Former Georgia Chief Justice Harold Melton takes the Sanders Chair at UGA Legislation College |  information

Harold D. Melton, who previously served as chairman of the Georgia Supreme Court, has been appointed to the Carl E. Sanders Chair in Political Leadership at the University of Georgia School of Law.

In this role, he will hold a seminar entitled “Representing the State” in the spring semester of 2022. The course addresses the legal and professional issues that arise when working as a lawyer for the state.

“When Governor Sanders created this faculty position in political leadership nearly 20 years ago, he envisioned someone ‘teaching students about the role of law and lawyers in public order and the role of lawyers in leadership positions’ and chief justice Melton embodies that vision, ”said Dean Peter B.“ Bo ”Rutledge of the School of Law. “With nearly three decades of public service leadership in a variety of legal roles, Chief Justice – and now Professor – Melton will be instrumental in shaping our students’ perspective on the civil service and the vital role lawyers play in serving their country . “

Melton, a 1991 graduate of the School of Law, is currently a partner at Troutman Pepper. He was appointed to the Georgia Supreme Court in 2005 and served as Chief Justice from 2018 to 2021. Prior to joining the court, he was Executive Counsel to Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, who represented the governor on legal matters throughout state government. In this role, he helped advance Georgia’s interests in water litigation with Alabama and Florida, and was an active participant in government efforts to promote the provision of criminal justice services in the state. Melton previously spent 11 years in the Georgia Department of Law under two attorneys general, where he served as the division chief of the Consumer Interests Division.

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to delve into the nuances of government law with prospective attorneys, a subject I love,” said Melton. “I am particularly pleased to be able to do this at my alma mater; It is an honor for me to hold a chair endowed by one of Georgia’s most respected governors and a founding partner in the firm where I now practice. “

Rutledge added that teaching classes by a respected lawyer and official like Melton – as well as top scholars – is fundamental to preparing the next generation of legal leaders for state and society. “I am grateful to the late Governor Sanders and his family for their dedication to our law school, as it helped make the University of Georgia School of Law one of the best returns on legal education investments today. I would also like to thank the Board of Regents, President Jere Morehead and Provost Jack Hu for supporting this recommendation. ”

The Sanders Chair in Political Leadership was founded in 2002 and is named after the 74th Governor of Georgia and 1948 School of Law alumnus Carl E. Sanders. Past holders of political leadership from Sanders include former United States senators, members of Congress, an ambassador, and civil servants.

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