Gov. Nathan Deal Monday announced the appointment of the Honorable George R. Christian as district attorney of the Mountain Judicial Circuit. Christian will fill the vacancy created by the appointment of the Honorable Brian M. Rickman to the Georgia Court of Appeals. He’ll be sworn in on February 16th.
Christian, who assumed the role of acting D.A. when Rickman left the post in December, was one of three to apply for the appointed position to fill Rickman’s unexpired term. The other two applicants were Clarkesville attorney Tricia Hise and Clayton attorney Bruce Russell, Jr.
“I’m very excited and honored by the appointment,” says Christian. “Brian Rickman put together a great office and I look forward to continuing the great work that he did.” He says being a prosecutor is a difficult job because you’re dealing with people at some of the most vulnerable times in their lives but, he adds, “it’s a service.”
Christian says constituents in the Mountain Judicial Circuit can expect transparency from his office. “We will not hide things. Transparency is the utmost.” Calling his appointment both an “honor” and a “privilege” Christian says he’s looking forward to continuing his work with the local legal bar and superior court justices.
Christian served as chief assistant district attorney for the Mountain Judicial Circuit under Rickman. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Georgia and a law degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. He previously served as chief assistant district attorney for the Houston Judicial Circuit and assistant U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. He and his wife, Martha, live in Clayton.
