A retirement party for Superior Court Judge Jack Kirby was held Wednesday at the Troup County Government Center.  Kirby has practiced law since 1979, and was appointed as a Troup County Superior Court judge in 2006.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as a judge,” Kirby said. “I’ve been going at it for about 40 years, and it’s probably time for me to move on.”

Kirby was appointed as the solicitor general in Troup County in 1987, and was elected as solicitor general in 1992, serving until 2004.

At Kirby’s retirement party, Troup County Juvenile Court Judge Michael Key, attorney Tommy Greer and former Coweta County Judicial Circuit District Attorney Pete Skandalakis spoke about him and his career. The jury assembly room where the party was held was filled with representatives from the Troup County Sheriff’s Office, LaGrange Police Department, LaGrange City Council, Troup County Board of Commissioners and members of the Troup County State and Superior Courts. 

“When I was a young lawyer, I used to like to watch Jack Kirby and [I liked] watching him in the courtroom because he has this honesty about him that jurors love,” Skandalakis said. “If the jury likes you, they’re going to like your client. They’re going to like your position, and Jack had this ability to talk to a jury like they were his best friends. Jack taught me how to be a good trial lawyer.”

Skandalakis said Kirby always kept a professional demeanor.

“He is an excellent resource, and he’s just a humble man,” Skandalakis said. “That says a lot about him.”

Kirby met his wife, Monique, the Chief Assistant District Attorney for the Coweta Judicial Circuit, when she served as Judge Joe Jackson’s law clerk. They have been married for 31 years and have two children, Max and Alex.

“He’s been a great father to me, and I think he’s going to really do well in retirement,” Max said. “He’s looking forward to spending time more with my mother and I and spending time on his farm. I know he’s also going to miss it, so it’s going to be bittersweet for him.”

Kirby officially retires on Jan. 31, 2019. He said he plans to take senior status, where he can fill in as a superior court judge when one of the judges are sick.

“I’ve got a little farm where I’m intending to bail some hay and work,” Kirby said. “I’m registered as a neutral in Georgia with the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution, so I hope to do some mediations in the private sector.”

When asked about his favorite memories as superior court judge, Kirby said the years run together for him.

“The memorable ones I wouldn’t put on the record,” Kirby said with a laugh.