CourtsTuesday, November 10
Gov. Kemp appoints Alex Shalishali and David Ranieri to the State Court of Muscogee County
The Today in Columbus team
If you follow the local courts, two new names are headed to the bench. Gov. Brian Kemp announced three judicial appointments on Monday, Nov. 9, and two of them are for the State Court of Muscogee County.
Kemp named three judges, two for Muscogee County's State Court
| Judge | Court | Why the seat is open |
|---|---|---|
| Paul K. Cook | Superior Court, Middle Judicial Circuit | HB 1215 (Act 450) |
| David Ranieri | State Court of Muscogee County | Andy Prather resigned |
| Alex Shalishali | State Court of Muscogee County | New judgeship, HB 1258 |
Source: Columbus CEO
Alex Shalishali, Dougherty County's attorney, will fill a new judgeship created by House Bill 1258 in the 2026 session. David Ranieri, now chief judge of the Recorder's Court of Columbus, will fill the vacancy left by Judge Andy Prather's resignation. He's a hometown pick: born and raised in Columbus.
- Shalishali: has practiced at Page, Scrantom, Sprouse, Tucker & Ford since 2012
- Shalishali: formerly an assistant magistrate judge in Muscogee County
- Ranieri: prosecutor for more than 21 years
- Ranieri: more than nine years in private practice
Shalishali's career runs from UGA to a Kemp appointment
- 2009Graduates magna cum laude from the University of Georgia with a BA in international affairs.
- 2012Earns his UGA law degree and begins practicing law at his current firm.
- 2016Graduates from Leadership Georgia's Class of 2016.
- Nov. 9Kemp announces his appointment to the State Court of Muscogee County.
Source: WALB
Sources: WALB, Columbus CEO