JUDICIAL QUALIFICATIONS COMMISSION
State of Georgia

Open Meeting Minutes
Atlanta, GA

Friday, September 17, 2021
9:00am

This regularly scheduled meeting of the Investigative Panel of the Judicial Qualifications Commission of the State of Georgia was held at Taylor English Duma LLP in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Bob Barr chaired the meeting and Ms. Kristen Bertsch served as Recording Secretary.

Investigative Panel Members Present:

Mr. Bob Barr
Judge Stacey Hydrick
Mr. Pope Langdale
Judge Victoria Darrisaw
Mr. Warren Selby

JQC Staff Members Present:

Mr. Chuck Boring, Director
Ms. Courtney Veal, Deputy Director
Ms. Yosra Khalifa, Staff Attorney
Mr. John Gosart, Chief Investigator
Ms. Kristen Bertsch, Executive Administrator

Chairman’s Comments:

Chairman Barr called the meeting to order and introduced Georgia Supreme Court Justice Michael Boggs to the Panel. Justice Boggs administered an oath to Judge Victoria Darrisaw as she has recently been appointed as a judge member to the Investigative Panel. Justice Boggs reminded the Panel that he, along with Justice Peterson, are now the liaisons for JQC.

Director Boring determined that a quorum was present. Judge Hydrick’s motion to adopt the open and closed meeting minutes from the regular July 16, 2021 Investigative Panel meeting passed unanimously. Mr. Langdale’s motion to adopt the open and closed meeting
minutes from the non-regularly scheduled August 19, 2021 Investigative Panel meeting also passed unanimously.

Chairman Barr also discussed the need for consistent notification procedures should members of the Panel have to resign from the Panel.

Director’s Reports:

Director Boring informed the Panel that the Hearing Panel has requested approval to acquire a Staff Attorney to assist with legal research and drafting orders. Judge Robert McBurney has expressed his concerns to Director Boring regarding the backlog of Hearing Panel matters and has stated that assistance is needed. The Panel discussed how this type of position would operate under the JQC, specifically the management and budget impact. Chairman Barr requested that JQC Staff draft a memo that outlines the parameters of this type of position and how the salary would affect the budget of the JQC.

Director Boring notified the Panel that JQC Staff will be obtaining a Post Office Box and will begin listing that as the physical address on the JQC website and mail correspondence.

Director Boring reminded the Panel that the Statewide Judicial Emergency is now expired, therefore the Supreme Court Order that temporarily allowed the JQC to conduct virtual Judge appearances at IP meetings is no longer in effect. Director Boring stated that Staff Attorney Yosra Khalifa is keeping a running list of potential JQC Rule changes. Director Boring instructed the Panel members to submit any additional rule change thoughts to JQC Staff.

There being no further old or new business for discussion, the Open Meeting was adjourned at 10:00am.

These minutes were approved by the Judicial Qualifications Commission.