Michael McLaughlin has been a part-time Magistrate since 1985, presiding over civil small claims cases, as well as, the issuance of criminal warrants.

Judge McLaughlin graduated from Florida State University in 1976 and John Marshall Law School in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1980. He maintains a private law practice in Cobb County, concentrating in family law, and personal injury. Judge

McLaughlin co-authored "Admissibility of Evidence in Civil Cases, A Manual for Georgia Trial Lawyers", Harrison Publishing Company, 1984, 1st Edition. Judge McLaughlin is also a frequent speaker for the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education. Judge McLaughlin and his wife, Michelle, have two children and have resided in Cobb County for 20 years.