Dunwoody, GA – August 13, 2026 – A Judge’s final order has brought a long-running lawsuit against the City of Dunwoody to a close. This release details key dates and rulings.

On October 31, 2023, Dunwoody resident Joseph Hirsch filed a complaint against the City of Dunwoody and several of its employees, alleging multiple violations of the Georgia Open Records Act.

On December 2, 2025, the Honorable David B. Irwin, DeKalb County Superior Court Senior Judge, issued orders granting the City’s and the individual defendants’ motions for summary judgment in their entirety, finding that the City and its employees had complied with the Open Records Act. The orders disposed of all claims in favor of the City and its employees.

According to the orders, the individual defendants, City Manager Eric Linton, City Clerk Sharon Lowery, Records Clerk Eric Shealy, and Technology Director Ginger LePage, did not violate the Open Records Act with respect to any of the various claims brought by the plaintiff. The order further states, in part, “The record shows that defendants were diligently trying to comply with plaintiff’s request, and that plaintiff failed to provide defendants certain information in his possession that he was required to provide when seeking electronic communications under the Open Records Act.” Regarding Mr. Linton, the order notes that he “had absolutely no involvement in the City’s response” to the plaintiff’s request.

Despite the plaintiff’s repeated attacks on social media and in public comments at City Council meetings, the rulings showed the City and its employees acted legally and in good faith.

Following these rulings, the City of Dunwoody filed a motion for attorney’s fees. Judge Irwin granted the motion on May 22, 2026, in the amount of $182,478.10—the full amount requested by defendants. In the order, he describes the plaintiff’s claims as “substantially frivolous and vexatious.” In his conclusion, Judge Irwin wrote, “The record shows that plaintiff’s litigation strategy was designed to harass, intimidate, and impose unnecessary costs on the City and its employees.” He further stated the claims lacked substantial justification and were pursued for harassment.

On June 3, 2026, Judge Irwin issued a final order and judgment, reinforcing his order that the City of Dunwoody and the individually named employees recover $182,478.10 in attorneys’ fees from Mr. Hirsch. The final judgment is subject to immediate enforcement, and Mr. Hirsch has exhausted all of his appeal options.

“I’m grateful for Judge Irwin’s diligence and careful consideration. This has been very difficult for the City employees named in this civil action,” said Dunwoody Mayor Lynn Deutsch. “The Court’s orders grant summary judgment in favor of the City and the individual defendants, and I’m gratified that our employees have been vindicated. It was also important for us to seek attorneys’ fees for the costs associated with our defense. We owe that to taxpayers. Unfortunately, we cannot recoup the cost of time wasted on this.”

ORDER ON CITY OF DUNWOODY’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT (December 2, 2025)

ORDER ON DEFENDANTS SHARON LOWERY, ERIC SHEALY, GINGER LEPAGE, AND ERIC LINTON’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT (December 2, 2025)

ORDER ON DEFENDANT’S MOTION FOR ATTORNEY’S FEES (May 22, 2026)

FINAL JUDGMENT (June 3, 2026)