Happy Fall, Georgia Courts Journal Readers,
In recognition of her outstanding service to Georgia’s judicial system, the Supreme Court of Georgia presented an Amicus Curiae Award to Judicial Council/AOC Director Cynthia Clanton on September 22nd. During the ceremony, Chief Justice Nels S.D. Peterson highlighted her many years of “servant leadership” and “exemplary public service,” noting the profound impact she has had on the courts and the broader legal community. After 27 years of dedicated service to the Judicial Council and the Administrative Office of the Courts—including 11 years as Director—Cynthia Clanton is retiring. Her final day with the agency is today, September 30, 2026.
On September 24th, the Georgia Court of Appeals honored its former Chief Judge M. Yvette Miller—the first African American woman to serve on that appellate bench—with a portrait unveiling in the Court of Appeals Courtroom at the Nathan Deal Judicial Center. The ceremony celebrated her trailblazing career and enduring legacy, marking a moment of pride for the Georgia judiciary. The event was livestreamed, allowing colleagues and community members across the state to join in recognizing Judge Miller’s contributions. Presiding Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard and Judge Kimberly M. Esmond Adams honored their judicial colleague with remarks during the ceremony and Chief Judge Trent Brown formally accepted the portrait on behalf of the court. Continuing its longstanding tradition of community engagement, the Court of Appeals holds oral arguments at venues throughout Georgia, fostering transparency and accessibility. On September 9th, Vice Chief Judge Elizabeth Gobeil, Presiding Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard, and Judge Trea Pipkin convened at Mercer University School of Law to hear oral arguments, offering students and the public a firsthand look at appellate proceedings and reinforcing the Court’s commitment to outreach.
Two new Meet the Members of the Judicial Council of Georgia videos are now live, spotlighting Judge Patty Walters Laine, President of the Council of Probate Court Judges, and Judge Shawn Rhodes, President of the Council of Magistrate Court Judges. These videos offer viewers a closer look at the leadership and vision guiding Georgia’s courts. To celebrate Constitution Day 2026, the Judicial Council/AOC launched a social media series called Students Asked, Georgia Judges Answered. This initiative featured questions from students of two past recipients of the Georgia Council for the Social Studies’ Civil Rights/Civil Liberties Excellence in Teaching Award—Aidan Blackwell of LaGrange High School and Da’Nall Wilmer of Woodward Academy in College Park. Judges from local trial courts, statewide appellate courts, and the Georgia Tax Court responded, providing thoughtful insights and fostering civic engagement among Georgia’s youth. We are grateful for the many wonderful responses from:
- Georgia Court of Appeals Vice Chief Judge Elizabeth Gobeil
- Georgia Court of Appeals Presiding Judge Sara Doyle
- Georgia Court of Appeals Presiding Judge Stephen Dillard
- Tax Court Chief Judge Frank O’Connell
- Fulton County State Court Judge Bobby Wolf
- Troup County Juvenile Court Judge Janelle Johnson
This collaborative effort underscores the judiciary’s commitment to transparency, education, and community outreach.
The Council of Accountability Court Judges wrapped up a highly successful annual training conference mid-month, offering a rich array of concurrent sessions tailored for three groups: (1) judges and attorneys, (2) treatment providers, and (3) law enforcement and community supervision professionals. The event showcased the depth of Georgia’s judicial expertise, with many distinguished judges leading sessions and sharing best practices, including:
- Atlanta Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney
- Northeastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Lindsay Burton
- Enotah Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court Judge Jeremy Clough
- Cobb Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court Judge Amber Patterson
- Athens-Clark County State Court Chief Judge Charles Auslander
- Appalachian Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge Brenda Weaver
- Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court Judge Christopher Willis
In 2015, a pioneering group of nine Juvenile Court judges partnered with Casey Family Programs to establish Family Treatment Courts as an official class of accountability court in Georgia. These innovative programs have flourished, providing vital support to families and youth across the state. Today, many of the judges who preside over Family Treatment Courts and Juvenile Treatment Courts, some of whom are pictured below, continue to build on that legacy, advancing the mission of accountability courts and strengthening Georgia’s justice system.
Family, friends, and colleagues gathered at the Savannah courthouse named for the late Eastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Eugene H. Gadsden to celebrate the unveiling of his portrait. The ceremony was marked by heartfelt remarks from Chief Superior Court Judge John E. Morse, Jr., and attended by many members of the judiciary, reflecting the deep respect and admiration for Judge Gadsden’s legacy. In a poignant full-circle moment, retiring Judicial Council/AOC Director Cynthia Clanton—who began her legal career clerking for Judge Gadsden—remembers him fondly and notes that his guidance and dedication to justice helped inspire her own career in public service.
Congratulations to the newly elected members of the 2026–2027 Executive Committee and Executive Board of the Georgia Council of Court Administrators (GCCA), who recently concluded a dynamic 2026 Fall Conference & Business Meeting. This annual gathering brought together court professionals from across the state to share best practices, foster collaboration, and celebrate achievements. Kudos to Brad Butler, Trial Court Administrator for the Conasauga Judicial Circuit, recipient of the 2026 Bill Herndon Lifetime Achievement Award—an honor recognizing outstanding dedication and leadership in court administration. Additionally, the Conasauga Handgun Intervention Program (CHIP) was named GCCA’s 2026 Program of the Year, highlighting its innovative approach and positive impact within the community.
In late September, leadership of the Council of Municipal Court Judges met with Chief Justice Nels Peterson and Presiding Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren. Meanwhile, Bill Gentry, current State Bar president and Judicial Council member, joined 21 past presidents of the State Bar in urging lawyers statewide to support a proposed Georgia constitutional amendment for the nonpartisan election of probate court judges. Congratulations to the Waycross Judicial Circuit, which recently launched its first-ever court ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) program. Our colleagues at the State Ethics Commission have asked us to help spread the word about upcoming local filer training sessions designed specifically for judges. These virtual trainings will be held on Fridays at noon. For more information or to register, please visit the State Ethics Commission website at https://ethics.ga.gov/. Finally, the new Georgia Courts Case Management system, now named Gavel, has launched its updated website. We encourage everyone to explore the site for details about Gavel’s features and how it is helping modernize court operations throughout Georgia.
Call on us anytime. Talk to you in October.
Your JC/AOC Courts Journal team: Noelle Lagueux-Alvarez, Bruce Shaw, and JoAnna Deering