Charles is from Lansing, Michigan. He attended J.W. Sexton High School. He has an Associate Degree from Lansing Community College, a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Northwood University, a Master’s Degree in Labor and Industrial Relations from Michigan State University, and a Juris Doctor from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Charles is a public defender. He works at the Fulton County Public Defender’s Office, where he  has been since May 2021. He previously worked as a solo practitioner, worked at the Michigan Department of Transportation, and served as a Lansing City Council Member and a Lansing School Board Member.

Charles Ford’s campaign for Judge of the Superior Court of Cobb County is his first entry into Georgia politics. He was elected to the Lansing School Board in 2008 and to the Lansing City Council in 1990.

GA Bar

MI Bar

Charles is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing.  He has no public disciplinary actions on record.

Charles is an active member of the State Bar of Michigan in good standing.

- Charles is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing.  He has no public disciplinary actions on record. 
- Charles is an active member of the State Bar of Michigan in good standing.

Ethics & Conduct

Charles Ford is a public defender in the Fulton County Public Defender’s Office. As a public defender, Charles represents low income people accused of a crime who cannot afford an attorney.

Previously, Charles Ford was a solo practitioner. As a solo practitioner, Charles handled general civil matters, probate matters such as wills, child custody, criminal defense, personal injury, workers compensation, employment relations, landlord/tenant, and real estate. Other probate matters include conservatorships and guardianships.

Previously, Charles was an Equal Opportunity Executive. As an Equal Opportunity Executive, Charles monitored the hiring process for Michigan Department of Transportation Employees to ensure compliance with employment law.

- Charles Ford is a public defender in the Fulton County Public Defender’s Office. As a public defender, Charles represents low income people accused of a crime who cannot afford an attorney. 
- Previously, Charles Ford was a solo practitioner. As a solo practitioner, Charles handled general civil matters, probate matters such as wills, child custody, criminal defense, personal injury, workers compensation, employment relations, landlord/tenant, and real estate. Other probate matters include conservatorships and guardianships. 
- Previously, Charles was an Equal Opportunity Executive. As an Equal Opportunity Executive, Charles monitored the hiring process for Michigan Department of Transportation Employees to ensure compliance with employment law.

Legal Experience

Charles states he “will be a fair and impartial arbiter.”

He said, “I will not legislate from the bench. Rather, I will always try and discern truth.”

Said “\[I am] committed to ensuring that everyone coming before \[me] on the bench is treated equitably and with respect.”

Says that he will not consider personal outside circumstances of parties before him “unless those circumstances have a bearing on fairness and due process in court.”

Identifies as “a steadfast believer in restorative justice, the notion that our courts should get redress for those who have been wrong and affect positive change for lawbreakers.”

- Charles states he “will be a fair and impartial arbiter.” 
- He said, “I will not legislate from the bench. Rather, I will always try and discern truth.” 
- Said “\[I am] committed to ensuring that everyone coming before \[me] on the bench is treated equitably and with respect.” 
- Says that he will not consider personal outside circumstances of parties before him “unless those circumstances have a bearing on fairness and due process in court.” 
- Identifies as “a steadfast believer in restorative justice, the notion that our courts should get redress for those who have been wrong - and affect positive change for lawbreakers.”

Judicial Philosophy

Said, “I would evaluate the processes in Superior Court to determine if they are indeed fair, equitable, and efficient. I will do a consistent evaluation of results and timeliness of outcomes to determine if adjustments, modifications, or a different direction are necessary.”

- Said, “I would evaluate the processes in Superior Court to determine if they are indeed fair, equitable, and efficient. I will do a consistent evaluation of results and timeliness of outcomes to determine if adjustments, modifications, or a different direction are necessary.”

Judicial Administration

Charles speaks to local schools on the legal profession and career and personal development. He provides “What to do when stopped by law enforcement officers” presentations in his community.

- Charles speaks to local schools on the legal profession and career and personal development. He provides “What to do when stopped by law enforcement officers” presentations in his community.

