---
title: "John M. Stephenson | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-m-stephenson-ga-state-60252e91d17a02001d0f82b3"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-25"
---

# John M. Stephenson

Dougherty County State Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Dougherty County State Court
- State: Georgia
- Role: 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/60252e91d17a02001d0f82b3/)
- [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/60252e91d17a02001d0f82b3/)
- [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/60252e91d17a02001d0f82b3/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- The Judge of Dougherty State Court, having been appointed by Governor Nathan Deal in October 2018 and sworn in on November 7, 2018
- Prior to this role, he held the role of a Magistrate Court Judge for Dougherty County from June 29, 2015, to 2018.

### Education

- He then received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1984, serving on the Editorial Board of the Georgia Law Review
- B.A., magna cum laude, from Vanderbilt University in 1981, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

### Additional information

- He has been a member of the Georgia Bar since June 1984 and practiced law for over three decades at Watson, Spence, Lowe & Chambless, becoming a partner in 1989
- He held the role of President of the Albany Rotary Club (2019–2020), Vice President of the Georgia Society of the Cincinnati, and on the boards of the Southwest Georgia Easter Seal Society, Georgia Easter Seal Society, Goodwill of Southwest Georgia, and the Albany Symphony Association.
- Beyond the courtroom, Judge Stephenson has held leadership roles in numerous organizations.
- He also contributed to education through two terms on the Board of Trustees of Deerfield-Windsor School and participation in the Head of School Search Committee
- During his judicial career, Stephenson has been active in professional committees, including the Council of Magistrate Court Judges Rules Committee and the State Bar of Georgia's Investigative Panel.
- He is also a member of the Dougherty Circuit Bar Association and the Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Georgia