The Court of Appeals of Georgia welcomes its newest judge to the bench: Judge Jeffrey A. Watkins, who was sworn in today by Governor Brian Kemp.
“We are delighted to welcome Judge Watkins to the Court of Appeals,” said Chief Judge Amanda H. Mercier. “His work as a superior court judge, making difficult decisions every day, puts him in a great position to serve on this court in this next phase of his career. Judge Watkins has an excellent reputation as a lawyer, jurist, and community member. The judges and staff at our court are ready to help him with the transition in any way we can.”
Judge Watkins was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Governor Brian Kemp, who previously appointed him to the Cherokee Judicial Circuit Superior Court bench in 2019, after which the citizens of Bartow and Gordon Counties elected him to the bench.
Judge Watkins earned his law degree from Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University, and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Georgia. Before his appointment to the trial court, Judge Watkins specialized in business law, civil and commercial litigation, real estate and probate law, and zoning and land use matters, having opened his own private practice in 2014. Before that, he was a founding member of White, Choate, Watkins & Mroczko, LLC, and a Senior Associate at Moore, Ingram, Johnson & Steele in Marietta.
Judge Watkins is a Cartersville native and is actively involved in his community, having been a member of the Bartow Rotary Club, Cartersville-Bartow County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Georgia Highlands College Foundation.
The judges of the Court of Appeals extend their congratulations and welcome to Judge Watkins.