Willie Weaver receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Council of Municipal Court Judges

SAVANNAH — Chief Judge Willie Weaver Sr. of the 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 during the Council of Municipal Court Judges’ annual Summer Business Meeting and Awards Ceremony.

The awards ceremony followed the council’s annual summer business meeting. Mark Cohen of the U.S. 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 ceremony.

Officers and District Representatives for 2024-2025 are:

— President: Chief Judge David Will, Municipal Courts of Alpharetta & Clarkston

— President-Elect: Chief Judge Robert Cowan, Municipal Court of Dalton

— Vice President: Chief Judge Norman Cuadra, Municipal Court of Suwannee

— Secretary: Judge Pamela Boles, Municipal Court of Cumming

— Treasurer: Chief Judge James Baker, Municipal Courts of Hogansville & 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. Judge Lori Duff of the 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 toward educating municipal court judges and clerks.

Chief Judge Don Schaefer & Ms. Trina Dargin, the court administrator for the Municipal Court of Johns Creeks, were awarded the Special Recognition Award for their Driver Risk Intervention & Vehicle Education 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 Awards, on behalf of Chief Judge Matthew McCord, were awarded to Chief Judge Charles Barrett of the Municipal Court of Duluth; Judge Thomas Bobbitt III of the Municipal Courts of Allentown, East Dublin, Jeffersonville and Soperton; Chief Judge Norman Cuadra of the Municipal Court of Suwannee; and Chief Judge Robert Cowan of the Municipal Court of Dalton for their efforts and contributions in the advancement of the council.

McCord also bestowed the inaugural Washburn-Oliver Award, 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, to Chief Judge Margaret Washburn and Chief Judge Rashida Oliver.

The council also recognized state Rep. Stan Gunter for perseverance in the General Assembly in sponsoring and passage of HB 456.

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