Governor Brian Kemp has filled the seats of two former Atlantic Judicial Circuit superior court judges — and now the circuit will have a new district attorney.
Current Atlantic Judicial Circuit District Attorney Billy Joe Nelson was named to replace Robert L. Russell III, who has retired from the bench. “He’s been a mentor to me,” Nelson said of Judge Russell. It was Russell, Nelson said, who first got Nelson connected with the Atlantic Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s office, just as Nelson’s first job out of college — serving as a clerk for judges, which is a two-year stint — was nearing its end.
“He called (then DA) Tom Durden and said, ‘I’ve got this great young guy and he wants to work in the DA’s office,’” Nelson said.
Nelson will be sworn in as Superior Court judge Monday at the state Capitol. Upon that taking place, Greg McConnell, the chief assistant district attorney, will be named the acting district attorney.
Another vacancy, opened when Glen Cheney retired, has been filled by Bryan County attorney Charles “Brad” Dixon.
Nelson was elected district attorney of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit in 2022. Nelson became an assistant district attorney in the Atlantic Judicial Circuit in 2011 and served in that capacity until he was elected as district attorney.
He has been running unopposed in re-election to the DA’s position.
In 2017, Gov. Nathan Deal appointed Nelson to serve as the part-time solicitor general for the State Court of Long County. He began his legal career in 2009 as a law clerk for the Superior Court judges in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit.
“I got to see the behind- the-scenes job that Superior Court judges do,” Nelson said. “They make an impact on a lot of people’s lives.”
As his tenure as clerk was nearing an end, Nelson began making becoming a Superior Court judge one of his goals. When Judge Russell announced his retirement, given Russell’s impact on his own career, Nelson said he had to pursue the position.
“It was a long-term goal of mine,” he said. “I think it’s a full circle moment.”
Nelson acknowledged he had a tough decision to make upon Russell’s retirement. He faced no listed opposition in his re-election bid as DA.
“I had a really tough decision to make,” he said. Consulting with his family, the sentiment was if he didn’t pursue this opportunity now, it might not come around again.
“There were a lot of twists and turns over the last seven months,” Nelson said. “But I think God has a plan.”
Nelson is a native of McIntosh County and a lifelong resident of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in real estate, cum laude, from the University of Georgia. He obtained his Juris Doctor degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. He and his wife, Kathryn, have three children and reside in Liberty County.
Dixon is a partner in the law firm of Dixon & Lasseter, Attorneys at Law, P.C., in Richmond Hill. His practice has included domestic relations, criminal defense, probate, estate planning, real estate, and civil litigation matters.
Prior to entering private practice, Dixon served for eight years on active duty in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General Corps, ultimately attaining the rank of major. He served as a general crimes prosecutor, special victims prosecutor, and trial and defense attorney. He was responsible for training military prosecutors worldwide.
Dixon earned a Bachelor of Arts in communication studies from West Virginia University in 2006, and his Juris Doctor from the West Virginia University College of Law in 2009. Dixon and his wife, Ivona, reside in Richmond Hill with their two sons, Charlie and Vance.
When he first ran for the DA’s position four years ago, Nelson set out objectives for the office of leadership, work ethic and accountability.
“We’ve made tremendous strides into achieving those goals,” Nelson said. “We have a full staff of really dedicated people who go above and beyond. That’s all you can ask for — good people who work toward achieving the objectives of the office.”
The DA’s office is up for election this fall, and a special primary will be held for all candidates who wish to run for the position. Gov. Kemp also may name a DA to fill out the rest of Nelson’s term, which ends in January.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as a prosecutor in the DA’s office and to serve as the elected district attorney for the last four years,” Nelson said. “I look forward to the opportunity Gov. Kemp has provided me with this Superior Court judge appointment and I appreciate the ability to continue to serve the citizens of Atlantic Judicial Circuit.”