Superior Court Judge Robert S. Reeves of the Middle Judicial Circuit has been designated to serve in place of Justice Harold D. Melton in the appeal of Bianca Thrasher-Starobin v. Michael Starobin (S16A0537). The Supreme Court of Georgia will hear arguments in the case on Monday, March 7, 2016 during its 2:00 P.M. session. In this Fulton County divorce case, a woman who is representing herself is appealing a judge’s ruling that she must pay her ex-husband $6,000 for his legal costs. In addition to hearing arguments, Judge Reeves will participate in the Court’s decision.

Judge Reeves, 71, was elected to the Superior Court of the Middle Judicial Circuit in November 2006 and began serving Jan. 1, 2007. He has been re-elected twice. The Middle Circuit includes Candler, Toombs, Emanuel, Jefferson and Washington counties. Prior to his election he served four years as a Judge Advocate in the United States Air Force and was in the private practice of law I Swainsboro for 33 years. Judge Reeves served as president of the Emanuel County Bar Association and the Middle Circuit Bar Association. He was appointed by then Gov. Sonny Perdue to serve on the Judicial Nominating Commission, and he now serves on the Uniform Rules Committee and the Pattern Jury Charge Committee of the Council of Superior Court Judges. Judge Reeves founded and serves as judge for the first drug court in the Middle Judicial Circuit.

Judge Reeves was a founding director of The Sunshine House Child Abuse Prevention Center, is a past president of the Swainsboro Exchange Club and the Swainsboro Jaycees, and has been named outstanding member of the year in both. He was also named Georgia Jaycee of the Year. A Methodist, Judge Reeves sings in the Chancel Choir, teaches Sunday school, and has served in a variety of positions on the church council. He is currently serving on the East Georgia State College Foundation Board and the Board of the Herrington Homestead Sheriff’s Youth Home.

Judge Reeves received a B.A. degree from Emory University and a Juris Doctor, with honors, from Emory University Law School, where he was an editor on the law review. He was recognized for academic excellence by admission to the Bryan Society and The Order of the Coif.

Judge Reeves and his wife, Daisy, live in Swainsboro and have three children and four grandchildren. Judge Reeves is an avid hunter and fisherman, enjoys growing daylilies and other flowers, and regularly travels to wherever Daisy wants to go.

(Designated judges are appointed when a justice must recuse himself or herself from a particular case. The Supreme Court of Georgia maintains a list of judges from around the state and when the need arises, the Court appoints the next judge on the list.)