Professional Papers, 1959-2009

This series primarily is comprised of files from court cases in which Judge Ruffin served as an attorney or presided over as a Judge in the Court of Appeals of Georgia and the Augusta Judicial Circuit. These cases involved discrimination, desegregation of schools, affirmative action, and other civil cases. The collection includes appeals, briefs, correspondence, depositions, subpoenas, petitions, motions, and transcripts.

Additionally, this series contains legal documents, subject files, printed and published materials, and materials related to Judge Ruffin’s judgeships. The subject files and legal documents encompass research materials and other information related to the law. There is a small amount of information about Judge Ruffin’s journey to becoming a judge, including applications, questionnaires, correspondence, swearing-in ceremony, and oath of office. Of particular note, Judge Ruffin held the distinction of being the first African-American Superior Court Judge for the Augusta Judicial Circuit. Furthermore, printed and published materials related to the legal field, such as journals, bulletins, directories, and magazines, are also included in this series.