The Hall County State Court formally celebrated Judge Kelley Martin Robertson Thursday afternoon before a large audience of family, friends and state officials.
Several court judges and county officials spoke to the character of Judge Robertson during the robing ceremony, as they detailed her long and storied history serving the county. Chief Judge Kathlene Gosselin specifically commented on the long path Robertson has navigated to land her new position.
“I’ve been a judge since January of 1987, so for a very long time,” Gosselin said. “One of the fun things about being a judge for so long is to see the people that came to you early in their career, and where they’ve gone … and Kelley was my law clerk 20-something years ago.”
Gosselin went on to share some judicial advice, as the newly appointed Judge Robertson requested of those speaking during the event.
“Always remember that it is a great responsibility to be a judge,” Gosselin said. “And you have people that are in the courtroom that work with you and for you and are participants, either voluntarily or not voluntarily. And they deserve respect as well.”
Judge Robertson previously served as the Chief Assistant District Attorney in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit since 2005. Before that, she held a staff position within the same circuit.
Robertson attended the University of Georgia School of Law, obtaining a Juris Doctor, as well as Emory University, where she got a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology.
“It's overwhelming,” Robertson said. “I'm very humbled and honored to have this opportunity to serve the people of Hall County. I meant what I said when I said I grew up in this courthouse watching great judges administer justice and do the right thing every day. And I hope to emulate them and follow in their footsteps and take all the things I learned from practicing in front of them and then serve the people by being fair, getting cases to court quickly and ensuring that justice gets done in State Court.”
