Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs (ret.)

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455 Sea Island Road
St. Simons Island, GA 31522

Tel 912.262.5996
Fax 912.279.0586

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Justice Michael Boggs is a partner at HunterMaclean, where he advises clients across a broad range of legal matters, including complex litigation, government-related issues, and strategic policy challenges.

With more than 35 years of experience in Georgia’s legal and public sectors, Justice Boggs has served at nearly every level of the state’s judiciary. He began as a Superior Court Judge in the Waycross Judicial Circuit, where he founded and presided over the court’s Drug Court Program. He was later appointed to the Georgia Court of Appeals by Governor Nathan Deal, who also appointed him to the Supreme Court of Georgia. There, he was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chief Justice. Justice Boggs was elected statewide to Georgia’s Appellate courts without opposition on three occasions.

Throughout his judicial service, he helped lead the state’s judicial system through significant reforms and modernization efforts. As Chief Justice, Justice Boggs created committees to address AI and the Courts, Legal Regulatory Reform, and Judicial Security. He also served as chairman of the American Rescue Plan Act Funding Committee, where he oversaw the distribution of $106 million in federal funds to help Georgia courts reduce backlogs of serious violent felony cases. Earlier in his career, he also served in the Georgia House of Representatives, where he served on the Judiciary, Public Safety and Government Affairs committees, and as chairman of the Probate Law and Elections Law subcommittees.  

Justice Boggs has a broad array of legal practice, including former service as a County Attorney, Special Assistant Attorney General, and counsel to a regional Development Authority. While in private practice, he practiced law in both civil and criminal matters including creditor bankruptcy litigation, property insurance defense, real estate transactions, banking law, and general business matters.

Widely respected for his steady leadership and practical judgment, Justice Boggs has built a national reputation as a thought leader for advancing meaningful justice-system reform and shaping judicial policy. His work has earned recognition from legal, legislative, and civic organizations across Georgia and beyond.

He has received numerous awards recognizing his commitment to justice and public service, including the St. Thomas More Award, the State Bar of Georgia’s Spirit of Justice Award, and Leadership Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Award, the organization’s highest honor. He has also held national leadership roles with the Conference of Chief Justices and the Council of State Governments Justice Center.

A native of South Georgia, Justice Boggs earned his B.A. from Georgia Southern College and his J.D. from the Mercer University School of Law. He and his wife, Heather, a longtime public school educator, are involved in their community and deeply committed to public service.

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Practice Areas

Industries

Notable Opinions

  • Arnold v. Alexander, S24O1335 (March 18, 2025) (Examining the source of the Georgia Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction, and providing a first impression review of the court’s jurisdiction under Article VI, Section I, Paragraph IV of the 1983 Constitution).
  • Whitaker Farms, LLC v. Fitzgerald Fruit Farms, LLC, 320 Ga. 208, 908 S.E.2d 531 (2024) (holding that parties’ statements during settlement conference were not admissible to prove punitive damages).
  • Vantage Cancer Centers of Georgia, LLC v. Dep’t of Cmty. Health, 318 Ga. 361 (2024) (establishing standard of review that Georgia DCH Commissioner must apply when reviewing the decision of a hearing officer on an application for a certificate of need).
  • King v. King, 316 Ga. 354 (2023) (answering certified question from 11th Circuit and clarifying parameters of Georgia’s duty to disclose in a confidential relationship).
  • Hill, Kertscher & Wharton, LLP v. Moody, 308 Ga. 74 (2020) (as a matter of first impression, holding that “when a client sues his former attorney for legal malpractice, the implied waiver of the attorney-client privilege extends to the client’s communications with other attorneys who represented the client with respect to the same underlying transaction or litigation”).
  • Stanley v. Patterson, 314 Ga. 582, 582 (2022) (holding that court administrators and case managers whose negligent actions led to the improper arrest and jailing of man were not protected by quasi-judicial immunity).
  • San Miguel Produce, Inc. v. L. G. Herndon Jr. Farms, Inc., 308 Ga. 812, 812–13 (2020) (clarifying scope of the Georgia Dealers in Agricultural Products Act, OCGA §§ 2-9-1 to 2-9-16).
  • Wilkes & McHugh, P.A. v. LTC Consulting, L.P., 306 Ga. 252 (2019) (clarifying standard for reviewing motion to dismiss under the anti-SLAPP statute, OCGA § 9-11-11.1).
  • Raffensperger v. Jackson, 316 Ga. 383 (2023) (Reviewing Secretary of State’s professional licensing provisions and holding that Georgia Constitution’s due process clause entitles citizens to pursue a lawful occupation of their choosing free from unreasonable government interference and that Georgia Lactation Consultant Practice Act, OCGA 43-22A-1 et seq., was unconstitutional).

