The Judicial Nominating Commission has submitted recommendations to fill vacancies within the State Courts of Bryan, DeKalb, Henry, and Spalding Counties, and the Superior Courts of the Alapaha, Augusta, Brunswick, and Douglas Judicial Circuits. 

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:

 

Bryan County State Court

  • Donald L. Montgomery, Jr. – Solicitor General, Bryan County State Court

 

DeKalb County State Court

  • Mercedes G. Ball – Assistant General Counsel & Director, State Bar of Georgia
  • Joshua M. Geller – Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney, Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney
  • Zulma P. Lopez – owner and managing partner, Lopez Law, LLC

 

Henry County State Court

  • Pamela M. Bettis – Solicitor General, Henry County State Court
  • LaShonda Calhoun Harris – Assistant Solicitor General, Henry County Solicitor General’s Office  

 

Spalding County State Court

  • Thomas J. Ison, Jr. – The Law Office of Thomas J. Ison, Jr.; Solicitor, City of Griffin Municipal Court  
  • Patrick M. Shepherd – Solicitor General, Spalding County State Court

 

Alapaha Judicial Circuit

  • Matthew B. Bennett – partner, Bennett & Connell, LLC

 

Augusta Judicial Circuit

  • Kristi G. Connell – Assistant District Attorney, Columbia Judicial Circuit
  • Matthew W. Matson – owner, Matson Law Firm LLC

 

Brunswick Judicial Circuit

  • Steven G. Blackerby – partner, Brown, Readdick, Bumgartner, Carter, Strickland & Watkins, LLP
  • Taylor H. Haley – managing partner, Compass Law Group, LLC

 

Douglas Judicial Circuit

  • Brook Demeke – Senior Assistant District Attorney, Douglas Judicial Circuit
  • James A. Kiger – Chief Assistant Public Defender, Douglas County Public Defender’s Office

 

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