Attorney Tripp Watson running for City Council Place 2 seat

Lifelong Mountain Brook resident and local attorney Tripp Watson has officially entered the race, in pursuit of the Mountain Brook City Council Seat 2 position being vacated by former Judge Jack Carl.

Watson, who opened his own law practice — The Watson Firm — five years ago, provides legal advice and business consulting to people who started their own businesses.

Tripp said he believes Mountain Brook is a “pretty well-run town” already.

 “I’m not running to tout any big agenda,” said Watson, “I just want to do my small part to help this city remain successful.”

Watson said he is particularly passionate about sidewalks.

“Mountain Brook remains a uniquely walkable city, but many of the city’s busiest roads still do not have a safe space to walk or jog along without dodging traffic,” said Watson. “I would like to see a more sidewalks.”

If elected, this would be the first time Watson would hold an elected position.

Watson graduated from Washington and Lee University in 2007 with a B.A. double-major in Economics and Politics. He then went on to receiver a J.D. from Cumberland School of Law at Samford University and an M.B.A. from the Brock School of Business, also at Samford. Watson is licensed to practice law in Alabama and Tennessee and said he took both Bar Exams in the same week.

Watson has previously served as a member of the Birmingham Bar Association’s Long Range Planning Committee and on the Board of the Solo/Small Firm Section. He recently completed his second term as the President of the Alabama Economics Club, which serves as the state chapter for the National Association for Business Economics. He has served on the Advisory Committee for the MS Society, as a Cabinet Member for the United Way of Central Alabama, and on the Junior Board for Kid One Transport. He has also been recognized as one of Birmingham’s Top 40 Under 40 and as one of Birmingham’s Top Attorneys in the areas of Intellectual Property and Franchising.

Recently, Watson spoke at a local TEDxBirmingham event. The talk can be found here. 

Watson is married to his wife, Kristen, from Winston-Salem, North Carolina and the two reside in Crestline Park. Watson is a member and Associate Deacon at Mountain Brook Baptist Church.

For more information, visit Watson’s official campaign website on Facebook.

City Council Place 2 is currently a contested seat. As of July 13, Mountain Brook residents Philip Black and Vincent Schilleci III are also seeking the council seat. The election will be held Tuesday, Aug. 23, with the purpose of electing the mayor and two members of the City Council. Elections will be held for council places two and four, currently held by Jack Carl and Virginia Smith, this summer. The office of the mayor is also up for election. 

Smith will once again run for office, though Carl and Mayor Oden will not seek reelection.