United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia
About This Court
Established in 1848, the Southern District of Georgia covers the southern portion of Georgia, encompassing a broad swath of the state from the Atlantic coast inland. The district includes major cities such as Savannah, Augusta, Brunswick, Dublin, and Statesboro, and borders South Carolina to the north, Florida to the south, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The court sits within the Eleventh Circuit.
The district handles the full range of federal civil and criminal matters arising across its geographic territory. Savannah serves as the primary seat of court, with additional divisions providing access to justice across the district's expansive rural and coastal communities.
Given its coastal geography, the district sees cases involving maritime and admiralty law, as well as federal criminal matters common to border and port regions. Augusta, as a significant metropolitan center, also contributes a substantial portion of the district's civil and criminal docket.
Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, along with the court's local rules. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the companion Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Georgia.
Divisions
Augusta Division (Augusta), Brunswick Division (Brunswick), Dublin Division (Dublin), Savannah Division (Savannah), Statesboro Division (Statesboro), Waycross Division (Waycross)
Caseload
The Southern District of Georgia handles a notable volume of criminal cases, including drug trafficking and firearms offenses, as well as civil matters involving federal agencies and maritime disputes arising from its coastal location.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to the Bar of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, which generally requires membership in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia or admission pro hac vice for out-of-state counsel.
Clerk's Office
125 Bull Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401
(912) 650-4020
Active Judges 5
| Name | Appointed By | Confirmed | Law School |
|---|---|---|---|
| R. Baker | Donald J. Trump | 2018 | University of Georgia School of Law |
| Dudley Bowen | Jimmy Carter | 1979 | University of Georgia School of Law |
| James Hall | George W. Bush | 2008 | University of Georgia School of Law |
| William Moore | William J. Clinton | 1994 | University of Georgia School of Law |
| Lisa Wood | George W. Bush | 2007 | University of Georgia School of Law |
Local Rules
191 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.