Mayor Andre Dickens has announced Judge LaDawn “LBJ” Blackett as Interim Inspector General for the Office of the Inspector General. Blackett has nearly 20 years of legal and government affairs experience and currently serves as a judge in South Fulton Municipal Court and Dekalb County State Court. Her effective date is Monday, March 3, 2025.

“I am committed to ensuring we uphold the highest ethics in City government, which is why I made it a point to make the fourth pillar of my admiration creating an Ethical and Effective government and continue to focus on providing the best service to our employees,” said Mayor Andre Dickens. “I have championed the Office of the Inspector General and look forward to working with Judge Blackett and the Office to strengthen how internal investigations are handled in the future.”

The appointment of the Interim Inspector General is the right of the Mayor pursuant to Sec.2-184 of the Municipal Code for the City of Atlanta to appoint department heads upon vacancy. Due to the Inspector General’s resignation, the position needs to be filled to ensure office operations continue during this transition.

"Keeping the City of Atlanta free from waste and corruption is crucial for preserving the best possible quality of life for its residents and businesses. I’m excited to support the City of Atlanta’s ethical government framework and bring my diverse experiences to ensure that we are collaborative, positive and transparent,” said Judge Blackett.

Judge Blackett has informed Mayor Dickens that she does not plan to take on the permanent role of Inspector General but will serve temporarily as Interim Inspector General.

Judge Blackett has proudly served her community as a Georgia State Representative for House District 62 in the Georgia General Assembly between 2013-2016, representing the cities of Atlanta, College Park, East Point, South Fulton and a portion of Douglas County. She was a charter member for the City of South Fulton, which began officially in 2018 and served as City Solicitor while there.

A proud graduate of Tennessee State University and Tulane Law School, Judge Blackett began her legal career in the Fulton County District Attorney’s office. Quickly working her way up to a Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney, she became the first Director of the Community Prosecution unit. In 2010, Judge Blackett opened her own law firm, The LBJ Law Group, LLC, currently working in the areas of intellectual property which includes trademarks and copyrights as well as high profile criminal defense cases.

From an early age, the value of service to her local, state and national communities has been the foundation of Blackett’s academic and professional endeavors, from starting a community service club for girls at Westlake High School to serving as a peer counselor and Senior Class Representative at Tennessee State University and volunteering with Big Brothers/Sisters of Nashville.

Later she served as the election night guest analyst for the 2016, 2018, and 2020 elections on various local and national networks. In the spirit of the progressive movement, Judge Blackett now regularly assists candidates to prepare to run for office with her company PolitaCoach, llc.

Judge Blackett has been honored with Atlanta Business Chronicles top 40 under 40 in 2018 and Atlanta’s Black 40 under 40 in 2019.  She was also chosen as a Georgia Lawyer of Prestige and the Nzinga Woman of Influence by two magazines in 2019.  She was also awarded with Innovator in Technology award for her use of technology in the City of South Fulton to move justice forward. 

To learn more about the City of Atlanta Office of the Inspector General, click here.