Justice Keith R. Blackwell administers the oath to Judge Jane C. Barwick, the new Commission Chair

Atlanta, GA — The Supreme Court of Georgia’s Commission on Dispute Resolution has a new chair after long-serving State Court Judge Charles E. Auslander, 10th Judicial Circuit, stepped down. He was appointed to the Commission in 2006 and led as chair since 2012. Judge Auslander- a UGA “Double Dawg”- passed the gavel to Chair-Elect Judge Jane C. Barwick, Fulton County Superior Court, in a ceremony during a February 13 meeting at the University of Georgia’s Law School on his home turf: Athens.

Justice Keith R. Blackwell thanked Judge Auslander for his service and administered the oath to Judge Barwick. “It is a real pleasure to work with this Commission,” said Justice Blackwell, “The program is very well managed. That is a testament to Tracy [Johnson] and her office and the staff support of the AOC. The Commission itself is very well-run, and that is a testament to every member of the commission, especially to Judge Auslander, and I expect that to fully continue with Judge Barwick as our new chair.”

Justice Blackwell also ushered in the Commission’s new members, as appointed by the Supreme Court: Presiding Judge Renata Turner, Fulton County Juvenile Court; Ms. Nicole W. Hull, Esq., Managing Partner of the Hull Firm & Director of the Academy of Dispute Resolution; and Mr. Randall Weiland, Director of the Atlantic Judicial Circuit ADR Program.

Pictured (L-R): Justice Keith R. Blackwell; Judge Renata Turner; Nicole W. Hull, Esq.; and Randall Weiland

In his introduction of the new members, Judge Auslander made note that “thriving in a successful organization involves not only bringing in good people who are willing to serve, but it also a way to revitalize, revamp, and reenergize. In this case, we are very fortunate that the Supreme Court has provided this Commission with these three new commission members- ones who have particular expertise in areas that we are really seeking to venture into, in alignment with our strategic plan.” Additionally, the Commission retired two sitting members- Stefani Lacour, Esq. and Vjollca Prroni Young, LL.M. Ms. Lacour served the Commission since 2014, having sat on the Training & Credentials and ADR Court Program Liaison Committees. Ms. Young served the Commission since 2012, having sat on both the Ethics and ADR Court Program Liaison Committees.

In his introduction of the new members, Judge Auslander made note that “thriving in a successful organization involves not only bringing in good people who are willing to serve, but it also a way to revitalize, revamp, and reenergize. In this case, we are very fortunate that the Supreme Court has provided this Commission with these three new commission members- ones who have particular expertise in areas that we are really seeking to venture into, in alignment with our strategic plan.” Additionally, the Commission

Pictured (L-R): Judge Charles E. Auslander, III, outgoing Chair; Tracy B. Johnson,
Executive Director, Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution; Judge Jane C. Barwick,
incoming Chair; and Justice Keith R. Blackwell, Supreme Court

retired two sitting members- Stefani Lacour, Esq. and Vjollca Prroni Young, LL.M. Ms. Lacour served the Commission since 2014, having sat on the Training & Credentials and ADR Court Program Liaison Committees. Ms. Young served the Commission since 2012, having sat on both the Ethics and ADR Court Program Liaison Committees.