Lawton E. Stephens at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Current assignment
- Clarke County Superior Court
- Jurisdiction
- Georgia · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Lawton E. Stephens
Judge · Clarke County Superior Court
Judicial assignments
- Western Judicial CircuitJudgeSource checked October 15, 2026. Roster source 1 · Roster source 2
These published assignments do not certify a complete bench.
Biography
Professional career
- Lawton E. Stephens is a judge of the Western Judicial Circuit Superior Court in Georgia, serving since his 1991 appointment by Governor Zell Miller, and has held leadership roles including Chief Judge from 2002–2012
- Position: Judge, Western Judicial Circuit Superior Court (Athens-Clarke and Oconee Counties)
Education
Additional information
- In 2020, he received the Milner Ball Social Justice Award from the Athens Justice Coalition of Care
- Practiced law for 10 years, including 3 years with his father at Stephens & Stephens (1981–1991)
- He has also served on boards for the Boy Scouts of America, Athens Technical College, and various community foundations
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
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.
Uniform Superior, Juvenile, Magistrate, Municipal and Probate Court RulesSupreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules ↗
Statewide
For Georgia Superior Court proceedings, statewide Rule 22 governs recording devices and courtroom recording; counsel should confirm judge approval and courtroom conditions before using recording, photographic, or comparable electronic presentation equipment.
The new version will take effect on May 1, 2018.Supreme Court of Georgia, New Rule 22 approved for use of recording devices in courtrooms ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Uniform Superior Court Rules
Clarke County Superior Court; Oconee County Superior Court; Western Judicial Circuit
Superior Court proceedings. Collected April 9, 2026 compilation; amendments effective November 5, 2026 are future on this collection date and are not applied. 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 ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Sources
Identity source checked August 25, 2026.
Biography sources checked July 26, 2026.
Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules ↗Supreme Court of Georgia, New Rule 22 approved for use of recording devices in courtrooms
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Supreme Court of Georgia, New Rule 22 approved for use of recording devices in courtrooms ↗Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 25, 2026
View Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster ↗