Governor Announces Judicial Appointments

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today announced two appointments to the Georgia Court of Appeals. Keith Blackwell and Stephen Dillard will be appointed to fill vacancies on the Georgia Court of Appeals created by the retirement of Judge G. Alan Blackburn and the death of Judge Debra Bernes.

Brief biographies are provided below.

Keith Blackwell – Keith Blackwell is a partner in the litigation practice group of Parker Hudson Rainer & Dobbs LLP.  Previously, Keith served as Assistant District Attorney in Cobb County and practiced at Alston & Bird LLP.  Keith clerked for the Hon. J.L. Edmondson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.  Keith received his law degree summa cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law, where he was First Honor Graduate, and received his bachelor of arts summa cum laude from the University of Georgia.  Among his many community activities and awards, Keith is the former president of the Atlanta chapter of the Federalist Society and a current member of its executive board, a member of the Governor’s Judicial Nominating Commission, and has been recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyers “Rising Star”.  Keith, his wife Angela, and their three children, live in Smyrna.

Stephen Louis A. Dillard – Steve Dillard is of counsel and chair of the appellate practice group of James Bates Pope Spivey LLP in Macon.  Previously, Steve practiced at Stone & Baxter LLP.  Steve clerked for the Hon. Daniel A. Manion of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit.  Steve received his law degree cum laude from Mississippi College of Law and received his bachelor of arts from Samford University.  Among his many community activities and awards, Steve is the president of the Macon chapter of the Federalist Society, a member of the Governor’s Judicial Nominating Commission, and has been recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyers “Rising Star”.  Steve, his wife Krista, and their three children, live in Macon.

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