Macon judge one of three finalists for seat on Court of Appeals

Chief Superior Court Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self III of the Macon Judicial Circuit has been named a finalist for a vacancy on the Georgia Court of Appeals.

The governor’s office is set to interview Self and two other finalists before Gov. Nathan Deal makes an appointment to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Herbert E. Phipps.

The state Judicial Nominating Commission submitted recommendations to the governor, creating the short list of finalists, according to a commission release.

Other finalists include Clyde L. Reese III , commissioner of the Georgia Department of Human Services, and Chief Judge Gail S. Tusan of the Atlanta Judicial Circuit.

Last week, the Georgia Supreme Court appointed Self to sit on the Judicial Qualifications Commission, a seven-member group that investigates and recommends discipline for Georgia judges. Of the group’s members, two judges are appointed by the Supreme Court. Members serve a four-year term.

Self, 47, was elected a judge in 2006. He serves as president-elect of the Council of Superior Court Judges and presides over the Macon circuit’s Veterans Court.

The Court of Appeals is the intermediate appellate court in Georgia. It has statewide appellate jurisdiction over many cases, except those that involve constitutional questions, murder and election contests, among several other areas.

This story was originally published October 25, 2016 at 8:43 AM with the headline "Macon judge one of three finalists for seat on Court of Appeals."