J. Wade Padgett is a Superior Court Judge for the Augusta, Georgia Judicial Circuit. The Circuit includes Richmond, Columbia and Burke Counties in Georgia. He was appointed to the position by Governor Sonny Perdue, effective February 4, 2009.
Prior to being appointed as a Superior Court Judge, Wade served as Chief Magistrate Judge for Columbia County, Georgia from January, 2004 through February 3, 2009. Prior to being elected as the Chief Magistrate, Wade served as the Associate Magistrate for Columbia County from 1995 through 2003, serving under Chief Magistrate David Huguenin.
Wade is also an attorney, having been admitted to the Bar of Georgia in 1990. His legal career began with the District Attorney for the Augusta Judicial Circuit from 1990 through 1993 and then entered into the private practice of law in 1993.
Wade graduated from the University of Georgia in 1987 with a BA degree in History. He attended Newberry College in 1983 and 1984 on an athletic scholarship for football and then transferred to UGA during the 1984 academic year. Wade attended Georgia State University, College of Law and received his JD degree in 1990.
Wade is married to the former Alice Wheatley and they have two children, Matt (18) and Jordan (17). They reside in Evans, Georgia.
