MARIETTA, Georgia, October 9, 2020 — Chief Magistrate Judge Brendan F. Murphy has appointed Judge Michael E. McLaughlin and Sonja N. Brown, Esq. to serve as full-time Magistrate Judges. Judge McLaughlin and Judge-designate Brown were selected after an open application and interview process from a competitive field of over thirty well-qualified candidates. The Cobb Superior Court judges unanimously confirmed Judge Murphy’s appointments, effective 1/1/2021.
“Both Mike and Sonja have the keen intellect, heart, and work ethic needed to thrive on the fast-paced Magistrate Court bench,” said Judge Murphy. “Their demeanor and character will ensure that people are truly heard and respected when it’s time for their day in court.”
He went on to emphasize how the two new full-time judges will strengthen the Magistrate Court team, noting that “Judge McLaughlin has been an important part of the Court’s firm foundation, and Judge-designate Brown’s experience will bring a fresh perspective to ensuring access to justice at the People’s Court.”
“This is the hard-working and caring team our community needs, especially during this difficult time of pandemic and economic disruption,” Judge Murphy said.
Judge McLaughlin and Judge-designate Brown will fill the vacancies created by Judge Kellie S. Hill’s recent election to the Superior Court bench and Judge Gerald Moore’s decision to leave the bench at the end of the year to pursue a new opportunity to serve.
The Magistrate Court operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year with a heavy criminal and civil caseload. Known as the People’s Court, the Court provides an easily accessible forum to resolve disputes for tens of thousands of self-represented litigants each year.
Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Sonja Natasha Brown, a native of Grand Bahama in The Bahamas, currently serves as the Director of Community Affairs at the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. There, she built and leads the Crime Strategies and Community Partnerships Unit.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to join this dynamic team,” said Judge-designate Brown, “and I thank Chief Judge Murphy for entrusting me with this opportunity to serve my Cobb County neighbors.”
Prior to her service at the DeKalb County DA’s Office, Ms. Brown was the Deputy Chief Assistant Solicitor-General in the DeKalb County Solicitor-General’s Office, where she headed up the Special Victims Unit and was responsible for community outreach. Ms. Brown has also served as Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit, where she prosecuted in the Crimes Against Women and Children Unit after serving as a Community Prosecutor and Director of the Offender Re-entry Program. Before entering public service, Ms. Brown began her legal career as an in-house corporate attorney.
Ms. Brown, who was born and grew up in Freeport, is the daughter of Valencia Bethel-Brown and the niece of Eddison “Ed” Bethel, the renowned Bahamian journalist and former diplomat. She is also the niece of retired distinguished educator Ann Bethel-Poitier.
