Atlanta, January 2, 2025 – The portrait of the Honorable Harold D. Melton, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, will be presented in a special ceremony on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. in the Supreme Court courtroom.

Current Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs will accept the portrait on behalf of the Supreme Court. The portrait artist is Suzanne Royal.

“Former Chief Justice Melton led Georgia’s judiciary through the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that state courts continued to administer justice within the proper boundaries of public health and safety,” Chief Justice Boggs said. “Even before that, he was a dedicated and thoughtful jurist and an exemplary colleague. For these and many other reasons, we are extremely grateful for his service, and our Court very much looks forward to displaying his portrait.”

Justice Melton, now a partner at Troutman Pepper’s Atlanta office, worked for three decades in state government, including 16 years with the Supreme Court. He was appointed to the Supreme Court in July 2005 by then-Gov. Sonny Perdue upon the retirement of another former Chief Justice, Norman S. Fletcher. Justice Melton served in the Chief Justice role from September 2018 until his retirement in July 2021.

Prior to his appointment to the state’s highest court, Justice Melton served as Gov. Perdue’s Executive Counsel, representing the governor on a host of legal issues. Earlier than that, he worked in the Georgia Department of Law for more than a decade under two Attorneys General. During that time, he dealt with the creation of the Georgia Lottery Corporation, became section leader over the Consumer Interest Section, and handled the administration of Georgia’s tobacco settlement.

A native of Washington, D.C., Justice Melton earned his Bachelor of Science from Auburn University, where he was also the first African-American president of the student government. He later earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Georgia.

Media are welcome to cover the presentation event. Any media planning to photograph, video, or broadcast the event should complete a request form online. The event also will be live-streamed on the Court’s website at gasupreme.us.