Harold D. Melton at a glance
- Current role
- Former Judge
- Current assignment
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- Jurisdiction
- Georgia · State
- Judicial service
- Former
Harold D. Melton
Former Judge · Supreme Court of Georgia
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Supreme Court of Georgia, 2005-present
- In 2026, Melton was appointed by a federal judge to mediate a dispute between Fulton County and the U.S. Department of Justice over the return of 2020 election records seized in an FBI raid
- In 2022, he became the first expert-in-residence at Georgia State University College of Law, serving as a special advisor to the dean for institutional engagement
- Harold David Melton is a former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, serving from 2018 until his retirement in 2021
- He became Chief Justice on September 4, 2018, succeeding Harris Hines, and announced his retirement effective July 1, 2021
Education
- University of Georgia School of Law in — J.D. (1991)
- He graduated from Joseph Wheeler High School in Marietta, obtained a B.S. in International Business and Spanish from Auburn University in 1984, and later became the first African-American president of Auburn’s Student Government Association.
- Emory University — J.D.
Additional information
- After retiring, Melton joined Troutman Pepper as a partner in 2021.
- Appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue on July 1, 2005 to fill a vacancy, Melton served 16 years on the Georgia Supreme Court.
- Born September 25, 1966, Washington, D.C..
- Date of birth: 1966-09-25
- Melton grew up in Atlanta’s East Pointe and Marietta neighborhoods, the son of Carole H. Melton and Augustus A. Melton Jr., the first Black person to manage Washington, D.C.’s National Airport.
- He also remains active in community leadership, including board roles with Atlanta Youth Academies and Young Life Ministries
- Birth place: Washington, D.C.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
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.
Uniform Superior, Juvenile, Magistrate, Municipal and Probate Court RulesSupreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules ↗
Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Supreme Court of Georgia current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 22, 2026
View Supreme Court of Georgia current judicial profile ↗Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules ↗