Steve Ellis appointed North Georgia juvenile judge in Dade and Walker counties

Steve Ellis

Local attorney Steve Ellis is now the Juvenile Court judge in Dade and Walker counties.

Four Superior Court judges in the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit agreed last week to appoint Ellis to the position instead of two other candidates. The current judge, F. Bryant Henry Jr., appointed Ellis to a part-time position on the bench on May 1, and Ellis will replace Henry full time on July 1.

Ellis takes the job after representing the Division of Family and Children Services in Juvenile Court for 21 years. He said two lawyers who worked for him, Kathleen Gibson and Matthew Bowers, will take his place on those cases.

Ellis also served as a youth director at a local church.

"I like helping children," he said. "I like helping families. I have a real desire to make a difference in the lives of our youngest."

Ellis has been active in North Georgia politics. He served on the campaigns of state Rep. Martin Scott in 2004 and U.S. Rep. Tom Graves in 2010. He also was the Walker County Republican Party chairman for two years.

He replaces a judge who has been on the bench for 18 years. Henry, 66, did not want to continue to work full time.

Henry has asked Gov. Nathan Deal to appoint him as a senior judge. That would allow him to oversee certain cases when other local juvenile judges aren't able to take the bench.

For example, if families object to Ellis hearing a case because he had been working with DFCS on it earlier this year, someone else will step in. Henry has not heard back about his request yet.

Having watched Ellis work for several years, Henry said he is happy with his replacement.

"He's exceptionally qualified for the job," Henry said. "He's got a good judicial demeanor. He's got a good work ethic."

Contact staff writer Tyler Jett at tjett@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6476.