JNC recommends candidates for State and Superior Court Vacancies

The Judicial Nominating Commission has submitted recommendations to fill vacancies within the State Courts of Chatham, Cobb, and Muscogee Counties and the Superior Court of the Eastern Judicial Circuit. The vacancy within the State Court of Chatham County was created by the passage of HB 1534 (Act 672) during the 2026 session of the Georgia General Assembly. The vacancies within the State Court of Cobb County were created by the resignations of the Honorable Jane P. Manning and the Honorable Marsha S. Lake. The vacancies within the State Court of Muscogee County were created by the resignation of the Honorable Andy Prather, and the passage of HB 1258 (Act 661) during the 2026 session of the Georgia General Assembly. The vacancy within the Superior Court of the Eastern Judicial Circuit was created by the resignation of the Honorable Timothy R. Walmsley.

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:

Chatham County State Court

• Amanda L. Hinchey - Senior Staff Attorney, Eastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court
• Robert C. Hughes, III - Founder and Principal, The Hughes Law Firm, LLC
• David Bobo Mullens, III - Partner, Oliver Maner LLP

Cobb County State Court

• D. Austin Gillis - Partner, Gillis Law Firm, LLC
• Quinn M. Kasper - Judge, Magistrate Court of Cobb County
• Mellori E. Lumpkin-Dawson - Judge, Cobb County Magistrate Court
• Ashley J. Palmer - Judge, State Court of Cobb County, Division II

Muscogee County State Court

• Jennifer E. Dunlap - partner, Dunlap & Lakes, P.C.; Executive Director, A Second Chance Criminal Record Relief
• David B. Ranieri - Chief Judge, Recorder's Court of Columbus
• Alex M. Shalishali - Shareholder and Attorney, Page, Scranton, Sprouse, Tucker & Ford, P.C.; County Attorney, Dougherty County Board of Commissioners

Eastern Judicial Circuit

• Lindretta Grindle Kramer - Judge, Chatham County Juvenile Court
• Brian F. McEvoy - Partner, BakerHostetler