Community Involvement

Charles Ford

Matt is from Marietta, Georgia. He attended Alan C. Pope High School. He has a bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems and a bachelor’s in Marketing from Georgia State University. He has a Juris Doctor from Ave Maria Law School. He lives with his wife and two sons in Marietta, Georgia.

Matt McMaster operates his own law practice called McMaster Law where he has been for six years. He previously worked at Doehler North America as System Administrator and In-House Counsel, Donnelly Communications Inc. as an IT Analyst, Northwood University as an Adjunct Professor, an adoption firm.

Matt McMaster’s campaign for Judge of the Superior Court of Cobb County is his first entry into politics.

Matt is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing.  He has no public disciplinary actions on record.

- Matt is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing.  He has no public disciplinary actions on record.

Practice Website

Matt is a solo-practitioner operating his own law firm. As a solo practitioner, Matt handles cases in business law, contracts, civil litigation, family law, and landlord/tenant law.

Previously, Matt  was an adjunct professor at Northwood University. As an adjunct professor, he taught both Business Law and Sports and Entertainment Law.

- Matt is a solo-practitioner operating his own law firm. As a solo practitioner, Matt handles cases in business law, contracts, civil litigation, family law, and landlord/tenant law. 
- Previously, Matt  was an adjunct professor at Northwood University. As an adjunct professor, he taught both Business Law and Sports and Entertainment Law.

Said that he will not let political or personal connections impact his decisions.

Said, “Sua sponte appointments of Guardians and Mediators will not be influenced by donations made to my campaign. Do not donate to my campaign if quid pro quo benefits are your expectation.” A sua sponte appointment is made on the Judge’s own motion as opposed to a party’s motion.

- Said that he will not let political or personal connections impact his decisions. 
- Said, “Sua sponte appointments of Guardians and Mediators will not be influenced by donations made to my campaign. Do not donate to my campaign if quid pro quo benefits are your expectation.” A sua sponte appointment is made on the Judge’s own motion as opposed to a party’s motion.

Said, “The Cobb judicial system needs change and that change will not come by voting for the incumbent.”

- Said, “The Cobb judicial system needs change and that change will not come by voting for the incumbent.”

As of April 29, 2022, Matt McMaster’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Matt McMaster

Judge Leonard has a bachelor’s in political science from the University of Kentucky and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law. He lives with his wife and three children.

Judge Leonard is the Chief Judge of the Cobb County Superior Court where he has been for ten years. He previously served as a Judge in the Cobb County State Court and he previously worked at his own law practice.

Judge Rob Leonard currently serves as the Chief Judge for the Superior Court in the Cobb Judicial Circuit. He was appointed to the Superior Court by Governor Nathan Deal in 2012 and was elected to the position in 2018. He was appointed to the Cobb County State Court by Governor Sonny Perdue in 2010.

Judge Leonard is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing.  He has no public disciplinary actions on record.

There are no public documents filed with the Judicial Qualifications Commission or Supreme Court of Georgia regarding Judge Leonard.

- Judge Leonard is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing.  He has no public disciplinary actions on record.
- There are no public documents filed with the Judicial Qualifications Commission or Supreme Court of Georgia regarding Judge Leonard.

Judge Leonard is the Chief Judge of the Cobb County Superior Court. As Chief Judge, Judge Leonard oversees administrative aspects of the Court and presides over cases. These administrative duties include overseeing the case management system, planning trainings for other Superior Court Judges, managing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. Judge Leonard presides over civil and criminal cases. Civil matters before the Superior Court include divorce cases, title to land cases, and equity cases (involving remedies other than monetary damages). All criminal felony cases committed in Cobb County are tried by the Superior Court.

Previously, Judge Leonard served on the Cobb County State Court. As a State Court Judge, Judge Leonard presided over misdemeanor criminal cases, some civil matters, the hearing of applications for and the issuance of arrest and search warrants, some cases involving folks found in contempt of court, and traffic citations.

Previously, Judge Leonard was an attorney in his own law practice. As an attorney, he practiced in both criminal law and civil litigation. Civil litigation involves actions brought to enforce, redress, or protect private rights.  Criminal cases involve individuals who have been formally accused of a crime.

