Kennesaw Municipal Judge Earns PhD

Kennesaw Municipal Court Chief Judge Philip Taylor has earned his doctorate degree in Judicial Studies from the University of Nevada, Reno. Judge Taylor is the first judge in the State of Georgia and only the eighth judge overall to earn this degree. He completed his dissertation and successfully defended it before an academic board in November. Official graduation from the program will take place in December.

Judge Taylor presides over Municipal Court in Kennesaw and Acworth, Ordinance Court in Powder Springs, and serves as the Cobb County Magistrate. Additionally, he teaches in the Political Science Department at Kennesaw State University.

The University of Nevada, Reno, is the only graduate school program in the U.S. offering Masters and PhD degrees for trial level judges. Judge Taylor previously earned his Masters Degree through the university and has also completed two additional certificates of judicial development from the National Judicial College.

“Judge Taylor has served the City of Kennesaw with distinction for many years, but his accomplishment in earning his PhD is really something special,” said Mayor Mark Mathews. “It took years of effort and dedication, and we’re proud to celebrate this achievement with him. We are truly fortunate to have him as our judge.”