Harold Melton

Harold D. Melton (born September 25, 1966) is a current Justice on the Supreme Court of Georgia. He was appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue on July 1, 2005 to fill the vacancy on the bench created by the retirement of Justice Norman S. Fletcher. His appointment marked the first time a Republican governor had made an appointment to the Supreme Court since 1868 when Governor Rufus B. Bullock selected Justices Joseph E. Brown and H.K. McCay.

Prior to joining the Court, Justice Melton served as Executive Counsel to Governor Perdue. Before serving as Executive Counsel, Justice Melton spent eleven years in the Georgia Department of Law.

A 1984 graduate of Joseph Wheeler High School in Marietta, Georgia, Justice Melton received a Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia in 1991. He previously served as a Volunteer Leader of Young Life Ministries for 11 years, is currently a Board Member of Atlanta Youth Academies and the Director of Teen Ministry at Southwest Christian Fellowship Church.

While at Auburn University, Melton served as the Student Government Association President for the 1987-88 academic year. He was the first African-American student elected to that position in the history of the university. He was also the first ever "independent" (non-fraternity member) to be elected to that position.

A native of Washington, D.C., Justice Melton grew up in East Point, Georgia and Marietta. He currently resides in Atlanta with his wife, Kimberly, and their three children.

ources

* [http://www.gasupreme.us/ Website of the Supreme Court of Georgia]
* [http://www.gov.state.ga.us/press/2005/press829.shtml Press release from Governor Perdue's office announcing Justice Melton's appointment]