After 25 years of service to the Georgia Court of Appeals, Presiding Judge M. Yvette Miller is retiring from the intermediate appellate bench.

With her term set to expire at the end of the year, court colleagues and acquaintances recently gathered to celebrate Miller's legal legacy and contributions to the court.

Legal Legacy

Appointed by Gov. Roy Barnes in July 1999, Miller made judicial history as the first Black woman to serve on the court. She again made history by becoming the first Black woman to serve two years as the court's chief judge in 2009. During her tenure as chief judge, Miller spearheaded the implementation of the e-filing initiative, notably enhancing access to the intermediate appellate court for attorneys and parties throughout the state.

"This innovation underscored her commitment to advancing efficiency and inclusivity in all stages of the judicial process, ultimately allowing the Court to continue all operations remotely throughout the pandemic," read a statement issued by the court.

In honor of Miller's service and accomplishments, the court hosted a retirement ceremony on Oct. 24, which it livestreamed online.

Watch: Retirement Ceremony

'I Thank You'

From tearful speeches to the thunderous applause of a standing ovation, members of Georgia's legal community expressed their gratitude for Miller during a ceremony held at the Georgia Court of Appeals on Oct. 24.

Presiding Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes, Georgia Court of Appeals. Photo: John Disney/ALM

Presiding Judge Anne Elizabeth Barnes b=ecame emotional while conveying her appreciation for Miller's contributions to both the court and her colleagues.

"It has been a great honor for me to work with Yvette for over two decades," Barnes said. "It was my privilege to welcome her to our court family as only the third woman judge and the very first African-American woman judge on this court."

Barnes said that, while "it is never easy to be the first," Miller had "embraced her role admirably with joy and enthusiasm, working hard to promote values of justice and fairness, diversity and inclusion, as well as compassion and empathy."

"I really do not want to wish you goodbye and a happy retirement. I do not like the finality and the dead-end sound of those words," Barnes told Miller. "So instead, I shall retire the word 'retirement,' and instead, wish you a happy 'next act.' So here's to your next adventure and the many more to come. Our court family will miss your smile, your enthusiasm for justice, your joyful laugh and your warm collegiality. But we will not forget you, and we hope you will visit often and stay close with us, inviting us to share in your continuing good works. Thank you again, Judge Miller, for the enduring change and service, you've brought to this court, to the bench, to the bar and to the community. And personally, I thank you for your friendship."

Additional jurists including Supreme Court of Georgia Justice John J. Ellington shared anecdotes of memorable time spent with Miller on and off the bench. Other members of the Georgia legal community ranging from attorneys to bar association leaders shared their well wishes for Miller with brief speeches, some of which were pre-recorded.