The late Georgia Court of Appeal Justice Stephen Goss will commemorate the University of Georgia School of Law with a scholarship bearing his name. A longtime Dougherty County judge, Goss was serving as a judge on the state appeals court at the time of his death in 2019.
By Heidi Murphy, UGA School of Law …
More than 100 former classmates and friends have contributed to the Judge Steve Goss Scholarship Fund. The effort was spearheaded by Marlan B. Wilbanks, chairman of the School of Law’s Visitors’ Committee, and Dan H. Willoughby Jr., both of whom graduated from Goss in 1986 and were part of his law school. These gifts were complemented by an anonymous donor who helped fuel the law school’s scholarship efforts to first-generation college graduates.
“I am grateful to Marlan and Dan for their efforts, our anonymous donor, and the Goss family in helping the School of Law expand Judge Goss’ legacy,” School of Law Dean Peter B. “Bo “Said Rutledge. “Judge Goss was a respected lawyer who created one of the first mental health courts in our country. We hope this scholarship will help improve access to justice and legal services across our state. We are also looking to motivate future lawyers to serve the state and society in a manner similar to Judge Goss’ to ensure that his contribution to the betterment of our world continues. “
The scholarship, which recognizes Goss’ life, career and impact, will support first generation college graduates who are or have been based in South Georgia, particularly the Albany area where the late judge lived. Nearly 10% of all freshmen at the School of Law declared themselves first-generation college graduates in the past three years, and the law school has funded all of these new college graduates who are the first in their families to attend college .
Knowing that Goss was a fellow at UGA, Willoughby said it was particularly fitting to have a fellowship in law school on his behalf. “Steve would be so happy to have another student helped the way he was.”
Wilbanks added that Goss was the same great friend and person throughout their 38-year friendship. “His strong work ethic and love for family and friends never waned. We miss his ironic humor and his enthusiasm for everything to do with UGA, ”he said.
Goss was a judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals at the time of his death in 2019. He previously worked at the Dougherty Judicial Circuit Superior Court from 1999 to 2018 and at the Dougherty Circuit Juvenile Court from 1995 to 1999. Goss founded the Dougherty County Mental Health / Substance Abuse Treatment Court in 2002, and that court served as a model for similar initiatives across the country. Leadership roles he held included: Chairman of the Council of Accountability Court Judges of Georgia, President of the Council of Superior Court Judges of Georgia, and President of the Dougherty Circuit Bar Association. He was also a faculty member of the National Drug Court Institute and the National Judicial College, and a senior advisor to the United States Drug Abuse and Mental Health Agency. After completing his bachelor’s and law degrees at UGA, he worked as a lawyer at the law firms of Watson, Spence, Lowe and Chambless, LLP and Cannon, Meyer von Bremen and Goss, LLP in Albany before entering the judiciary.
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