Atlanta, GA — The Supreme Court of Georgia’s Commission on Dispute Resolution (GCDR) is pleased to announce two new appointments. At the January 29 meeting, Justice John J. Ellington administered the oath to new Chair-Elect Judge M. Cindy Morris, Superior Courts, Conasauga Judicial Circuit and new member Peggy McCoy Wilson, a registered neutral from rural Brooks County.

Peggy McCoy Wilson, Justice John J. Ellington, and Judge M. Cindy Morris, following the administering of oaths.

Aside from their vast knowledge of mediation, the two appointees share another unique similarity: current service to the Georgia Commission on Family Violence (GCFV). This year, the Commission is sponsoring nearly 40 trainings statewide to ready mediators registered in the categories of domestic relations and specialized domestic violence for the new Rules for Mediation in Cases Involving Issues of Domestic Violence (effective January 1, 2021), which both appointees have been involved in developing and implementing.

Commission Chair Judge Jane C. Barwick remarked on the new appointees, “GCDR stands to benefit greatly from Judge Morris and Ms. Wilson’s involvement with the domestic violence community. If you could bank in wealth the experience and reputation of these distinguished members, paid work would be obsolete.”

Following the swearing-in ceremony, Judge Barwick added that “[The Commission] is proud of all of our current and former members.” In November 2019, Raymond G. Chadwick, Jr., Esq. was honored with a service award upon the end of his term with GCDR. Likewise, former member Timothy K. Hedeen, Ph.D. will be honored for his service at the upcoming May 6 meeting.

Tracy B. Johnson, Executive Director, GODR; Judge Jane C. Barwick, Chair,GCDR; Raymond G. Chadwick, Former GCDR Member; and Judge Charles E.  Auslander, III, Former Chair, GCDR

The Supreme Court established the Commission on Dispute Resolution to administer a statewide comprehensive Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program; oversee the development and ensure the quality of all court programs; develop guidelines and approve court programs; develop criteria for training and qualifications of neutrals; and establish standards of conduct for neutrals. This year, the Supreme Court ordered a new chair be added to this commission to ensure a delegate from court ADR programs. The 19 members of the Commission are comprised of representatives of all appellate and trial courts, representative of the General Assembly and the State Bar of Georgia, approved trainers and registered neutrals, a court ADR program director, and other professionals with an interest in dispute resolution. For more information on the Commission, please click here.