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).

1
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.