Clients turn to Justice Melton when faced with their most challenging litigation and regulatory issues. His practical, clear-cut guidance is informed by his experience as a senior jurist and government attorney.

Overview
Insights
Awards

Justice Melton provides actionable insights for clients involved in appellate, state attorneys general, and commercial litigation matters. He served for 16 years as a justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia and resigned as chief justice in 2021 following his appointment in 2018. Prior to leading Georgia’s judicial branch, Justice Melton served as executive counsel to Governor Sonny Perdue and as an assistant attorney general in the office of the attorney general in the Georgia Department of Law where he also led the Consumer Protection Section for four years.

Justice Melton is experienced in a wide cross-section of complex litigation and regulatory matters. He led the administration of Georgia’s tobacco settlement as well as the creation of the Georgia Lottery Corporation.

Justice Melton provides actionable insights for clients involved in appellate, state attorneys general, and commercial litigation matters. He served for 16 years as a justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia and resigned as chief justice in 2021 following his appointment in 2018. Prior to leading Georgia’s judicial branch, Justice Melton served as executive counsel to Governor Sonny Perdue and as an assistant attorney general in the office of the attorney general in the Georgia Department of Law where he also led the Consumer Protection Section for four years.

Justice Melton is experienced in a wide cross-section of complex litigation and regulatory matters. He led the administration of Georgia’s tobacco settlement as well as the creation of the Georgia Lottery Corporation.

  • Member, Judicial Nominating Commission, State of Georgia
  • Board of Councilors, The Carter Center
  • Board member, Young Life
  • Board member, Atlanta Youth Academies
  • Supreme Court of Georgia, 2005-2021, Chief Justice, 2018-2021
  • Executive counsel to Governor Sonny Perdue
  • Georgia Department of Law, Consumer Interests Section, Section leader

Education

  • University of Georgia School of Law, J.D.
  • Auburn University, B.S., president, Student Government Association

Bar Admissions

  • Georgia

Court Admissions

  • Court of Appeals of Georgia
  • Georgia State Courts
  • Georgia Superior Courts
  • Supreme Court of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Georgia
  • Supreme Court of the United States
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • Speaker, “Diversity and Inclusion Breakfast,” 2024 Annual ABA Forum on Construction Law, April 12, 2024.
  • Speaker, “United States Supreme Court Update and Review 2022-2023 Term,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Georgia CLE, February 2023.
  • Speaker, “United States Supreme Court Update and Review 2022-2023 Term,” Troutman Pepper CLE, January 2023.
  • Panelist, ABA’s Bench & Bar Academy, April 4-5, 2022.