Atlanta, March 18, 2025 –Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs sat for the last time on the bench of the Supreme Court of Georgia’s courtroom today, presiding over the first day of March 2025 oral arguments.
He will preside for the last time tomorrow, during a special session of oral arguments in Cartersville, Ga.
Chief Justice Boggs is resigning from the Court effective March 31, 2025, after more than eight years as a Justice. He was appointed to the high court in December 2016 by then-Gov. Nathan Deal and was later elected to two, six-year terms. He was named Chief Justice by his fellow Justices in March 2022 and initiated ongoing efforts to improve judicial security, address the state’s civil justice gap, and respond to the challenges and promises of generative artificial intelligence in the courts.
Presiding Justice Nels S.D. Peterson, who will become Chief Justice on April 1, began today’s session of oral arguments with remarks honoring Chief Justice Boggs and highlighting his work ethic, commitment to public service, and humility.
“One of the most important things for a young lawyer to do as they are setting out is to identify a role model—to identify somebody whose practice, whose service to the public through the legal profession is the kind of practice and service that they aim to emulate—and there is no better role model for y’all to look to than Michael Boggs,” Presiding Justice Peterson said, addressing a line of new admittees to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Georgia who had been sworn in by Chief Justice Boggs just moments earlier.
“It is not possible to be a really successful lawyer without a really serious work ethic,” Presiding Justice Peterson said. “And the Chief Justice has demonstrated consistently, year in and year out, a top-flight work ethic.”
In particular, Presiding Justice Peterson noted that Chief Justice Boggs has authored about 220 Supreme Court opinions and roughly 260 Court of Appeals opinions and orders during his time on the appellate bench. Presiding Justice Peterson also highlighted Chief Justice Boggs’s service on the Georgia Criminal Justice Reform Council from 2012 to 2018 and, more recently, his service on Gov. Brian Kemp’s Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission.
“Chief Justice Boggs’s entire professional life has been characterized by going above and beyond,” Presiding Justice Peterson said. “The work that he has done beyond the case-deciding and the other administrative responsibilities that he has with the Court has been absolutely transformational for this state and for thousands and thousands of peoples’ lives.”
Presiding Justice Peterson also focused on the difference between seeking higher office to “be” versus to “do,” observing that Chief Justice Boggs has sought throughout his career to “do”—to use his position to help others—and not merely to “be” in an important role.
After a standing ovation from his fellow Justices and a full courtroom of staff, attorneys, and observers, Chief Justice Boggs expressed his appreciation.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as Chief Justice with what I consider to be the best colleagues in the best court in the country,” he said. He also thanked the “invaluable” court professionals and staff with whom he has worked.
“Thank you all for the many kindnesses and grace you have extended to me over the years,” he said. “I will miss my colleagues and my friends on the Court.”