Macon attorney Stephen Louis A. Dillard has been chosen to fill a vacancy on the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Dillard, 40, said he was eating lunch at his desk when he received a call from Gov. Sonny Perdue saying that he’d been chosen for the judgeship.

“I was just honored and humbled by the appointment,” he said. “It’s been a dream of mine for some time to be a judge.

“I’m excited about this next phase in my career.”

Dillard is of counsel and chairman of the appellate practice at the Macon law firm James, Bates, Pope & Spivey. He previously practiced at Stone & Baxter LLP and clerked for Judge Daniel A. Manion of the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, according to a release issued by the governor’s office.

He received a law degree from Mississippi College of Law and a bachelor of arts from Samford University.

Dillard was one of nine finalists for a vacancy on the Georgia Supreme Court in 2009. After David E. Nahmias was appointed to the high court, the remaining finalists who had interest were tacked onto the Court of Appeals list for the governor’s consideration. Dillard and Keith Blackwell, of Atlanta, will fill vacancies created by the retirement of Judge G. Alan Blackburn and the death of Judge Debra Bernes, according to the release.

The Georgia Court of Appeals handles the bulk of state trial court cases that are appealed.

It’s unclear when Dillard will be sworn into office.

Dillard serves as president of the Macon chapter of the Federalist Society and as a member of the Governor’s Judicial Nominating Commission. Dillard lives in Macon with his wife and three children.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.