{{Short description|American judge (born 1974)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = | name = Christian A. Coomer | honorific_suffix = | image = | alt = | caption = | office = Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals | term_start = October 31, 2018 | term_end = August 16, 2023 | appointer = Nathan Deal | predecessor = Charlie Bethel | successor = J. Wade Padgett | office1 = Member of the Georgia House of Representatives from the 14th District | term_start1 = January 10, 2011 | term_end1 = October 15, 2018<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.house.ga.gov/Representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=756&Session=24 |title=Georgia General Assembly |access-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024102725/http://www.house.ga.gov/Representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=756&Session=24 |archive-date=October 24, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> | predecessor1 = Barry Loudermilk | successor1 = Mitchell Scoggins<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.daily-tribune.com/stories/scoggins-wins-district-14-primary,20847 |title=Scoggins wins District 14 primary |access-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024102921/http://www.daily-tribune.com/stories/scoggins-wins-district-14-primary,20847 |archive-date=October 24, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> | pronunciation = | birth_name = Christian Aaron Coomer<ref>[https://www.martindale.com/cartersville/georgia/christian-aaron-coomer-2072983-a/ Hon. Christian Aaron Coomer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024103211/https://www.martindale.com/cartersville/georgia/christian-aaron-coomer-2072983-a/ |date=October 24, 2019 }} Martindale</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|10|31}} | birth_place = | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | spouse = Heidi Coomer | children = 3 | education = Lee University (BA)<br />University of Georgia (JD) <br/> Air Command and Staff College | footnotes = }}
'''Christian Aaron Coomer''' (born October 31, 1974)<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/house-majority-whip-prepares-leave-162519095.html |title=House Majority Whip Prepares to Leave Legislature for the Bench |date=October 29, 2018 |website=finance.yahoo.com |language=en-US |access-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811170210/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/house-majority-whip-prepares-leave-162519095.html |url-status=live }}</ref> is an American lawyer who served as a judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals from 2018 to 2023, representative in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2011 to 2018,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Representative Christian Coomer |url=https://www.house.ga.gov/Representatives/en-US/member.aspx?Member=756&Session=25&Member=756&Session=25 |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=www.house.ga.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Christian Coomer |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Christian_Coomer |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref> and an active-duty Air Force Judge Advocate from 2001 to 2005,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=INQUIRY CONCERNING COOMER v. < (2023) |url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/court/ga-supreme-court/2193152.html |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Findlaw |language=en-US}}</ref> Georgia Air National Guard Judge Advocate and Reserve Judge Advocate from 2005 to 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Kristal |date=2016-08-02 |title=Coomer Promoted To Lieutenant Colonel In Air Force Reserve |url=https://patch.com/georgia/cartersville/coomer-promoted-lieutenant-colonel-air-force-reserve |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Cartersville, GA Patch |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=G |first=Mike |title=Rep. Christian Coomer Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel {{!}} WBHF |url=https://wbhfradio.org/rep-christian-coomer-promoted-to-lieutenant-colonel/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |language=en-US}}</ref>
In August 2023, Coomer was removed from office by the Georgia Supreme Court for "patterns of bad faith behavior" with regard to a former client he represented in 2015-2016.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inquiry concerning Judge Christian Coomer |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/georgia/supreme-court/2023/s21z0595-0.html |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Justia Law |language=en}}</ref>
==Education==
