Atlanta, Aug. 30, 2018 – Harold D. Melton will be sworn in as Georgia’s new Chief Justice on Tuesday, Sept. 4, at the State Capitol. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will introduce him. David E. Nahmias also will be sworn in as the new Presiding Justice. As governor, Secretary Perdue appointed both the new Chief Justice and Presiding Justice to the Supreme Court of Georgia.

The investiture will take place at 11:00 a.m. in the House Chamber. Outgoing Chief Justice P. Harris Hines, who is retiring this week after 44 years on the bench, will swear in both the new Chief Justice and Presiding Justice. A host of dignitaries, including Governor Nathan Deal, seven of the nine living Chief Justices, and four current or former Attorneys General, plan to attend.

The Chief Justice is the head of Georgia’s judicial branch of government. He presides over oral arguments and is the spokesman for this state’s highest court. The Presiding Justice fills in for the Chief Justice when necessary. Both are elected to the positions by their fellow justices and serve a four-year term.

Chief Justice Melton will preside over oral arguments for the first time on Sept. 10. Beginning Jan. 1, 2019, he will preside over a Supreme Court whose nine members will include three new justices, one of whom is yet to be named.

Media are welcome. If you plan to attend, please fill out a Media Request form and familiarize yourself with the Media Rules. Both are available on our website: www.gasupreme.us. The ceremony will be live-streamed on our website beginning at 11 a.m. or go to www.legis.ga.gov and select “Live Broadcasts.”

Sarah Hawkins Warren