An experienced U.S. Judge Peggy Walker has arrived in Georgia. During her long-term shadowing assignment, she will attend court trials at Kutaisi City Court and share her expertise with judges in the Imereti region. Judge Walker will also participate in activities organized by the USAID Rule of Law Program and its partner organizations throughout Georgia.

With a career spanning thirty years as a trial court judge in the U.S. state of Georgia, Judge Walker will share her extensive experience with local lawyers, including the Legal Aid Service, as well as academics and other representatives from the legal field. One purpose of these meetings is to exchange knowledge and experience in child rights and related matters. The topics of discussions will include effective communication with children in courts, U.S. court practices for communicating with the parties, caseload and case assignment, case management, time management, communication skills, and judicial ethics.

Judge Walker also practiced law for ten years, specializing in probate, contracts, family law, and bankruptcy. She served on the Board of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges for eleven years, including a term as President. Her expertise includes handling civil and criminal matters, as well as custody, child support, adoption, and domestic violence cases.

Throughout her career, Judge Walker has mentored judges across the United States and taught courses on court management, dependency cases related to substance use, and suicide prevention. She has been actively involved in addressing gender bias, improving access to justice, implementing reasonable accommodations for litigants with disabilities, and managing pro se litigation. As a Senior Judge, she continues to mentor judges and stakeholders, including those involved in Family Treatment Courts.

Judge Walker's assignment as a shadowing judge brought by the USAID Rule of Law Program is noteworthy as she is the first female judge appointed for this role.