Justice Carla Wong McMillian was officially sworn in April 10 as a member of the Supreme Court of Georgia. She is the first Asian Pacific American to serve on the state’s highest court or on any state Supreme Court in the southern United States.

Justice McMillian was sworn in by Governor Brian Kemp Friday morning in a private outside ceremony at Liberty Plaza, the public area across the street from the State Capitol Building.

“I wish all of us could have been there to celebrate this historic moment,” Chief Justice Harold D. Melton said, noting the ban on public gatherings due to the coronavirus. “We welcome her to our Court and consider ourselves fortunate to have such an outstanding jurist, and a person of such high character and intellect, joining us.”

Before Governor Kemp appointed her to the state’s highest court, Justice McMillian served on the Georgia Court of Appeals for seven years, where she was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal. The Court of Appeals is the state’s intermediate appellate court.

Previously, the Tyrone resident was first appointed and then elected as the judge of Fayette State Court.