Mercer University School of Law student Colby Belland, ’27, secured an internship this summer with Georgia Court of Appeals Judge J. Wade Padgett, who was appointed by the governor last year to the newly created Columbia Judicial Circuit. Belland said he hopes this experience will give him firsthand exposure to the appellate process, providing insight into how appellate courts review trial records, evaluate legal arguments and apply legal principles.
“I will benefit from observing real-world appellate work, which will help me engage more deeply in the classroom and refine my legal reasoning skills,” he said. “Interning with the Court of Appeals will also improve my legal writing, as I’ll have the chance to see how judges and clerks craft opinions and assess the quality of legal arguments. This experience will undoubtedly sharpen my ability to write persuasively and concisely in my own work.”
Belland, who grew up in Marietta, has served as a legal intern since high school. His first experience came while interning for his mentor, retired Superior Court Judge Tain Kell. It’s what solidified Belland’s desire to pursue a legal career.
“Watching Judge Kell on the bench and seeing the dignity, wisdom and compassion he brought to each case was deeply inspiring,” Belland said. “He showed me what it looks like to use the law not just as a tool but as a calling to serve others and strengthen communities.”
The internship opened the door for Belland to transition into working at King Yaklin & Wilkins LLP, a civil litigation firm in Marietta. He said he’s served in just about every capacity at the firm — from doing general handyman work and IT troubleshooting to drafting pleadings and attending hearings.
“What makes the work so fulfilling is the collaborative environment,” he said. “I’ve had the privilege of learning from incredibly talented attorneys, and that day-to-day collaboration has not only sharpened my understanding of the legal field but has also allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the clients’ journeys.”
Belland said he is passionate about litigation — specifically, using the courtroom as a platform to defend people when their rights are threatened and to be a force for change when justice demands action. He is particularly drawn to civil litigation, where he can advocate for clients across a broad range of issues.
Whether it’s through general civil practice or pro bono work, “I want to stand up for my clients, protect their rights and make sure their voices are heard. My ultimate goal is to serve as a judge and make a difference in my own community,” he said.
There are two major reasons Belland chose to attend Mercer, where he serves as the 1L Representative on the executive board of the Federalist Society Chapter and has participated in law school intramural sports of football, soccer, kickball and dodgeball.
First, he sees Mercer’s environment as competitive yet deeply collaborative — where everyone succeeds together.
“At many schools, competition can feel cutthroat, but at Mercer, there’s a genuine ‘when the tide rises, all boats rise’ mentality,” he said. “That culture of mutual support, along with overwhelmingly positive endorsements of the professors and my future classmates, made Mercer an easy choice.”
The other big draw was the Mercer Advocacy Council.
“As someone committed to a litigation career, developing my advocacy skills is non‑negotiable, and Mercer’s nationally ranked advocacy teams offered the perfect launchpad,” he said. “To be the best advocate I can be, I wanted to learn from the best, and Mercer’s track record in advocacy is simply unmatched.”
Belland comes to law school from the University of Georgia where he served as the mascot, Hairy Dawg, for three years while earning his degree in political science with minors in business, law and sports management. Belland was constantly on the go and said being the mascot forced him to become extremely efficient, sharpen his time management skills, and develop strong habits that continue to serve him well today.
Often asked what was his favorite event as Hairy Dawg, Belland said nothing compared to the moments spent visiting children’s hospitals. For him, those visits were the most meaningful part of the job.
“Some of the kids we met were going through unimaginable things — diagnoses and treatments that no child should ever have to endure,” he said. “But when Hairy Dawg walked through the door, everything else seemed to disappear for a moment. Their faces lit up with huge smiles, and they would laugh, high-five, hug or even dance along with me.
“I’ll never forget those interactions. It reminded me that joy and hope are powerful — even if it’s just for a few minutes.”
