A new assistant district attorney was sworn in by Liberty County Superior Court Judge Robert Russell on Friday morning in courtroom C of the new justice center.

Billy J. Nelson Jr. took his oath and was welcomed to the Atlantic Judicial Circuit.

The McIntosh County native formerly was a staff attorney for superior court judges of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit.

The University of Georgia alumnus said he has been looking forward to this appointment.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said. “I have been looking forward to doing this for quite some time. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to represent the people of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit.”

Atlantic Judicial Circuit District Attorney Tom Durden said there were several qualified applicants for the job but Nelson was best suited for the position and came highly recommended.

“We are glad to have Billy on board,” Durden said. “He is a local. … His family is a resident of the circuit. He is going to be a great asset to the office and we are ready to put him to work. He comes to us with a lot of experience in working with superior court judges in the Brunswick circuit. He will be assigned to a trial team.”

Nelson said it was nice to be back on familiar ground.

“McIntosh County is part of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit. It’s my home circuit, so I will be representing the people I grew up with,” he said.” I just want to do the best I can as an assistant DA.”

Nelson said he already has rolled up his sleeves and “hit the ground running,” reviewing files and cases.

His mother and grandparents watched as he was sworn in.

“I am just very proud. This was a long time in coming and he did a lot of hard work for this,” his mother, Marcia Nelson, said.