Community Work

Community Work

  • Mercer University Board of Trustees, Member
  • Mercer University Law School Board of Visitors, Member
  • Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Foundation, Board Member
  • Leadership Georgia, Graduate (2009)

Credentials

Education

Education

Mercer University School of Law: J.D., 1990

Georgia Southern College: B.A., Political Science and Psychology, 1985

Affiliations

Affiliations

  • State Bar of Georgia, Member
  • Georgia Judicial Nominating Commission, Member
  • Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission, Former Member and Chairman, Mental Health Courts Subcommittee
  • Judicial Council of Georgia, Former Chairman
  • Conference of Chief Justices, Former Executive Board Member
  • Georgia Courts American Rescue Plan Act Funds Committee, Former Chairman
  • Council of State Governments Justice Center, Former Chairman
  • Justice Counts National Steering Committee, Former Chairman
  • Georgia Criminal Justice Reform Council, Former Co-Chairman
  • Supreme Court of Georgia’s Committee on Justice for Children, Former Member
  • National Center for State Courts (NCSC) Initiatives, Member
  • Council on Criminal Justice Veterans Justice Commission, Member

Recognition

Recognition

Georgia Trend Magazine, “100 Most Influential Georgians,” 2025
An annual list published by Georgia Trend recognizing leaders across business, government, and civic life who significantly influence the direction of the state.

St. Thomas More Award, 2017
A faith-based legal honor given to an attorney or public servant who exemplifies integrity, courage, and commitment to justice in the tradition of St. Thomas More.

State Bar of Georgia’s Spirit of Justice Award, 2019
An award presented by the State Bar to individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to ensuring justice and fairness in Georgia’s legal system.

Leadership Georgia’s J.W. Fanning Award, 2022
The highest honor given by Leadership Georgia, awarded to a past participant who continues to demonstrate visionary leadership and lasting contributions to the state.

Georgia Trend Magazine, “40 Under 40” Georgia Leaders Recognition, 2002
An annual honor recognizing 40 emerging leaders under the age of 40 who are making a significant impact in their professions and communities across Georgia.

Georgia Sheriffs’ Association Leadership Award
A recognition given by the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association to individuals who show outstanding leadership and support for law enforcement initiatives.

District Attorneys’ Association of Georgia Commitment to Justice Award
An award presented by the association to individuals who have shown a consistent and impactful commitment to upholding justice and supporting prosecutorial efforts in Georgia.

University System of Georgia Foundation Regents Award for Excellence
A statewide honor recognizing exceptional leadership and advocacy in support of Georgia’s public colleges and universities.

Association of County Commissioners of Georgia Legislative Award
An award presented to legislators who have made meaningful contributions to county government interests through policymaking and legislative work.

Boy Scouts of America, Golden Eagle Award
A distinguished service award honoring individuals for their community leadership and support of youth development through Scouting.

Most Outstanding Freshman Legislator Award, 2002
An award given to a newly elected member of the Georgia General Assembly who demonstrates exceptional promise, leadership, and legislative effectiveness in their first year.

Licensed In

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Georgia

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Presentations

Presentations

State of the Judiciary Address – Joint Session of the Georgia General Assembly (March 5, 2025, Atlanta).
Justice Boggs used his final address as Chief Justice to outline the judiciary’s forward-looking initiatives, including the establishment of the AI and Courts Committee, progress in legal regulatory reform, and investments in rural circuit support and judicial well-being.

Judicial Council of Georgia General Session – Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts (Feb. 7, 2025, Remote).
Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs chaired the Judicial Council of Georgia’s General Session on February 7, 2025, which was conducted via virtual teleconference.

“Public Confidence and the Courts.” Opening Conversation (Feb. 21, 2025, State Bar of Georgia Headquarters, Atlanta).
Justice Boggs kicked off the 2025 Bar–Media–Judiciary annual conference with a keynote conversation on “Public Confidence and the Courts.” He addressed an audience of judges, lawyers, and journalists about transparency and trust in the judicial system​.

Guest Lecture on Law & Policy – Georgia State University College of Law (Jan. 21, 2025, Atlanta).
In this hour-long lecture and Q&A with law students, Justice Boggs shared insights on crafting effective public policy and the interplay between making laws (as a former state legislator) and interpreting laws (as a judge)​.

State of the Judiciary Address – Joint Session of the Georgia General Assembly (Feb. 21, 2024, Atlanta).
In his 2024 State of the Judiciary Address, Justice Boggs focused on court modernization efforts, including e-filing expansion, judicial security upgrades, and the initial impact of federal ARPA funds on backlog reduction in serious felony cases.

State of the Judiciary Address – Joint Session of the Georgia General Assembly (March 8, 2023, Atlanta).
Justice Boggs delivered his State of the Judiciary address as Chief Justice, highlighting judicial recovery efforts post-pandemic, the expansion of mental health accountability courts, and the importance of adequate funding for Georgia’s trial courts.

Commencement Keynote – Mercer University School of Law (May 2020, Macon, GA).
Justice Boggs served as the commencement speaker for Mercer Law School’s Class of 2020​.

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