Greetings Georgia Courts Journal readers,
May opened with celebrations across Georgia in honor of Law Day and this year’s theme, “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.” Co-hosted by Georgia Lawyers for the Rule of Law and the State Bar of Georgia, Georgia Supreme Court Justice Charlie Bethel administered the Oath of Admission to the Bar for attorneys who chose to commemorate the occasion by reaffirming their commitment to uphold the Constitutions of the United States and of the State of Georgia. During its Law Day celebration on May 6th, the Dougherty Circuit Bar Association paid tribute to former Court of Appeals Chief Judge Herbert E. Phipps. Many of Judge Phipps’s judicial colleagues attended the ceremony, which featured remarks from Governor Brian Kemp, Justice John Ellington, Judge Ken Hodges, and Representative Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.
Continuing its tradition of community outreach, the Georgia Court of Appeals heard oral arguments at Albany State University on May 7th, where Albany-native Judge Ken Hodges presided alongside his Division One colleagues—Presiding Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes and Judge Todd Markle. The following day, May 8th, Court of Appeals Judge Trea Pipkin delivered an inspirational commencement address to graduates of the Georgia State University College of Law. Looking ahead, the Georgia Tax Court is preparing to begin accepting petitions on July 1st, and we were fortunate to spend time with Chief Court Judge Frank O’Connell for an upcoming feature interview about the launch and what litigants can expect.
Congratulations to newly appointed Griffin Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Matt McCord—a two-time veteran of the Judicial Council through his previous service to the Council of Municipal Court Judges—who was recently sworn in to office by Governor Brian Kemp. At the Council of Juvenile Court Judges Spring Business Meeting on May 4th, Judge McCracken Poston of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit—that Council’s third-longest-serving judge—was sworn in as President for 2026-27. The Executive Committee of the Council of Juvenile Court Judges also selected Judge Donald O. Sheppard, III, of the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, as the incoming Treasurer.
Congratulations to McIntosh County State Court Judge C. Jean Bolin, who received the Bob Bray Award at the Council of State Court Judges Spring Conference. Judge Vi Bennett presented the award, noting that Judge Bolin has provided extraordinary service to her fellow State Court judges while remaining consistently congenial, compassionate, and deeply respected in the courtroom—so much so that her court reporter traveled hundreds of miles to attend the ceremony in person. Kudos to City of Brookhaven Municipal Court Chief Judge Bryan Ramos, who was honored with the Judge Alvin T. Wong Pioneer Award at the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association’s 12th Annual Gala on May 21st.
Congratulations as well to Senior Judge Benjamin W. Studdard, III, who received the Justice Logan E. Bleckley Award for Judicial Excellence from the Litigation Section of the Atlanta Bar Association on May 6th. In his acceptance remarks, Senior Judge Studdard reflected on his work alongside judges in the country of Georgia to help establish a jury trial system, highlighting the essential role trial judges play in upholding the Rule of Law. Finally, kudos to the Forsyth County DUI Court, which celebrated its 20th anniversary on May 6th.
The Judicial Council/AOC has published its 2026 Summary of Enacted Legislation, offering clear, accessible summaries of the bills and resolutions affecting the judiciary that were passed by the 159th Georgia General Assembly during the 2026 Regular Session. On May 12th, Governor Brian Kemp signed HB 304 into law, creating the Georgia Municipal Court Clerks Council and providing for senior status for Municipal Court judges in Georgia. Leadership from both Councils, bill sponsors—Representatives Bill Yearta, Matt Reeves, Joseph Gullett, and Senator Brian Strickland—and Judicial Council/AOC staff were present for the signing, which represented a collective commitment to strengthening Georgia’s judicial system.
Our Meet the Members of the Judicial Council of Georgia series continues this month with new videos highlighting Superior Court Judge Matthew Hube and City of Suwanee Municipal Court Chief Judge Norman Cuadra. Judicial Council/AOC staff member Malcolm Sinkfield and new staff attorney Jayna Edwards recently met in Cobb County with Board of Court Reporting member, Judge Kimberly Childs, to discuss ongoing recruitment efforts and new initiatives designed to strengthen the court reporting profession. Kudos to Shimike Dodson, Assistant Director of Research at the Judicial Council/AOC, who recently completed the Certified Public Manager program at UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Congratulations as well to Stephanie Hines, Judicial Council/AOC Division Director for Judicial Services, who facilitated an insightful session on succession planning for Municipal Court Clerks at their Spring Recertification in Augusta.
We celebrated State Employees’ Recognition Week with an all-staff photo, a healthy breakfast, and a wellness challenge. We also took a moment to ask our colleagues what inspired them to pursue a career in public service, and we hope you enjoy their reflections as much as we did.
Call on us anytime. Talk to you in June.
Your JC/AOC Courts Journal team: Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez, Bruce Shaw, and JoAnna Deering