Investiture held in Albany for U.S. Attorney Charles Peeler
Peers speak of new U.S. Attorney’s professional character, claiming ‘no better fit’
By Jennifer Parks
ALBANY — U.S. Attorney Charles Peeler’s recent appointment was formalized in front of his family, friends and peers at an investiture ceremony at the C.B.King United States Courthouse in downtown Albany.
Robert Howell of the Moultrie-based Howell Law Firm and Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr were among those making remarks at the ceremony, both noting the character Peeler has demonstrated over the years.
Howell said he never imagined that Peeler’s career would lead him to found a private practice in Albany or that he would ascend to the office of U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.
Howell noted one particular hospital case that had been ongoing for seven years that he and Peeler worked on together. Howell was complimentary of Peeler’s performance, specifically at how he was able to develop a “mastery of the facts.”
“Charlie did it and made it look easy,” Howell said. “That is a talent not a lot of lawyers have. Charlie had it in spades. His trial skills are super. I don’t think I’ve seen anybody do it better.
“When the chips are down, that is the guy you want in your corner.”
Carr, who has known Peeler for 25 years, said there was “not a better fit” for the U.S. Attorney role.
“He believes in the rule of law, and follows the law each and every day,” the state’s attorney general said.
Carr described Peeler as “a good and decent human being” who can ensure fair and objective treatment
“That is who he is,” Carr said.
The oath of office was administered at the ceremony by Chief U.S. District Court Judge Clay D. Land. In remarks afterward, Peeler spoke of working with his peers in the field — including law enforcement — in battling issues such as health care fraud, human trafficking and opioids.
“I want to make a difference and make an impact in my community,” Peeler said.
He repeated a line from an interview he gave to The Albany Herald last month by saying his office was “open for business” in the mission to bring about a quantifiable reduction in crime as well as an end to the waste of government funds and fraud. He said this will mean getting guns away from felons, bringing down gang leaders, eliminating fraud as a barrier to quality health care, and addressing fraud and wastes in funding so the government can work to its optimal capacity.
At his disposal, he said, are personnel working for the Middle District who are experts in every topic of law.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started,” Peeler said. “My view from the outside is that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated and hard-working. My view from the inside is the same.
“I am amazed at the talent pool that is there.”
After 13 years with the Albany-based Flynn+Peeler+Phillips firm, Peeler now moves onto a bigger stage by taking on the U.S. Attorney position. In his present role, Peeler is the top-ranking federal law enforcement official for the district, which includes Albany, Athens, Columbus, Macon and Valdosta.
He oversees a staff of 74 employees, including 28 attorneys and 46 non-attorney support personnel. Peeler’s office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms and narcotics. The office also defends the federal government in civil cases and collects debts owed to the U.S.
The Middle District covers 70 of the state’s 159 counties. Peeler was nominated by President Trump on Aug. 3 to become the district’s U.S. Attorney before he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on Nov. 9 and took the oath of office from Land on Nov. 22.
Peeler received his law degree in 1999 from the UGA School of Law after receiving his bachelor of science degree in biochemistry and molecular biology in 1995 from UGA.
Peeler worked in Atlanta for King & Spalding for five years before moving to Albany in 2004 and founding the law firm now known as Flynn+Phillips. He has argued cases before the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court, has obtained multimillion-dollar jury verdicts on behalf of plaintiffs and defense verdicts on behalf of defendants.
Peeler was appointed to serve on the Local Rules Advisory Committee and the Planning Committee for the 2016 11th Circuit Judicial Conference. He was appointed by Govs. Sonny Perdue and Nathan Deal to serve on the State Judicial Nominating Commission.
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