Presiding Judge Brian Rickman to Leave Georgia Court of Appeals

Georgia   Judge Brian Rickman has announced  that he will step down from the Court of Appeals of Georgia in July 2026 to return to private legal practice, joining join the firm of Cathey & Strain  as a partner.

Rickman  graduated from Piedmont College and the University of Georgia School of Law.

Prior to his appointment to  the appellate court in 2015 , Rickman served seven years as district attorney for the Mountain Judicial Circuit following  a  private law practice focusing on civil litigation.  He served as the court’s  Chief Judge from July 1, 2021 to July 1, 2023.

Chief Judge Trenton Brown praised Rickman’s contributions to the court and other members of the court, including Presiding Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard commended Rickman for his keen intellect, unwavering dedication, and exceptional leadership. As noted on the Court’s Website, “This is a huge loss for the Court of Appeals of Georgia.”