Magistrates Retirement Fund: Mary Kathryn Moss

Mary and her husband Parks have two children. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Georgia and her Juris Doctor from Tulane University with a certificate in admiralty. She is a graduate of St. Vincent’s Academy in Savannah. 

Eastern Judicial Circuit of Georgia: Magistrate Court Judges

Before becoming Chief Magistrate, Mary was a partner at Ranitz, Mahoney, Mahoney, and Moss P.C. She also sat as Judge Pro Tem for the Recorder’s Court of Chatham County and the Municipal Courts of Port Wentworth and Garden City.  Judge Moss served as a law clerk.

Mary Moss has served as the Chief Magistrate of Chatham County since 2005. 

Earned her Juris Doctor cum laude from Tulane University.

Serves as a Chief Magistrate in Chatham County since 2005, where she presides over court proceedings, ensuring fairness and adherence to the law.

Specialized in civil litigation, real estate, and admiralty law as a partner at Ranitz, Mahoney, Mahoney & Moss.

Served as Judge Pro Tem for several courts, presiding over court proceedings, ruling on legal motions, and ensuring the fair administration of justice in temporary judicial appointments.

Conducted legal research, drafted memos, and provided support to judges in analyzing and deciding cases as a law clerk.

- Earned her Juris Doctor cum laude from Tulane University.
- Serves as a Chief Magistrate in Chatham County since 2005, where she presides over court proceedings, ensuring fairness and adherence to the law.
- Specialized in civil litigation, real estate, and admiralty law as a partner at Ranitz, Mahoney, Mahoney & Moss.
- Served as Judge Pro Tem for several courts, presiding over court proceedings, ruling on legal motions, and ensuring the fair administration of justice in temporary judicial appointments.
- Conducted legal research, drafted memos, and provided support to judges in analyzing and deciding cases as a law clerk.

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As of March 19, 2024, Mary Kathryn Moss’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Mary Kathryn Moss

Van’Nessa was born and raised in Savannah. She became her family's first four-year university graduate when she earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Savannah State University and later her law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. She and her husband, Jamar, live in Port Wentworth’s Lakeshore community and attend services at the First Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church.

Van'Nessa is the founder and owner of Lotson Law Group in Savannah.

Van'Nessa Bailey's campaign for Chief Magistrate is her first run for public office. 

As the owner of Lotson Law group, Bailey has dedicated her time to working with youths and adults with mental health disabilities.

As the recipient of Chatham County's indigent defense contract, Bailey provides legal representation to defendants with mental health disabilities as well as counsel in dependency and delinquency cases.

- As the owner of Lotson Law group, Bailey has dedicated her time to working with youths and adults with mental health disabilities.
- As the recipient of Chatham County's indigent defense contract, Bailey provides legal representation to defendants with mental health disabilities as well as counsel in dependency and delinquency cases.

As of March 19, 2024, Van'Nessa A'vion Bailey’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Promises to bring integrity, compassion, professionalism, and dedication to the office.

- Promises to bring integrity, compassion, professionalism, and dedication to the office.

Member of the Port City Bar Association, the Savannah Bar Association and the Chatham Regional Community Collaborative; involved with Breaking the Cycle, a mental health community group.

- Member of the Port City Bar Association, the Savannah Bar Association and the Chatham Regional Community Collaborative; involved with Breaking the Cycle, a mental health community group.

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Van'Nessa A'vion Bailey

- Magistrate Courts hear civil cases only in amounts less than $15,000. There are no jury trials in Magistrate Court. 
- Magistrate Courts hear landlord tenant dispossessory cases (i.e. a case where a landlord is seeking an eviction of their tenant) and can order evictions. 
- The Chief Magistrate can determine procedures for managing the cases in front of the Magistrate. For example, in Fulton County the Chief Magistrate informs parties in landlord tenant dispossessory cases on the benefits of mediation and provides on-site mediators to resolve landlord tenant disputes before the parties appear in front of the judge. 
- Magistrate Courts only have jurisdiction over their respective counties. Each county has its own magistrate court. Magistrate Court Judge term lengths vary per county, however most serve four year terms. Local Superior Court Judges set parameters for Magistrate Courts. 

Chatham Chief Magistrate

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