Quick Poll

Is Memorial Day an 'off day' for you or a 'work day' with your business open?

Recent Polls

Blogs

Angela McRae

Tea with friends

Deberah Williams

Everyday Finesse

Lorrie Lynch

Who's News

Published Friday, February 03, 2012 in Local

Palmer enters race for judge

By Alex McRae

The Newnan Times-Herald

Emory Palmer has announced his campaign for Superior Court Judge in the Coweta Judicial Circuit.

Palmer is seeking the office currently held by Superior Court Judge Allen B. Keeble, who is retiring at the end of the year. The election will be held on July 31.

The Coweta Judicial Circuit includes Coweta, Carroll, Heard, Meriwether and Troup counties. Currently there are two candidates, Palmer and a current senior assistant district attorney, Kevin McMurry.

"I appreciate Judge Keeble's years of service on the bench," Palmer said. "My committee and I have been working behind the scenes but wanted to wait until Judge Keeble formally announced his retirement before coming out publicly. Now that Judge Keeble has done that, I am excited to announce my campaign for Superior Court judge, and I look forward to working hard and earning the trust and support of the people of the circuit."

"I have decided to run for this seat because of my deep devotion to the highest ideals of the law and my commitment to giving back to a community that has given so much to me," he said. "Any success I have had in life is a direct result of being raised here and around the people in this circuit. I have a deep love for this place and want to use my talents to benefit the people of this community by serving as Superior Court judge.

"I firmly believe we need a judge who is experienced, fair yet tough, and committed to justice while treating everyone before the court with dignity. Most importantly, we need a judge who is ready to make the tough decisions."

Palmer plans to host a kick-off fundraiser in Newnan this month and announced the formation of a 45-member campaign steering committee, including community leaders from every county in the circuit.

Committee chairman, Newnan attorney Taylor Drake, said, "Emory will be an excellent judge. He has a keen mind, a solid sense of fairness and an abundance of common sense. As a citizen and a lawyer, I am so pleased that someone as qualified as Emory is seeking a public service position that means so much to our community."

LaGrange Attorney Matt Alford is the committee's treasurer. "Emory has the right experience and the right character for this job," Alford said. "We need Emory on the bench and that's why I have committed to working hard to help him win this election."

Carrollton Attorney Tommy Greer, also a member of Palmer's committee, said, "Emory has the temperament and the right experience for a Superior Court judge. The circuit needs him on the bench. I plan to work hard to help him get there."

Palmer enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after graduating from Newnan High School in 1987. During four years in the Marine Corps Palmer earned parachutist wings and served an extended tour during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. During Desert Storm he was deployed with the Marine Corps Signals Intelligence detachment for the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit and participated in amphibious operations in Kuwait and the Persian Gulf.

Palmer attended West Georgia College and graduated from Georgetown University with a B.S. in International Affairs. He earned his law degree from the University of Georgia.

In 1999, Palmer was admitted to practice law in Georgia and is currently admitted in all Georgia state courts, the United States District Court for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, and the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Palmer has been admitted pro hac vice in numerous state and federal jurisdictions in all parts of the country. Palmer has been a partner at the firm Carr & Palmer since 2003 and has tried cases all over Georgia. His practice focuses on litigation, including trials and appeals of complex commercial litigation and professional liability cases.

He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, Coweta Bar Association, Atlanta Bar Association and the Defense Research Institute. Palmer was named a Rising Star by "Super Lawyer" in 2006 and 2009, a Legal Force "Best Lawyer in Atlanta" and is a Georgia Supreme Court Approved Mentor.

Palmer and Jennifer, his wife of 13 years, reside in Newnan and have two sons who attend Coweta County schools. They are active members of Newnan First United Methodist Church, where Palmer teaches Sunday school and served for several years on the administrative board.

Palmer is a Cub Scout Den Leader for the Boy Scouts of America, Pack 41 and has coached baseball and football teams for both sons. The Palmers are active supporters of Angel's House, where Jennifer serves on the board.

Comment On This Story

Times-Herald.com does not necessarily agree with the comments posted below. Responsibility of comments rests solely with the writer. Comments posted in ALL CAPS will be deleted.

Submission of a comment does not guarantee publication. Comments will be posted by a moderator after being scanned for abusive language, relevance, etc. See our Comments FAQ for more details.