Jessica Benjamin was appointed as an associate judge for the Magistrate Court of Athens-Clarke County in July 2025. Judge Benjamin most recently served as Chief Assistant Public Defender for the Western Judicial Circuit. Her tenure there spanned nearly 17 years and encompassed representation of indigent children and adults charged with felonies and misdemeanors in Athens-Clarke and Oconee Counties. Prior to her work as a public defender, she served as both a law clerk and as a staff attorney for trial and appellate courts at the state and federal level.

Judge Benjamin is currently on the board of the Young Designers Sewing Program and previously served on the board of ATHICA (Athens Institute for Contemporary Art). While at the Public Defender’s Office she served the Western Judicial Circuit Veterans Treatment Court as a team member. Judge Benjamin received her undergraduate degree from Clemson University and her law degree from Wake Forest University.

Judge Benjamin moved to Athens in 2004. She lives with her son and their dog, and in her free time she enjoys reading, gardening, exercising, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.