Bill was in private practice of law for 20 years before he began his 20 years of public service.  In public service, Bill served two years as a District Judge for Dale County, Alabama and then for 8 years Bill was the Chief Assistant District Attorney for Dale and Geneva Counties. In April 2012 Bill was elected Circuit Judge, Place 1, for the 33rd Judicial Circuit which includes Dale and Geneva Counties by a 72% vote. Bill began his service as a Circuit Judge in January 2013.

In 2018, Bill ran unopposed for his Circuit Judge position. Bill was sworn in for his second six year term on January 10, 2019 by her Excellency the Honorable Governor Kay Ivey in her office. Bill’s wife, Angelia, held the Bible during the ceremony.

In 2024 Bill ran unopposed for a third term as Circuit Judge. Bill was sworn in by her Excellency the Honorable Governor Kay Ivey as his wife, Angelia, held the Bible, in the Old House Chamber of the Alabama Capitol on January 10, 2025. The occasion doubled as a family gathering entitled Wallace Heritage Day.

Judge Filmore was recognized by Chief Justice Sarah Stewart with earning 800 hours of Continuing Judicial Education.

The Summer of 2026 was the first year I was able to host a law clerk in the Finch Fellowship Program. I was able to show Abigail Tanner a view from the bench of rural law in the 33rd Judicial Circuit (Dale and Geneva County). During the time she was here we had a civil jury trial in Dale County and a criminal jury trial in Geneva County along with many other bench trials in covering every area of the law. She was also able to observe District Civil and Traffic Court under University of Alabama Law graduate (’84), Presiding Dale County District Judge Stanley Garner.

Abigail is a rising 2nd Year Student at the University of Alabama Law School on an academic scholarship. She is a Carrol High School graduate and a Summa Cum Laude graduate of the University of Alabama. Abigail and I share a common interest as avid readers of fiction and non-fiction books. I know Abigail will be an excellent lawyer in whatever area of law she decides to pursue.

View video about the Finch Program

Bill's education includes:

• B.S. Degree - Business Admin/Management (Magna Cum Laude)
  Troy State University, Troy, AL
• J.D. Degree - Law
  University of Alabama School of Law
• LL.M. Degree - Masters of Law (Taxation)
  University of Alabama School of Law

Bill currently serves as:

• Treasurer and Member of Executive Committee of Alabama Association of Circuit Judges.
• Secretary of the Alabama Circuit Judges’ Scholarship Fund – http://acjsf.org
• Member of the Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on Criminal Procedure
• Member of the Judicial Technology Advisory Committee