J. Wade Padgett at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Current assignment
- Court of Appeals of Georgia
- Jurisdiction
- Georgia · State
- Judicial service
- Active
J. Wade Padgett
Judge · Court of Appeals of Georgia
Judicial assignments
- Court of Appeals of Georgia â Division 4Judge
Official Court of Appeals social-account announcement. Dated panel service; permanent division membership is not established.
Source checked October 15, 2026. Roster source
These published assignments do not certify a complete bench.
Biography
Professional career
- Led the New Judge Orientation Program for Georgia Superior Court judges (2014–present)
- Judge J. Wade Padgett is a nonpartisan judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals, appointed in 2024 and re‐elected in 2026, with over three decades of judicial and legal service in Georgia
- Superior Court Judge (2009–2024): Augusta Circuit; later part of Columbia Judicial Circuit
- Superior Court judge for the Augusta Judicial Circuit and was one of three judges appointed to the Columbia Judicial Circuit when that circuit was formed in 2021
- On February 3, 2009, Judge Padgett was appointed to the Superior Court bench by Governor Sonny Perdue
- Associate Magistrate Judge (1995–2004): Columbia County; later Chief Magistrate (2005–2009)
- Private Practice: Associate at O. Franklin Askin, Jr. P.C. (1993–1995); later founded J. Wade Padgett, P.C
- Position: Judge, Georgia Court of Appeals (96th judge)
- While in law school, he received several awards and was extremely involved with the Student Trial Advocacy program led by Attorney Tom Jones
- Because his duties as a Magistrate Judge were part-time, he also practiced law while serving in Magistrate Court
Education
- Law degree from Georgia State University in 1990.
- BA in history from the University of Georgia in 1987.
Additional information
- In 2024, Judge Padgett was the recipient of the Emory Findley award, an award honoring service to the Council of Superior Court judges.
- Elected to serve as an officer of the Council of Superior Court Judges, ultimately serving as President of the Council in 2021-2022.
- Elected Chief Magistrate of Columbia County in 2005.
- went on to serve as Chairman of their Board of Directors in 2003
- Appointed by Governor Brian Kemp as the 96
- th
- Chief Magistrate of Columbia County until he was appointed to the Superior Court bench.
- Presenter in educational classes for law students, lawyers, judges, and others.
- Advisor and presenter to the Council of Probate Judges.
- Official site: Georgia Court of Appeals — J. Wade Padgett
- Following law school, Judge Padgett served as an Assistant District Attorney for the Augusta Judicial Circuit where he served as a violent crimes prosecutor and led the office’s team dealing with crimes against children.
- Leadership Augusta
- During his time as a member of the Council of Magistrate Judges, he chaired the Uniform Rules Committee.
- Birth place: Atlanta but has spent the majority of his professional career in the Augusta area.
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 25, 2026.
Biography sources checked September 6, 2026.
Court of Appeals of Georgia official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 15, 2026
View Court of Appeals of Georgia official judicial roster ↗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 ↗Georgia Courts Directory
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 25, 2026
View Georgia Courts Directory ↗