Amanda Mercier top Appeals judge

  • Fannin County native Amanda Mercier was sworn in as the new chief judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals last week.
    Fannin County native Amanda Mercier was sworn in as the new chief judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals last week.
  • Amanda Mercier is shown with her husband, Joe Foster, and daughter, Alexandria, after taking her oath of office as the new chief judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals. Her term officially begins July 1.
    Amanda Mercier is shown with her husband, Joe Foster, and daughter, Alexandria, after taking her oath of office as the new chief judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals. Her term officially begins July 1.
  • Amanda Mercier takes her oath as the Chief Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals from Judge Brian M. Rickman who she is succeeding. Holding the Bible is daughter, Alexandria, as husband, Joe Foster, watches the event.
    Amanda Mercier takes her oath as the Chief Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals from Judge Brian M. Rickman who she is succeeding. Holding the Bible is daughter, Alexandria, as husband, Joe Foster, watches the event.
  • Several local officials were on hand to witness Amanda Mercier’s oath of office ceremony as she steps into the role of Chief Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals. Shown following the ceremony are, from left, Fannin County Sheriff Dane Kirby, Mercier, Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney B. Alison Sosebee, Fannin County Clerk of Court Dana Chastain, Appalachian Judicial Circuit Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver, and State Representative Johnny Chastain.
    Several local officials were on hand to witness Amanda Mercier’s oath of office ceremony as she steps into the role of Chief Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals. Shown following the ceremony are, from left, Fannin County Sheriff Dane Kirby, Mercier, Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney B. Alison Sosebee, Fannin County Clerk of Court Dana Chastain, Appalachian Judicial Circuit Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver, and State Representative Johnny Chastain.
  • Amanda H. Mercier - Chief Judge
    Amanda H. Mercier - Chief Judge

    Amanda Mercier was sworn in last week as the new chief judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals,

    The Fannin County native took her oath during a ceremony Thursday, June 22, in the Court of Appeals Courtroom of the Nathan Deal Judicial Center in Atlanta.

    Mercier was elected to the post by her fellow members of the court. She begins her two-year term July 1.

    Mercier is only the fifth woman to serve in the position. “I am honored to serve the court and my fellow judges. I am lucky to be serving with three of the four women who have already served as chief,” Mercier said.

    Outgoing Chief Judge Brian Rickman said, “Judge Mercier is a classic servant leader, and has always worked hard, both behind the scenes and on the bench. I am confident that the court is in good hands with her at its helm.”

    Mercier was appointed to the state Court of Appeals by Governor Nathan Deal and took office January 4, 2016.

    Prior to that she had been appointed to the Superior Court of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit by Governor Sonny Perdue in 2010.

    After earning her Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University School of Law in 2001, she returned to Blue Ridge and entered private practice with David Ralston. She practiced both criminal and civil litigation until her appointment by Perdue in 2010.

    Mercier graduated from the University of Georgia in 1998 and Fannin County High School in 1994.

    Mercier is the daughter of Tim Mercier and the late Sandra Mercier.

    She and her husband Joe Foster have one daughter, Alexandria. They reside in Fannin County.