The Supreme Court of Georgia will honor Athens attorney Edward Tolley with a special award Tuesday for what the court calls his “wise and steady leadership” of the state’s judicial watchdog agency “at a critical time” in its history.

Chief Justice Harold Melton will present a resolution designating Tolley an “Amicus Curiae,” or “friend of the court,” for his work as chairman of the Judicial Qualifications Commission.

The JQC investigates ethical complaints against judges and recommends to the state Supreme Court disciplinary measures against judges that the commission finds violated the state Code of Judicial Conduct.