Augusta federal magistrate judge named to Ga. appeals court

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday announced the appointment of an Augusta federal magistrate judge to the Georgia Court of Appeals.

The Honorable Brian K. Epps will fill a vacancy created by the resignation of the Honorable Brian M. Rickman.

Judge Brian K. Epps, who’s served as a magistrate judge in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia for 13 years, will fill a vacancy on the state court created by the resignation of the Honorable Brian M. Rickman.

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Before ascending to the federal bench, Epps was a partner at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP, where he represented commercial policyholders in insurance coverage disputes throughout the United States and internationally.

Epps has been actively involved in the Augusta community for decades, including serving as a board member and chairman of Shepeard Community Blood Center and helping found and launch Prodigal Ministries and the Harlem High School Alumni Foundation. He teaches a mediation course as an adjunct professor at the University of Georgia School of Law and has devoted significant effort to developing concepts and technologies for mediation.

Epps earned his undergraduate degree, cum laude, from the University of Georgia and his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law, where he served on the editorial board of the Georgia Law Review. He was a law clerk to the Honorable Richard W. Story on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Epps has been married to his wife, Amy, for 30 years. She is a regional literacy coach for the initiative established under the Georgia Early Literacy Act. They attend Stevens Creek Church and have two adult children.