John J. Ellington

Professional career

• Current role: Associate Justice, Supreme Court of Georgia (2018–present) Term: Until December 31, 2030
• John J. Ellington is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, elected in 2018 and re‐elected without opposition in 2024
• In 2018, Ellington was elected to replace retiring Justice Carol W. Hunstein and sworn in on December 19, 2018
• From July 12, 1999, to December 19, 2018, Ellington was a judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals, appointed by Governor Roy Barnes and later elected statewide in 2000, 2006, and 2012
• In 1991, Justice Ellington became one of the youngest trial court judges in Georgia when he was appointed State Court Judge of Treutlen County
• In 1991, at age 31, he became one of Georgia’s youngest trial court judges, serving as State Court Judge of Treutlen County
• An Eagle Scout, Justice Ellington served as Eagle Scout Alumni Chairman for Troop #56, Boy Scouts of America
• Director of Swainsboro Technical College
• In addition to serving as State Court Judge for more than six years, Justice Ellington served as a Superior Court Judge by designation in five judicial circuits (29 counties) throughout South Georgia
• He also served as Municipal Court Judge in Soperton, Lyons, Reidsville, Glenwood, Mt
• He also held the role of a municipal court judge in multiple South Georgia towns and as a Superior Court Judge by designation in five judicial circuits covering 29 counties

Education

Additional information

• He was re‐elected in 2024 for a term ending in 2030.
• Spirit of Justice Award (2025) from the State Bar of Georgia’s Judicial Section
• Ellington was elected to the Supreme Court of Georgia in 2018 and was reelected without opposition in 2024.
• He held the role of Chief Judge from 2012 to 2013
• Associate degrees in business and political science from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in 1980, a B.B.A. in Accounting from the University of Georgia in 1982, and a J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1985.
• Born October 26, 1960, in Vidalia, Georgia.
• Before entering the judiciary, Ellington practiced as a general trial lawyer and was a partner in Andrew, Threlkeld, & Ellington in Vidalia.
• At ABAC, Justice Ellington served as President of the Student Government Association, and he received the George P.
• Has served in many capacities in business, professional, civic, and religious organizations in South Georgia and metropolitan Atlanta.
• Prior to his election, Justice Ellington served on the Georgia Court of Appeals for more than 19 years.
• Ellington grew up in Soperton, Treutlen County, Georgia, the son of Charles E. Ellington Sr. and Nan Davis Ellington.
• received the George P. Donaldson Award as outstanding graduate of his class
• He is an Eagle Scout, past president of the Vidalia Rotary Club, former chairman of Four Rivers Ducks Unlimited, and a Paul Harris Fellow Rotarian.
• He has also served in leadership roles at Swainsboro Technical College and in various civic and religious organizations Supreme Court of Georgia
• Birth place: Vidalia, Toombs County