Atlanta, June 23, 2022 –Chief Justice David E. Nahmias sat for the last time on the bench of the Supreme Court of Georgia courtroom today to preside over the final session of June 2022 oral arguments.

Chief Justice Nahmias is resigning from the Court effective July 17, 2022, after almost 13 years as a Justice. He was appointed to the high court in August 2009 by then-Gov. Sonny Perdue and was later elected to two six-year terms. He was named Chief Justice by his fellow Justices in July 2021 and led the Court through its emergence from the effects and constraints of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presiding Justice Michael P. Boggs, who will become Chief Justice on July 18, began today’s session with remarks, honoring Chief Justice Nahmias for his exemplary command of the law, work ethic and professionalism.

“Simply put, he has made this state and our Court better and has left the body of law in Georgia clearer than when he began—worthy goals of any appellate judge,” Presiding Justice Boggs said. “Equally important, he has made each of his colleagues better. We all admire him for what he has done to improve our own work and our Court, and we are all truly better judges because of his service. To each of us, his service embodies the motto that is engraved above our bench, ‘Let justice be done though the heavens may fall.’”

Presiding Justice Boggs also praised the Chief Justice’s decades of public service—first as a federal prosecutor and later as a jurist—and his commitment to the rule of law.

“That he chose public service particularly, when so very many other options existed for him, says much about him,” Presiding Justice Boggs said. “To me, he has a servant’s heart and sets an example of professionalism and devotion to the needs of others that we should all aspire to emulate.”

The Chief Justice’s service on the Supreme Court’s Committee on Justice for Children and on the Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice Board of Directors are just two examples that illustrate his devotion to improving the lives of children in need and supporting foster and adoptive families, the Presiding Justice noted.

“This dedicated service to matters involving kids is surpassed by only one thing and that is his devotion to his own family,” said Presiding Justice Boggs, acknowledging the Chief Justice’s fiancée, youngest son, mother, and brother who were present in the courtroom for his last day of oral arguments.

After a standing ovation from his fellow Justices and a full courtroom of staff, attorneys, and observers, the Chief Justice gave a brief response before instructing the Clerk to call the first case of the day.

“It has been my honor and my privilege to serve alongside you—alongside the other Justices on this bench and eight former Justices—as this Court seeks to uphold the rule of law and ensure equal justice for all the citizens of this great State,” Chief Justice Nahmias said.

He also thanked Court staff, with whom he has worked closely over the years.

“I’m going to miss many parts of my work here,” he said, “but what I will miss most of all is my colleagues and friends on this Court.”

Watch a recording of today’s remarks: