Eric Coale has qualified to run for the office of District Court Judge of Escambia County. Coale is currently in private law practice and managing partner with the firm of Otts, Moore, Coale, Godwin & Stearns with offices in Brewton and Atmore, and has been with the firm for 17 years.

He is an assistant state attorney general for the Escambia County Department of Human

Resources for 17 years and has also served as an assistant district attorney for 13 years. He prosecutes drug cases, sex crime cases and child support cases. He also prosecutes District Court cases, which include misdemeanor offenses, such as domestic violence and driving while under the influence.

“Helping families and protecting children is my calling,” Coale said. “I have dedicated my entire career to that area of the law. The decision to seek office is one that I have contemplated for years, and now it seems that it is a logical progression.

“With that said, I feel that my experience in dealing with juveniles and the workings of DHR lend valuable experience to the seat of district court judge,” he said.

Coale, a Democrat, is a church member of First Baptist Church in Brewton, where he serves as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He is a graduate of T.R. Miller High School and the University of Alabama, where he earned a degree in finance. He graduated with a law degree from Jones Law School.

He is a member of the Brewton Rotary Club and has served as president of the club. He serves on the Child Advocacy Center Board, where he is chief financial officer. He is on the Brewton Area YMCA Board and has served as president. He is also a member of the Atmore Chamber of Commerce and Brewton Area Chamber of Commerce where he serves on the Board of Directors. Additionally, Coale is on the Yancey Jernigan Foundation Board and has served on the Escambia County Habitat Board and the United Fund Board. He is currently serving as the Bar Commissioner for the 21st Judicial Circuit.

Coale is a member of the Alabama State Bar and Escambia County Bar. He is licensed in Southern and Middle U.S. District Court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and Poarch Band of Creek Indian Tribal Court.

Coale has served as a volunteer coach for several years in various sports, including baseball, basketball, softball and soccer.

He is the son of Sam and Dot Coale of Roberts. He is married to Tammy Gray Coale, who is a counselor at Brewton Middle School and who previously taught at Rachel Patterson in Atmore and Brewton Elementary School. The couple has one daughter, 10-year-old Grayton.