A moment after being sworn in to the Georgia Court of Appeals on Wednesday, Judge Christian Coomer told friends, family, lawyers, legislators and new colleagues gathered at the Capitol what he hopes never to do.

“I know there are a lot of lawyers here. Don’t raise your hands. I don’t want to get you in trouble,” Coomer said. “How many of you have ever been in front of a mean judge? How many of you have been in front of an arrogant judge? How many have been in front of a sarcastic judge.”