James Hardaway v. Bruce Thompson, Commissioner of Georgia Department of Labor

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia ATLANTA,____________________ September 24, 2025 The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order: A26A0208. JAMES HARDAWAY v. BRUCE THOMPSON, COMMISSIONER OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR. James Hardaway filed a notice of direct appeal from a superior court order affirming a decision of the Georgia Department of Labor concerning his application for unemployment benefits. Under OCGA § 5-6-35 (a) (1), however, a party seeking to appeal a superior court decision reviewing a state agency ruling must follow the discretionary appeal procedure. See Dunlap v. City of Atlanta, 272 Ga. 523, 524 ( 531 SE2d 702 ) (2000); Georgia Water Resources, Inc. v. Commissioner of Labor, 193 Ga. App. 252, 252 ( 387 SE2d 374 ) (1989). “Compliance with the discretionary appeals procedure is jurisdictional.” Hair Restoration Specialists v. State, 360 Ga. App. 901 , 903 ( 862 SE2d 564 ) (2021). Hardaway’s failure to follow the required appellate procedure deprives us of jurisdiction over this appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED. Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 09/24/2025 I certify that the above is a true extract from the minutes of the Court of Appeals of Georgia. Witness my signature and the seal of said court hereto affixed the day and year last above written. , Clerk.