Julianna Piechoczek v. Tudor Jones

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia ATLANTA,____________________ March 31, 2026 The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order: A26A1258. JULIANNA PIECHOCZEK v. TUDOR JONES.

Julianna Piechoczek and Tudor Jones are the parents of two minor children.

After Piechoczek filed a petition for paternity and child support, Jones filed an answer and counterclaimed for custody. On August 11, 2025, the trial court entered a final order, awarding the parties joint legal custody with Jones having primary physical custody. On September 11, 2025, Piechoczek filed this direct appeal pro se from that ruling.1 This Court, however, lacks jurisdiction.

Piechoczek’s pro se notice of appeal is a legal nullity, as she was represented by counsel at the time it was filed. See Romich v. All Secure, Inc., 361 Ga. App. 505, 505 (863 SE2d 179) (2021) (“A layperson does not have the right to represent herself and also be represented by an attorney. As a result, a party cannot attempt to represent herself by filing pro se pleadings, while at the same time she is represented by counsel of record.”) (citation and quotation marks omitted); In the Interest of N. C., 358 Ga. App. 379, 379 (855 SE2d 379) (2021) (dismissing a direct appeal in a child custody proceeding because the mother’s pro se notice of appeal, filed while she was represented by counsel, was a nullity).

In Case Number A26A1266, Piechoczek seeks to appeal the trial court’s denial of her motion for new trial.

We therefore lack jurisdiction to consider this appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED. See Romich, 361 Ga. App. at 505; In the Interest of N. C., 358 Ga. App. at 379.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 03/31/2026 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.