The Real Man behind the Robe

The tension in the courtroom was palpable.  The elegance of the room only added to the solemnity in the air.  The wood- paneled walls displaying portraits of former justices framed the room, packed with people waiting for the hearing to begin. American flags adorned each corner, like soldiers protecting the justice proclaimed.  The silence ended when the sound of a gavel echoed throughout the courtroom, giving way to a procession of nine justices dressed in black robes who took their assigned seats behind the bench. Throughout the proceedings Justice Harold Melton remained quiet and focused, concentrating on the matter before him.

We first met many years ago during college, so I was familiar with part of his life. Harold David Melton was born on September 25, 1966 in Washington DC and grew up in Marietta, Georgia.  He received his undergraduate degree from Auburn University, where he became the first black student in the history of the university to be elected president of the Student Government Association.  He went on to earn a law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. He began his professional life in the Georgia Attorney General’s office, where he worked for eleven years.  In 2002 Melton left to serve as Executive Counsel to Governor Sonny Perdue.  Three years later, Governor Perdue appointed him to fill the vacancy on the bench created by the retirement of Justice Norman Fletcher. His reason – “Harold Melton embodies the conservative values that I believe will best serve the state of Georgia on the Supreme Court”.

My mind raced back in time to those college memories we shared of Bible studies, Pictionary parties, bowling nights and football games as members of Campus Crusade for Christ. I knew that he had accomplished a lot for his age, but I wondered: Who is the real man behind the robe? I hoped my visit with him would answer that question.

Justice Melton’s young assistant escorted me to his office, which shone some light into his world.  I scouted the walls, covered with his diplomas, achievement awards and pictures.  Among the numerous photographs were one with the Governor and one with the President.  The rest were with family.

I heard footsteps coming down the hall from his office.  I walked to the doorway to find out who it was and saw him, tall and thin, his step unhurried but confident, his brown eyes exuding sincerity, and his face framed with a warm smile.

Our conversation went smoothly, and it felt as if time had never passed.  He told me about his lovely wife, his three wonderful children, and his faith in God. He spoke of his love for the people he works with and how he loves cases dealing with, “interpreting and trying to give life to some aspect of our constitution.”  He believes that a judge makes very important decisions that shape people’s lives throughout the state. He declared, “I have an obligation to be responsible, to be faithful to the task that I’ve been allowed and blessed to be able to enjoy. And most importantly we must always remember that, regardless of where we went to law school or where we ranked in our class, whether we wrote for a journal, participated in moot court, mock trial or simply survived law school, if we end up working in a big firm or small, private practice or public, our most effective tool as a lawyer is who we are as a person.  We must bring this tool into everything we do as lawyers.”

Harold Melton is also involved in shaping lives outside the courtroom.  Since his college years he has poured his life into the lives of young people through youth ministries such as Young Life Ministries, Atlanta Youth Academies, as well as the Teen Ministry at Southwest Christian Fellowship Church.

However, Melton’s greatest endeavor is trying to be a nurturing husband and father. The highlight of his day is when he gets to take off that robe and go home to his family.  His greatest joy comes from playing outside on a beautiful afternoon with his children, grilling on his treasured Big Green Egg or attending his children’s sports events.  At the end of the day, the man who was the first judge to be appointed by a Republican in 137 years, puts his children to bed, reads a devotional by John Piper, and turns out the light. Finally, Harold Melton prays for God to give him the wisdom he needs to carry on the many responsibilities he has been assigned, that of a husband, a father, a mentor, a Supreme Court Justice and currently Chief Justice of the State of Georgia. Clearly, the man behind the robe is a man changing lives at many levels, both inside the courtroom and out. It’s a privilege and an honor to also be able to call him my friend.