Nels Peterson
Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia
Assumed office
January 1, 2017
Appointed byNathan Deal
Preceded bySeat established
Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals
In office
January 1, 2016 – December 31, 2016
Appointed byNathan Deal
Preceded bySeat established
Succeeded byTripp Self
Solicitor General of Georgia
In office
July 1, 2012 – January 6, 2015
Attorney GeneralSam Olens
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byBritt Grant
Personal details
Born
Nels Stefan David Peterson

(1978-09-17) September 17, 1978
Residence(s)Marietta, Georgia, U.S.
EducationKennesaw State University (BS)
Harvard University (JD)

Nels Stefan David Peterson (born September 17, 1978) is an American lawyer serving as the presiding justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia.

Biography

Peterson graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor of Science in political science and a minor in economics. He received his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.[1][2]

Upon graduation from law school, Peterson served as a law clerk to Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He then practiced at King & Spalding in Atlanta, where he focused on securities law, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, and appellate law. He was then appointed as former Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue’s Executive Ccounsel.[1] He then served as Solicitor General of Georgia under the direction of then state Attorney General Sam Olens.[3][4][5] He is a member of the Federalist Society.[6]

Judicial career

Georgia Court of Appeals

Peterson was appointed to the Georgia Court of Appeals by Governor Nathan Deal for a term starting January 1, 2016.[2] He was appointed after the state legislature expanded the composition of the court from 12 to 15 seats. His appointment was considered unconstitutional by some in the legal community, but it was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court of Georgia.[7]

Georgia Supreme Court

Governor Nathan Deal appointed Peterson to the Supreme Court of Georgia effective January 1, 2017.[8][2] He was unanimously selected as presiding justice and sworn in on July 18, 2022.[9]

Personal life

Peterson is married to his wife Jennifer and they have two children. They reside in Marietta, Georgia.[8]

Electoral history

2018
Georgia Supreme Court Results, May 22, 2018[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Nels S.D. Peterson (incumbent) 885,265 100.00%
Majority 885,265 100.00%
Total votes 885,265 100.00%

References

  1. 1 2 "Justice Nels S.D. Peterson". www.gasupreme.us. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Stone, Ryal S.D.; Simmons, Madeleine. "Meet Your New Georgia Appellate Judges & Justices". Verdict.
  3. ↑ "Nels Peterson". Office of the Attorney General. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Georgia AG creates solicitor general position".
  5. ↑ "Attorney General Sam Olens Announces Key Personnel Appointments".
  6. ↑ Shigley, Ken (October 7, 2015). "Short list of 11 for 3 seats on Ga Court of Appeals". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  7. ↑ Purcell, Joy (April 26, 2016). "Georgia Supreme Court Upholds Appeals Court Appointments". Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  8. 1 2 "Deal appoints three to Supreme Court of Georgia" (Press release). Office of the Governor. November 9, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2018.
  9. ↑ "03/16/2022—Michael Boggs to Become New Chief Justice" (Press release). Supreme Court of Georgia. March 16, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
  10. ↑ "General Primary/General Nonpartisan/Special Election – May 22, 2018". Georgia Election Results. Office of the Secretary of State of Georgia. May 22, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.


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