On April 18 the Georgia Court of Appeals visited Fayetteville on the invitation of the Fayette County Bar Association. In conjunction with the Fayette County Board of Education, the Court held a regular session of court in front of over 750 members of our community.

As you can imagine, this was no small task and I would like to take a moment to recognize some individuals who participated in this fine event for Fayette County.

Christy Dunkelberger, past president of the Fayette County Bar Association, and Judge Chris Edwards, Fayette County Superior Court, were instrumental in arranging for this official session of court to take place in Fayetteville.

I would like to thank Chief Judge Ann Barnes of the Georgia Court of Appeals for allowing this session of court and specifically thank the panel of Judge Ed Johnson, Judge Herbert Phipps, and Judge Charles Mikell, as well as William Martin, clerk of the Court of Appeals, for participating in the session in Fayetteville.

Over 600 students from all of our local high schools were able to witness government in action. Prior to the hearings, each government teacher was provided with the cases that would be argued. Many of the teachers incorporated these cases into their lesson plans.

I would like to specifically thank Dr. John DeCotis, superintendent of the Fayette County School System, and Dr. Cathy Geis, social studies coordinator for the Fayette County Board of Education, for their assistance in ensuring that our local students would have access to the courts for this unique learning experience.

As the court session was held at Sams Auditorium, I would also like to thank Richard Prouty for his assistance with all of the logistics at that location.

Finally, this event would not have been successful without the support of our local bar membership and judiciary. Alongside the students, there were almost 50 members of the Fayette County Bar Association and judges sharing the learning experience with our students.

Sheriff Randall Johnson was the official bailiff for the court session and the Sheriff’s Department should be commended for the professional courtesy and security shown by Captain Babb and his fellow officers.

It is not every day that the Court of Appeals will travel to Fayetteville to hear cases in front of 750 students and community members. I am grateful that the session was a successful learning experience and I hope that our students enjoyed the experience as much as we enjoyed providing it for them.

Jason B. Thompson

President, Fayette County Bar Association

Peachtree City, Ga.

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