Faculty
Jason E. Ashford
Jason E. Ashford is the State Court Judge for Houston County, Georgia, where he was elected in November, 2010 and re-elected without opposition in 2014. As State Court Judge, he presides over civil and criminal jury trials and is a vocal advocate for mediation, court technology and docket efficiency. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Ashford was a felony prosecutor for over a decade.
He was the District Attorney and Chief Assistant District Attorney in Houston County, where he was responsible for prosecuting serious violent felonies and homicides. Prior to being named Chief Assistant, he helped create and was the first head of the Houston County Special Victims Unit, where he specialized in prosecuting both crimes against children and domestic violence. He was an adjunct professor for 17 years for Middle Georgia State University specializing in Computer Law and taught Government Contracting for several years at Georgia College and State University. He is the author of many articles in academic and practitioner publications, and travels regularly to speak on effective litigation, judicial ethics, and technology in and out of the courtroom. He is on the faculty or taught for many organizations, including the American Law Institute, the American Institute for Justice, and the National Judicial College.
Prior to becoming a prosecutor, Judge Ashford was an active duty officer in the U.S. Air Force, and served as Comptroller and Support Flight Commander for the 5th Combat Communications Group at Robins Air Force Base. While in the 5th, he was responsible for group logistics, civil engineering, supply, equipment issue, and transportation. After serving as an active duty officer, he then joined the Georgia Air National Guard, where he was the Commander of the 116th Security Forces Squadron for the 116th Air Control Wing, heading a 60-person unit.
Judge Ashford holds a Bachelor of Science in economics and a Juris Doctorate, both from Florida State University. He is a former President of the Warner Robins Optimist Club and the Houston County Bar Association, and is active in community and philanthropic organizations. He and his wife Tina occasionally write a computer column, TechnoFiles. They enjoy horseback riding, tennis, and outdoor activities. Together they have one son, Ryan.
Jim Douglas
Judge Jim Douglas currently presides over the Eleventh Family Court Circuit in Kanawha County, where he has served since his election in 2016 and was re-elected in 2024. A native of Braxton County, he holds a B.A., magna cum laude, from Morris Harvey College (now the University of Charleston, 1973), and both an M.A. in German History and Literature (1975) and a J.D. (1977) from West Virginia University. Prior to his judicial career, he practiced family and divorce law as a solo attorney and served as prosecuting attorney for Braxton County from 1985 to 1988. Judge Douglas has been a faculty member for the Lawyer Education Institute in Colorado and remains affiliated with the American Bar Association Family Law Section and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Outside the courtroom, he resides in Charleston and enjoys skiing, scuba diving, boating, and walking his dog, Aspen.
Leslie G. Johnson
Judge Leslie G. Johnson is retired as the Director of the Mississippi Judicial College, a position which he held from July 1992 until July 2006. Prior to assuming directorship of the college, Honorable Leslie G. Johnson served as Administrative Director of Courts for the State of Alabama.
He served the State of Alabama as Circuit Judge for fourteen years and prior to that he served as deputy district attorney for six years. He received his B.A. degree from Vanderbilt University, his M.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama, his Juris Doctor from Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, and his LL.M. from the University of Mississippi.
Judge Johnson also served as the Director of the American Academy of Judicial Education from April 1997 to February 2003 and served as Director of Off-Campus Programming for the National Judicial College from February 2003 to October 2005. He currently has a private law practice in Florence, Alabama.
Barbara McDermott
Judge Barbara McDermott serves on the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas (First Judicial District of Pennsylvania) and has been assigned to the homicide program for ten years.
She serves on various committees of the First Judicial District (FJD), and chairs the Jury Committee. She also represents the FJD on the executive committee of the PA Conference of State Trial Judges (PCSTJ) and is co-chair of the Criminal Law Section.
Judge McDermott has previously served as the National Association of Women Judges’ District Director for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. She has also served as co-chair of the Women Judges’ Initiative of the FJD, developed a Trans-Competency training curriculum for the FJD, and moderated judicial presentations at the women’s prison in Philadelphia.
