Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears has announced that she will leave the Supreme Court of Georgia on June 30, 2009, when her term as Chief comes to an end. She will not seek reelection when her six-year term as a justice ends Dec. 31, 2010. In stepping down, she also will no longer chair The Judicial Council of Georgia, the state agency charged with administering and improving Georgia's courts.

Justice Leah Ward Sears Sears, 53, has served on the Court since 1992, when then Gov. Zell Miller appointed her as the first woman and youngest person ever to serve on the state Supreme Court. She became Chief Justice in 2005, becoming the first African American female Chief Justice in the United States. Under her leadership, the Georgia Supreme Court is today the most productive high court in the nation, according to a recent study by The University of Chicago Law School. During her 16 years on the Court, Chief Justice Sears has developed a national reputation for her advocacy of children and families, particularly for speaking out in favor of marriage as the most "pro-child" institution the nation has. She has developed a statewide reputation for her ability to uphold judicial independence while reaching out to the leaders of both political parties for the good of the state.

In announcing her departure from the Court, the Chief Justice emphasized that she intends to start a new chapter in her life and has no plans to "retire." "My service on the Court has been the most challenging and rewarding time of my life," she said. "But I believe that if we stop challenging ourselves, life can become a rut."

Justice Sears said that in recent years, "my husband, Haskell, and I have watched our children grow up, I suffered the loss of my older brother, who died at the same age I am now, and professionally I achieved one of my lifelong dreams. I have come to realize that life has different seasons, and it is limited. It is now time for me to face new challenges and set new goals."

Although she has not yet decided what she will do next, she wants to explore a wide range of options, several of which have been presented to her, including positions in the law, business, academia, or non-profit organizations.

"I believe we all have a purpose in our lives, and mine is to serve," Chief Justice Sears said. "Achieving justice, equality and hope for our nation, our communities, our families - that's what I was put here to do. And whatever I do next, I will not waver from that course."