News Archive

Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

To the Editor:

On behalf of the State Bar of Georgia, I would like to express congratulations to Chattahoochee Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Benjamin A. “Ben” Land of Columbus on his appointment by Gov. Brian Kemp to serve as a judge on the Court of Appeals of Georgia. 

Judge Land will be well served by his nearly 30 years of legal and judicial experience, including the past four years on the Superior Court bench. Previously, he practiced law for 26 years in Columbus, focusing on civil litigation. He is a past president of the Chattahoochee Circuit Bar Association, the Columbus Inn of Court and the Columbus Bar Association and is a recipient of the State Bar of Georgia’s William B. Spann Jr. Award for Pro Bono Advocacy.

We also congratulate Muscogee County State Court Judge Benjamin S. Richardson on his appointment by Gov. Kemp to succeed Judge Land as a Superior Court judge for the Chattahoochee Circuit and John T. Martin of the Martin Law Firm LLP in Columbus on his appointment by Gov. Kemp to serve as a Superior Court judge for the Chattahoochee Circuit, succeeding Judge William Rumer, who has announced his retirement.

Judge Richardson also brings nearly three decades of experience in the legal profession and justice system to his new position. He began his career in private practice and later served in the Muscogee County Solicitor General’s office as assistant solicitor general, chief assistant solicitor general and solicitor general before becoming a State Court judge in 2014. 

Judge Martin has nearly 27 years of legal experience as a trial lawyer in Columbus. He serves in many capacities of community leadership and professional service for a number of local, regional and state organizations.

By accepting these appointments, Judges Land, Richardson and Martin demonstrate their continued commitment to serving the public and the justice system. We wish each of them well in these new roles.

Sincerely,
 
Elizabeth L. Fite
President, State Bar of Georgia