Savannah, GA — The Council of Municipal Court Judges Annual Summer Business Meeting and Awards Ceremony was held June 13, 2024, where it conducted its annual summer Law and Practice Update and business meeting. Honorable Mark Cohen, US District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, swore in the Council of Municipal Court Judges newly elected officers and served as guest speaker at the Annual Summer Business Meeting & Awards Ceremony.
The Council elected officers and District Representatives for 2024-2025 are:
| President | Chief Judge David Will, Municipal Courts of Alpharetta |
| President-Elect | Chief Judge Robert Cowan, Municipal Court of Dalton |
| Vice-President | Chief Judge Norman Cuadra, Municipal Court of Suwanee |
| Secretary | Judge Pamela Boles, Municipal Court of Cumming |
| Treasurer | Chief Judge James Baker, Municipal Courts of Hoganville & LaGrange |
| Immediate Past President | Chief Judge Matthew McCord, Municipal Courts of Hampton & Stockbridge |
| District One | Judge Joe Huffman and Judge Richard Sanders |
| District Three | Judge Wesley Beamon and Judge Chimere Trimble |
| District Five | Judge Roberta Cooper and Judge Allyson Pitts |
| District Seven | Chief Judge Chad Plumley and Judge Chris Jackson |
| District Nine | Chief Judge William Brogdon and Chief Judge Margaret Washburn |
Chief Judge Ronald Freeman Jr., Chief Judge Lisa Reeves and Chief Judge Margaret Washburn were elected to the Municipal Court Judges Training Council.
The Council recognized a number of municipal court judges with accolades for various achievements. Chief Judge Willie Weaver Sr., Municipal Court of Albany, received the Frost Ward Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognizes a municipal court judge who has made significant contributions to the Council of Municipal Court Judges over a long period of time.
Judge Lori Duff, Municipal Courts of Monroe was recognized with the Glen Ashman Education Achievement Award which honors judges that exemplify judicial education through extensive time and efforts towards educating municipal court judges and clerks. Chief Judge Don Schaefer & Ms. Trina Dargin, Court Administrator, Municipal Court of Johns Creeks, were awarded the Special Recognition Award for their Driver Risk Intervention & Vehicle Education (DRIVE) Program. And Chief Judge Willie T. Yancey II received the Special Recognition Award for consistent efforts and contributions in progressing the Council.
The Council’s President’s Award, on behalf of Chief Judge Matthew McCord, were awarded to Chief Judge Charles Barrett Municipal Court of Duluth; Judge Thomas Bobbitt, III, Municipal Courts of Allentown, East Dublin, Jeffersonville and Soperton; Chief Judge Norman Cuadra, Municipal Court of Suwannee; and Chief Judge Robert Cowan, Municipal Court of Dalton for their efforts and contributions in the advancement of the Council.
Chief Judge McCord also bestowed the inaugural Washburn-Oliver Award on Chief Judge Margaret Washburn and Chief Judge Rashida Oliver which honors women whose extraordinary commitment to the Council is evident in years of self-sacrifice for the betterment of the council, wise advice, thought leadership, and championing the development and mentoring of new leaders.
The Council also recognized Representative Stan Gunter 8th for perseverance in the General Assembly in sponsoring and passage of HB 456.
Photos from the event are available at https://jcaoc.smugmug.com/2024-Council-of-Muni-Court-Judges-Leadership-Change.