On Thursday, August 8, 2024, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Judge Robert McBurney stepped down from his role as the presiding member of Georgia’s Judicial Qualifications Commission hearing panel.
McBurney has served on the three member hearing panel since 2017 after the panel was restructured through a legislative amendment. The panel reviews complaints of judicial misconduct against Georgia’s approximately 1,600 judges and makes disciplinary recommendations to the Georgia Supreme Court. As the presiding member, McBurney helped develop the panel’s practices and procedures for handling the new responsibilities under the changed structure.
The Georgia Supreme Court announced McBurney’s departure and expressed appreciation for his exceptional leadership in establishing the hearing panel’s operations during a period where every case presented novel challenges as it implemented the new adjudication system. Brian Rickman, a judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals, will replace McBurney as the presiding member.
In a statement, McBurney said serving on the hearing panel has been a highlight of his judicial career. However, he felt it was time for new leadership to allow the panel to continue evolving. His term on the Fulton County Superior Court is set to end in late 2026.
Courtney Veal, the director of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, praised McBurney’s contributions noting it has been one of the greatest honors of her career to work alongside him. However, she acknowledged they will miss his leadership tremendously.
Under McBurney’s guidance over the past few years, the hearing panel recommended the removal of former Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson and Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Christian Coomer for various ethics violations. Both judges were later expelled from office by the Georgia Supreme Court based on the panel’s findings.
Going forward, Brian Rickman’s extensive legal experience, including previously prosecuting JQC matters as a district attorney, will serve him well in his new role as the panel’s presiding member, according to the Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice. Rickman has served on the Georgia Court of Appeals since 2016 and as its chief judge from 2021 to 2023.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
