x
Breaking News
More () »

Georgia Supreme Court justice to resign in November

Justice Keith R. Blackwell cited family obligations and a wish to return to private practice as his reasons.
Credit: Supreme Court of Georgia

ATLANTA — Citing the wish to spend more time with his family and return to private practice, Georgia Supreme Court Justice Keith R. Blackwell will resign in November.

The state Supreme Court announced his intentions on Saturday. 

Blackwell, 44, has served on the Supreme Court since 2012, and was appointed by former Gov. Nathan Deal.

“Our oldest daughter will leave for college in only a couple of years, and her sisters will follow not long behind,” Blackwell said in a letter to the governor. “I have decided that it is best for my family that I return to the private practice of law.” 

RELATED: Georgia Supreme Court agrees to hear Ryan Duke's appeal in Tara Grinstead case

His replacement will be Gov. Brian Kemp's second appointment to the Court. The first will take the seat of Justice Robert Benham, who retired this weekend. That appointment has not yet been announced.

“I count as the greatest honors of my professional life to have served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia and as a Judge of the Court of Appeals of Georgia,” Blackwell said. “In my years of judicial service, I have been especially privileged to serve alongside my former and present colleagues, talented and tireless men and women who reflect – by their integrity, their collegiality, their professionalism, their scholarship, and their shared commitment to the rule of law and the principle of equal justice under the law – the highest standards of public service.”

According to his Supreme Court profile, Blackwell received both his undergraduate and law degree from the University of Georgia, and lives in Cobb County.

MORE HEADLINES

Man who tried to get baby daughter to sleep with Benadryl, killing her, gets 15 years in prison

She beat a child to death for taking a cupcake. She pleaded guilty and will spend life behind bars.

Sophie's Nightmare: How a Georgia mother allowed her boyfriend to impregnate her 10-year-old

Before You Leave, Check This Out