart and I look forward to serving the people of Alabama in this important and exciting way. Can’t wait to get started!”

Bowden’s appointment is effective immediately.