Coomer received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee and earned his Juris Doctor at the University of Georgia School of Law.<ref name="OfficialBio">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gaappeals.us/biography/bio_judges.php?jname=Christian%2520A.%2520Coomer |title=Court of Appeals of Georgia: Christian A. Coomer, Judge |website=www.gaappeals.us |access-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114012609/https://www.gaappeals.us/biography/bio_judges.php?jname=Christian%20A.%20Coomer |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Career == ===Law practice and military service=== Coomer's professional experience included operating his own law practice and serving as a judge advocate in the U.S. Air Force Reserve's JAG Corps. Coomer spent four years on active duty with the United States Air Force. Upon separating from active duty, he began serving in the reserve component as a member of Georgia Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve. He has worked as a special assistant United States attorney, in which he represented the Air Force in labor and employment matters before federal and state agencies, served as general counsel to a military hospital, prosecuted courts-martial, trained military members on law enforcement standards and the law of armed conflict, and managed the General Courts-Martial docket in the Air Force. Coomer completed Air Command and Staff College. He has been awarded the Air Force Meritorious Service Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, among other awards and decorations. He has attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.<ref name="OfficialBio" />
===State legislator service===
Coomer served as a Republican in the Georgia House of Representatives for District 14 from 2011 to 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/news/local/rep-coomer-appointed-to-georgia-court-of-appeals/article_68d99a42-b86b-11e8-8260-d7518dccdb26.html |title=Rep. Coomer appointed to Georgia Court of Appeals |last=Wagner |first=Diane |date=September 14, 2018 |website=Northwest Georgia News |language=en |access-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-date=November 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116225918/http://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/news/local/rep-coomer-appointed-to-georgia-court-of-appeals/article_68d99a42-b86b-11e8-8260-d7518dccdb26.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He served as Republican majority whip<ref name=":1">{{cite news |last1=Rankin |first1=Bill |title=State Appeals Court judge accused of fraud, malpractice |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/state-appeals-court-judge-denies-allegations-fraud-malpractice/1CsaShCppO0DAr6aWbZ8xH/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230102158/https://www.ajc.com/news/crime--law/state-appeals-court-judge-denies-allegations-fraud-malpractice/1CsaShCppO0DAr6aWbZ8xH/ |archive-date=December 30, 2020 |access-date=December 30, 2020 |website=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref> Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bluestein |first=Greg |title=I-75 lawmaker named chairman of House Transportation Committee |url=https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/lawmaker-named-chairman-house-transportation-committee/IgaWdSQoo2U7XiABg658wM/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Political Insider (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution) |language=English}}</ref> and as Administration Floor Leader.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Poulnot |first=Brande |date=2013-12-19 |title=State Rep. Announces Re-Election Bid, Says He Won't Seek Judgeship |url=https://patch.com/georgia/cartersville/state-rep-announces-reelection-bid |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Cartersville, GA Patch |language=en}}</ref> He was a member of the standing committees on Appropriations, Banks and Banking, Ethics, Judiciary Noncivil, Juvenile Justice, Retirement, Rules, and Transportation. He was also appointed to the Public Defender Council Legislative Oversight Committee, the Fiscal Affairs Oversight Joint Subcommittee, the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Group, and the Transit Study Commission. In 2017, Governor Deal appointed Coomer to the Court Reform Commission. The same year, Coomer was named Legislator of the Year by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.<ref name="OfficialBio" />
===Judicial career ===
==== Appointment to Adairsville Municipal Court ==== In 2013, Coomer was appointed to a vacant seat on the Adairsville, Georgia, Municipal Court. He served as a judge until 2014.<ref name=":0" />
====Appointment to Georgia Court of Appeals====
On September 14, 2018, Coomer was appointed to the seat vacated by Charlie Bethel. His appointment was effective October 31, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/f689012982f2431da9708cad7e7367cb |title=Coomer to be sworn in Oct. 31 |date=October 13, 2018 |website=AP NEWS |access-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181114012618/https://www.apnews.com/f689012982f2431da9708cad7e7367cb |url-status=live }}</ref>
====Consideration for Georgia Supreme Court====
In 2018 Coomer was among three candidates under consideration for the Supreme Court of Georgia after the retirement of Harris Hines.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/deal-gets-three-new-names-for-supreme-court-vacancy/0foEMdl1whQwzaKOC1zYWJ/ |title=Deal gets three new names for Supreme Court vacancy |last=Rankin |first=Bill |date=September 12, 2018 |website=ajc |language=English |access-date=March 20, 2019 |archive-date=December 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216202522/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/deal-gets-three-new-names-for-supreme-court-vacancy/0foEMdl1whQwzaKOC1zYWJ/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Controversies and removal===
On March 6, 2020, Coomer was accused in a lawsuit by a former client of malpractice and fraud. He publicly denied allegations he had defrauded his former client.<ref name=":1" />
