Dennis O’Dell

Since 2019, Judge O’Dell has been engaged in private mediation practice.  He is certified by the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution in General Civil and Domestic Mediations.  He has received special training in mediations involving prior domestic violence.  He also has received required training for appointment on Appellate Mediations.

He received his undergraduate degree from Jacksonville State University in 1973 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Alabama in 1976. Prior to taking the bench, Judge O’Dell was engaged in the private practice of law in Huntsville for over 28 years.

He is a member of the Alabama State Bar Association and the Huntsville-Madison County Bar Association. During his private practice, he was admitted to all Alabama State Courts, the U.S. District Court for Northern Alabama, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

During his career, Judge O’Dell has held many positions of leadership in his community including PTA President of Chapman Elementary School, President of the American Heart Association of Huntsville-Madison County, President of the Huntsville High School’s “Big Red” Football Booster Club, District Two Commissioner for the Babe Ruth Baseball and the President of the Huntsville International Recreational League.

He enjoys spending time with his family, his wife, three sons and their families. He regularly participates in the Sanctuary Choir at First Baptist Church in Huntsville where he has served as a deacon, as a member of the Hospital Visitation Ministry, Church Moderator, FBC Baptist Builders and as a Sunday school teacher.  He has sung in the Living Christmas Tree for many years.