Georgia Court of Appeals Visits Cobb County

October 4, 2024 – Today, the Cobb Superior Courthouse hosted the Court of Appeals for its fourth offsite oral argument of the year. The Cobb County Bar Association and Cobb Women of the Bar Section invited the Court of Appeals as part of its Judge Debra Halpern Bernes Memorial Scholarship in Law efforts. After the oral arguments, the Bar hosted a lunch and continuing legal education seminar featuring former Georgia Supreme Court Justices Harold Melton and Keith Blackwell, along with Court of Appeals Judges Stephen Dillard and Wade Padgett.

In her final offsite oral argument on the Court of Appeals, Presiding Judge M. Yvette Miller led the three-judge panel of herself, Judge Todd Markle, and Judge Benjamin A. Land. “I was thrilled to be in Cobb County for my last offsite oral argument. We had such wonderful hosts, great arguments from the attorneys, and a star-studded educational program. I could not have asked for a better day,” said Presiding Judge Miller.

The first case on the docket involved an employee’s refusal to return to a light-duty job due to concerns about the pandemic. In the final case, the judges considered intra-military immunity and subject matter jurisdiction issues stemming from a contested defamation claim. All the attorneys agreed it was a great honor to be selected for offsite oral argument.

After oral argument, the Bar offered lunch and continuing legal education presentations, the proceeds of which benefited the Judge Debra Halpern Bernes Memorial Scholarship in Law. The Bernes Scholarship is awarded to law students at the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. The Women of the Bar Section expects to raise over $7,000 for the scholarship from the event. Former Chief Justice Harold Melton was excited to spend his day in the courthouse. “I always love being in my home county, especially surrounded by such incredible jurists and bar members. Today was a great day for the bench and bar, and I’m so proud of what we’ve been able to do for the Bernes Scholarship.” Cobb Circuit Chief Judge Greg Poole opened the court session. “It’s always a thrill to host offsite arguments, and I am deeply appreciative that the Court of Appeals was generous enough to spend their day in Cobb.”

“The Women of the Bar Section is honored to host today’s events. Oral arguments were fascinating, and the continuing education was extremely informative, ” said Judge Jane Manning, current president of the Women of the Bar Section.