---
title: "Christopher J. McFadden | KnowJudges"
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# Christopher J. McFadden

Court of Appeals of Georgia · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Court of Appeals of Georgia
- State: Georgia
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-25

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- McFadden, who served for twenty years as a trial court judge in Akron, Ohio
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Georgia
- The son of the late Judge Donald B. McFadden, who held the role of a trial court judge in Akron for twenty years

### Education

- University of Georgia School of Law in — J.D. (1985)
- Oglethorpe University in — B.A. (1980)

### Additional information

- 2011 – Present, Chief Judge 2019 – 2021
- Thomas More Catholic Church in Decatur, Georgia and has served as a lector since 1988.
- was elected in November 2010 for a term beginning January 1, 2011 and reelected in 2016 and 2022.
- He opened his own law office in 1988 and remained a sole practitioner until he joined the Court of Appeals.
- Presiding Judge McFadden graduated from Oglethorpe University in 1980 and from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1985.
- Christopher J. McFadden was born on August 9, 1957, in Akron, Ohio.
- For twelve years, Judge McFadden served as an officer or director of the Atlanta Bar Association.
- More than six years on the State Bar of Georgia’s Committee on the Judiciary.
- Before joining the Court of Appeals as its 74th judge, he appeared as appellate counsel before 26 of the judges who preceded him.
- Judge McFadden has been involved in high-profile and sometimes controversial rulings.
- He has served as a volunteer attorney for the Innocence Project and the Election Protection Project.
- For most of that time, he practiced in Decatur and focused on appellate litigation.
- They have one son Christopher McFadden’s career reflects a combination of extensive appellate experience, scholarly contributions to Georgia law, and active participation in the legal community, alongside involvement in cases that have sparked public discussion about judicial decision-making
- Judge McFadden is an elected member of The American Law Institute.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### electronic devices and recording

Scope: statewide

Georgia's class-specific Uniform Court Rules govern electronic devices and recording in state trial courts. Before using recording, photography, livestreaming, or similar courtroom technology, confirm the governing rule and the assigned court's procedure.

Evidence excerpt: Uniform Superior, Juvenile, Magistrate, Municipal and Probate Court Rules

[Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.gaappeals.gov/christopher-mcfadden/)
- [Official roster](https://www.gaappeals.gov/christopher-mcfadden/)
- [Court of Appeals of Georgia official judicial roster](https://www.gaappeals.gov/judges/)
- [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules)
- [Georgia Courts Directory](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af01ccce9168f520c4cdfd/)
- [Official biography source for Christopher J. McFadden](https://www.gaappeals.gov/christopher-mcfadden/)

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