ATLANTA — Partners Jim Manley and Justice Harold Melton have been selected by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to serve on the state’s Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC), which makes recommendations to the governor to fill vacancies in state, superior, and appellate courts in Georgia.

“The Judicial Nominating Commission plays a crucial role in ensuring Georgia’s courts are filled with qualified, capable, and ethical members who will ensure justice is done for all Georgians,” said Governor Kemp in a press release. “I look forward to working with this group of leaders in the legal profession to promote a judicial branch that upholds our law, ideals, and commitment to integrity. On behalf of the State of Georgia, thank you to each of these individuals for serving our state in this essential capacity.”

Manley has decades of experience as a trial lawyer litigating commercial disputes and cases on consumer product safety and product liability, high-exposure torts and catastrophic injury, and professional and fiduciary liability. He serves as counselor and advisor to chief legal officers and general counsel in the manufacturing, retail, insurance services, and financial services industries. Manley is a life-long resident of Georgia and has been recognized for his work with local nonprofit organizations focused on the needs of children, women, and families.

Justice Melton provides strategies for clients involved in appellate, state attorneys general, and complex commercial litigation and regulatory matters. He led the administration of Georgia’s tobacco settlement and the creation of the Georgia Lottery Corporation. Justice Melton served for 16 years on the Supreme Court of Georgia and resigned as chief justice in 2021. Prior to that, Justice Melton served as executive counsel to Governor Sonny Perdue. He is a Board Member of Young Life and Atlanta Youth Academies, and in 2020, Auburn University renamed its student center after him.

Troutman Pepper’s Business Litigation Practice Group is nationally recognized for its work defending and prosecuting high-stakes commercial matters in federal, state, trial, and appellate courts throughout the country. Attorneys are experienced in litigating complex multidistrict cases, class actions, and single-case litigations and represent a diverse array of clients from mid-market companies to Fortune 500 leaders.

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