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Georgia legal community mourns loss of Judge Stephen Yekel
Mar 31, 2025, 13:53
by
Ashley Stollar
Effingham Herald, Rincon
To the Editor:
On behalf of the State Bar of Georgia, I would like to express condolences to the family, colleagues and many friends of Effingham County State Court Judge Steven R. Yekel on his tragic passing at the age of 74.
A member of the Georgia Bar since 1976, Judge Yekel began his legal career as an assistant district attorney for Chatham County. In 1980, he entered private law practice and served as judge pro tem for the Recorder’s Court and Juvenile Court until 2005, when he became the chief conflict defender for the State of Georgia in the Southeast Region, covering 32 counties. After 17 years of serving in that position, he was elected as judge of the Effingham County State Court in 2022.
We honor Judge Yekel’s nearly five decades of service to the legal profession and justice system. It is especially difficult when we learn that one of our colleagues has taken his or her own life. The State Bar of Georgia reminds all Georgia lawyers and judges that our Lawyers Assistance Program provides immediate, confidential help, including six free counseling sessions per year, through our 24-hour hotline at 800-327-9631.
Sincerely,
Ivy N. Cadle
President, State Bar of Georgia
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