by Dave Williams | Capitol Beat News Service
ATLANTA – Gov. Brian Kemp Tuesday nominated state Commissioner of Revenue Frank O’Connell chief judge of the newly created Georgia Tax Court.
Georgia voters approved a constitutional amendment last November creating the tax court, aimed at improving efficiency in the handling of tax cases at the state level.
O’Connell has headed the revenue department for more than two years after serving previously as the state agency’s deputy commissioner and general counsel.
“Georgia taxpayers deserve leadership at the Department of Revenue that recognizes who they are most accountable to,” Kemp said. “As commissioner, Frank O’Connell has never forgotten that – serving the people of our state with honor and great work ethic. That’s why I’m again asking Frank to serve in a leadership position that will benefit the entire state.”
Before joining state government in 2023, O’Connell served as a consultant in state and local taxation for a decade at two large accounting firms.
A member of the Tax Section of the State Bar of Georgia, he received his law degree from the University of Notre Dame and a postgraduate law degree in taxation from New York University.
O’Connell’s nomination is subject to confirmation by the Georgia House and Senate Judiciary committees.
The chief judge on the new court will be joined by up to three assistant judges.
