Superior Court Judge Verda M. Colvin, of the Macon Judicial Circuit (Courtesy photo)

The Georgia Supreme Court voted Monday to appoint Macon Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Verda M. Colvin to the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the group charged with enforcing ethical standards for judges across the state.

Colvin will replace Eastern Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Louisa Abbot of Savannah, whose term ends June 30.

In a meeting Monday, the high court named Colvin to the JQC's Investigative Panel for a four-year term, beginning July 1.

Former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr Gov. Brian Kemp's likely pick to fill another position opening July 1. Barr—also a former U.S. attorney and the Libertarian Party's 2008 presidential nominee—was added at the request of Kemp's staff to a list of lawyers the bar recommended to replace Athens attorney Edward Tolley on the JQC. Kemp's request to add Barr was confirmed by Ken Hodges—now a judge on the state Court of Appeals—and Dentons partner Edward Lindsey, chairman of the bar's JQC nominations committee.

Legislation that took effect in 2017 divided the JQC into two separate panels: a seven-member Investigative Panel, which handles the investigative, prosecutorial and administrative functions; and a three-member Hearing Panel, which is responsible for adjudicating formal charges filed against judges by the Investigative Panel and for making recommendations to the Georgia Supreme Court regarding disciplinary and incapacity orders.

Colvin, 54, was appointed to the Superior Court in 2014 by then-Gov. Nathan Deal. She was elected to a full term in 2016 after running unopposed.

Prior to becoming a judge, Colvin served for 15 years as an assistant United States attorney in the Middle District of Georgia. She also has worked as an assistant district attorney in Clayton County and as assistant general counsel at Clark Atlanta University. She also has worked in private practice.

Colvin received the 2015 Leadership Macon “Distinguished Alumni Award as a Community Leader,” the 2016 NAACP “Drum Major for Justice Award,” and the 2019 “Tradition of Excellence Award” from the State Bar of Georgia's General Practice and Trial Section.

She is an adjunct instructor at Mercer Law School, an executive board member of the Gate City Bar's Judicial Section, a member of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, a board member of The Fuller Center of Macon, an advisory committee member for Knight Foundation, co-chair of ONEMACON 2.0, and a troop leader for Girl Scout Troop 60022. She and her husband have four children.

“The Supreme Court of Georgia supports the work of the JQC, which is critical to upholding the independence and integrity of our State's judiciary,” Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold D. Melton said in announcing the appointment. “Judge Colvin's experience, judgment, and leadership ability make her well-suited for this important position, and we greatly appreciate her willingness to serve.”

The Supreme Court's other appointees to the JQC are Investigative Panel member Judge Stacey K. Hydrick of the State Court of DeKalb County (appointed earlier this month by Kemp to the DeKalb County Superior Court), and Hearing Panel members Chief Judge Robert C.I. McBurney of the Superior Court of the Atlanta Circuit and attorney Jamela S. McFadden.