February 2026

Greetings Georgia Courts Journal readers,

Chief Justice Nels Peterson delivered his first State of the Judiciary Address before a joint session of the Georgia General Assembly on Wednesday, February 4^th. In his remarks, he emphasized the vital role of the Judicial Branch in upholding the Rule of Law. Despite the ominous date, on Friday, February 13^th, the Judicial Council of Georgia, chaired by Chief Justice Peterson, held a successful General Session, which was livestreamed and archived for public access. During the meeting, Chief Justice Peterson announced plans to establish a new working group to provide best practices for the judicial system when responding to weather emergencies. The announcement followed significant winter weather, including Winter Storms “Fern” and “Gianna,” which prompted local judicial emergency orders across parts of the state. The full moon on February 1^st, aptly named the “Snow Moon,” marked this period of winter challenges. Additionally, please note that Supreme Court of Georgia email addresses will transition to a new domain on March 9, 2026.

Chief Justice Peterson delivering his first State of the Judiciary Address.

While MLB Spring Training is underway in Florida, the Georgia Judicial Branch already had a doubleheader by holding two important events in Atlanta on Wednesday, February 11^th, when the Council of Magistrate Court Judges hosted a breakfast at the Capitol, followed by a luncheon hosted by the Council of Probate Court Judges later that day. The following week, the Council of Superior Court Judges convened for a breakfast at the Capitol. Next on the calendar is the Council of Municipal Court Judges scheduled for March 23^rd. These gatherings provide Georgia judges with valuable opportunities to engage with legislative and executive leaders, fostering collaboration among the three co-equal branches of government. Additionally, the Council of Accountability Court Judges has published its 2025 Annual Report.

At the direction of the Judicial Council Standing Committee on Court Interpreters, the AOC’s Office of Court Professionals continues to inform undergraduate students about careers in court interpretation. Most recently, staff visited the University of Georgia on February 21^st, where students learned about certification requirements, job prospects, and the growing demand for interpreters within Georgia’s court system. In addition, under the guidance of the Board of Court Reporting, these same AOC staff members have doubled the number of LEAP Seminars offered, now hosting two annually to support the growth of court reporters in Georgia. On February 23^rd, the “Learning Essentials About Professionalism” seminar welcomed 35 newly licensed court reporters eager to learn from seasoned professionals about Georgia’s court reporting rules, while providing valuable networking opportunities and practical guidance.

Hall County Probate Court Judge Patty Walters Laine holds numerous leadership positions, including serving as a Judicial Council member, President-elect of the Council of Probate Court Judges, and a Girl Scout Troop Leader. Recently, Judge Laine accompanied Girl Scout Troops 10849 and 10800 on a visit to the Court of Appeals of Georgia, where they met with Judge J. Wade Padgett and learned about his career path and judicial experience. Congratulations to Eastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Tammy Stokes, who was honored as a “living legend” during a Black History Month celebration hosted by the Housing Authority of Savannah. Judge Stokes received this recognition for her historic service as the first African-American woman to serve as Chief Judge in Chatham County and for her “dedication to fairness, youth, and community engagement.” Congratulations to Fulton Superior Court Judge Eric K. Dunaway on being honored with the 2026 Mercer Law Alumni Meritorious Service Award for his contributions and support of the Mercer University School of Law and its alumni community. Thank you for your service, DeKalb County Chief Superior Court Judge Shondeana Morris and Court of Appeals Judge Ken Hodges, who were recently recognized for their leadership roles with the State Bar of Georgia’s newly created Center for Lawyer Wellbeing. Chief Judge Morris serves as Vice Chair and Judge Hodges as a member of the Advisory Board. The Center held its first membership meeting on February 23^rd.

Cobb Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge Ann B. Harris and Cobb County State Court Chief Judge Eric Brewton delivered remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Cobb Treatment Courts Facility, which will provide comprehensive support for the county’s Veterans, Mental Health, DUI, Drug Treatment, and Family Treatment Courts. Judge Rob Leonard, who presides over Cobb County’s Veterans Treatment Court, recently honored the late Judge Reuben Green with a portrait unveiling during a recent VTC graduation. 

Judges from many classes of court across Georgia attended the 35^th annual Georgia Bar, Media, and Judiciary Conference at the State Bar Building in Atlanta on February 20^th. Former Justice Keith Blackwell and former Chief Justice Michael Boggs participated in a panel discussion on the Rule of Law. Former Chief Justice Boggs emphasized that while most judicial work is retrospective, proactive efforts—such as improving access to justice and supporting accountability courts—strengthen public trust and confidence in the judiciary and, thereby, the Rule of Law. The conference also addressed judicial security, a growing concern statewide. Our former Georgia Supreme Court Justices noted that while the U.S. Marshals Service tracks threats against federal judges, Georgia lacks a similar system, even though approximately 1,600 judges handle volatile cases daily. Former Chief Justice Boggs commended Justice Shawn LaGrua’s ongoing leadership of the Judicial Security Committee (“J-Sec”), a Judicial Council Standing Committee established in 2023, warning that unchecked threats of violence against judges could undermine the Rule of Law. A full-day videorecording of the conference will soon be available on the Georgia First Amendment Foundation’s website. In other news, effective February 5^th, the Supreme Court of Georgia approved the creation of the Senior Lawyers Division within the State Bar of Georgia.

Georgia’s municipal courts continue to demonstrate their strong commitment to public service. On February 27^th, the Municipal Court of Brookhaven offered complimentary wedding ceremonies, officiated by Chief Judge Bryan C. Ramos. Looking ahead to March 20^th, in partnership with the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority, the Municipal Court of Mableton will offer free virtual notary training “for all Mableton citizens, staff, and current and prospective Georgia notaries.” Congratulations to Coweta County Probate Court Judge Carrie Markham, who chaired her first meeting of the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution on February 25^th.

Call on us anytime.  Talk to you in March.

Your JC/AOC Courts Journal team:  Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez, Bruce Shaw, and JoAnna Deering