''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution'' reported in May 2020 that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation allegedly opened an investigation into Coomer based, at least in part, on the lawsuit filed by his former client for fraud and malpractice.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rankin |first1=Bill |title=GBI investigating fraud allegations against Court of Appeals judge |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/local/gbi-investigating-fraud-allegations-against-court-appeals-judge/h663bWChA2g2yL6iOkxNxJ/ |website=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=January 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120190145/https://www.ajc.com/news/local/gbi-investigating-fraud-allegations-against-court-appeals-judge/h663bWChA2g2yL6iOkxNxJ/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Coomer settled the fraud and malpractice lawsuit brought by his former client sometime in late July 2020, and the case was dismissed by the former client with prejudice.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rankin |first1=Bill |title=Ga. judge accused as a lawyer of fraud and malpractice settles lawsuit |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/ga-judge-accused-as-a-lawyer-of-fraud-and-malpractice-settles-lawsuit/H2IMUCI6WZFEDE5XA4325LZHS4/ |website=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230102301/https://www.ajc.com/news/ga-judge-accused-as-a-lawyer-of-fraud-and-malpractice-settles-lawsuit/H2IMUCI6WZFEDE5XA4325LZHS4/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Massara |first1=Jim |title=Coomer Settles Malpractice Lawsuit With Cartersville Client |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/coomer-settles-malpractice-lawsuit-with-cartersville-client/ar-BB17kuHY |website=MSN News |publisher=Patch.com |access-date=December 30, 2020}}</ref>
The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission filed formal charges against Coomer on December 28, 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=Inquiry Concerning Judge Christian Coomer, Case No. S21Z0595 |url=https://scweb.gasupreme.org:8088/results_one_record.php?caseNumber=S21Z0595 |website=Georgia Supreme Court Docket |publisher=Georgia Supreme Court |access-date=December 30, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rankin |first1=Bill |title=Ethics charges filed against Appeals Court Judge Christian Coomer |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/ethics-charges-filed-against-appeals-court-judge-christian-coomer/VMYI6GH6VVHGDNGSNUXKRAX6OU/ |website=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |publisher=Atlanta Journal-Constitution |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230030130/https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/ethics-charges-filed-against-appeals-court-judge-christian-coomer/VMYI6GH6VVHGDNGSNUXKRAX6OU/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=R. Robin |title=Judicial Watchdog Files Ethics Charges Against State Appeals Court Judge |url=https://www.law.com/dailyreportonline/2020/12/28/judicial-watchdog-files-ethics-charges-against-state-appeals-court-judge/ |website=The Daily Report |publisher=Law.com |access-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-date=December 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231065916/https://www.law.com/dailyreportonline/2020/12/28/judicial-watchdog-files-ethics-charges-against-state-appeals-court-judge/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Georgia Supreme Court rejected the recommendations of the Commission as made,<ref>{{cite web |title=Inquiry concerning Judge Christian Coomer |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/georgia/supreme-court/2023/s21z0595.html |website=law.justia.com |publisher=Justia |access-date=August 11, 2023 |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323134834/https://law.justia.com/cases/georgia/supreme-court/2023/s21z0595.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Abusaid |first1=Shaddi |title=Ga. Supreme Court sends Coomer's recommendation back to hearing panel |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/crime/ga-supreme-court-sends-coomers-recommendation-back-to-hearing-panel/XG42X37M7BFGZAV262MJBOJFZU/ |access-date=August 11, 2023 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=March 16, 2023 |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329200654/https://www.ajc.com/news/crime/ga-supreme-court-sends-coomers-recommendation-back-to-hearing-panel/XG42X37M7BFGZAV262MJBOJFZU/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the Commission made revised recommendations<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rankin |first1=Bill |last2=Abusaid |first2=Shaddi |title=Georgia panel again recommends Coomer be removed from appeals bench |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-news/georgia-panel-again-recommends-coomer-be-removed-from-appeals-bench/FSVOWKNRTJBFPG5RVJY53FGA3Y/ |access-date=August 11, 2023 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=May 12, 2023 |archive-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230515234953/https://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-news/georgia-panel-again-recommends-coomer-be-removed-from-appeals-bench/FSVOWKNRTJBFPG5RVJY53FGA3Y/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and, on August 16, 2023, the Georgia Supreme Court removed Christian from office for patterns of bad faith behavior regarding his use of campaign funds and his dealings with a legal client.