She is a member of the executive committee of the Philadelphia Criminal Law Inn of Court and is a Board Member of the Urban Resources Development Corporation (a faith-based housing non-profit organization).
Judge McDermott lectures frequently for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, judges moot court competitions, and has taught at Arcadia University in Philadelphia. Judge McDermott guest lectures at numerous colleges and law schools as well as developing and presenting at biannual judicial educational programs for trial and appellate judges in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
She was a criminal defense trial attorney (1990-2011); law clerk, Court of Common Pleas (1990-2001); Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia (1984-1990); Assistant Counsel and Special Deputy Attorney General, Department of Environmental Resources, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (1980-1984). Judge McDermott is a graduate of Georgetown University Law Center and Seton Hill University.
Daniel D. Narum
Judge Narum was appointed to the District Court Bench in 2006, elected in 2008, reelected in 2010 and 2016. He serves as the Presiding Judge of the Southeast Judicial District administering judicial services to 14 counties containing vast stretches of sparsely populated agricultural land and 3 of North Dakota’s population centers, with a team of just 7 judges. Judge Narum is a general jurisdiction trial judge with unlimited civil jurisdiction, as well as Family, Juvenile and Probate Court dockets. His criminal court docket includes misdemeanor and felony matters.
Judge Narum chairs the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee of the North Dakota Supreme Court which provides ethics opinions to judges. He also serves on the Administrative Counsel of the North Dakota Supreme Court and has previously served on the Juvenile Policy Board, Court Technology Committee and the Judicial Planning Commission. Judge Narum served as the President of the North Dakota Judges Association 2012-13.
Judge Narum has provided continuing legal education on a wide range of topics including, Civil Practice, Ethics, Family Law, and Firearms in the Courtroom.
Prior to taking the bench he was a partner at Kessel Splitt & Narum, PC in LaMoure ND where his practice areas included real estate, probate, business and telecommunications law. In addition to private practice, Judge Narum served as State’s Attorney for LaMoure County until his appointment to the bench. He also served as State Judge Advocate for the North Dakota American Legion.
He is a 1999 graduate of the University North Dakota School of Law and a 1996 graduate of North Dakota State University. He served in the United States Navy 1987-90 and Naval Reserve 1990-91.
Judge Narum is a member of the State Bar Association of North Dakota and licensed to practice all North Dakota Courts and the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.
Judge Narum lives in LaMoure, ND with his wife Caroline Homan, 12 year old son Asher and 10 year old daughter Ellery. He serves his small community as an active member of the Lion’s Club and American Legion and served as a volunteer fireman for 12 years. He is an avid outdoorsman, hunter and horseman. He is an archery, shotgun and outdoor survival instructor for 4-H and has served as a volunteer Hunter Education instructor for the North Dakota Game and Fish Department for more than 20 years.
Jack F. Nevin
Jack F. Nevin is a recently retired Superior Court Judge in Tacoma Washington. Judge Nevin is retired from the Army Reserve where he holds the rank of Brigadier General. In his last duty position he held a “dual hatted” position, serving as Chief Judge of the US Army Court of Criminal Appeals and Commander US Army Reserve Legal Command (Provisional). His Army career included duty in Asia, Europe, Central America, South America, Africa, and the Balkan Peninsula. In 2009 he was awarded the Army’s Distinguished Service Medal.
In 2001 Judge Nevin served as Presiding Judge for the Detention Review Commission, United Nations Command, Kosovo. In 2002 he assisted the government of El Salvador in establishing its first victim witness assistance program. Most recently, Judge Nevin has focused his effort in the areas of post conflict governance, where in both civilian and military roles he has worked in areas ranging from the development of ethnically neutral bar examinations in Kosovo, to judicial training in Bosnia-Herzegovina and former Soviet Union. In 2005 he assisted the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina in development of a new criminal code. He has lectured in Argentina on the development of Public Disclosure legislation and in Africa on the successful prosecution of government corruption. His most recent endeavors have included contributing to a long term project on reconstruction of the Iraqi Court System. In 2009-2011 he lectured on issues of public corruption in Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Chad.
