JNC Recommends Candidates to Fill Several State and Superior Court Vacancies

The Judicial Nominating Commission has submitted recommendations to fill vacancies within the State Courts of Bryan, DeKalb, Henry, and Spalding Counties, and the Superior Courts of the Alapaha, Augusta, Brunswick, and Douglas Judicial Circuits.

Governor Kemp will fill the vacancies from among the lists. The Governor's Office will contact candidates to schedule interviews.

The following names were submitted to Governor Kemp:

Bryan County State Court

• Donald L. Montgomery, Jr. - Solicitor General, Bryan County State Court

DeKalb County State Court

• Mercedes G. Ball - Assistant General Counsel & Director, State Bar of Georgia
• Joshua M. Geller - Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney, Office of the DeKalb County District Attorney
• Zulma P. Lopez - owner and managing partner, Lopez Law, LLC

Henry County State Court

• Pamela M. Bettis - Solicitor General, Henry County State Court
• LaShonda Calhoun Harris - Assistant Solicitor General, Henry County Solicitor General's Office

Spalding County State Court

• Thomas J. Ison, Jr. - The Law Office of Thomas J. Ison, Jr.; Solicitor, City of Griffin Municipal Court
• Patrick M. Shepherd - Solicitor General, Spalding County State Court

Alapaha Judicial Circuit

• Matthew B. Bennett - partner, Bennett & Connell, LLC

Augusta Judicial Circuit

• Kristi G. Connell - Assistant District Attorney, Columbia Judicial Circuit
• Matthew W. Matson - owner, Matson Law Firm LLC

Brunswick Judicial Circuit

• Steven G. Blackerby - partner, Brown, Readdick, Bumgartner, Carter, Strickland & Watkins, LLP
• Taylor H. Hanley - managing partner, Compass Law Group, LLC

Douglas Judicial Circuit

• Brook Demeke - Senior Assistant District Attorney, Douglas Judicial Circuit
• James A. Kiger - Chief Assistant Public Defender, Douglas County Public Defender's Office