Timothy Ezell
Chief Operations Officer & Chief Deputy Clerk
Atlanta Judicial Circuit (Fulton County, Georgia)
20 Superior Court & 30 Magistrate Judges
NACM member since 2013
What interested you in a career in court management?
I was drawn to court management because of the opportunity to make a real difference in how justice is administered day-to-day. Courts are where people experience government at its most personal and impactful. I wanted to be part of the work that ensures those experiences are fair, efficient, and accessible. The chance to combine leadership, innovation, and service to the public was what motivated me, and it continues to drive me today.
As an innovative court leader, you creatively manage all types of matters. What has been the most challenging, and how did you handle it? What has been the most rewarding?
The most challenging moments have come when long-standing systems no longer met the needs of the public or our staff, but change was resisted because “we’ve always done it this way.” Handling those challenges required balancing respect for tradition with a clear vision for modernization. I found success by engaging stakeholders early, creating pilot projects, and showing how change improves outcomes.
The most rewarding part has been watching the people I lead grow into leaders themselves. Seeing a deputy clerk or manager take ownership of a project and implement something that transforms service delivery is one of the greatest privileges of leadership.
You’ve led the charge in bringing NACM CORE® curriculum training to the Georgia Council of Court Administrators members. How did you accomplish this?
The idea was brought to us by one of our council members and Education Chair, who also serves on the NACM CORE® committee. Through that suggestion, we were able to secure a central location with a courthouse training room. NACM provided the trainers, and we structured a two-part training that covered all 13 CORE® competencies. Our council covered the meals (breakfast, lunch, and snacks) to ensure participants could focus fully on learning.
Attendees who completed the first phase of training earned their NACM CORE® Explorer Certificate, and those who completed both phases and their Skills Reinforcement Training (SRT) qualified as NACM CORE® Champions. We were able to provide this opportunity to more than 70 of our members at no cost, which ties directly into our mission as a council: to develop, support, and equip Georgia’s court administrators with the tools and knowledge they need to excel.
What other legacies are you leaving as the Immediate Past President of the Georgia Council of Court Administrators?
I am proud of several legacies during my term as President that reflect both growth and sustainability for the Council, including:
- Launching the Executive Certificate program, which requires members to complete 250 hours of training at our conferences. Our conferences are built around the NACM CORE® Competencies, ensuring participants develop well-rounded skills that align with national standards.
- Providing NACM CORE® training at no cost to more than 70 of our council members, giving them the opportunity to earn CORE® Explorer and CORE® Champion designations while building capacity across the state.
- Expanding the capacity of our conferences to accommodate more members and provide richer, competency-driven content.
- Receiving recognition for our profession through a proclamation by our Governor, a resolution presented by our state senate, and a proclamation by the City of Savannah.
- Launching free virtual training that provided court administrators and professionals across the state with access to professional development at no cost.
- Strengthening statewide partnerships and communication strategies to keep members connected and engaged.
Each of these legacies strengthens our profession and positions GCCA to lead for years to come.
What is your favorite way to wind down?
For me, nothing clears the mind and restores perspective like being on the water. I love fishing, especially deep-sea fishing. I also enjoy relaxing on the beach. Both give me the opportunity to unplug, reflect, and recharge so that I can bring my best energy back to the important work of serving our courts and communities.
ABOUT THE EDITOR
Carlene Redmond is a court program administrator, Juvenile Court Unit, Restorative Programs Division, Cobb County, Georgia.
