NCJFCJ News
Judge Amanda N. Heath was sworn in as president of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, the nation’s oldest and largest judicial membership and education organization, during the 89th Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee. The first African American woman to be elected as a superior court judge in the Augusta Judicial Circuit’s 156-year history, Judge Heath brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the organization, advancing its mission to provide all judges, courts and related agencies involved with juvenile, family, and domestic violence cases with the knowledge and skills to improve the lives of the families and children who seek justice.
“Judge Heath steps into this role with an extensive career built on providing families with the community resources they need to support their lives,” said Amy Pincolini-Ford, JD, interim CEO of NCJFCJ. “Her trauma-informed approaches recognize the full context of a person’s life, carrying forward the NCJFCJ’s mission of building a justice system where fairness, equality, effectiveness, and timeliness become everyday realities for children and families across the country.”
Judge Heath’s work covers civil, domestic, and felony criminal cases in Burke and Richmond counties. Prior to her appointment and election to sit on the superior court bench, she served as the first African American woman juvenile court judge, solo practitioner, assistant district attorney, and trial team leader.
“It is an honor to serve as president of the NCJFCJ Board of Directors,” said Judge Heath. “Our nation’s juvenile and family courts face a vital need for effective impact, and I am committed to helping lead this forward to improve outcomes for children and families through systems change.”
Judge Heath has been recognized for her civic engagement as a past recipient of the Georgia CASA Champion Award, NAACP Augusta Branch Champion for Justice Award, and the iHeart Media Shero Award for Law and Government for demonstrating a career committed to justice, liberty, and fairness to all in the community throughout the Central Savannah River Area. In addition, Judge Heath has received the Georgia Appleseed Center for Law & Justice Good Apple Award for leading Georgia’s courts to advance justice and equity for youth, the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division Distinguished Judicial Service Award, and was highlighted as Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce & Augusta Magazine’s Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch.
Further, the National Bar Association selected Judge Heath as a member of the Centennial Class of the Top Forty Under Forty Nation’s Best Advocates with the added distinction of being named in the top five Best of the Best of the Centennial Class and received the Excellence in Innovation Award. She earned her undergraduate degree from Hampton University and her J.D. from Mercer University.