Atlanta, October 5, 2018 – Superior Court Judge Dustin W. “Dusty” Hightower of the Coweta Judicial Circuit has been designated to serve in place of Justice Sarah H. Warren in the appeal of So. States Chem. Inc. et al. v. Tamp Tank &Welding, Inc. et al. (S18A1256). The Supreme Court of Georgia will hear arguments in the case on Oct. 9 during its 10:00 A.M. session. In this case, two companies are appealing a Fulton County court ruling that was in favor of the two companies they sued over the alleged faulty renovation of a tank. In addition to hearing arguments, Judge Hightower will participate in the Court’s decision.
Judge Hightower, 37, was appointed to the Coweta Judicial Circuit by Gov. Nathan Deal on May 26, 2016. The Coweta circuit covers the counties of Carroll, Coweta, Heard, Meriwether, and Troup. Prior to his appointment, Judge Hightower practiced law from 2008 to 2016 with the firm of Miller & Hightower, Attorneys At Law. He served as the city prosecutor for the cities of Mt. Zion and Buchanan for six years.
Judge Hightower is a native of Carroll County and graduated from Central High School. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in business management cum laude from the University of West Georgia. He then obtained his law degree from John Marshall School of Law in 2008.
Judge Hightower served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2012 to 2016. He is a recipient of the Defender of Liberty Award from the American Conservative Union and the Legislative Leadership Award from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence. In 2015, he was recognized as Legislator of the Year for the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association and the Service Providers Association for Developmental Disabilities. Judge Hightower serves on the Carroll County Child Advocacy Center Board, Carrollton Main Street Board, the University of West Georgia’s National Alumni Board, and the University of West Georgia’s Athletic Foundation Board. In 2012, he received the Outstanding Young Alumnus Award from the University of West Georgia. He was recognized among the Top 10 Young Professionals in Douglas County in 2013.
Judge Hightower is married to Christina Camp Hightower, a high school math teacher. They have two children.
(Designated judges are appointed when a justice must recuse himself or herself from a particular case. The Supreme Court of Georgia maintains a list of select judges from around the state and when the need arises, the Court appoints the next judge on the list.)