Hon. P. R. Chris Phelps

Judge R. Chris Phelps was appointed to the Superior Court of the Northern Judicial Circuit by Governor Nathan Deal on January 30, 2015, and sworn into office on March 4, 2015. He was elected to a full term in May 2016 and re-elected without opposition in 2020. Prior to his appointment, he practiced law for 38 years and served as Municipal Court Judge for the City of Elberton from 1977 to 1987. He represented the attorneys of the Northern Judicial Circuit on the State Bar of Georgia's Board of Governors for over three decades. Notably, he was designated to serve on the Georgia Supreme Court in a case involving a pardoned sex offender's registration requirements in 2017. Judge Phelps is a graduate of the University of West Georgia and the University of Georgia School of Law.<br/><br/>Professional Experience:<br/>- Superior Court Judge, Northern Judicial Circuit, Georgia (2015-present)<br/>- Municipal Court Judge, City of Elberton (1977-1987)<br/>- Attorney for the City of Elberton (1987-2015)<br/>- Private Practice Lawyer (1976-2015)<br/>- Member, State Bar of Georgia Board of Governors (over 30 years)<br/><br/>Education:<br/>- University of West Georgia, Bachelor's degree (1973)<br/>- University of Georgia School of Law, Juris Doctor (1976)<br/><br/>Professional Affiliations:<br/>State Bar of Georgia; Boy Scouts of America; Elberton First United Methodist Church