Trellis, Derek Jerome White Professional and Legal Background

JUDGE DEREK J. WHITE

Derek earned his bachelor's degree from Georgia Southern University in 1990 and his law degree from Mercer University in 1994. Derek resides in Pooler with his wife, Kelli. They are parents to two adult children and attend services at Godley Station Church in Pooler.

Before becoming a judge in state court, Derek was most recently a senior partner at the White Law Group. Previously, White was a Judge in the city of Pooler and a Chief Judge in the city of Port Wentworth.

Derek J. White is a state court judge in Chatham County. This is his first term and he is running for reelection.

Serves as a state court judge since 2020.

Served as an attorney and Senior Partner at the White Law Group representing clients in cases dealing with nursing home litigation, wrongful deaths, medical malpractice, tractor-trailer collisions, contracts, and wills.

Served as a court mediator, helping disagreeing parties talk to each other and find mutually agreeable solutions.

Oversaw and ruled in cases dealing with minor offenses such as public intoxication, public disorder, traffic violations, and local code violations.

- Serves as a state court judge since 2020.
- Served as an attorney and Senior Partner at the White Law Group representing clients in cases dealing with nursing home litigation, wrongful deaths, medical malpractice, tractor-trailer collisions, contracts, and wills.
- Served as a court mediator, helping disagreeing parties talk to each other and find mutually agreeable solutions.
- Oversaw and ruled in cases dealing with minor offenses such as public intoxication, public disorder, traffic violations, and local code violations.
- Has a law degree from Mercer University.

Legal Experience

As of March 19, 2024, Derek Jerome White did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Cites Christian faith as deeply influential in personal and professional life. 

- Cites Christian faith as deeply influential in personal and professional life. 

Judicial Philosophy

As a Chief Judge, White served as the administrative head of the court and helped determine the scheduling and order of cases heard.

- As a Chief Judge, White served as the administrative head of the court and helped determine the scheduling and order of cases heard.

Judicial Administration

President of the board of the Georgia Bar Association; serves on the Constitution and Rules committee.

Serves on the administration team at the Godley Station Church.

Previously served as Chairman of the Southern Tennis Foundation; is currently a trustee.

- President of the board of the Georgia Bar Association; serves on the Constitution and Rules committee.
- Serves on the administration team at the Godley Station Church.
- Previously served as Chairman of the Southern Tennis Foundation; is currently a trustee.

Community Involvement

Derek Jerome White

Professional and Legal Background

Derek J. White earned his Bachelor's degree from Georgia Southern University in 1990 and his law degree from the Walter F. George Law School at Mercer University in 1994. White resides in Pooler with his wife, Kelli. They are parents to two adult children and attend services at Godley Station Church in Pooler.

Derek J. White was most recently a Senior Partner at the White Law Group, where he specialized in nursing home and wrongful death cases. Previously, White was a Judge in the city of Pooler and a Chief Judge in the city of Port Wentworth.

Derek J. White currently serves as the State Court Judge in Chatham County and is running for reelection.

As a Judge, White oversaw and ruled in cases dealing with minor offenses such as public intoxication, public disorder, traffic violations and local code violations.

- Served as an attorney and Senior Partner at the White Law Group representing clients in cases dealing with nursing home litigation, wrongful deaths, medical malpractice, tractor-trailer collisions, contracts, and wills.
- Served as a court mediator, helping disagreeing parties talk to each other and find mutually agreeable solutions.
- As a Judge, White oversaw and ruled in cases dealing with minor offenses such as public intoxication, public disorder, traffic violations and local code violations.

As of March 19, 2024, Derek Jerome White did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

Previously served as Chairman of the Southern Tennis Foundation; White is currently involved as a Trustee.

- President of the board of the Georgia Bar Association; serves on the Constitution and Rules committee.
- Serves on the administration team at the Godley Station Church.
- Previously served as Chairman of the Southern Tennis Foundation; White is currently involved as a Trustee.

As an attorney and Senior Partner at his law firm, he served as a litigator and mediator in cases dealing with nursing home litigation, wrongful deaths, medical malpractice, tractor-trailer collisions, contracts, and wills.

White served as a court mediator. In this role, he helped disagreeing parties talk to each other and find common ground and solutions.

As a Judge, he oversaw and ruled in cases dealing with minor offenses such as public intoxication, public disorder, traffic violations and local code violations.

- As an attorney and Senior Partner at his law firm, he served as a litigator and mediator in cases dealing with nursing home litigation, wrongful deaths, medical malpractice, tractor-trailer collisions, contracts, and wills.
- White served as a court mediator. In this role, he helped disagreeing parties talk to each other and find common ground and solutions.
- As a Judge, he oversaw and ruled in cases dealing with minor offenses such as public intoxication, public disorder, traffic violations and local code violations.

Christianity plays a central role in his life. He describes the culture at his law firm by quoting the Bible verse Mark 10:27 which reads, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."

- Christianity plays a central role in his life. He describes the culture at his law firm by quoting the Bible verse Mark 10:27 which reads, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God."

As a Chief Judge, he served as the administrative head of the court and helped determine the scheduling and order of cases heard.

- As a Chief Judge, he served as the administrative head of the court and helped determine the scheduling and order of cases heard.

He is the President of the board of the Georgia Bar Association where he serves on the Constitution and Rules committee.

He serves on the administration team at the Godley Station Church.

He previously served as the Chairman of the Southern Tennis Foundation where he is currently involved as a Trustee.

- He is the President of the board of the Georgia Bar Association where he serves on the Constitution and Rules committee.
- He serves on the administration team at the Godley Station Church.
- He previously served as the Chairman of the Southern Tennis Foundation where he is currently involved as a Trustee.

- Despite their name, State Courts in Georgia have limited jurisdiction within their county. State Court Judges also have limited jurisdiction over the types of cases they hear, as opposed to Superior Court. 
- State Court Judges hear misdemeanors, like traffic tickets. They also issue arrest and search warrants and hold preliminary hearings in some criminal cases. 
- State Court Judges hear most civil matters that aren't related to land titles, divorce, or cases involving non-monetary damages (those matters are handled by the Superior Court).
- State Court Judges are elected in non-partisan county wide elections and serve four year terms. The Governor can appoint State Court Judges when vacancies arise. 
