Attorney Michael Emmer, an associate with the Kennedy Law Firm in Batesburg-Leesville, was approved as municipal judge for the town by the Batesburg-Leesville Town Council during its regular meeting on Dec. 12.

Emmer served as assistant solicitor for the 2nd Judicial Circuit from 2015 to 2020. He was recognized with the Strom Thurmond Jr. Award as Attorney of the Year in 2019.

The new judge received a bachelor’s in business administration from The Citadel in 2012. He received his law degree from the Charlotte School of Law in 2015. 

Emmer succeeds Chief Judge Robert Cook, who is stepping down after 12 years on the bench. Cook will continue his legal career in Batesburg-Leesville, where he is owner of the Cook Law Firm LLC., which was founded in 1995.

In other action, council gave first reading approval to an ordinance relating to land sales that will enable the town to begin a new community development project. The project will involve the sale of town-owned property on East Columbia Avenue. 

Town Manager Ted Luckadoo said the joint project with another property owner is still in the planning stage but details will likely be announced in the next few weeks.