Honorable Chief Magistrate Judge Stephen M. Doyle

Judge Stephen M. Doyle was sworn in as a United States Magistrate Judge on January 7, 2019. He was appointed Chief Magistrate Judge on August 1, 2020 and also serves on the Eleventh Circuit Judicial Council Magistrate Judges Committee. Prior to joining the court, Judge Doyle practiced for over 28 years with the U.S. Department of Justice. He served from 1990-1998 in the Torts Branch of the Civil Division at Main Justice in Washington, D.C. He then transferred to the Criminal Division where he prosecuted national security crimes in the Counterespionage Section. In 2004, he transferred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama where he served as Chief of the Civil Division until his appointment to the bench.

Judge Doyle is a retired Army National Guard Colonel. He was commissioned a 2LT of Infantry through ROTC in 1985 and served as a platoon leader in the 2/175th Infantry before transferring to the JAG Corps. His assignments include State Staff Judge Advocate, Deputy SJA, Brigade Judge Advocate 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, and Senior Trial Counsel. From 2010-2011 he deployed to Afghanistan as the senior U.S. military advisor to the Afghan National Army 209th Corps in Mazer-i-Sharif. He was also the Task Force SJA for the 2015 Baltimore riots. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLC), Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and NATO ISAF Medal.

Judge Doyle’s wife, the former Beth Gallagher, teaches English in the Montgomery Public School System, and they have two teenaged children.

Education

Loyola College, B.A. (magna cum laude, distinguished military graduate) 1985
Duke University School of Law, J.D., 1988
United States Air War College, M.S.S., 2013

Correspondence

Under the rules governing the conduct of judges, our judges cannot respond to letters, emails, or other communications relating to cases that are pending or relating to other matters that could be the subject of future litigation in this court. Judges cannot respond to individual requests for legal assistance or advice.