Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "1995 Graduate of Widener University School of Law"

Believes in honoring the trust of Augusta citizens through dedicated legal service, from early prosecution to private practice and Juvenile Court Judge, now seeks support for Superior Court Judge role.

The candidate's website says, "Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice, Troy University (2001-2010)"

Taught as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Troy University from 2001 to 2010.

The candidate's website says, "Juvenile Court Judge, Augusta Judicial Circuit Court (2007-2012)"

Served as a juvenile court judge on the Augusta Judicial Circuit Court from 2007 to 2012.

The candidate's website says, "Assistant District Attorney, Augusta Judicial Circuit Court (1996-2003)"

Served as Assistant District Attorney on the Augusta Judicial Circuit Court from 1996 to 2003.

The candidate's website says, "Private Practice --- Family law, criminal law, probate matters and civil litigation (2003-2022)"

Worked in private practice from 2003 to 2022, litigating in family law, criminal law, probate matters and civil litigation.

The candidate's website says, "Richmond County Juvenile Court Public Defender (2004-2006)"

Served as a public defender on the Richmond County Juvenile Court from 2004 to 2006.

The candidate's website says, "Drug Court Public Defender, Richmond Couty Accountability Courts (2015-2022)"

Served as a drug court public defender on the Richmond County Accountability Courts from 2015-2022.

The candidate's website says, "Public Defender, Burke County State Court (2018-2022)"

Served as a public defender on the Burke County State Court from 2018 to 2022.

The candidate's website says, "Columbia County Misdemeanor Public Defender (2004-2006)"

Served as a misdemeanor public defender in Columbia County from 2004 to 2006.

The candidate's website says, "Chief Juvenile Judge, Augusta Judicial Circuit Court (2022 to present)"

Has served as the Chief Juvenile Judge on the Augusta Judicial Circuit Court since 2022.

- Taught as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Troy University from 2001 to 2010.
- Served as a juvenile court judge on the Augusta Judicial Circuit Court from 2007 to 2012.
- Served as Assistant District Attorney on the Augusta Judicial Circuit Court from 1996 to 2003.
- Worked in private practice from 2003 to 2022, litigating in family law, criminal law, probate matters and civil litigation.
- Served as a public defender on the Richmond County Juvenile Court from 2004 to 2006.
- Served as a drug court public defender on the Richmond County Accountability Courts from 2015-2022.
- Served as a public defender on the Burke County State Court from 2018 to 2022.
- Served as a misdemeanor public defender in Columbia County from 2004 to 2006.
- Has served as the Chief Juvenile Judge on the Augusta Judicial Circuit Court since 2022.

Legal Experience

Said, "If we believe your actions are inconsistent with the spirit or language of our user agreements or policies, or to protect the rights, property, and safety of the campaign, its volunteers, constituents, or others"

As of March 19, 2024, Willie Saunders’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Said, "To solicit volunteers, donations and support for the Campaign and for other candidates, issues and organizations that we support and to connect you with other volunteers"

The candidate's website says, "Communicate with you about the campaign, such as sending you information to keep you informed about various issues, events, activities, and volunteer opportunities, and provide news and information we think will be of interest to you"

The candidate's website says, "President, Board of Directors, Neighborhood Improvement Corporation (2013-2017)"

Served as the President of the Board of Directors of the Neighborhood Improvement Corporation from 2013 to 2017.

Serves on the Board of Directors of the Martinez-Evans Little League.

Serves as a trustee of the First Metropolitan Baptist Church.

- Served as the President of the Board of Directors of the Neighborhood Improvement Corporation from 2013 to 2017.
- Serves on the Board of Directors of the Martinez-Evans Little League.
- Serves as a trustee of the First Metropolitan Baptist Church.

Community Involvement

Instagram

Facebook

Willie Saunders

Said, "I am a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the State Bar of South Carolina, ... and the Augusta Bar Association. I served as President of the Augusta..."

Said, "I have been practicing law in the state of Georgia since 1985 and in the state of South Carolina since 1986. I handle personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, and criminal defense."

- Said, "I have been practicing law in the state of Georgia since 1985 and in the state of South Carolina since 1986. I handle personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, and criminal defense."

As of March 19, 2024, Charles Lyons’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The candidate's website says, "Involved in Mentoring & Youth Programs for over a Decade"

Has been involved in mentoring & youth Programs for over a Decade.

Said, "My primary interest involves serving the community, which includes mentoring youth, volunteering for community projects, and providing legal services for underserved citizens."

Believes in community uplift, a core value of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., demonstrated through leadership roles and ongoing advisory service within the fraternity at Augusta University.

Has been a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. since 1976 and has held many leadership roles, including Basileus/President, Vice-Basileus, Georgia State Counselor, and current Undergraduate Advisor for Omega Eta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at Augusta University. 

Said, "Association of African American Attorneys (ACAAA) for over ten years. I am a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)."

Member of the Association of African American Attorneys (ACAAA)  and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

- Said, "My primary interest involves serving the community, which includes mentoring youth, volunteering for community projects, and providing legal services for underserved citizens."
- Has been a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. since 1976 and has held many leadership roles, including Basileus/President, Vice-Basileus, Georgia State Counselor, and current Undergraduate Advisor for Omega Eta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. at Augusta University. 
- Member of the Association of African American Attorneys (ACAAA)  and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Charles Lyons

Matson Law Firm

Clerked for Superior Court Judges J. Carlisle Overstreet and Carl C. Brown, Jr., who modeled judicial temperament and genuine respect for everyone who entered the courtroom.

Prosecuted in the Richmond County Solicitor’s Office, where he tried jury trials and learned how to juggle an incredible caseload.

Served as in-house counsel for two high-profile businesses and "worked through the complexities of hospital billing, coordination of benefits, and the Medicare Secondary Payer Act on behalf of large hospital systems."

Worked for a multi-faceted real estate development company for whom he traveled around the Southeast working tax appeals, zoning regulations, property disputes, and litigation involving large corporations.

Represents people who have been injured, businesses that are in need of a lawyer, and people charged with criminal offenses. He is licensed in Georgia and North Carolina.

- Clerked for Superior Court Judges J. Carlisle Overstreet and Carl C. Brown, Jr., who modeled judicial temperament and genuine respect for everyone who entered the courtroom.
- Prosecuted in the Richmond County Solicitor’s Office, where he tried jury trials and learned how to juggle an incredible caseload.
- Served as in-house counsel for two high-profile businesses and "worked through the complexities of hospital billing, coordination of benefits, and the Medicare Secondary Payer Act on behalf of large hospital systems."
- Worked for a multi-faceted real estate development company for whom he traveled around the Southeast working tax appeals, zoning regulations, property disputes, and litigation involving large corporations.
- Represents people who have been injured, businesses that are in need of a lawyer, and people charged with criminal offenses. He is licensed in Georgia and North Carolina.

Believes in treating every person with the dignity and respect they deserve, fairly applying the law, ensuring everyone's voice is heard, and always doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.

- Believes in treating every person with the dignity and respect they deserve, fairly applying the law, ensuring everyone's voice is heard, and always doing the right thing, even when no one is looking.

As of March 19, 2024, Matt Matson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

LinkedIn

Matt Matson

- 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. 