Governor Announces Josh Belinfante as new Executive Counsel

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the appointment of Josh Belinfante as executive counsel for the Office of the Governor. Belinfante, who currently serves as deputy executive counsel, follows Jud Turner, who has served as executive counsel to Governor Perdue since January 2007. Turner is returning to private practice effective June 1 to launch a new firm with Chuck Bachman and Heath Garrett named Turner Bachman & Garrett LLC. The new practice will focus on education, legislative and regulatory law, government relations and litigation.

“Jud’s integrity, work ethic and strong legal instincts have been invaluable to me and the citizens of this state,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Although he worked on a number of important issues, his service on behalf of Georgia in the tri-state water negotiations has won praise and respect from our federal partners and Alabama and Florida as well.”

Turner will continue as a special executive counsel on the ongoing water litigation.

Governor Perdue also announced today that Deputy Executive Counsel Edward Tate will also serve as Deputy Chief Operating Officer under state COO Jim Lientz.

“Josh and Edward have both been terrific assets to our office, providing our staff and the General Assembly legal and policy advice on a wide range of issues,” said Governor Perdue.  “I am confident they will continue their great work in these new positions.”

            Biographies on Josh Belinfante and Edward Tate are provided below.

Josh Belinfante, Executive Counsel

As Deputy Executive Counsel, Josh Belinfante advised Governor Perdue on legal and policy matters. He was heavily involved in the comprehensive reform to Georgia’s Certificate of Need laws and reform of Georgia’s Medicaid program. Before joining the Governor's Office, Josh Belinfante served as Legal Counsel to the Judiciary Committee of the Georgia House of Representatives, and was in private practice at Balch & Bingham LLP and Alston & Bird LLP in Atlanta. He also served as a law clerk to Chief Judge J.L. Edmondson of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. His civic involvement includes service on the boards of the Atlanta Chapters of the Federalist Society and the Jewish National Fund, as well as the Pace Academy Alumni Board. Belinfante received his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law and his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania.

Edward Tate, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Deputy Executive Counsel

Tate, of Atlanta, was an associate with King & Spalding LLP before joining the Governor’s Executive Counsel’s Office.  His prior governmental experience includes serving as a legislative assistant and campaign manager for then U.S. Congressman Johnny Isakson. He has also been employed by Barclays Capital as a financial analyst. Tate received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law and his bachelor's degree in government from Harvard College.

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