Harris Hines facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harris Hines
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Harris Hines, Chief Justice, Supreme Court, State of Georgia, US
|
|
| Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court |
|
| In office January 6, 2017 – August 31, 2018 |
|
| Preceded by | Hugh P. Thompson |
| Succeeded by | Harold Melton |
| Associate Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court |
|
| In office July 26, 1995 – January 6, 2017 |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 6, 1943 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | November 4, 2018 (aged 75) Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Education | Emory University (BA, JD) |
Preston Harris Hines (born September 6, 1943 – died November 4, 2018) was a very important judge in the state of Georgia, USA. He even became the Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court for a time, from 2017 to 2018.
Contents
Becoming a Lawyer: Early Life & Education
Harris Hines was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 6, 1943. His parents were James and Edith Hawkins Hines. He went to Henry W. Grady High School.
After high school, he studied at Emory University, earning his first degree in 1965. He then went to Emory University School of Law and became a lawyer in 1968.
His Legal Career
In 1969, after becoming a lawyer, Hines moved to Cobb County. He started working for a law firm in Marietta. This firm was called Edwards, Bentley, Awtrey & Parker.
Harris Hines worked on cases defending people and companies in civil lawsuits. His firm helped developers and lenders during a time when the areas around Atlanta were growing very fast. They also worked for the county and several city governments. Hines especially enjoyed handling business disagreements in court. He once said he didn't always plan to be a judge.
Becoming a Judge
In 1974, just five years after becoming a lawyer, friends suggested Harris Hines for a judge opening. This was for the Cobb County State Court. He made it onto a short list of candidates.
Hines then drove to the state capitol to be interviewed by the governor at the time, Jimmy Carter. Even though Hines didn't know Governor Carter personally, they had friends and backgrounds in common. Hines' father and Carter were both from Sumter County. Their families even farmed near each other.
Appointed by Governor Carter
Governor Carter chose Hines to be a judge in May 1974. This was a short-term job, as the position would be up for election later that year. Hines had to run in the August primary election and then the November general election. He won both elections.
Later, Cobb County created a new judge position for the county's Superior Court. Hines ran for this new role and won again.
Joining the Georgia Supreme Court
On July 26, 1995, Governor Zell Miller appointed Harris Hines to the Georgia Supreme Court. Hines said that while he didn't know the governor well, he had friends who did. He found Governor Miller to be "a good guy." After his appointment, the people of Georgia re-elected him to the Supreme Court.
In September 2016, his fellow judges on the Supreme Court chose Hines to be the Chief Justice. He announced he would retire on August 31, 2018. On April 17, 2018, Harold Melton was chosen to take Hines' place. Chief Justice Hines officially swore in Harold Melton on September 4, 2018.
His Legacy
Harris Hines passed away on November 4, 2018, in Atlanta. He was 75 years old. His funeral was attended by many important people. These included members of Georgia's legal community, judges, state and federal officials, and both the current and future governors.
