Athens Reporter

Judge Eric W. Norris, the former Chief Judge of the Western Judicial Circuit, expressed his pride in the appointment of Judge Lisa Lott as the new Chief Judge, stating, "We are proud to have Judge Lott serve as our next Chief Judge and first female Chief Judge."

In response to her appointment, Judge Lisa Lott expressed her gratitude and commitment to the community, saying, "I am honored by the trust and support of my fellow judges. I remain committed to ensuring an effective independent and accessible justice system for our community."

Judge Lott also took the opportunity to commend Chief Judge Norris for his leadership during challenging times, stating, "I would like to further express my deep thanks to Chief Judge Norris for his four years of steadfast leadership, most of which were during the pandemic. He weathered us through court closures, virtual court proceedings, lean budgets and more, all with calm and dignity."

Judge Lisa Lott, who has been on the bench since 2019, brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having served as an Assistant Public Defender in the Western Circuit for 18 years. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of California-Berkeley and a law degree from Emory University.

The Superior Court of the Western Judicial Circuit, which serves Athens-Clarke and Oconee counties, handles a wide range of cases including misdemeanors, contract disputes, and felonies. The court also has exclusive equity jurisdiction over cases of divorce, title to land, and felonies involving jury trials, including death penalty cases.

Judge Lisa Lott's appointment as Chief Judge marks a significant milestone for the Western Judicial Circuit, and her dedication to the rule of law and the local community is expected to guide the court in the years to come.