Class of 2021 Commencement

Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold D. Melton delivered the University of Georgia School of Law\u27s 2021 Commencement address on May 22 in Stegeman Coliseum, with social distancing measures in place. Approximately 215 students will be eligible to participate in this year\u27s ceremony for Juris Doctor (J.D.), Master of Laws (LL.M.) and Master in the Study of Law (M.S.L) candidates. The ticketed event began at 10 a.m. with a virtual program is available at 2021LawCommencementProgram.pdf and an archived copy attached to this record. The ceremony was ivestreamed at /graduation21. From the School of Law calendar event webapge for this event, more background information about Graduation Address speaker Melton was provided and is duplicated below: Melton was appointed to Georgia\u27s highest court in 2005 by Gov. Sonny Perdue and became chief justice 13 years later. Before becoming a member of the judiciary, he served as executive counsel to Perdue, representing the governor on legal issues covering the entire scope of state government. In this role, he helped safeguard Georgia\u27s interests in water rights disputes with Alabama and Florida, and he actively participated in administration efforts to advance the delivery of criminal justice services in the state. His other public service includes 11 years in the Georgia Department of Law under two attorneys general dealing with issues ranging from the creation of the Georgia Lottery Corporation to the administration of Georgia\u27s tobacco settlement. Prior to leaving to join the Governor\u27s Office, Melton served as section leader over the Consumer Interests Division. Melton earned his Juris Doctor from UGA and his bachelor\u27s degree from Auburn University. From the Adobe Express online object more details about Melton were shared and are duplicated below: On July 1, 2005, Harold D. Melton was appointed to the Georgia Supreme Court by Governor Sonny Perdue. He was sworn in as Chief Justice on September 4, 2018 by former Chief Justice P. Harris Hines. Prior to joining the Court, Chief Justice Melton served as Executive Counsel to Governor Perdue, representing the Governor on legal issues covering the entire scope of state government. Chief Justice Melton helped safeguard Georgia’s interests in water rights disputes with Alabama and Florida, and he actively participated in administration efforts to advance the delivery of criminal justice services in the State. Before serving as Executive Counsel, Chief Justice Melton spent 11 years in the Georgia Department of Law under two Attorneys General where he dealt with issues ranging from the creation of the Georgia Lottery Corporation to the administration of Georgia’s tobacco settlement. Prior to leaving to join the Governor’s Office, he served as Section Leader over the Consumer Interests Division. Chief Justice Melton received a Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University and his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia in 1991. He previously served as a Volunteer Leader of Young Life Ministries for 11 years and currently serves on a local Young Life Board and on the national board. He is also a Board Member of Atlanta Youth Academies. A native of Washington, D.C., Chief Justice Melton grew up in East Point and Marietta, Georgia. He currently resides in Atlanta with his wife, Kimberly, and their three children