By Chief Judge Christopher C. Edwards and Taylor Wood Most courts and lawyers are familiar with more than one frequent frivolous self-represented plaintiff. These self-represented litigants file the bizarre complaints that are shared among lawyers as dark entertainment, resulting in hearings that resemble theater of the absurd, challenging even the best tempered jurists’ ability to … Continue reading The Georgia Law of Screening Orders: Preventing Repeated Frivolous, Malicious, and Unsubstantiated Complaint Filings by Self-Represented Litigants
Superior Court, Get Ready Now for Election Night Court Under O.C.G.A. § 21-2-412
By: Judge Christopher C. Edwards and Kyle Harris Timmons New Georgia lawyers quickly learn one of the top ten on the “don’t ever” list is: don’t ever call a Superior Court judge at night. Almost everything can wait at least until morning with no harm done, and probably until the next scheduled hearing day. This … Continue reading Superior Court, Get Ready Now for Election Night Court Under O.C.G.A. § 21-2-412
Interview with Executive Director, Jill Cheeks and Director of Mediation Services & Volunteers, Lee Robbins, with the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire in Savannah
Michelle Barclay: We are in year 2 of these pandemic times, how are you holding up personally and professionally? Lee Robbins: Personally, I am taking the time to focus on other things than news or work. I am getting to spend more time with my wife and my young children who are just learning to walk and talk so I cherish this … Continue reading Interview with Executive Director, Jill Cheeks and Director of Mediation Services & Volunteers, Lee Robbins, with the Mediation Center of the Coastal Empire in Savannah
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize Georgia's judicial leaders who come from Hispanic heritage. Judge Dean Carlos Bucci grew up in Marietta, Georgia. He attended Georgia Southern University and earned his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1997. Governor Nathan Deal appointed him to the Superior Court bench, … Continue reading Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
Kathleen Joyner—New Public Information Officer for the Supreme Court of Georgia—Helps the Public Understand the Court’s Work and Role in Government
JC/AOC staffer, Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez, recently spoke with Kathleen Joyner about her new role as the Public Information Officer for the Supreme Court of Georgia. Interview edited and condensed for clarity. Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez: What is your professional background? Kathleen Joyner: I graduated from the University of Georgia in 2002 with a double major in French and … Continue reading Kathleen Joyner—New Public Information Officer for the Supreme Court of Georgia—Helps the Public Understand the Court’s Work and Role in Government
Georgia Uniform Mediation Act Now Law, Working Group Receives Recognition
GUMA Working Group (L-R): Shelby Guilbert, Esq.; Tracy B. Johnson; Mary Donovan, Esq.; Hon. Charles E. Auslander III; Dr. Timothy Hedeen; Hon. M. Cindy Morris; Stephen McKinney, Esq.; Christine Butcher Hayes; Rep. Rob Leverett; Hon. Jane C. Barwick; Stacey Hornsby, Esq. On August 4, 2021, Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution (GCDR) Chair Hon. M. Cindy … Continue reading Georgia Uniform Mediation Act Now Law, Working Group Receives Recognition
Judge Walt Davis Reflects on State-wide Business Court’s First Year in Business
Georgia’s State-wide Business Court started to accept filings a little over a year ago—on August 1, 2020. To mark the Court’s first anniversary, Judge Davis spoke with JC/AOC staffer, Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez, to reflect on the Court’s progress and plans for the future. Edited and condensed for clarity. Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez: First off, congratulations on the Business … Continue reading Judge Walt Davis Reflects on State-wide Business Court’s First Year in Business
Judge Connie Williford on the beginning of the new Peach-Crawford Accountability Court (PCAC)
by Alice Rebecca Culpepper We sat down with Judge Connie Williford to discuss the beginning of the new Peach-Crawford Accountability Court (PCAC) within the Macon Judicial Circuit. In this new program, residents in Peach and Crawford Counties have access to Accountability Court services in their own counties without needing to travel to Bibb County. Judge … Continue reading Judge Connie Williford on the beginning of the new Peach-Crawford Accountability Court (PCAC)
A Celebration of Chief Judge Ben W. Studdard’s retirement from the State Court of Henry County
by Cynthia H. Clanton, Director of the Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the Courts The 90-degree temperatures did not deter the many well-wishers celebrating the Honorable Chief Judge Ben W. Studdard’s retirement from the State Court of Henry County. Chief Judge Studdard is a published author, scholar, teacher, and mentor to many judges throughout Georgia. Former … Continue reading A Celebration of Chief Judge Ben W. Studdard’s retirement from the State Court of Henry County
Interview with State Bar of Georgia President Elizabeth Fite
Condensed and edited for clarity Michelle Barclay: First, congratulations on being sworn in as the 59th President of the State Bar of Georgia on June 12, 2021 at the first hybrid State Bar Annual Meeting in the Bar’s history due to the COVID-19 pandemic. See the swearing-in ceremony here: State Bar of Georgia 2021 Annual … Continue reading Interview with State Bar of Georgia President Elizabeth Fite
Cobb County’s Second Chance Desk
by Alice Culpepper Georgia Justice Project, one of the Judicial Council’s Access to Justice Committee’s partners in our Virtual Record Restriction Clinics, has helped establish a “Second Chance Desk” in the Cobb County Circuit Defender's Office. This desk provides a permanent, daily service to those seeking criminal record restriction and sealing for certain offenses. On … Continue reading Cobb County’s Second Chance Desk
Meet Drew Townsend, Chief Financial Officer for the Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the Courts
Noting Georgia’s fiscal new year that begins each year on July 1st, JC/AOC staffer, Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez, recently spoke with her colleague, Drew Townsend, who serves as the Director of the Financial Administration Division and Chief Financial Officer for the Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the Courts. Drew Townsend, CFO for the Judicial Council of Georgia/Administrative Office of The Courts Interview condensed and edited for clarity. Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez: Happy Fiscal New Year to … Continue reading Meet Drew Townsend, Chief Financial Officer for the Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the Courts