The Judicial Nominating Commission has submitted recommendations to fill vacancies within the Superior Courts of the Houston, Piedmont, and Tifton Judicial Circuits.  The vacancies in the Houston and Tifton Judicial Circuits were created by the passage of House Bills 992 and 906, respectively, during the 2024 session of the Georgia General Assembly.  The vacancy in the Piedmont Judicial Circuit is being created by the retirement of the Honorable Wayne D. McLocklin, effective July 31, 2024.

Governor Kemp will fill the vacancies from among the lists.  The Governor’s Office will contact candidates to schedule interviews.

The following names were submitted to Governor Kemp:

Houston Judicial Circuit

  • Amy E. Smith – Solicitor General, State Court of Houston County
  • T. Rabb Wilkerson, III – trial attorney, T. Rabb Wilkerson, III, P.C.

 

Piedmont Judicial Circuit

  • Trey Bennett – General Counsel & Grants Division Director, Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget
  • Sarah Griffie – Chief Assistant District Attorney, Piedmont Judicial Circuit

 

Tifton Judicial Circuit

  • Render M. Heard, Jr. – Chief Judge, Juvenile Courts of the Tifton Judicial Circuit
  • Ralph W. Powell – Judge, State Court of Worth County; Municipal Courts for the Cities of Poulan and Warwick; managing partner, Wilmot & Powell, LLC

 

 

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