Judicial Nominating Commission Recommends Nominees to Fill Court of Appeals

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue’s Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) has submitted recommendations to fill two vacancies on the Court of Appeals created by the retirement of the Honorable G. Alan Blackburn and the death of the Honorable Debra H. Bernes.

The JNC submitted the following short list of names:

• Keith R. Blackwell – Parker Hudson, Rainer & Dobbs LLP
• Christopher S. Brasher – Judge, Superior Court of Georgia, Atlanta Judicial Circuit
• N. Stanley Gunter – District Attorney, Enotah Judicial Circuit
• J. Robert Persons – Smith Moore Leatherwood LLP
• Matthew O. Simmons – Judge, Superior Court, Clayton Judicial Circuit

 

The following are candidates from the 2009 short list for the Supreme Court who will also be considered for the Court of Appeals:

• Stephen Louis A. Dillard – James, Bates, Pope & Spivey; Macon
• James P. Kelly III – Kelly Law Firm; Atlanta
• Mary E. Staley – Superior Court Judge; Cobb County
• Benjamin W. Studdard III – State Court Chief Judge; Henry County

The 2009 short list for the Supreme Court also included Rocco E. Testani, Judge Craig L. Schwall Sr., Judge William M. Ray II, and Judge Samuel D. Ozburn, all of whom respectfully declined to be considered for the Court of Appeals.

 

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