Speaker of the House Jon Burns (R-Newington) announced his appointees to the Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission (PAQC).
“The Prosecuting Attorneys Qualifications Commission will ensure that Georgia’s laws are faithfully enforced by those elected to prosecute crimes,” said Speaker Burns. “I am grateful to all the House members who worked so hard to get this important legislation passed, including Representative Joseph Gullett, Representative Houston Gaines, Representative Mesha Mainor, Chairman Tyler Paul Smith and Majority Whip James Burchett.”
Speaker Burns appointed the following attorneys to the PAQC Investigative Panel:
- Joseph Cowart of Statesboro
- Steve Scheer of Savannah
Mr. Cowart’s term will expire on July 17, 2024. Mr. Scheer’s term will expire on July 17, 2027.
Speaker Burns appointed to the PAQC Hearing Panel:
- Bibb County Superior Court Chief Judge Howard Simms of Macon
Chief Judge Simms’ term will expire on July 17, 2026.
The PAQC was created by Senate Bill 92 passed in the 2023 legislative session that Governor Kemp signed into law in May.
Joey Cowart
Born and raised on his family’s farm in Twin City, Emanuel County, Georgia, Joey has always considered Southeast Georgia as his home. After graduating with honors from Georgia Southern University in 1992 with a BBA in Economics and an Emphasis in International Business, Joey worked for a local law firm in Statesboro before attending the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. He excelled as a law school student, graduating in the top 15% of his class in 1996. While several of his fellow classmates opted for the big city life in Atlanta, Macon, or Savannah, Joey never considered practicing law anywhere other than in Bulloch County and Southeast Georgia.
Upon his return to Statesboro in 1996, he worked as an Associate Attorney for Charles Brown and Becky Livingston, and he also married his college sweetheart, Ellen Blocker Cowart, to whom he remains married. After practicing law in the private sector for several years, Joey decided to run for election to seek the position of the Bulloch County Solicitor General in 2000, and he prevailed in that hotly contested election. Joey ran unopposed for three successive terms.
While serving as the Solicitor General of Bulloch County for 16 years, Joey was actively involved in his community. As a Graduate of the Leadership Bulloch Class of 2001, he has exhibited an appreciation of being actively involved in his community. From serving as Secretary and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Statesboro First United Methodist Church for several years to serving on the Board of Trustees of Bulloch Academy since 2007 (serving as Chairperson from 2016-2018) to serving his Fraternity (Sigma Chi) in an Alumni capacity, Joey demonstrates his commitment to his community. In his practice of Law, Joey seeks Justice with Hope and Compassion for all parties involved.
Joey is in private practice and operates his law office at 44 East Main Street in Downtown Statesboro.
