--- title: "Robert D. Leonard II | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-d-leonard-ii" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-09-06" --- # Robert D. Leonard II Cobb County Superior Court · Judge ## Profile - Court: Cobb County Superior 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. ## Biography ### Professional career - Elevated to the Superior Court in November 2012, where he is now the longest‐serving active judge and a former Chief Judge. - Judge Leonard was appointed to the Cobb County State Court in December 2010 by Governor Sonny Perdue and later to the Cobb Judicial Circuit Superior Court by Governor Nathan Deal on November 7, 2012, replacing George H. Kreeger - Superior Court judge, Georgia (Cobb Circuit) ### Education - the University of Kentucky College of Law in — J.D. (2000) ### Additional information - Leonard II has proudly served the citizens of Cobb County since his appointment to the State Court bench in December 2010. - He is also active in the Chamber of Commerce and is an alumnus of the Leadership Cobb Class of 2013 and Honorary Commanders Class of 2022 - received the Thomas A. Slaughter Award in 2020 for his service. - Judge Leonard has received numerous accolades, including the Thomas J. Charron Public Service Award, the Distinguished Judicial Service Award from the State Bar of Georgia’s YLD, and recognition as a Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2009 to 2011. - B.A. in Political Science (1997) - Over his tenure, he has been appointed by two different Governors and elected five times. - In addition to his regular docket, Judge Leonard presides over the Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court, widely recognized as a model program in Georgia. - Before taking the bench, he owned and operated a law practice in Marietta - Civic Involvement Judge Leonard has long been active in community service. - Before joining the bench, he ran a private law practice in Marietta, Georgia - focusing on criminal law and civil litigation, and appeared before approximately 100 different judges across state and federal courts - Committed to mentoring young lawyers and has served as a keynote speaker on professionalism for incoming law students through the Chief Justice’s Committee on Professionalism. - His daily appearances across Georgia—before more than 100 judges in state and federal courts—shaped his commitment to treating everyone with respect and running an efficient, professional courtroom. - He has been elected multiple times and has the distinction of being appointed by two different governors and elected by voters five times - As a member of the Council of Superior Court Judges, he serves on key committees including Pattern Jury Instructions, Uniform Rules, Court Security, and Court Technology, and Chairs the Automated Data Collection and Case Management Standards Subcommittee. - Teaching and Public Speaking Judge Leonard is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education programs for judges, lawyers, and paralegals on topics including technology, family law, criminal law, evidence, ethics, and professionalism. - Judge Leonard currently presides over the Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court and has held the role of Chief Judge for the Cobb Judicial Circuit. - He is active in the Council of Superior Court Judges, serving on committees including Pattern Jury Instructions, Uniform Rules, Court Security, and Court Technology, and chairs the Automated Data Collection and Case Management Standards Subcommittee. - He was also appointed by the Chief Justice of the Georgia Supreme Court as Chairman of the Judicial Council’s Standing Committee on Judicial Workload Assessment - Judge Leonard is deeply involved in civic activities. - He frequently engages with youth through mock trials, school visits, and speaking engagements on professionalism, ethics, and the impact of social media. - He has also been featured in publications such as Cobb Life Magazine’s “Top 20 under 40” and the Daily Report’s “On The Rise” awards ## 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 ### recording devices and courtroom access Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.gasupreme.us/new-rule-22/) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af023ece9168f520c4dd2a/) - [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af023ece9168f520c4dd2a/) - [Supreme Court of Georgia, court orders amending Uniform Trial Court Rules](https://www.gasupreme.us/rules/amendments-to-rules) - [Supreme Court of Georgia, New Rule 22 approved for use of recording devices in courtrooms](https://www.gasupreme.us/new-rule-22/) - [Judicial Council of Georgia Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af023ece9168f520c4dd2a/) - [Official court biography — Robert D. Leonard II](https://www.cobbcounty.gov/superior-court/superior-court-judges/honorable-robert-d-leonard-ii) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-d-leonard-ii", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-d-leonard-ii", "name": "Robert D. Leonard II | KnowJudges", "description": "Robert D. Leonard II, Cobb County Superior Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-09-06", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-d-leonard-ii#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-d-leonard-ii#judge", "name": "Robert D. 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