Three days after Mike Davis officially retired as probate judge of Limestone County, Gov. Robert Bentley appointed Huntsville attorney Stan McDonald to the post.

“I am pleased to appoint Stan McDonald to the Probate Court Judgeship of Limestone County,” Bentley said in a statement. “He brings a wealth of experience to the position and will serve the citizens of Limestone County with honesty and integrity.”

McDonald will be formally sworn in today, with a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony to be held in about 10 days.

Not surprisingly, Bentley appointed a Republican to fill the seat vacated by Davis, a Democrat who was elected to the post in 1982. McDonald, 49, is no stranger to the legal process or the Republican Party. His father, Albert McDonald, served as a state senator and agricultural commissioner.

Stan McDonald served as deputy chief of staff for former Gov. Guy Hunt in the late 1980s, and became the state’s youngest Revenue Commissioner in 1992. More recently, he served as campaign chairman for Congressman Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville.

In a statement, Brooks said he’s known McDonald a quarter-century and feels like he’ll make an excellent probate judge.

“The people of Limestone County are fortunate to have a man of Stan’s integrity and character as their probate judge,” he said.

Jim Burden, chairman of the Limestone County Republican Party, said McDonald’s appointment represents the first time in “many, many years” that a Republican has held the office of probate judge in the county.

Burden said McDonald touched base with him on Wednesday after learning of the appointment, and added that McDonald is well suited for the job.

“He has the background to do all those things and I think he’s well qualified,” Burden said. “He’s a good, conservative Republican and very articulate. I’m very pleased for him to get that.”

McDonald and his wife, Missy Dye McDonald, have been Limestone County residents for the last 12 years, and they moved to Athens four years ago. He said the probate judge’s seat was something he had been interested in “for a pretty good while.”

McDonald has practiced real estate law for more than 15 years, which he said has given him valuable experience in probate issues like condemnations and mental health commitments.

“I’ve got experience in those areas, so on-the-job training shouldn’t be an issue,” he said.

He graduated from Faulkner University’s Jones School of Law in 1994, and passed the bar exam in 1995. In 1997, he opened McDonald & Associates in Huntsville, and is now with Long & McDonald. The firm has offices in Huntsville and Guntersville.

In addition to his legal experience, McDonald once served as president of the state’s largest title company, Reli. However, he said he is no longer with that group.

McDonald also has civic experience, having founded a recreational club for Huntsville youth and also served on the board of directors for the Chelsea-based King’s Ranch. He currently is a member of the Athens High School Booster Club.

He and his wife were also co-founders of the Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Madison, at which McDonald serves as an elder. The couple has four children, the oldest of which attends Auburn University.  

Davis said he had no words of advice for McDonald, but instead offered to help as he gets acquainted with the new job.

“I just congratulate him on his appointment and wish him well,” Davis said. “I’ll do everything I can to assist him and I just wish him the best.”