Amy Helmick tabbed for Magistrate judgeship

COLUMBUS — The United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia has announced the selection of its new U.S. Magistrate Judge, Amy Helmick, who currently is an assistant U.S. attorney and the branch chief for the Columbus Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary offered the following statement about Helmick’s new role serving the people of middle Georgia:

“Our entire office congratulates Amy Helmick on her selection as the next U.S. Magistrate Judge in Columbus,” Leary said. “She is uniquely qualified for this position, given her extensive experience as a federal prosecutor, as a law clerk for two federal judges and as a private attorney with a Columbus-based law firm. Our office’s loss is the court’s gain, and she will make a great addition to the court.

“We wish her all of the best as she continues to serve the residents of the Middle District of Georgia in this new role.”

Assistant U.S. Attorney Helmick will remain in her role as Branch Chief for the Columbus Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office until this summer. Her new position with the court will begin on July 1.

Helmick was selected to succeed retiring Magistrate Judge Stephen Hyles as the district’s next Magistrate Judge. Observing that Helmick has experience as an assistant United States attorney and a staff attorney for Magistrate Judge Hyles, Middle District Judge Clay Land said, “Amy Helmick is uniquely qualified to be our district’s next Magistrate Judge. She has a keen intellect, broad relevant experience, and the proper judicial temperament.”

A graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law, Helmick resides in Columbus. She was unanimously selected by the Middle District judges after an extensive process that included the assistance of a screening committee consisting of Middle District attorneys Larae Moore, Barbara Agricola, Brandon Peak, Michelle Schieber, and Robert Wadkins Jr., along with community representatives Kornisha Brown and the Rev. Jimmy Elder.

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