MUNICIPAL COURT
OF ATLANTA
Judge Christopher E. Ward was appointed to serve as judge in the Municipal Court of Atlanta by Mayor Kasim Reed in 2012.
Judge Ward is a native Atlantan, having graduated from North Fulton High School in 1989. In 1993, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from Morehouse College. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami in 1997.
Judge Ward began his career as a Staff Attorney with the Fulton County Public Defender’s Office in 1998. In 2000, Judge Ward joined the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office where he prosecuted felony cases in various departments of the prosecution units. He also participated in the Junior D.A. and Legal Lives intervention programs, both designed to target youth in the community.
In 2007, Judge Ward joined the Georgia Power Company as a Senior Staff Attorney. He focused on eminent domain litigation, environmental law, corporate security, and real estate law matters. From 2008 to 2009, Judge Ward also served as an Associate Judge at the Fulton County Juvenile Court on a pro bono basis.
After appointment to the Municipal Court of Atlanta bench in 2012, Judge Ward began service as Chief Judge from May 2015 to July 2016. His tenure with the court has been accentuated by overall improvements in court operations and implementation of highly effective case management systems in the D.U.I and Failure to Appear divisions. He currently presides over the Aggravated Criminal and Traffic division.
In addition to his service on the bench, Judge Ward remains active in various professional, civic, and social organizations. Judge Ward is a member of the judicial sections of the American Bar Association, Atlanta Bar Association, and he has been an active member of the Gate City Bar Association since 2004 where he has served as the Chair of the Judicial Section. Judge Ward has served on the boards of John Harlan Boys and Girls Club, Grow Kids, Inc., Christian Rites of Passage, and New Schools of Georgia, Inc.
In 2022, Judge Ward was awarded the Gate City Bar Association’s President’s Award of Excellence. He also enjoys mentoring. He has served as Coach for Tiger Soccer Club, and he regularly engages in opportunities to improve the lives of teens and young adults in Fulton County. Judge Ward is a member of Cascade United Methodist Church, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Kappa Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, 2015 Class of Leadership Atlanta, and 2019 Class of Leadership Georgia.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Special Assistant: Tracy Armstead
Case Manager: Crystal Vianen
Judicial Assistant: JaVanna Holley
