Gov. Nathan Deal named a new solicitor general for the Henry County State Court Monday.

Pamela Bettis is the new prosecutor, stepping into the vacancy that the governor created by appointing her predecessor, John “Trea” Pipkin III, to the Flint Judicial Circuit Superior Court. Deal appointed Pipkin in December to replace Judge Wade Crumbley, who retired.

Bettis is a founding partner of Bettis & Howard in McDonough. She earned a bachelor's degree and a master's degree from Georgia State University, and a law degree from the Emory University School of Law.

She was admitted to the bar in 2005. But before law school, she served as a law enforcement officer for over 16 years, first in Henry County, according to her bio on her firm website.

Bettis started her legal career in the Henry County Solicitor's Office. Since then, she has handled matters relating to criminal law and family law. She has also served as the city of McDonough solicitor. Her bio said she has “conducted well over 100 jury trials, 500 bench trials and argued hundreds of motions before judges across Georgia.”

Bettis lives in Locust Grove. The appointment will take effect upon swearing in, Deal said.