---
title: "David P. Darden | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-p-darden-ga-municipal-58af020bce9168f520c4d63b"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-25"
---

# David P. Darden

Austell Municipal Court · Chief Judge

## Profile

- Court: Austell Municipal Court
- State: Georgia
- Role: Chief Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-08-25

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### electronic devices and recording

Scope: statewide

Georgia's class-specific Uniform Court Rules govern electronic devices and recording in state trial courts. Before using recording, photography, livestreaming, or similar courtroom technology, confirm the governing rule and the assigned court's procedure.

Evidence excerpt: Uniform Superior, Juvenile, Magistrate, Municipal and Probate Court Rules

[Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af020bce9168f520c4d63b/)
- [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af020bce9168f520c4d63b/)
- [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules)
- [Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/615ddcea562b67001e6cee14/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- He also held the role of city attorney for Austell and general counsel for the Cobb County Board of Ethics

### Education

- He graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1980 and later earned his J.D. from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1983

### Additional information

- Cobb County State Court Judge — Elected in 2003, served until April 30, 2021 held the role of Chief Judge and held leadership roles including president of the Council of State Court Judges, chairman of the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education, and board member of the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism Twice named Judge of the Year and Boss of the Year.
- In 2013, received the Doremus-Lawrence Award, the State Court Council’s highest honor
- Before joining the bench, Darden practiced law for 18 years, including with Smith, Eubanks, Smith & Darden and Talley & Darden
- After retiring from the judiciary, Darden continues as Judge David P. Darden, Darden Mediation
- Retired Georgia state court judge and registered mediator with over 40 years of legal experience, including more than 18 years serving on the State Court of Cobb County and as Judge of the Municipal Court of Austell
- handling personal injury, complex commercial disputes, real estate, and government liability cases.
- focusing on personal injury, wrongful death, and professional negligence cases.
- His mediation approach emphasizes listening, building trust, and offering perspective without coercion, drawing on his judicial experience to help parties assess risks and reach settlements
- David P. Darden is a native of Marietta, Georgia.



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Uniform Municipal Court Rules, December 31, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-9acfd5d59c7a383c114b177a) — Municipal Court proceedings, including expressly stated civil/criminal limitations. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://assets.georgiacourts.gov/2/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/01171708/UNIFORM-MUNICIPAL-COURT-RULES-12312025.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.