Commencing from 1982 and for nearly a decade, Bell labored in private-practice and specialized in the field of real estate law. He became board certified in real estate law in 1989 and was confirmed by the Florida Bar in January 1991. In the same year, he became the youngest circuit judge in the history of the First Judicial Circuit of Florida. For the next 12 years Bell served on the bench and in other capacities within the community, and was consequently appointed to the Florida Supreme Court by Former Governor Bush in December 2002, took office January 2003, and labored forward with distinction as the first Justice to be returned from the Pensacola area in a century. He resigned from the bench effective October 1, 2008, and upon accepting his resignation, Governor Charlie Christ honored him with the following: "Your contributions to Florida law and the judicial system will stand for many years to come. You never wavered in following the text of our Constitution and statutes, and by doing so you set an example of judicial restraint for jurists everywhere. As a man of humility and deep faith in God, you have served as a role model of personal and professional integrity on the bench."
On May 23, 2008, Bell announced that he would resign from the supreme court on October 1, 2008, which he hoped would allow the "constitutional mechanism" enough time to find a suitable replacement. "Serving the people of Florida as a justice," Bell wrote, "has been the greatest privilege of my public life. Indeed, I wish I could continue to serve. However, similar to the reasons recently expressed by Justice Raoul Cantero in his resignation, my family responsibilities require that I return full-time to Pensacola." In addition to this, he also expressed a desire to help his community, which has suffered the effects of Hurricane Ivan. He was succeeded by Justice Ricky Polston. Bell returned to the practice of law on October 1, 2008 as a partner with the Pensacola, Florida office of the regional law firm, . However, in June 2014, Bell left and became a shareholder with the Gunster, a law firm based out of South Florida. . He now lives in Pensacola with his family.
An entry within Burke's Peerage, and Landed Gentry records a pedigree headed by John Bell of Greatworth, in Northants, father of James Bell, of Greatworth, who married Jane, daughter of John Randall, of Westhorp, Northants, who migrated to Ireland in 1658, where he obtained lands in Carlow and Queen's County. Through this marriage descend Justice Bell's American ancestors; Florida pioneers who migrated from Ireland, that have thenceforth resided in the Pensacola area for seven generations. A number of members of this family have devoted their lives to the Military and public service whereby they have made significant contributions to the community, including gifts of real estate with specific attention to helping children. Other Bells of note that descend from this lineage include, The Bells of Pendall Court, Surrey, the family seat of William Archibald Juxon Bell, Major R.A.S.C., b. 1883, who in 1916 married Mary Isabel Maude, and had issue. 1. William Archibald Ottley Juxon Bell of Cottisford House, Northants 2. Edward Hamiliton Juxon Bell 3. John Richard Juxon Bell. Arms: Azure a chevronermine between in chief two bells and in base a fleamOr''
