---
title: "Hugh P. Thompson | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/hugh-p-thompson-4100"
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updated: "2026-08-22"
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# Hugh P. Thompson

Supreme Court of Georgia · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
- State: Georgia
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Supreme Court of Georgia, 1994-present
- 2013–2017: Chief Justice, elected by fellow justices in 2013
- Hugh Proctor Thompson is a retired American jurist and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, serving from 2013 until his early retirement in January 2017
- 1994–2017: Justice, Georgia Supreme Court, appointed by Governor Zell Miller in 1994
- 1979–1994: Judge, Ocmulgee Superior Court
- 1971–1979: Judge, Milledgeville City Court and Baldwin County Court

### Education

- Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in — J.D. (1969)
- Oglethorpe University
- Emory University

### Additional information

- In 2024, the Supreme Court of Georgia unveiled a portrait of him in recognition of his service
- He retired in January 2017, seven months before his term was set to end, to allow a smoother transition and honor a pledge to Justice P. Harris Hines
- Originally appointed to the Supreme Court by Governor Zell Miller on March 1, 1994.
- Chief Judge 1987–1994
- He received multiple awards, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Baldwin County Junior Chamber of Commerce (1972) and the Outstanding Alumnus Award from Mercer University Law School (1994).
- He was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1970
- Born July 7, 1943.
- Date of birth: 1943-07-07
- His tenure coincided with significant changes, including the expansion of the court from seven to nine justices
- Thompson was born in Macon, Georgia, and subsequently became a longtime resident of Milledgeville in Baldwin County.
- Birth place: Macon, Georgia

## 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.courtlistener.com/person/4100/hugh-p-thompson/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4100/hugh-p-thompson/)
- [Supreme Court of Georgia current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4100/hugh-p-thompson/)
- [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4100/hugh-p-thompson/)
- [Hugh P. Thompson - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_P._Thompson#:~:text=Hugh%20Proctor%20Thompson%20(born%20July,of%20Law%20of%20Mercer%20University.)
- [Wikidata: Hugh P. Thompson](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16877097)

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