Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp announced the nomination of Frank O’Connell as Chief Judge of the newly established Georgia Tax Court. Kemp expressed confidence that O’Connell’s “skills and expertise” would benefit the entire state.
“I’m again asking Frank to serve in a leadership position that will benefit the entire state,” said Brian P. Kemp, according to Lieutenant Governor of Georgia. “Marty and I are confident that with his skills and expertise, he will bring the same level of dedication to this new role.”
According to a press release, Governor Kemp nominated O’Connell for the position following the creation of the Georgia Tax Court by a constitutional amendment passed in November 2024. The court aims to improve tax case handling at the state level. O’Connell’s four-year term is set to begin on April 1, 2026, pending confirmation by the Georgia House and Senate Judiciary committees.
O’Connell currently serves as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Revenue, a role he has held since February 2023. His tenure at the department spans over 21 years, during which he has overseen tax operations, regulatory drafting, and legal advising. Before his state service, he spent ten years consulting on state and local taxation at major accounting firms. He holds a law degree from the University of Notre Dame and an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University.
Kemp said that “Georgia taxpayers deserve leadership at the Department of Revenue that recognizes who they are most accountable to,” adding that as commissioner, O’Connell has served “the people of our state with honor and great work ethic.”
Governor Kemp is serving as Georgia’s 83rd governor since taking office in 2019. A native of Athens, Georgia, Kemp began his career as a small business owner over three decades ago. During his tenure, Georgia experienced significant economic growth with record-breaking job creation and investments. The state was notably the first to reopen its economy during the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining low unemployment rates and being recognized as a top state for business. Re-elected in 2022, Kemp has focused on addressing inflation, public safety, education, and tax cuts.
