A DeKalb County prosecutor and a Cobb County judge are among six people recommended to Gov. Nathan Deal for an upcoming vacancy on the Georgia Court of Appeals.

The state Judicial Nominating Commission submitted these recommendations: DeKalb chief assistant district attorney Donald Geary, Cobb Superior Court Judge Mary Staley, Atlanta lawyer Lisa Branch, Henry County State Court Judge Benjamin Studdard and Superior Court judges Michael Boggs of Waycross and John Pridgen of Cordele. Deal's choice will succeed Judge J.D. Smith, who retires in January.