Gov. Brian Kemp has appointed four individuals to key judicial and prosecutorial roles across Georgia, according to a community announcement. The appointments fill vacancies created by resignations and the passing of sitting officials.
Charles B. “Brad” Dixon will serve on the Superior Court of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit. Billy Joe Nelson, Jr., is also appointed to the Superior Court of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit. Catherine A. Sumner will become District Attorney of the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, and Justin R. Arnold will serve on the State Court of Sumter County.
Dixon appointed to Atlantic Judicial Circuit
Dixon is a partner at Dixon & Lasseter, Attorneys at Law, P.C., in Richmond Hill. His legal experience spans domestic relations, criminal defense, probate, estate planning, real
estate, and civil litigation.
Before entering private practice, Dixon served eight years on active duty in the United States Army JAG Corps, attaining the rank of Major. He has worked as a general crimes prosecutor, special victims prosecutor, and trial defense attorney, also training military prosecutors worldwide.
Dixon holds a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from West Virginia University and a Juris Doctor from the West Virginia University College of Law. He resides in Richmond Hill with his wife, Ivona, and their two sons, Charlie and Vance.
Nelson brings prosecutorial experience
Nelson was elected district attorney of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit in 2022. He began his legal career in 2009 as a law clerk for superior court judges in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit.
In 2011, Nelson became an assistant district attorney in the Atlantic Judicial Circuit. In 2017, then-Gov. Nathan Deal appointed him part-time solicitor general for the State Court of Long County.
Nelson earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in real estate, cum laude, from the University of Georgia and a Juris Doctor from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. He and his wife, Kathryn, have three children and live in Liberty County.
Sumner named District Attorney of Ogeechee Judicial Circuit
Sumner currently serves as solicitor-general of Bulloch County. Previously, she was an assistant district attorney in the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, where she led felony prosecutions for cases originating from major law enforcement agencies across the circuit.
Sumner graduated magna cum laude from Georgia Southern University in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2014, where she was recognized as the outstanding prosecutorial clinic student for her class.
She is a member of the Bulloch Family Violence Task Force and serves on the board of directors for Community Assistance in Fire Emergencies. Sumner and her family live in Statesboro.
Arnold appointed to State Court of Sumter County
Arnold is a partner at Arnold & Hooks, LLC, where he has served clients since 2015 in civil, criminal, probate, and domestic matters throughout southwest Georgia. Previously, he was an assistant district attorney in the Southwestern Judicial Circuit, focusing on traffic prosecution and serving as the district attorney’s representative in the Drug Court.
Arnold began his legal career with Barnes, Farr & NeSmith, PC, and has served as the municipal court judge for the City of Ideal. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science, with honors, from Millsaps College and a Juris Doctor from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. He lives in Americus with his wife, Rachel, and their two daughters.
These appointments fill vacancies created by the resignation or passing of previous officials, according to the announcement.
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This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Richmond Hill's Brad Dixon among recent Kemp judicial appointments
