A Georgia Court of Appeals panel met in Milledgeville last week, with a former Superior Court Judge from the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit among the three judges.
Putnam County resident and former Superior Court Judge, the Honorable Trent Brown, was on the panel that heard oral arguments in three civil case appeals. Georgia College & State University (GCSU) hosted the event last Wednesday, with GCSU President Cathy Cox attending.
Cox introduced all three appellate judges to the audience, detailing their careers in the legal field, then expressed the school’s gratitude for their presence.
“We welcome all three of you here, and we appreciate your willingness to bring the law and action to Georgia College. We wish you a good day and appreciate your willingness to mix and mingle and answer questions.”
Judges Stephen Dillard and Wade Padgett joined Brown on the ballroom stage.
Following oral arguments, which included very pointed questions, the judges responded to Cox’s query about how they developed their interest in the field of law.
“I had a father who had a successful business in Putnam County,” Brown said. “It was pretty much taken for granted that his oldest son was going to come home and go into that business.” However, he added, “When I was at UGA I took all the classes in anticipation of the LSAT without telling my father.”
While he had an open discussion with his mother, Brown waited until he was successful in getting into law school to talk with his dad.
“We had that discussion. My father was the type to say, ‘Get your law degree. We can help you with it. We can afford it. And, If you end up selling used cars for a living, you have another opportunity to fall back on – the law degree.’ That’s just the way he thought.”
So, Brown said he entered law school and shared that within his first summer, he was in the middle of the court world in Baldwin County.
“I interned with Fred Bright, who was the district attorney for the Ocmulgee Circuit, which included Baldwin County,” he recalled. “So, immediately, several days a week we were in a Middle Georgia courtroom, just like the one across the street.
“It was like a social event. All the attorneys typically had a reason to be in court that day, and there was no place better than the Ocmulgee circuit for me to practice law. It was a series of eight beautiful courthouses in Middle Georgia, and a lot of the same people traveled between those same courthouses.”
The appellate judge acknowledged court attracted him.
“When you were in court … we had five judges – still have five judges – that worked the circuit … it’s hard not to think ‘that’s the job.’ … Immediately, I was thinking, ‘This is where I want to practice.’ But ultimately, I would not mind having that job.”
Several years later, Brown reported, he was appointed State Court Judge in Putnam County.
“It seemed like the perfect job because not only was I a part-time judge, but I could maintain my practice that I loved,” Brown said.
He served in that position for five years before being appointed Superior Court Judge by Governor Nathan Deal.
“At that time there had not been a new judge (in the circuit) in 18 years. I loved that opportunity. It was six years ago that I was still doing Superior Court work here across the street, but it seems like a couple of months ago.”
Brown said he remains very appreciative, however, for the latest appointment by Deal that put him on the Court of Appeals.
“This is also a great opportunity. Governor Deal gave me the opportunity to be on the Superior Court (bench). He also gave me the opportunity on the Court of Appeals.”
Brown called the staff members for the court “second to none,” adding, “They help us look as good as we can look.”
Overall, Brown said he’s very satisfied with how his career turned out and the opportunities it presented over the decades.
“It’s been a great ride. I’ve been a judge in some capacity for 16 years, and I am very appreciative to have started by hiding even taking the LSAT from my father,” he concluded with a smile.