Cobb County announced Monday that a new judge has been selected to preside over juvenile court.
Amber N. Patterson is slated to fill the vacancy of Judge Juanita Stedman on the county's four-member court Oct. 1.
Juvenile judges are appointed to four-year terms by Cobb County Superior Court judges. Patterson was selected from a 39-applicant pool to replace Judge Stedman, who began her term in September 2001 and retired Aug. 12, 2016.
Patterson was a guardian ad litem attorney for Cobb County Juvenile Court cases for the last five years representing and counseling children. She has also served as a guardian ad litem attorney in dependancy court.
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Before that, Patterson served as a special assistant attorney general associate in the Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services. She also served as a child advocate attorney, guardian ad litem attorney and staff attorney for the chief judge in Fulton County Juvenile Court.
"Amber's extensive experience in Cobb Juvenile Court and Family Dependency Court gives her a deep knowledge base and the practical experience necessary to hit the ground running from day one," said Cobb Superior Court Chief Judge Stephen Schuster in a news release.
Patterson had her undergraduate schooling at Valdosta State University and then went to the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
"Her background, combined with her passion for children, will make her an exemplary juvenile court judge," Schuster said.
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