Prema Lanay Owsley v. Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor

Opinion

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia

ATLANTA,____________________ June 08, 2026

The Court of Appeals hereby passes the following order:

A26A2084. PREMA LANAY OWSLEY v. COMMISSIONER OF THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.

Prema Lanay Owsley filed a notice of direct appeal from the superior court order affirming a decision of the Georgia Department of Labor, which denied her claim 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). Because Owsley failed to file a discretionary application, we lack jurisdiction over this direct appeal, which is hereby DISMISSED.

Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia Clerk’s Office, Atlanta,____________________ 06/08/2026 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.