Governor Perdue Fills Judicial Vacancies

Atlanta - Governor Sonny Perdue announced today three appointments to fill judicial vacancies in the Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit, Superior Court; Gwinnett State Court; and the Rome Judicial Circuit, Superior Court.

The Honorable David Dickinson has been selected to fill the Bell-Forsyth vacancy, Carla Brown has been selected to fill the Gwinnett vacancy, and Bryant Durham has been selected to fill the Rome vacancy.

The Bell-Forsyth vacancy was created by the passing of Chief Judge Richard S. Gault on July 23, 2003. The Gwinnett vacancy was created with the resignation of Judge David M. Fuller effective, September 1, 2003. The Rome vacancy was created by the retirement of Robert G. Walther effective November 1, 2003.

The vacancy on the State Court in Forsyth County created by the appointment of the Honorable David Dickinson will be filled through the nomination, application, and recommendation process initiated by the Judicial Nominating Commission and will be announced at a later date. The candidates who made the short list for the Superior Court position will automatically be considered for the State Court position and need not apply again.

The swearing-in ceremony will occur Friday, November 7, 2003, at 1:30 p.m. in the State Senate Chambers. Brief biographies are provided below.

David L. Dickinson, Cumming, GA - Dickinson is Chief Judge for State Court of Forsyth County. Previously Dickinson held the position of Judge for Superior Court and Probate Court (By Designation) Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit. Dickinson is a member of the Lawyers Club of Atlanta, the Atlanta Bar Association and the Council of State Court Judges. Dickinson received his BA in Economics from Mercer University and his Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Dickinson and his wife, Karol Ann, have one child.

Carla E. Brown, Lawrenceville, GA - Brown is currently in private practice in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Previously she served as associate attorney with the Law Office of Robert G. Fierer. Brown has served as Associate Judge for the City of Suwanne as well as Judge for Gwinnett County State Court (By Designation). Brown received her Juris Doctor from the Walter F. George School of Law.

J. Bryant Durham, Jr., Rome, GA - Durham is currently Partner in the law firm of Cox, Byington, Corwin, Neidrach & Durham. His is also serving as Floyd County Administrator as well as Municipal Judge for the City of Rome. Durham is a member of the Rome Rotary Club and a member of the Board of Directors with YMCA. Durham served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1973 - 1981. Durham graduated cum laude from Mercer University and graduated from the University of Georgia Law School.