University of Georgia
School of Law
Athens, GA 30602
United States
B.S., Auburn University
J.D., University of Georgia
Representing the State
Harold D. Melton is currently a partner at Troutman Pepper. Previously, he served as chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court.
As the School of Law’s Sanders Scholar in Political Leadership, he will teach a seminar titled “Representing the State,” where he will examine legal and professional issues that arise when one works as a lawyer for the state.
Melton was appointed to the Georgia Supreme Court in 2005 and served as chief justice from 2018 to 2021. Before joining the court, he served as executive counsel to Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue representing the governor on legal issues covering the entire scope of state government. In this role, he helped safeguard Georgia’s interests in water rights disputes with Alabama and Florida and actively participated in administration efforts to advance the delivery of criminal justice services in the state. Previously, Melton spent 11 years in the Georgia Department of Law under two attorneys general where he served as section leader over the Consumer Interests Division.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and his law degree from UGA.