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
Georgia State-Wide Business Court Welcomes New Judge and Bids Farewell to Inaugural Judge
Judge William "Bill" Hamrick III was appointed judge of the Georgia State-Wide Business Court by Governor Kemp on August 3, 2022 and was sworn into office on September 26. Prior to joining the Business Court, Judge Hamrick served on the Superior Court for the Coweta Judicial Circuit beginning in 2012. Surrounded by family, friends, and many … Continue reading Georgia State-Wide Business Court Welcomes New Judge and Bids Farewell to Inaugural Judge
Appointing a Special Master – How? When? and Why?
by Hon. R. Keegan Federal, Jr. Through recent CJE programs around the State, many if not most trial judges in Georgia are now familiar with Uniform Superior Court Rule 46, but many if not most have not yet taken advantage of the benefits available under the Rule. This article specifies how a Special Master can … Continue reading Appointing a Special Master – How? When? and Why?
Judges Read Meaningful Tweets in Celebration of Constitution Day 2022
In celebration of Constitution Week in 2022, we partnered with the Georgia Center for Civics Engagement and Georgia Family Connection Partnership for a series called #judgesreadmeaningfultweets. Georgia students asked the questions, judges provided the answers. Thank you to everyone that participated. We look forward to next year!
Herbert Gordon: First-Rate Manager, Fixer, and Family Man
We recently spoke with Herbert Gordon, who serves as the Program Manager for the Georgia Courts Registrar and as the Program Manager for the Office of Court Professionals at the Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the Courts. Condensed and edited for clarity Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez: Would you please share your professional background with our readers? Herbert Gordon: … Continue reading Herbert Gordon: First-Rate Manager, Fixer, and Family Man
Records Restriction Clinic
Wilcox County, GeorgiaAugust 20, 2022 by Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez, Esq. One of Wilcox County’s native sons, Judge Shawn Rhodes—who serves as the County’s Probate Court Judge, Magistrate Court Judge, and as the Municipal Court Judge for two cities—addressed attendees at the start of the clinic and welcomed the volunteers as “water bearers” to this legal desert … Continue reading Records Restriction Clinic
My Journey Matters Graduation Ceremony
Nineteen graduates of the My Journey Matters program in Fulton Superior Court had a celebratory event on July 22. The program has been profiled before. It was started by Judge Shawn LaGrua (now Justice LaGrua) and has since been taken over by Judge Rachelle Carnesale. The program was designed to divert young men and women … Continue reading My Journey Matters Graduation Ceremony
Tracy Mason—Answering the Call to Public Service
We recently spoke with Tracy Mason, a long-serving employee, and current Senior Assistant Director for the Judicial Council/Administrative Office of the Courts. Condensed and edited for clarity Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez: Thank you, Tracy, for taking time to talk with me. Would you please share your professional background with our readers? Tracy Mason: It’s my pleasure, and … Continue reading Tracy Mason—Answering the Call to Public Service
Scenes from the Council of State Court Judges’ 2022 Spring Conference
Justice John Ellington gives the Oath of President to Judge Vi Bennett Judge Bennett presents President’s Award to Judge Al Wong Robe Rage performs and gets standing ovation The Wesleyan Players perform a skit on Contempt Judge Shawn Bratton Opens Conference with Amazing Bagpipe skills Former State Court Judge, now Superior Court Judge Victoria Darrisaw … Continue reading Scenes from the Council of State Court Judges’ 2022 Spring Conference
Judicial Council Committee on Access to Justice Record Restriction Clinic
Judicial Council Committee on Access to JusticeRecord Restriction ClinicAlbany, Georgia May 5, 2022 Justice Verda Colvin of the Supreme Court of Georgia and Judge Ken Hodges of the Court of Appeals of Georgia stopped into the event to lend their support and encouragement. Chief Superior Court Judge Willie Lockette of the Dougherty Judicial Circuit attended … Continue reading Judicial Council Committee on Access to Justice Record Restriction Clinic
Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage month. Asian Pacific Americans serve as judges in all but two classes of Georgia’s court system. Only the Court of Appeals of Georgia (on which Justice Carla W. McMillian previously presided) and the State-wide Business Court (which is currently a single-judge class) are without an Asian American judge. To … Continue reading Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month