In his letter, Nahmias, 57, indicated he was ready to step down now. But he said it would be better for the court to continue working on the cases assigned to it, limit the period without a full staffing of the court’s nine judges and allow for an orderly transition to the new leadership.
Atlanta attorney Linda Klein, former president of the State Bar of Georgia, said Nahmias made a name for herself as a judge.
“Chief Justice Nahmias is studying law,” she said. “He carefully crafts his opinions to ensure they are insightful to attorneys who rely on them.”
Atlanta criminal defense attorney Don Samuel said one aspect of Nahmias’ legal career as a prosecutor and judiciary has never wavered: allegiance to the US Constitution.
“Chief Justice Nahmias has been one of the most intellectual judges on the court for the last half century,” he said. “He doesn’t always decide in my favor – in fact, he often doesn’t. But I’ve never read a decision he wrote that left me thinking other than, ‘That’s brilliant analysis.'”
On the bench, Nahmias was routinely one of the most prepared judges during the court’s hearings. He is often extremely curious, pestering lawyers with questions and often cornering them when it’s clear he doesn’t agree with them.
“This has been challenging but rewarding work, especially over the past two years as we have responded to the COVID pandemic,” Nahmias wrote. “I will always cherish the honor I have had to serve the people of our great state.”
Born in Atlanta to immigrants from Egypt and Germany, Nahmias graduated from Briarcliff High School in 1982 as a STAR state student. He attended Duke University and finished second in his class. He then attended Harvard University Law School and was a member of the prestigious Law Review along with future President Barack Obama.
Six years ago, Nahmias experienced a tragedy. His wife, 53-year-old Atlanta attorney Cathy O’Neil, herself a former federal prosecutor, died after a 13-month battle with pancreatic cancer.
In his letter to Kemp, Nahmias noted that one of his sons will start playing college football this fall, and his other son is a rising junior in high school. He said he hasn’t decided what to do next in his law career.
Of his work on the court, Nahmias told Kemp, “I believe I have helped make Georgia’s rule of law clearer, more consistent, and more true to the text and original understanding of our state’s constitution and statutes.”