Judge Nevin is a 1996 graduate of the Air War College and 1998 graduate of the Army War College. He currently serves on the board of advisors of the National Institute of Military Justice through which he provides guidance and assistance to both the legislative and executive branches of government on a host of military law issues. In this capacity he also serves as a trial observer at the Office of Military Commissions, Military Tribunals Guantanamo Bay Cuba.
Judge Nevin has lectured throughout the United States on a host of subjects focusing primarily on trial practice and the rules of evidence. He serves as faculty for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and the Washington State Judicial College. Judge Nevin has taught on the undergraduate and graduate level for approximately thirty years. Currently, he serves as an Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy and Military Law at the Seattle University School of Law, Adjunct Professor Kessler Edison Trial Advocacy Program at Emory University School of Law and Lecturer Humanitarian Law Catholic University of Lublin, Poland. Judge Nevin has lectured and published extensively in subjects ranging from military retirement benefits as community property to post conflict governance and the international law implications of military tribunals. He has written Montana’s Real Property Forfeiture Statute: Will it Pass Constitutional Muster? Volume 54 No. 1 Montana Law Review, Winter 1993, Tellevik v. Real Property: Washington’s Constitutional Dilemma Volume 29 No. 2 of the Gonzaga Law Review, Spring 1994, Conviction, Confrontation and Crawford; Gang Expert Testimony as Testimonial Hearsay Vol. 34 Seattle University Law Review Spring 2011 and Neither A Model of Clarity Nor A Model Statute: An Analysis of The History, Challenges, and Suggested Changes To the “New” Article 120 Volume 67 Air Force Law Review 2011.
Judge Nevin holds a BA from Washington State University and an MBA\J.D. from Gonzaga University.
Eric Norris
Judge Norris was born in Athens, Georgia and grew up in the Normaltown and Forrest Heights neighborhoods. While in Athens he attended Oglethorpe Elementary School. At age 11, he moved to the family farm in Oconee County after the death of his grandfather. Judge Norris attended and graduated from Oconee County High School. During his senior year of high school, Judge Norris was recommended by State Senator Paul Broun (D) for the prestigious Georgia Military Scholarship. After receiving his undergraduate degree in Finance from North Georgia College in Dahlonega in 1990 and his Juris Doctor from Regent University in Virginia in 1994, Judge Norris returned to Western Circuit and opened a private law practice on Main Street in Watkinsville.
In 1996, Judge Norris married his best friend, Jennifer Stewart. They have two children, son Caleb and daughter Greer. Jennifer is native Athenian and a Double Dawg graduate of the University of Georgia. After completing her music degree and master’s degree, Jennifer taught orchestra at Clarke Middle School and Clarke Central High School. She is the owner of Athena Quartet, and has played for many of your weddings and special events in the Athens area.
In 1996, Judge Norris started a general law practice in both civil and criminal cases that gave the foundational building blocks for the types of cases litigated in the Magistrate, Probate and Superior Courts of the States. Judge Norris has served the community as Chief Magistrate Judge (11 years), Lieutenant Colonel in the Georgia Army National Guard (34 years) and in private law practice (20 years). In 2016, Judge Norris was appointed to the Superior Court Bench and in 2018 Judge Norris was elected to the Superior Court Bench and re-elected in 2022.
Judge Norris serves in numerous legal, civic and military roles. He has served as President of the Western Judicial Bar Association, and further served on: the 10th District Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Western Circuit Public Defender Supervisory Committee, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court’s Workload Assessment Committee, Council of Magistrate Court Judges, Council of Superior Court Judges and Presiding Judge of the Western Judicial Circuit Treatment and Accountability Court. Judge Norris, has served as President of the Oconee County Rotary Club, graduate of Leadership Oconee, Oconee State Bank Citizens Advisory Board, North Oconee High School Mock Trial Coach, and Judge for the Georgia Mock Trial competitions.
