Atlanta, GA — The Judicial Council of Georgia met for a Special Session today, October 23, 2026, during which it heard a report and recommendation from its Ad Hoc AOC Director Search Committee, which recommended the appointment of Tracy Mason. The Judicial Council adopted that recommendation and unanimously voted to appoint Tracy Mason as the new Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts (“AOC”), filling the vacancy created by the recent retirement of Cynthia H. Clanton, Esq.
Tracy Mason is a long-serving senior staff member of the AOC with over twenty years of experience at the agency. She also has a rich educational background. Ms. Mason earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public policy from Georgia State University. She is also a graduate of the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s Budget & Financial Management Certification Program and its Certified Public Manager Program. Ms. Mason’s tenure at the AOC began in 2003, when she served as a legislative intern for several years. She joined the AOC full-time in 2007. During her tenure, Ms. Mason has served as staff for a wide variety of Judicial Council Committees, including the Standing Committee on Legislation and the Ad Hoc Committee on American Rescue Plan Act Funding. In 2012, she joined the AOC’s Governmental Affairs & Trial Court Liaison Team, and she’s led that team since 2015. Since October 1, 2026, she has served as Interim Director and prior to that as Deputy Director. Ms. Mason comes to her new role with a breadth of experience in state government operations and a steadfast dedication to serving Georgia’s judiciary.
Upon her appointment, Chief Justice Peterson noted, “I have the utmost confidence in Ms. Mason’s ability to lead the AOC and to continue its mission to provide critical services to Georgia’s judicial branch.” He added, “I’ve worked closely with Ms. Mason for many years. She is the perfect person for this important responsibility. Georgia judges, courts, and citizens are blessed to enjoy her continued service in this new role.”
A livestream of the Special Session is archived on the Judicial Council of Georgia’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/judicialcouncilofgeorgia.