GAWL Members on the Run

GAWL MEMBERS ON THE RUN

SPRING 2026 ELECTIONS:

Judge Alice Benton serves on the Fulton County Superior Court, Family Division, following her appointment by Governor Brian P. Kemp in December 2023 and swearing-in on January 10, 2024. A cum laude graduate of the University of Georgia School of Law and a Vanderbilt University alumna, she practiced family law from 2010 to 2024 and previously served as a Senior Assistant District Attorney and civil litigator. Judge Benton serves on several Council of Superior Court Judges committees and the State Bar’s Judicial Qualifications Nominating Committee. She is President of the Weltner Family Inn of Court and a 2015 GAWL Leadership Academy graduate.

Judge Sonja N. Brown has served on the Cobb County Superior Court bench since January 1, 2023, following two years as a full-time Magistrate Court Judge. She is active in numerous national and local bar associations, including the Cobb Bar Association, Atlanta Bar Association, GABWA, Gate City Bar Association, GAWL, Stonewall Bar Association, and the State Bar of Georgia, and serves on the Executive Committee of the Lawyers Club of Atlanta. A dedicated servant leader, Judge Brown supports her community through philanthropic efforts and was honored with the 2025 Justice Benham Award for Community Service. She is on the ballot May 19, 2026.

Representative Dar’shun Kendrick is running for her ninth term representing Georgia House District 95, which includes East DeKalb and South Gwinnett counties. First elected in 2010 at age 27, she currently serves as Ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Non-Civil Committee and holds leadership roles within the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus and National Black Caucus of State Legislators. An attorney and entrepreneur, she founded Kairos Capital Legal Advisors in 2010. Rep. Kendrick is a graduate of Oglethorpe University, the University of Georgia School of Law, and Kennesaw State University (MBA). The primary election is May 19, 2026; the general election is November 10, 2026.

Judge Regina Matthews will appear on the May 2026 Gwinnett County Primary ballot for an open Superior Court seat. She began her career as an Assistant Public Defender before founding a solo practice focused on criminal, family, and juvenile law, as well as civil mediation. Judge Matthews later served as a Senior Staff Attorney in Gwinnett County Superior Court and as a Law Clerk for the United States District Court. Appointed in 2019 as a full-time Magistrate Judge, she currently presides by designation over family law, felony and misdemeanor criminal matters, and general civil litigation.

Ramona Toole is an experienced, ethical prosecutor dedicated to equal justice. Early experiences with violence and injustice shaped her resolve to use the law to protect the vulnerable. She holds a J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law, an MBA from Alabama A&M University, and a B.A. from Berea College. With over two decades of prosecutorial service across Georgia, she has handled cases from misdemeanors to serious violent felonies. Ramona now serves as Deputy District Attorney for Records, Diversion, and Record Restriction and is an active member of GAWL, serving as Vice President of Programming. She is on the ballot May 19, 2026.