Presently, Judge Norris has served over 30 years in the Georgia Army National Guard as Signal Officer, Field Artillery Officer and Inspector General. He has held command from Company level to Battalion Command. In addition, Judge Norris has received numerous military awards to include the Meritorious Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal.
Michael F. Leavitt
Judge Michael F. Leavitt was appointed to the Fifth District Juvenile Court in 2014 by Governor Gary R. Herbert, serving the communities of Beaver, Iron, and Washington Counties. With over two decades of legal experience, Judge Leavitt is actively involved in shaping judicial administration and policy. He currently is a member of the Utah State Courts Judicial Council and serves on the Legislative Liaison Committee. He previously served on the Board of Juvenile Court Judges—which he chaired from 2020 to 2021—and offered his expertise to the Utah Supreme Court Standing Committee on the Rules of Evidence from 2022-2025, as well as the Juvenile Court Detention Risk Assessment Tool workgroup. Deeply committed to ensuring equal access to justice, he also dedicated six years to the Language Access Committee, serving a term as its chair.
Prior to joining the bench, Judge Leavitt spent 12 years as an attorney with the law firm Durham Jones & Pinegar (formerly Snow Nuffer). His extensive service to the legal community includes roles as a Bar Commissioner with the Utah State Bar and as President of the Southern Utah Bar Association. Judge Leavitt earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law in 2002.
Percy L. Lynchard Jr.
Chancellor Percy L. Lynchard Jr. has been a distinguished member of Mississippi’s judiciary since he assumed office on January 1, 1995, serving the 3rd Chancery District, which includes DeSoto and surrounding counties. He earned his B.S.E. in social sciences from Delta State University and his J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law. Before his tenure as chancellor, Judge Lynchard practiced general law in Hernando, served as municipal judge for the city of Hernando, and held the position of DeSoto County prosecuting attorney. With over twenty-six years as a chancellor, he brings deep experience in chancery matters, including family law and estate issues
Mark Anthony Scott
Judge Mark Anthony Scott has left an indelible mark on the legal landscape during his tenure as a judge of the Georgia 4th Superior Court District Stone Mountain Circuit. Although he concluded his term on January 18, 2023, his contributions and dedication to justice continue to resonate within the legal community. Earning the trust and support of the electorate, Judge Scott successfully secured re-election for the position of judge in the Georgia 4th Superior Court District Stone Mountain Circuit in the general election held on June 9, 2020. This victory underscored the confidence placed in his abilities to uphold the law with fairness and impartiality.
Judge Scott’s educational background includes an undergraduate degree from California State University at Fresno and a Juris Doctorate from Howard University. Admitted to the Georgia bar in 1986, he embarked on a successful career in private practice, honing his legal skills and expertise. Throughout his career, Judge Scott has been recognized for his exceptional contributions to the legal profession. He served as a Board Member of the Georgia Public Defender Standards Council, demonstrating his commitment to upholding the principles of justice and ensuring equal access to legal representation. Additionally, he served as both President and Board Member of the DeKalb Bar Association, further highlighting his dedication to legal advocacy and community engagement.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Judge Scott is an active member of the esteemed Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, where he has made significant contributions. In 2007, he was honored with the prestigious Elder Watson Diggs Award, a testament to his commitment to service and excellence.
Judge Mark Anthony Scott’s tenure as a judge of the Georgia 4th Superior Court District Stone Mountain Circuit exemplified his unwavering commitment to justice, fairness, and legal excellence. His notable achievements, coupled with his involvement in various legal associations, reflect his deep-rooted passion for upholding the law and serving the community. Although his time in office has concluded, his legacy as a respected jurist and legal advocate will endure, inspiring future generations in the pursuit of justice.
W. Allan Sharrett
Judge W. Allan Sharrett is a retired Circuit Court Judge of Virginia’s Sixth Judicial Circuit. He earned his B.A. from the College of William and Mary in 1974 and his J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law in 1977. During his time on the bench, Judge Sharrett was known for his evenhanded approach and commitment to integrity in the courtroom, earning the respect of his peers and the broader legal community. Although now retired, he continues to be honored for his longstanding dedication to the rule of law and public service.
