Enwrapped in a cloak of expanding executive power and a legislature hectically scrambling to solve our economic woes, citizens often overlook the government’s third branch of constitutional power.

It’s in the judicial system that justice always prevails and as George Washington said, “The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government.”

Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears has devotedly defended that fundamental right since appointed by then-governor Zell Miller.

“I’m glad to be a part of what I consider Zell Miller’s legacy of having diversified the court in Georgia,” said Sears, the first woman and youngest person to serve as chief justice of the Georgia Supreme Court.

As a celebration to honor Dr. Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter-Gault, the first black students to enroll at the University, Sears will give the 24th Annual Holmes-Hunter Lecture this afternoon.

“[She is an] inspiration and motivation for Georgia students, particularly young women and particularly people of color, and she’s been a great friend to the University,” said Matthew Winston Jr., assistant to the president of the University.

Though acclaimed political figures such as Jesse Jackson, John Lewis, and Shirley Franklin have previously spoken on black history and race relations in higher education, Sears wishes to focus more on family law, which she will teach at the University next year.

“I really want the opportunity to come on campus to work with young people. I’m excited about it,” Sears said. “I think we’re going to be examining cutting age issues in family law. And of course I’m a person who applies the law practically on a daily basis.”

Sears will explain how difficult it can be for families to cope with legal issues, citing the expense of going to court as a core problem.

As chair of the Access and Justice Committee, Sears makes sure all Georgians have access to the courts. More concerned with the civil arena than the criminal realm, Sears seeks justice for all people in the state who need it.

As a justice, Sears said she has to weigh every case, which makes it impossible to label oneself as liberal or conservative. Sears defines herself as a moderate.

“It will depend on the text that I’m looking at,” Sears said. “And I think that’s what most judges do. Very few judges fit into one category or the other.”

When asked what makes a case important in the eyes of the Georgia Supreme Court, Sears said every case is important to somebody, but the toughest ones are criminal cases involving the death penalty.

For right now, though, Sears has her mind on such family issues as divorce, domestic violence and child care.

There will be a brief question and answer session as part of the program right after her address and for those who cannot attend, C-SPAN has expressed interest in the lecture.