LinkedIn

Georgia Courts Journal, Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

Martin is from Mt. Dora, Florida. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Davidson College in 1986 and a Juris Doctor from American University in 1991.

Dallas New Era, Martin Valbuena Re-Elected to Board of Governors of State Bar of Georgia

Martin is a Trial Lawyer at Martin Enrique Valbuena, P.C. He previously served as a Municipal Judge for the City of Hiram, Georgia, and worked with the Blackford & Blackford Law Firm in Austell, Georgia. 

BallotPedia, Martin E. Valbuena

Martin Valbuena is currently Chief Magistrate for Paulding County. He was elected to this position in 2002, and has served five terms. 

JUSTIA

As an attorney at Martin Enrique Valbuena, P.C., he primarily handles family law, criminal, corporate formation, personal injury, and estate cases.

Presided over thousands of traffic violation and city ordinance violation cases, including things like driving under the influence (DUI) and hit and runs as Municipal Judge. 

As Chief Magistrate, Martin handles civil cases with less than $15,000 dollars at issue and criminal matters like first appearances for defendants, bond, county ordinance violations, and the execution of warrants.

Received Juris Doctor from Washington College of Law at American University in 1991.

Licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia as of 1995.

Practiced insurance defense law and in business litigation.

- As an attorney at Martin Enrique Valbuena, P.C., he primarily handles family law, criminal, corporate formation, personal injury, and estate cases.
- Presided over thousands of traffic violation and city ordinance violation cases, including things like driving under the influence (DUI) and hit and runs as Municipal Judge. 
- As Chief Magistrate, Martin handles civil cases with less than $15,000 dollars at issue and criminal matters like first appearances for defendants, bond, county ordinance violations, and the execution of warrants.
- Received Juris Doctor from Washington College of Law at American University in 1991.
- Licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia as of 1995.
- Practiced insurance defense law and in business litigation.

Legal Experience

As of June 21, 2025, Martin Enrique Valbuena did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Administration

Serves on the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Georgia.

- Serves on the Board of Governors for the State Bar of Georgia.

Community Involvement

Martin Enrique Valbuena

- Magistrate Courts hear civil cases only in amounts less than $15,000. There are no jury trials in Magistrate Court. 
- Magistrate Courts hear landlord tenant dispossessory cases (i.e. a case where a landlord is seeking an eviction of their tenant) and can order evictions. 
- The Chief Magistrate can determine procedures for managing the cases in front of the Magistrate. For example, in Fulton County the Chief Magistrate informs parties in landlord tenant dispossessory cases on the benefits of mediation and provides on-site mediators to resolve landlord tenant disputes before the parties appear in front of the judge. 
- Magistrate Courts only have jurisdiction over their respective counties. Each county has its own magistrate court. Magistrate Court Judge term lengths vary per county, however most serve four year terms. Local Superior Court Judges set parameters for Magistrate Courts. 

Paulding Chief Magistrate

Election results

Candidates (1)