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Paula Whitley Abernathy

Chief Assistant District Attorney

Paula was born in Fort Worth, Texas and raised in Tuscaloosa, where she graduated from Central High School (Class of 1985). She received a B.S. in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama in 1989 and her J.D. from The University of Alabama School of Law in 1992. Paula is a graduate of Leadership Tuscaloosa (2024). She is married to Ron Abernathy and they share two grandsons. Paula enjoys traveling, gardening, and running.

Shannon D. Lynch

Juvenile Court

Shannon was born in Paducah Kentucky and raised in Daphne, Alabama. She graduated from Fairhope High School. She received a B.A. in Political Science in 2001 from The University of Alabama in Huntsville; and her J.D. at the University of Alabama School of Law in 2004. Shannon enjoys community service and volunteer work in Tuscaloosa. She serves on the Shelton State Community College Adult Education Advisory Board and the Tuscaloosa Children’s Policy Council.

Kaelan Bradford

Circuit Court

Kaelan was born in St. Petersburg and grew up in Tampa, Florida. Later on, his family moved to Auburn, Alabama, and he graduated from Auburn High School. He received his B.S in Political Science from the University of South Florida in 2018 and earned his J.D. from Stetson University College of Law in 2023. Kaelan is married to his wife, Mary Anna. In his spare time, Kaelan enjoys watching baseball, fishing, playing drums and playing occasional video games.

Ashley A. Ross

Circuit Court

Ashley was born in Bastrop, Louisiana and grew up in Sierra Vista, Arizona, where she graduated from Buena High School. She received her B.S. (summa cum laude) in Marketing with dual minors in Economics & Communications from the University of Alabama. She received her J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2019. While there, she was awarded the Order of the Samaritan, which is the highest public service award bestowed by the U.A. School of Law. Prior to joining the District Attorney’s Office, she clerked for judges at the state and federal level. In her free time Ashley enjoys going on walks with her dog Sandy and attending St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish with her boyfriend Tyler.

Corey G. Seale

Circuit Court

Corey is from Demopolis, Alabama. She received her B.S. degrees in Commerce & Business Administration and Human Environmental Sciences from the University of Alabama in 2012. She is a 2016 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Law. She is the current secretary and treasurer of the Criminal Justice Section of the Alabama State Bar, is a 2022 graduate of the Alabama State Bar Leadership Forum, and 2020 graduate of Leadership Tuscaloosa. Corey is married to Joey Seale, and they have one son. She is a member of Church of the Highlands.

Paige W. Elliott

Director–Child Support Unit

Paige was born in Winfield, Al where she graduated from Winfield City High School. (Class of 1987). She received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Alabama in 1992 and her J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1995. She enjoys traveling and cooking. Paige is a member of Valley View Baptist Church.

John Halcomb

Grand Jury

John was born in Birmingham and raised in Bessemer & Hoover. He graduated from W.A. Berry High School in Hoover in 1993. He received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from The University of Alabama in 1999 and his J.D. from The Birmingham School of Law in 2002. In his time with the Tuscaloosa County District Attorney’s office, John received the Assistant District Attorney of the Year award from the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force in 2020 and Assistant District Attorney of the Year from the Alabama District Attorney’s Association in 2021. John and his wife, Suzanne, have two children. John enjoys watching Alabama football and basketball, playing tennis, saltwater fishing, and cooking anything you can throw on an open flame.

Thomas Marshall

Circuit Court

Thomas was born in Moultrie, Georgia. He graduated from Colquitt County High School in 2011. He received his B.S. in Wildlife Management & Ecology from Auburn University in 2015 and his J.D. from Cumberland School of Law in 2020. Thomas and his wife Maddie have one son and two daughters. Thomas enjoys fishing in ponds, lakes, creeks or wherever he can possibly throw a lure. He also enjoys hiking, hunting, being outside with his family, watching Auburn football and attempting to hit a golf ball.

Alex Thompson

District Court

Alex Thompson was born in Mobile, Alabama, and raised in the close-knit town of Citronelle. She graduated from Citronelle High School before earning her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Auburn University at Montgomery in 2018, and her J.D. from Faulkner University in 2023, building a strong foundation in the law and a dedication to justice. Away from the courtroom, Alex is an enthusiastic traveler who enjoys exploring new places and discovering restaurants wherever she goes. She values time with her family and friends, whose support keeps her grounded and inspired. Alex is also accompanied by her dog, Zeus, whose spirited personality ensures there is never a dull moment.

Joseph “Buck” Burns, IV

Circuit Court

Buck was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and raised in Fosters. He graduated from Sipsey Valley High School in 2016. He received his bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Political Science from the University of Alabama in 2020 and his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2023. Buck and his wife, Katelynn, have one daughter and a King Charles Spaniel named Willow. During his free time, he enjoys the outdoors including hunting, fishing, and playing golf.

Ben Larkin

Child Support and Second Chance Program

Ben was born in Huntsville, Alabama and raised in Decatur. He graduated from Austin High School. He received his B.S. in Economics from Birmingham Southern College in 1995 and his J.D. from the University of Alabama in 1998. Ben and his wife Erin share a blended family of four adult children. Outside of work, Ben enjoys spending time on the golf course.

Anna Williams

District Court

Anna was born in Bellevue, Washington, and raised in New Bern, North Carolina. She graduated from New Bern High School before earning her B.S. in Literature from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2021, and her J.D. from University of Alabama School of Law in 2025. Anna is an avid reader who especially enjoys manhwa and manga. When she’s not immersed in a new story, she’s spending time with her cats.

Leslie LaTurno

Circuit Court

Leslie was born in Jacksonville, Florida, but she grew up in Fredericksburg, Virginia—where her love of learning, sports, and community all took root. After graduating from Riverbend High School, she headed to Florida State University, earning her B.S. in Political Science with a Philosophy minor, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 2020. She continued her journey at Cumberland School of Law, earning her J.D. in 2025 and contributing to the American Journal of Trial Advocacy. When she’s not working, Leslie is all about movement and sunshine. Whether it’s Pilates, yoga, or throwing a few punches in boxing class, she loves staying active. She never passes up a chance to visit family in Pensacola or spend a day at the beach. Saturdays are sacred—reserved for peewee football sidelines or cheering loudly for the Noles. Leslie is also a devoted fan of great music, good movies, and anything that brings people together, including theater nights with friends. Above all, Leslie values connection, curiosity, and community—and she brings that energy into everything she does.

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phone: 205-349-1252
fax: 205-349-1253
e-mail: main@tuscaloosada.com