Michelle Thomason
Judge Michelle M. Thomason was appointed by Governor Bob Riley in 2006 and served nearly 19 years as Presiding District Judge in Baldwin County, Alabama. During her tenure, she was specially designated to hear Circuit Court cases involving family law matters such as divorce, custody, and Protection from Abuse petitions. She also handled criminal and traffic dockets, including all misdemeanor domestic violence cases in the county, and founded the Baldwin County Veterans Treatment Court in 2014.
In January 2025, she retired from full-time judicial service; however, she continues to serve the judiciary as an active-retired special judge, continuing to preside over the Veterans’ Court that she founded, and being available for assignment as needed under Alabama court rules.
She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Mobile in 1992 and her Juris Doctor from Tulane Law School in 1995. Before her judicial appointment, she practiced civil and family law for over a decade as a partner at Pearson, Cummins & Hart.
Judge Thomason has held numerous statewide leadership roles, including Past President of the Alabama District Judges Association, and served on various state-wide judicial committees. She has also been a frequent speaker at legal seminars and has trained new judges across the state for many years. Recognized for her dedication to continuing education, she has completed over 1000 hours of judicial training—more than any other judge in Alabama.
She lives in Fairhope with her husband, Tony, and her 93 year old father in law. She has one son, who is a Methodist pastor, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.
Bart Virden
Judge Bart Virden serves as the judge for Position 1 of the Arkansas Court of Appeals District 2. He assumed office in 2015 after his election in 2014, and his current term extends until December 31, 2026. Judge Virden successfully ran for re-election, securing his position in the general election on May 22, 2018.
Judge Virden earned his B.A. in Journalism from the University of Arkansas in 1982 and his J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1985. His legal career began as a law clerk for Associate Justice David Newbern of the Arkansas Supreme Court. He then served as a deputy prosecuting attorney in the 15th Judicial Circuit, Conway County, and as the city attorney of Morrilton from 1990 to 2012. Before his election to the Court of Appeals, Judge Virden was the Conway County District Court Judge from 2012 to 2014. Additionally, he was a mediator with Arkansas Mediation/Arbitration and a partner at the law firm Gordon, Caruth & Virden, PLC in Morrilton.
Judge Virden is actively involved in various professional associations, including the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, Conway County Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He has also contributed to legal literature, writing for publications such as the Arkansas Lawyer and ATLA Docket.
Beyond his professional achievements, Judge Virden has served as the President of the Morrilton Chamber of Commerce and Board Chair of Petit Jean Technical College (UACCM). He was the President of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association from 1995 to 1996.
On a personal note, Judge Virden is married with three children. His career reflects a deep commitment to justice and community service, making him a distinguished member of the Arkansas judiciary.
Jay T. Winward
Judge Jay T. Winward serves as a Fifth District Court Judge for the State of Utah, a position he was appointed to in December 2022 by Governor Spencer J. Cox. In this judicial role, he presides over cases spanning Beaver, Iron, and Washington counties in the southern region of the state.
Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Winward developed a broad base of legal experience encompassing both civil and criminal law at the state, federal, and international levels. He served as a federal prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah, where his work earned him the St. George Police Department Chief’s Award. His expertise also led to an international assignment on behalf of the United States Department of Justice, during which he completed a professional detail in Bogotá, Colombia, focused on training local prosecutors.
In the private sector, Judge Winward was a partner at Winward Law. His practice there was diverse, covering commercial litigation, business transactions, family law, real property disputes, and criminal defense across municipal, state, and federal courts. He initially launched his legal career handling civil litigation at the firm Mitchell and Forest. Alongside his full-time legal practice, he has maintained a long-standing commitment to education, serving as an adjunct professor of Business Law at Utah Tech University since 2009.
Judge Winward’s academic background bridges the sciences and the law. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Utah, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. He then pursued his legal education, attending the Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego as well as the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. Throughout his career, he has been an active contributor to the legal community, volunteering his time to provide pro bono legal services at the Southern Utah Community Legal Center and serving on the board of directors for the Utah Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.