R. Lance Bell is a life-long St. Clair county resident and graduate of Pell City High School. Bell attended Faulkner University where he graduated with a B.S. in Criminal Justice and obtained his Juris Doctor from Birmingham School of Law in May 2003. Bell practices throughout the State of Alabama handling both plaintiff and civil defense matters as well as providing criminal defense services to his clients. He is admitted to practice before the Alabama Supreme Court and is a member of the Alabama State Bar Association and St. Clair County Bar Association.
While attending college and law school, Bell worked for the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department for seven years and was a member of the 30th Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force. Upon obtaining his law degree, Lance served as an Investigator for the 30th Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office from 1999 – 2003. In January 2003, Lance became Assistant District Attorney for the 30th Judicial Circuit where he prosecuted criminal cases in both District and Circuit Court. He was recognized by Director of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigations for his dedication and contributions due to a joint law enforcement operation in October 2003.
Lance became Partner at Trussell, Funderburg, Rea, Bell & Furgerson, P.C. in January 2012, where he represents a vast array of clientele with legal actions in Federal, State and Municipal courts. He is an experienced and proven trial litigator representing clients with issues in criminal matters, civil matters, auto accidents, personal injury and domestic relations. Through his years of experience prosecuting cases at the District Attorney’s office, Lance has the legal expertise and knowledge required to represent those who have been charged with a criminal matter. In addition to his general practice, Lance has an expansive clientele of businesses, corporations and governmental agencies.
Lance currently serves as a Municipal Judge and as an adjunct professor at the Birmingham School of Law. He has lectured on various subjects including evidence, criminal procedure, criminal law, campaign finance and ethics.
Lance is an active member of the Alabama Municipal Judges Association, Alabama State Bar, St. Clair County Bar Association, St. Clair County Health Care Authority, Leadership St. Clair County (Board of Directors), First and Ten Club (University of Alabama), Business Council of Alabama (Board of Directors), Pell City Industrial Development Board, Greater Pell City Chamber of Commerce, St. Clair County Cattlemen’s Association, Pell City Police Foundation (Founding Chairman) and Pell City DARE Board Member. He is married to the former Holly Flemmons of Anniston and has two sons, Hudson and Holden.