- Judge Leonard is the Chief Judge of the Cobb County Superior Court. As Chief Judge, Judge Leonard oversees administrative aspects of the Court and presides over cases. These administrative duties include overseeing the case management system, planning trainings for other Superior Court Judges, managing the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. Judge Leonard presides over civil and criminal cases. Civil matters before the Superior Court include divorce cases, title to land cases, and equity cases (involving remedies other than monetary damages). All criminal felony cases committed in Cobb County are tried by the Superior Court. 
- Previously, Judge Leonard served on the Cobb County State Court. As a State Court Judge, Judge Leonard presided over misdemeanor criminal cases, some civil matters, the hearing of applications for and the issuance of arrest and search warrants, some cases involving folks found in contempt of court, and traffic citations.
- Previously, Judge Leonard was an attorney in his own law practice. As an attorney, he practiced in both criminal law and civil litigation. Civil litigation involves actions brought to enforce, redress, or protect private rights.  Criminal cases involve individuals who have been formally accused of a crime.

Said, “Good judges don’t make the law, they apply it fairly it’s as written. Good judges treat people equally and consistently; a judge who only follows the law when it yields an outcome the judge thinks is fair will inevitably end up treating people unequally.”

Judge Leonard says he will strive to ensure everyone who appears before him leaves Court feeling they were treated fairly despite the outcome of their case.

- Said, “Good judges don’t make the law, they apply it fairly it’s as written. Good judges treat people equally and consistently; a judge who only follows the law when it yields an outcome the judge thinks is fair will inevitably end up treating people unequally.”
- Judge Leonard says he will strive to ensure everyone who appears before him leaves Court feeling they were treated fairly despite the outcome of their case.

Judge Leonard has instituted programs to provide legal education. These include

a Family Law Workshop where folks representing themselves can learn the process of divorce and child custody proceedings, educational programming on specific practice areas open to the public,, and free online legal research terminals open to the public.

Judge Leonard maintains a list of mediators to give parties the chance to resolve their issue prior to litigation.

Judge Leonard has “been a part of a lengthy unified case management selection process that has spanned several years, working with all of our stakeholders in the clerk’s office and other courts.” This software is in the process of being installed at the Superior Court.

Said, “I have made all the changes that I think needed to be made already and I am widely regarded in the bar as one of the most efficient judges.”

- Judge Leonard has instituted programs to provide legal education. These include
a Family Law Workshop where folks representing themselves can learn the process of divorce and child custody proceedings, educational programming on specific practice areas open to the public,, and free online legal research terminals open to the public.  
- Judge Leonard maintains a list of mediators to give parties the chance to resolve their issue prior to litigation. 
- Judge Leonard has “been a part of a lengthy unified case management selection process that has spanned several years, working with all of our stakeholders in the clerk’s office and other courts.” This software is in the process of being installed at the Superior Court. 
- Said, “I have made all the changes that I think needed to be made already and I am widely regarded in the bar as one of the most efficient judges.”

Judge Leonard is on the Tommy Nobis Center Board of Directors. The Center’s vision is to allow each person with a disability to reach his or her full potential.

Judge Leonard participates in the Cobb County Superior Court's "Court 2 You" program, which allows elementary school students to learn about the justice system.

- Judge Leonard is on the Tommy Nobis Center Board of Directors. The Center’s vision is to allow each person with a disability to reach his or her full potential. 
- Judge Leonard participates in the Cobb County Superior Court's "Court 2 You" program, which allows elementary school students to learn about the justice system.

Rob Leonard

- Georgia Superior Court Judges hear a wide range of criminal cases from petty theft and public drunkenness to murder. Some cases in front of the Georgia Superior Court involve the death penalty. 
- On the civil side, Superior Court Judges hear cases on divorce, titles to land, contract disputes, and premises liability. 
- Superior Court Judges are elected by judicial circuit. Each county surrounding Atlanta has its own judicial circuit, while rural judicial districts typically consist of multiple counties.
- Superior Court Judges are elected to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. The Governor can appoint Superior Court Judges when vacancies arise. 

Georgia Superior Court Judge, Cobb

Election results

Candidates (3)

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Ethics & Conduct

Legal Experience

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Community Involvement