Harold Melton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harold Melton
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Melton in 2019
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| Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court | |
| In office September 4, 2018 – July 1, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Harris Hines |
| Succeeded by | David Nahmias |
| Associate Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court | |
| In office July 1, 2005 – July 1, 2021 |
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| Appointed by | Sonny Perdue |
| Preceded by | Norman S. Fletcher |
| Succeeded by | Verda Colvin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Harold David Melton
September 25, 1966 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Kimberly D. Melton |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Auburn University (BA) University of Georgia (JD) |
Harold David Melton (born September 25, 1966) is a former chief justice of the Supreme Court in the state of Georgia. He is a lawyer who has held important roles in the legal system.
Early Life and Education
Harold Melton finished high school in 1984 at Joseph Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia. He then went to Auburn University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree. After that, he studied law at the University of Georgia School of Law, getting his Juris Doctor degree in 1991. A Juris Doctor is a special degree that allows someone to become a lawyer.
From 1991 to 2002, Harold Melton was a volunteer leader for Young Life Ministries. He also serves on the board of the Atlanta Youth Academy. He is the Director of Teen Ministry at Southwest Christian Fellowship Church.
While at Auburn University, Melton was elected President of the Student Government Association for the 1987–88 school year. This was a big deal because he was the first African-American student to be elected to that position at Auburn. He was also the first student who was not part of a fraternity to win the election. Today, the Melton Student Center at Auburn University is named in his honor.
Working in Law and Government
Before he joined the Supreme Court, Harold Melton worked for the Governor of Georgia. He was the Executive Counsel to Governor Perdue. This means he was a top legal advisor to the governor.
Before that, Melton worked for 11 years as an Assistant Attorney General in the Georgia Department of Law. In this role, he helped the state with legal matters.
Time on the Georgia Supreme Court
Harold Melton was first chosen to be a justice on the Georgia Supreme Court on July 1, 2005. He was appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue to fill a spot that became open when Justice Norman S. Fletcher retired. The Supreme Court is the highest court in Georgia. It makes final decisions on important legal cases.
His appointment was notable because it was the first time a Republican governor had appointed someone to the Supreme Court since 1868.
Harold Melton became the chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court on September 4, 2018. He was sworn in by former chief justice Harris Hines. As chief justice, he was the main leader of the court.
On February 12, 2021, Melton announced that he would retire from the court. His retirement became official on July 1, 2021. After leaving the court, he joined a law firm called Troutman Pepper as a partner on July 19, 2021.
