Georgia's Supreme Court chief justice is stepping down on April 1, and that's not a joke.

As a result, the state needed to find somebody to fill his position, and it would appear as though they've found their man.

MSN.com is reporting that "Presiding Justice Nels Peterson is set to become Supreme Court chief justice on April 1, according to a news release from the court. He succeeds Chief Justice Michael Boggs, who announced earlier this week that he plans to step down at the end of March."

In addition, the justices unanimously chose Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren to become the next presiding justice.

What's next?

Georgia Governor, Republican Brian Kemp, will now appoint a new justice to replace Boggs on the court.

Nels Peterson is about to take on a lot of responsibility as the new Supreme Court chief justice in Georgia. Per MSN:

"Chief justices lead the state's judicial branch and are selected for a single four-year term. They serve as the voice of the court and the state's entire judiciary and preside over the high court's deliberations. The chief justice also chairs the Judicial Council of Georgia, the policy-making arm of the judiciary."

It's also a step up for Sarah Hawkins Warren in terms of responsibility. The presiding justice steps in when the chief justice is absent and serves as vice-chair of the Judicial Council.

History of the promoted justices

Nels Peterson was first appointed to the state Supreme Court by then-Governor Nathan Deal in 2016. In 2018, he won election to a full six-year term and repeated that feat again in 2024.

Before that, Peterson was a judge on the state Court of Appeals and additionally served as the first solicitor general in the state attorney general's office, general counsel for the University System of Georgia and executive counsel to the governor.

Warren also brings a lot of experience to her new position.

She was appointed to the state's highest court by Deal in 2018, taking the bench in September of that year. Warren was then elected to a new six-year term in 2020.

Warren has also served as solicitor general in the attorney general's office.

Governor Brian Kemp has a big responsibility ahead of him. As evidenced by the tenure of the two individuals above, Supreme Court justices in Georgia can serve on the court for many years.

Brian Kemp's decision will influence how laws are interpreted in the state for literally decades to come.