Judge Hughey received his undergraduate degree from Vanderbilt University and his law degree, summa cum laude, from the University of Alabama School of Law. While in law school, he served as Editor in Chief of the Alabama Law Review. Upon graduating, he was elected to the Order of the Coif, was named a Hugo Black Scholar and received the Dean M. Leigh Harrison Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in academic performance (top 5% of the class), legal writing and scholarship.
Prior to taking office, Judge Hughey was in private practice for over a decade. During his years of practice, he was listed multiple times in Best Lawyers in America and Alabama Super Lawyers and held an AV® Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. He received both the Brian Fair and the Gail Johnson Achievement Awards from the University of Alabama Black Law Students Association (BLSA). Recipients of these awards are chosen by the BLSA membership for their contributions to the community, the University of Alabama BLSA chapter and students aspiring to be attorneys. He also served on the editorial board of The Alabama Lawyer and as co-chair of the Alabama State Bar's Diversity in the Profession Committee.
Judge Hughey is frequently called upon to speak at educational events for law students, practicing lawyers and sitting judges. He serves as an Executive Board Member and as Co-Chair the Education Committee of the Alabama Association of Circuit Judges; on the Alabama Pattern Jury Instructions Committee for civil cases; on the Supreme Court of Alabama’s Standing Committee on the Alabama Rules of Evidence; and as chair of the Alabama Supreme Court Commission on Dispute Resolution.
In 2014, the Young Lawyers Section of the Birmingham Bar Association awarded Judge Hughey the Judge Drayton James Award. This award is presented annually to a Birmingham judge who has exemplified Judge James' legacy of friendship, leadership, professionalism and legal guidance to young lawyers.
Judge Hughey is particularly involved in efforts to encourage and support young people who wish to pursue legal careers. In that regard, he has judged student speaking contests, conducted mock trials with elementary and middle school students, and twice served as the keynote speaker for the Birmingham Minority Pre-Law Conference.