Governor Sonny Perdue on Thursday named David Nahmias to the Georgia Supreme Court. He leaves his post as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia which he's held since December 2004. Nahmias replaces Leah Ward Sears, who stepped down as chief justice of the state's top court in June.

Perdue in Thursday's announcement at the State Captiol said Nahmias fit the qualities he and the Judicial Nominating Committee were looking for--a "great legal mind" and "passion" for law. Perdue called Nahmias' work as chief federal law enforcement officer for the region as "spectacular" in reputation.

Nahmias says he’s humbled by the appointment:

"I realize I have much to learn as I join the work of the court with the distinguished justices who continue to serve. But I’m reassured in taking on those new challenges by the confidence the governor has shown in me today."

Nahmias clerked for current U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a job he took following graduation from Harvard Law School. He also worked as an appellate lawyer at the law firm Hogan and Hartson with now Chief Justice John Roberts. A native of Georgia, Nahmias then returned to the state to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District after the appointment by President Bush in 2004.

Nahmias was appointed U.S. attorney in Atlanta in 2004 by President Bush.

He helped lead the prosecution of Olympic Park bomber Eric Robert Rudolph and former Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell.

Nahmias lives in Dunwoody, Ga. with his wife Cathy and their two sons Steven and Michael.

Contributors: Rickey Bevington

Tags: Georgia Supreme Court, Governor Sonny Perdue, David Nahmias, U.S. attorney