<ref name=remove>{{cite news |last1=Abusaid |first1=Shaddi |last2=Rankin |first2=Bill |title=Georgia Supreme Court removes appeals judge from office |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-news/georgia-supreme-court-appeals-judge-coomer-should-be-removed-from-office/MLVABTMD2FABHG5VMCLJJFVJ5U/ |access-date=August 17, 2023 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=August 16, 2023|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230817024439/https://www.ajc.com/news/georgia-news/georgia-supreme-court-appeals-judge-coomer-should-be-removed-from-office/MLVABTMD2FABHG5VMCLJJFVJ5U/|archive-date= August 17, 2023}}</ref><ref name=onbench>{{cite news |last1=Pierrotti |first1=Andy |title=Georgia Supreme Court allows Judge Christian Coomer to remain on bench |url=https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/03/16/judge-christian-coomer-allowed-remain-georgia-court-appeals/#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20of%20Georgia%20ruled%20Christian%20Coomer%2C%20who%20sits,panel%20that%20he%20be%20removed. |access-date=August 11, 2023 |work=Atlanta News First WANF |publisher=Gray Television, Inc. |date=March 17, 2023 |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401205640/https://www.atlantanewsfirst.com/2023/03/16/judge-christian-coomer-allowed-remain-georgia-court-appeals/#:~:text=The%20Supreme%20Court%20of%20Georgia%20ruled%20Christian%20Coomer%2C%20who%20sits,panel%20that%20he%20be%20removed. |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bailey |first1=John |title=Ga. Supreme Court to review Coomer ethics complaint after second JQC recommendation |url=https://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/news/local/ga-supreme-court-to-review-coomer-ethics-complaint-after-second-jqc-recommendation/article_97879eb4-1b6e-11ee-a51c-aff8b37b7907.html |access-date=August 11, 2023 |work=Rome News-Tribune |date=July 5, 2023 |archive-date=July 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718144512/https://www.northwestgeorgianews.com/rome/news/local/ga-supreme-court-to-review-coomer-ethics-complaint-after-second-jqc-recommendation/article_97879eb4-1b6e-11ee-a51c-aff8b37b7907.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The former client that had sued Christian had said, “If I’d have thought all this would happen I don’t think I would have said a word. He’s a good man.”<ref>{{cite news |last1=Abusaid |first1=Shaddi |title='He's a good man, but he screwed up.' Ex-client testifies at judge's ethics trial |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/crime/hes-a-good-man-but-he-screwed-up-ex-client-testifies-at-judges-ethics-trial/XGH4BQ6AJVHLXNK7O3TXOVJHHQ/ |access-date=August 17, 2023 |work=The Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=October 21, 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230817025052/https://www.ajc.com/news/crime/hes-a-good-man-but-he-screwed-up-ex-client-testifies-at-judges-ethics-trial/XGH4BQ6AJVHLXNK7O3TXOVJHHQ/ |archive-date= August 17, 2023}}</ref>
On November 19, 2024, the Supreme Court of Georgia accepted Coomer’s amended petition for voluntary discipline and suspended his law license for two years, nunc pro tunc to August 16, 2023, after he admitted violating several Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct in connection with his representation and business transactions with his former client.<ref>{{cite web |title=In the Matter of Christian Aaron Coomer |url=https://law.justia.com/cases/georgia/supreme-court/2024/s24y1244.html |website=Supreme Court of Georgia via Justia |date=November 19, 2024 |access-date=October 4, 2025}}</ref> He was ineligible to practice law until August 16, 2025.<ref>{{cite news |last=Manins |first=Rosie |title=Ousted Georgia judge suspended from practicing law |url=https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/ousted-georgia-judge-suspended-from-practicing-law/SHF2Z2GTR5CVZGT5EVIAFNYO6M/ |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=November 19, 2024 |access-date=October 4, 2025}}</ref>
==Personal==
Christian met his wife, Heidi, at Lee University. They have three children, Christian, Collin, and Vivian.<ref name="OfficialBio" /> Coomer is a member of Adairsville Church of God.<ref name=":2" />
==References== {{Reflist|30}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20201109040544/https://www.gaappeals.us/biography/bio_judges.php?jname=Christian%20A.%20Coomer Official Biography on Georgia Judicial Branch website] *{{Ballotpedia|Christian_Coomer}}
{{s-start}} {{s-legal}} {{s-bef|before=Charlie Bethel}} {{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals}}|years=2018–2023}} {{s-aft|after=Jeffrey A. Watkins}} {{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Coomer, Christian A.}} Category:1974 births Category:Living people Category:Assistant United States attorneys Category:Georgia Court of Appeals judges Category:Georgia (U.S. state) lawyers Category:Lee University alumni Category:Republican Party members of the Georgia House of Representatives Category:United States Air Force officers Category:University of Georgia School of Law alumni Category:21st-century American lawyers Category:21st-century American judges Category:21st-century members of the Georgia General Assembly