Pierce County resident and Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney Marilyn Bennett has made history.
Bennett was named as Superior Court Judge for the Waycross Judicial Circuit Monday and becomes the first woman to hold the position in the circuit.
Governor Brian Kemp made the announcement Monday afternoon.
Word of the appointment leaked Friday and was published on a Douglas news website, but The Times received official word of the appointment from the governor’s press office Monday afternoon.
Bennett and Bacon County State Court Judge and Attorney William J. “Sam” Edgar were named as finalists for the position in August.
Bennett
Judge Gillis retired February 5 after serving 25 years on the bench, including the last 18 as chief judge. Judge Jeffrey Kight succeeded him as chief judge since he has the most seniority. Gillis’ position on the bench is vacant, however.
Bennett and Edgar were interviewed by the Georgia Judicial Nominating Commission last month and the commission recommended them to Governor Brian Kemp.
Governor Kemp then conducted interviews with Bennett and Edgar and made the appointment.
Bennett currently serves as district attorney for the Waycross Judicial Circuit in 2022 and is running unopposed for a second term in this year’s election.
Bennett will fill the position left vacant by the February resignation and retirement of Chief Judge Dwayne Gillis.
Prior to being elected District Attorney, she was as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Waycross office, serving as the lead trial attorney on major felony cases. Before working in Waycross, Bennett prosecuted in the Brunswick Judicial Circuit and in central Florida, where she handled a range of felony, misdemeanor, and juvenile offenses. During this time, she developed a strong passion for prosecuting crimes against children.
Additionally, Bennett worked as a civil attorney in both Georgia and Florida, focusing on family law, contracts, civil litigation and alternative dispute resolution. She has also served as a court-appointed guardian ad litem.
Originally from Mississippi, Bennett graduated with honors from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2006 and from the University of Mississippi School of Law with a Juris Doctor in 2008. She and her husband of 18 years, Jim, a Pierce County native, have three children. They are active members of First Baptist Church. Bennett is a member of the Waycross Exchange Club and Waycross Bar Association, an organization for local attorneys.
With Bennett’s appointment to the bench, the Waycross Judicial Circuit’s District Attorney position is now vacant.
A special election or gubernatorial appointment will fill that position. There is no word on when that will take place.
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