Ballotpedia, Jeffrey A Watkins

Jeff is a lifelong resident of Georgia. He has a bachelor's in business administration from the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business and a juris doctorate from Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. He resides in Cartersville, Georgia, with his wife and three children.

Jeff Watkins is a judge on the Court of Appeals in State of Georgia. He was a founding member of Jeffrey A. Watkins, P.C and of White, Choate, Watkins & Mroczko, L.L.C. He previously was a senior associate at Moore, Ingram, Johnson & Steele 

Jeffrey A. Watkins is currently a Georgia Court of Appeals Judge and was sworn in on July 11, 2023. He was previously the Superior Court Judge for the Cherokee Judicial Circuit from 2019 to 2023.



Candidate website

Georgia Court of Appeals, Jeffrey A Watkins

The candidate's website says, "After four years of service as a Superior Court Judge, ... Judge Watkins was honored to be appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to the Georgia Court of Appeals ..."

Believes in Judge Jeff Watkins' legal experience, highlighting his transition from 27 years in private practice to Superior Court Judge, his election by voters, and his recent appointment to the Georgia Court of Appeals in 2023.

The candidate's website says, "Use his decades of experience to be a fair and impartial member of the Court"

The candidate's website says, "He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, previously serving on the Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee, and the Cartersville Bar Association..."

Member of the State Bar of Georgia, previously serving on the Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee and the Cartersville Bar Association

Served on the Council of Superior Court Judges Legislation Committee, Bench and Bar Committee, and Mandatory Continuing Judicial Education Committee.

Started his career in private practice at Moore, Ingram, Johnson & Steele in Marietta, Georgia, where he practiced in the areas of civil and commercial litigation and workers compensation defense

Admitted to practice in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Northern District Court of Georgia, the Georgia Supreme Court, and the Georgia Court of Appeals.

- Member of the State Bar of Georgia, previously serving on the Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee and the Cartersville Bar Association
- Served on the Council of Superior Court Judges Legislation Committee, Bench and Bar Committee, and Mandatory Continuing Judicial Education Committee.
- Started his career in private practice at Moore, Ingram, Johnson & Steele in Marietta, Georgia, where he practiced in the areas of civil and commercial litigation and workers compensation defense
- Admitted to practice in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Northern District Court of Georgia, the Georgia Supreme Court, and the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Legal Experience

As of March 19, 2024, Jeffrey A. Watkins’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

The candidate's website says, "During his time on the Superior Court bench, Judge Watkins displayed professionalism and courtesy to all.His courtroom demeanor, fairness, and careful decision-making made him a respected and valued member of the bench."

Judicial Administration

- Says he will "Uphold the rule of law."
- Will "never legislate from the bench."

Judicial Philosophy

Believes in community engagement, evidenced by Rotary Club participation, Chamber of Commerce leadership, and contributions to Georgia Highlands College Foundation and local tourism, with recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow and Leadership Bartow graduate.

- Believes in community engagement, evidenced by Rotary Club participation, Chamber of Commerce leadership, and contributions to Georgia Highlands College Foundation and local tourism, with recognition as a Paul Harris Fellow and Leadership Bartow graduate.

Community Involvement

Jeffrey A. Watkins

The candidate's website says, "During his time on the Superior Court bench, Judge Watkins displayed professionalism and courtesy to all... His courtroom demeanor, fairness, and careful decision-making made him a respected and valued member of the bench. Judge Watkins also served on the Council of Superior Court Judges Legislation Committee, Bench and Bar Committee, and Mandatory Continuing Judicial Education Committee."

 Is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, previously serving on the Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee and the Cartersville Bar Association

Is admitted to practice in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Northern District Court of Georgia, the Georgia Supreme Court, and the Georgia Court of Appeals.

-  Is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, previously serving on the Statewide Judicial Evaluation Committee and the Cartersville Bar Association
- Served on the Council of Superior Court Judges Legislation Committee, Bench and Bar Committee, and Mandatory Continuing Judicial Education Committee.
- Started his career in private practice at Moore, Ingram, Johnson & Steele in Marietta, Georgia, where he practiced in the areas of civil and commercial litigation and workers compensation defense
- Is admitted to practice in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Northern District Court of Georgia, the Georgia Supreme Court, and the Georgia Court of Appeals.

- The candidate's website says, "During his time on the Superior Court bench, Judge Watkins displayed professionalism and courtesy to all.His courtroom demeanor, fairness, and careful decision-making made him a respected and valued member of the bench."

Judge Jeff Watkins is a lifelong resident of Georgia who graduated from the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business and the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. He resides in Cartersville, Georgia, with his wife and three children.

Judge Jeff Watkins is a judge in Georgia. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business and the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. Specific details about his current workplace or previous jobs are not provided.

As of April 3, 2024, Jeffrey A. Watkins’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- The Court of Appeals hears nearly all types of cases appealed from a lower-level trial-level court, such as Superior Court, Magistrate Court, and State Court. The Court of Appeals does not hear appeals on murder, constitutional questions, and criminal cases where the Georgia Supreme Court has jurisdiction.
- Cases before the Court of Appeals are decided by a three-judge panel. 
- Judges on the Georgia Court of Appeals are elected to six-year terms. Elections are nonpartisan and statewide. The Governor can appoint Court of Appeals Judges when vacancies arise.