On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the Hearing Panel of the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission recommended the removal of Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shermela J. Williams from office, citing multiple violations of the Georgia Code of Judicial Conduct and a pattern of misconduct. The recommendation stems from a consolidated hearing held over six days in May, June, and July 2025, addressing two separate sets of formal charges filed against Judge Williams.

The charges, initially docketed as Supreme Court Docket No. S24Z1139 and later S25Z0722, encompassed 31 counts of alleged misconduct. These charges accuse Judge Williams of violating rules related to maintaining public confidence in the judiciary, avoiding the influence of personal relationships, ensuring due process, and performing duties competently and impartially.

The panel’s report details four primary categories of misconduct: improper ex parte communication with a litigant, failure to timely rule on matters before the court, the illegal arrest and false imprisonment of a witness, and using the prestige of her office to further personal interests.

The most serious allegation involves the jailing of Molly Dennis, a witness in a divorce case presided over by Judge Williams. During closing arguments in October 2023, Judge Williams ordered Dennis, then 21 years old, to be taken into custody, handcuffed, and placed in a holding cell for 15 to 45 minutes. The panel found that Judge Williams had no legal authority to order the arrest and imprisonment, characterizing it as an attempt to shock Dennis into changing her behavior. Judge Williams eventually admitted she “was wrong” to jail Molly Dennis.

The panel also found Judge Williams engaged in improper ex parte communication with attorney Brandy Alexander, who had a case pending before her. In October 2021, Judge Williams called Alexander directly after Alexander’s attorney inquired about having a senior judge assigned to the case. During the call, Judge Williams allegedly discussed the case and offered to handle it personally, assuring Alexander, a fellow sorority member, that she “had her back.” The panel determined that this conversation created an unfair advantage for Alexander and violated due process principles.

Additionally, the panel addressed numerous instances of Judge Williams failing to issue timely rulings in family law cases. The Director of the JQC notified Judge Williams of these delays on multiple occasions, yet orders remained outstanding for extended periods. The panel heard testimony from litigants who suffered significant consequences as a result of the delays, including financial hardship and emotional distress. Judge Williams stipulated and admitted to seventeen counts of failure to timely rule.

Another charge involved Judge Williams making a personal call to an attorney representing the opposing party in a case involving her uncle. During the call, Judge Williams allegedly advocated for her uncle’s position and suggested the attorney should dismiss the case. While the judge did not directly order her to dismiss the case, Ms. Stinson said that it was “strongly emphasized” that it was “an impossible case” and that she would have dismissed it if it had come before her. The panel concluded that this action constituted an improper use of the prestige of her office to advance personal interests.

In its conclusion, the Hearing Panel determined that Judge Williams’ actions constituted both “willful misconduct in office” and “conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the judicial office into disrepute,” grounds for discipline under the Georgia Constitution. The panel highlighted Judge Williams’ lack of candor during the proceedings, noting instances of dishonesty and evasive testimony.

The recommendation for removal now goes to the Supreme Court of Georgia, which has the sole power to impose disciplinary sanctions.

A copy of the original filing can be found here.