Nels S.D. Peterson at a glance
- Current role
- Chief Justice
- Court
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- Jurisdiction
- Georgia · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Nels S.D. Peterson
Chief Justice · Supreme Court of Georgia
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- He is a graduate of Kennesaw State University and Harvard Law School.
- Before entering state government, Nels practiced at King & Spalding LLP in Atlanta and clerked for Chief Judge William H.
- He previously served in a variety of other roles in Georgia state government, including as judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals, general counsel for the University System of Georgia, Georgia’s first solicitor general in the Attorney General’s Office, and executive counsel to the Governor.
- Peterson SC Admin 2026-02-18T21:22:51-05:00 Chief Justice Nels Peterson was appointed to the Georgia Supreme Court in 2016, and was elected to full six-year terms in 2018 and 2024.
Judicial service
- Justice, Supreme Court of Georgia
- Peterson SC Admin 2026-02-18T21:22:51-05:00 Chief Justice Nels Peterson was appointed to the Georgia Supreme Court in 2016, and was elected to full six-year terms in 2018 and 2024.
- He previously served in a variety of other roles in Georgia state government, including as judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals, general counsel for the University System of Georgia, Georgia’s first solicitor general in the Attorney General’s Office, and executive counsel to the Governor.
- of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Education
- Kennesaw State University
- Harvard Law School
Courtroom rules and guidance
Electronic Devices And Recording
Georgia's class-specific Uniform Court Rules govern electronic devices and recording in state trial courts. Before using recording, photography, livestreaming, or similar courtroom technology, confirm the governing rule and the assigned court's procedure.
Uniform Superior, Juvenile, Magistrate, Municipal and Probate Court RulesSupreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules ↗
Sources
Supreme Court of Georgia official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · checked August 22, 2026
https://www.gasupreme.us/court-information/biographies/Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rulesGA SUPREME BIOS
Identity source · HTML · checked August 25, 2026
https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af01ccce9168f520c4cdf7/ | https://www.gasupreme.us/court-information/biographies/