---
title: "John J. Ellington | KnowJudges"
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---

# John J. Ellington

Supreme Court of Georgia · Justice

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Georgia
- State: Georgia
- Role: Justice
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-25

## Summary

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

## Biography

### 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

## 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.gasupreme.us/court-information/biographies/justice-john-j-ellington/)
- [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af0242ce9168f520c4ddba/ | https://www.gasupreme.us/court-information/biographies/)
- [Supreme Court of Georgia official judicial roster](https://www.gasupreme.us/court-information/biographies/)
- [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules)
- [GA SUPREME BIOS](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af0242ce9168f520c4ddba/ | https://www.gasupreme.us/court-information/biographies/)
- [Official biography source for John J. Ellington](https://www.gasupreme.us/court-information/biographies/justice-john-j-ellington/)

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