At Auburn University,Melton served as the Student Government Association president for the 1987–88 academic year. He was the first African-American student elected to that position in Auburn history. He was also the first "independent" (non-fraternity member) elected to that position.[1] The Melton Student Center,[2] at Auburn University,is named for Justice Melton.
Political and legal background
Prior to joining the Court,Melton served as Executive Counsel to Governor Perdue. Before serving as Executive Counsel,Melton spent 11 years as Assistant Attorney General in the Georgia Department of Law.[3]
Service on the Georgia Supreme Court and after
Melton was first appointed to the Court by Governor Sonny Perdue on July 1,2005,to fill a vacancy on the bench created by the retirement of Justice Norman S. Fletcher. His appointment marked the first time a Republicangovernor had made an appointment to the Supreme Court since 1868 when Governor Rufus B. Bullock selected Justices Joseph E. Brown and H. K. McCay. He was sworn in as chief justice on September 4,2018,by former chief justice Harris Hines.[3] On February 12,2021,Melton announced his intent to retire effective July 1,2021.[4]
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