The race for a Limestone County judgeship is heating up as a third man has entered the race.

Athens defense attorney Harlan Mitchell announced in a press release Friday he would seek election to the Place 1 Circuit Court judgeship in 2016.

Mitchell, a defense attorney in Athens for 19 years, joins fellow attorneys James Moffatt and Chad Wise in the race. All three are Republicans.

The judgeship they are seeking is currently held by Circuit Judge Jimmy Woodroof Jr., who plans to retire when his term expires in 2016.

The primary election for the Place 1 judgeship will be March 1, 2016.

The general election will be Nov. 8, 2016.

Mitchell background

As a defense attorney, Mitchell said he has represented clients in federal, state and municipal court. He said his dedication to the law and his desire to keep Limestone County safe motivated him to work for Athens Police Department as an officer with the K-9 unit.

“I love this community,” Mitchell said. “My parents are from the Ardmore area, and I graduated from school there. When I decided to become an attorney, my sights were focused on giving back. Now, I’d like to use my knowledge of the law and my experience serving clients to go one step further.”

Mitchell said the Place 1 judgeship should be filled by a qualified candidate who has experience with jury trials, knowledge of the rules of procedure and the ability to control a courtroom.

He cites his experience covering tough jury cases in many different types of courts all over North Alabama as evidence he is qualified to hold the judgeship. He is also a registered mediator with the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution in both family and civil law, he said.

Mitchell has served on the Athens-Limestone Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors for six years, he said. He holds professional membership with the Limestone Bar Association, the Alabama State Bar, the National Trial Lawyers, and Criminal Defense associations, both state and national, he said.

“My lifetime desire has been to help maintain the highest level of professional standards in our court system, while sending a strong message that our Limestone County community is tough on crime,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell will announce his campaign website and “meet and greet” events in the coming months.