AshLeigh Meyer Dunham

AshLeigh Meyer Dunham earned a high school diploma from Bob Jones High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama in 2007, and a law degree from the Samford University Cumberland School of Law in 2010.

Her career experience includes working as a lawyer.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am an attorney, former Juvenile Court Referee, former Special Sitting Circuit Judge, small business owner, and IVF mom who has dedicated my career to serving Alabama families. For more than 15 years, I've represented people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, from child custody and abuse and neglect cases to helping families grow through assisted reproductive technology.

Serving on the bench reinforced what I have always believed: every person deserves to be treated with dignity, every case deserves to be heard fairly, and the law should be applied consistently regardless of who walks into the courtroom.

As an IVF mom, I understand firsthand how court decisions can profoundly affect everyday lives. That experience strengthened my commitment to a judiciary that protects constitutional rights, provides stability, and gives people confidence that justice is based on the law, not politics or ideology.

I am running for the Alabama Supreme Court because I believe our state deserves experienced judges who understand both the law and the real-world impact of judicial decisions. My goal is simple: to help build a court that is fair, accessible, independent, and committed to equal justice for every Alabamian.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Protecting Families and the Rule of Law. Throughout my career, I have worked to protect children, strengthen families, and uphold the Constitution. As both a fertility attorney and an IVF mom, I have seen how judicial decisions affect people's ability to build families and plan for the future. I believe judges must remain independent, apply the law faithfully, and remember that every opinion has real consequences for the people we serve.Justice Should Be Accessible to Everyone. Courts exist to serve the people. Every Alabamian deserves a judicial system that is fair, efficient, and consistent regardless of where they live or who they are. I believe in improving access to our courts, promoting confidence in the judicial system, and ensuring that justice is not delayed or out of reach for working families.Experience Matters. The Alabama Supreme Court should be led by justices with real courtroom experience. Having served on the bench and practicing trial attorney, I understand how appellate decisions affect trial courts, attorneys, and families across our state. My experience allows me to bring practical judgment, respect for precedent, and a commitment to applying the law fairly and consistently.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Throughout my career, I have been passionate about strengthening the administration of justice and supporting Alabama families. My work has focused on protecting children, improving access to the courts, and promoting a judicial system that is fair, efficient, and consistent. I also value accountability courts and evidence-based approaches that help individuals address underlying challenges while improving public safety. Above all, I believe in an independent judiciary that faithfully applies the law, protects constitutional rights, and ensures every person is treated with fairness, dignity, and equal justice.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I have long admired former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and Justice Janie Shores, both pioneers who helped shape Alabama's judiciary through their integrity, intellect, and commitment to public service. Chief Justice Cobb demonstrated that courts should be accessible, transparent, and worthy of the public's trust, while Justice Shores was known for her careful legal reasoning, thoughtful opinions, and dedication to the rule of law. Although each brought her own perspective to the bench, both exemplified the importance of independence, professionalism, and treating every person who came before the court with dignity and respect. Their examples remind me that a judge's greatest responsibility is not simply deciding cases, but strengthening public confidence in the judiciary through fairness, humility, and service.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity is the most important quality for any elected official. The public must be able to trust that decisions are made honestly, ethically, and in service to the people rather than personal or political interests. I also believe humility, accountability, transparency, and respect for the rule of law are essential. Public service is a privilege, and elected officials should listen carefully, treat everyone with respect, and remember that their responsibility is to serve their communities with fairness, professionalism, and dedication.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The core responsibility of an Alabama Supreme Court Justice is to faithfully interpret and apply the Constitution and the laws of Alabama fairly, impartially, and without regard to political pressure or personal preference. Justices also have a critical administrative role in overseeing Alabama's unified court system, promoting consistency in how justice is administered across the state, supporting the work of our trial courts, and strengthening programs like accountability courts that improve outcomes while protecting public safety. Above all, the Court must preserve public confidence in a fair, efficient, and accessible judiciary.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I hope to leave a legacy of strengthening public confidence in Alabama's judiciary. I want to be remembered as a justice who applied the law with integrity, independence, and fairness; wrote clear opinions that provided meaningful guidance; and helped ensure justice was administered consistently across our state. I also hope my service leaves Alabama's courts more accessible, supports innovations like accountability courts that improve lives and public safety, and inspires future generations to believe that our courts exist to serve every person with dignity, respect, and equal justice.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job at 16 was a gift wrapper at Parisian. It was a seasonal job, so I believe it was just through Christmas.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

One of the greatest struggles in my life was a years-long battle with infertility. After multiple unsuccessful IVF cycles in Alabama, my husband and I ultimately had to leave our home state to pursue treatment that allowed us to become parents. That experience taught me perseverance, humility, and the importance of hope during life's most difficult moments. It also deepened my understanding of how legal decisions can profoundly affect ordinary families. While every case must be decided according to the law, that experience reinforced my commitment to treating every person who comes before the court with dignity, patience, and respect.

How would you describe your legal philosophy?

My legal philosophy is most closely aligned with the tradition of former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb and Justice Janie Shores. Both demonstrated that a judge can faithfully apply the law while recognizing that courts exist to serve the people. I believe in judicial restraint, respect for precedent, careful statutory interpretation, and clear, well-reasoned opinions that provide guidance to litigants and lower courts. Above all, I believe the judiciary should be independent, impartial, and committed to ensuring every person who comes before the court is treated with dignity, fairness, and equal justice.

Do you believe that empathy is an important quality for a judge?

Yes. Empathy is an important quality because it allows a judge to recognize that every case involves real people whose lives may be significantly affected by the court's decisions. This is why we have the scales. We must balance the law and empathy. However, empathy cannot replace the law or influence the outcome of a case. A judge's duty is to apply the law fairly, impartially, and consistently to every litigant. Empathy helps ensure that all parties are treated with dignity, respect, and patience throughout the judicial process, while impartiality ensures that every decision is based on the facts and the law.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

SPLC, Former Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb, CWA, Alabama New South Alliance, Nurses for America

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

I remember the Clinton election with the good and the bad. It was when I first started paying attention to the world news. I had stickers on my Trolls backpack. I remember watching the election in real time and everything that followed shortly after.

What concerns, if any, do you have about the legal system in your state?

One of my greatest concerns is ensuring that every Alabamian has meaningful access to justice. Delays, rising litigation costs, and inconsistent application of the law can make our legal system difficult to navigate, particularly for working families and small businesses. I also believe courts should strive to issue clear, well-reasoned opinions that provide guidance to litigants and lower courts, promoting consistency and public confidence. An independent judiciary that applies the law fairly, efficiently, and without regard to politics is essential to maintaining trust in our justice system.