R. Robin McDonald

Daily Report reporter R. Robin McDonald's journalism career includes stints as a staff writer at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Wichita Eagle, and The Anniston Star and as a trial tracker at CourtTV and CNN. She is the author of two true crime books -- Black Widow: The True Story of the Hilley Poisonings and Secrets Never Lie: The Death of Sara Tokars.

Connect with this author

November 02, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Georgia Supreme Court Nixes Immunity Ruling That Shielded White Deputies From Murder Charges

The unanimous ruling criticized the senior trial judge who granted immunity for the deputies after they tased a mentally ill Black man 15 times.

By R. Robin McDonald

4 minute read

October 30, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Melton: 'Nothing ... Is Irreversible' in Order Lifting Jury Trial Suspension

Chief Justice Harold Melton of the Supreme Court of Georgia told an emergency meeting of the state Judicial Council, "COVID is not nearly done with us just yet" as state's positivity rate tops 10%.

By R. Robin McDonald

5 minute read

October 30, 2020 | Daily Report Online

'Uncharted Territory': Georgia Trial Lawyers Prepare to Resume Jury Trials

Jurors' possible fears of contracting COVID-19 during a trial and how to broach the issue with potential jurors "is going to be a huge question," said the president of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association.

By R. Robin McDonald

6 minute read

October 28, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Objectors' Class Action Appeal Prompts Eleventh Circuit to Toss Both Settlement and Underlying Complaint

Wednesday's en banc ruling over a $6.3 million settlement by Godiva Chocolatier stemming from alleged violations of the federal Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act garnered three strong dissents.

By R. Robin McDonald

5 minute read

October 27, 2020 | Daily Report Online

'Help People Vote': 7,000 Have Signed Up to Combat Suppression Efforts, National Bar Association Leader Says

NBA president CK Hoffler, an Atlanta attorney, said that with new incidents popping up on a daily basis, that relationships with election officials can help the organization and volunteers who have been "unbelievable" in their boldness in a nonpartisan drive to ensure safe ballot access for all.

By R. Robin McDonald

6 minute read

October 22, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Judge Signs Off on Equifax's $7.75M Settlement With Financial Institutions in 2017 Data Breach

Chief Judge Thomas Thrash of the Northern District of Georgia also awarded $2 million in legal fees.

By R. Robin McDonald

4 minute read

October 22, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Plans to Restart Jury Trials Prompt Cautious Optimism, Trepidation

Lawyers and judges wrestle with questions of how to balance risks and benefits of returning to in-person jury trials despite community spread of COVID-19.

By R. Robin McDonald

6 minute read

October 20, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Brantley County Probate Judge Dies From COVID-19

Probate Judge Karen Batten is the third probate judge to die of COVID-19.

By R. Robin McDonald

3 minute read

October 19, 2020 | Daily Report Online

Candidate Bested by a Dead Man at the Polls Still Wins Election, State Justices Rule

Supreme Court Justice Charles Bethel wrote the opinion for a unanimous court upholding a decision by the Athens-Clarke County elections board to void ballots cast for incumbent commissioner Jerry NeSmith, who died three days before the June 9 election.

By R. Robin McDonald

5 minute read

October 09, 2020 | Daily Report Online

COVID-19 Exposure Shutters Forsyth County Courthouse a Second Time

Superior Court Chief Judge Jeff Bagley closed the county courthouse for the second time in two months after a courthouse visitor tested positive for the virus.

By R. Robin McDonald

5 minute read

More from ALM

Legal Speak is a weekly podcast that makes sense of what’s happening in the legal industry.