---
title: "T. Russell McClelland | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/t-russell-mcclelland-ga-state-58af022ace9168f520c4da7a"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-25"
---

# T. Russell McClelland

Forsyth County State Court · Chief Judge

## Profile

- Court: Forsyth County State 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/58af022ace9168f520c4da7a/)
- [Official roster](https://georgiacourts.knack.com/gcd2/#directory-entries/entry-details/58af022ace9168f520c4da7a/)
- [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/58af022ace9168f520c4da7a/)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge McClelland has served on the Forsyth County State Court since his appointment by Governor Sonny Perdue in 2003, and has been re‐elected by voters
- Former partner at Dreger & McClelland
- The Chief Judge of the Forsyth County State Court in Georgia, presiding over Division B cases from Courtroom 401 in Cumming, GA

### Education


### Additional information

- He is admitted to the Georgia Bar (1982) and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit (1998)
- handling commercial, real estate, criminal, family, employment, and other legal matters
- Before judicial service, he was a trial attorney in private practice and held the role of Chief Assistant District Attorney for the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit