The Judicial Council of Georgia recently conducted a survey on Superior Court judge pay, and the results are in. Of 187 superior court judges surveyed, 81% reported that they believe current compensation rates discourage lawyers from joining their circuit benches.

"I had to think long and hard about leaving the [private] sector for a judicial position," one participant wrote. "The only thing that makes me question my decision is the low pay when I know I could go back to private practice and double my salary. I have many friends in the bar who would make excellent judges but just cannot afford it."