include obtaining a good assessment of my current caseload and establishing calendars and procedures that would allow those items to be handled in the most proficient way . I aim to create a consistent flow of operations that allows as many pending cases as possible to reach a final resolution in an efficient manner . Over the course of my career , I have had the opportunity to meet and have professional contact with attorneys who practice in the criminal arena . Consequently , over the next few months I aim to become more acquainted with members of the Bar who primarily handle civil and domestic cases .
Is there someone who holds or held a similar position that you admired and plan on emulating and if so , why or what attributes of theirs do you think are important ?
Over the course of my career , I have had the opportunity to observe and appear before many judges who exhibited a courtroom demeanor which I would hope to emulate . However , if I had to choose one judge that has had a positive impact and served as an example of the type of Judge I aspire to become , I would name Judge William Daniel who was the first judge I appeared before as a young prosecutor in Fulton County . In that experience , I noted the respect he showed not only to the attorneys , but to all parties . I also admired his courtroom demeanor and most importantly his knowledge of the law . Simply put , he was a “ gentleman and a scholar .” These are two qualities I believe any judge should have .
What will you miss most , if anything , from the practice of law or from being a prosecutor ?
Bearing in mind that I have been on the bench for four years prior to this election , I have not struggled with this as much as I have in the past . At the initial stages of my judicial career , it was challenging to separate my spirit of advocacy that I held as an attorney ; to zealously advocate on behalf of my client , from the impartial nature one must possess as a judge . I found that while I bring my knowledge as an attorney with me to the bench , I must focus solely on the facts and evidence presented before me to remain fair and impartial before those in my courtroom .
Do you have a judicial / guiding philosophy and if so , what is it and how will it be instrumental in your new position ?
My guiding philosophy will always be the “ Golden Rule ” which is to treat others as I would want to be treated . I carry this philosophy with me wherever I go , but especially when presiding over any matter that comes before me . This allows me to give genuine , fair , and impartial consideration to all matters without regard to anything except the specific facts and the law .
When someone addresses you as Judge , how long does it take you to realize they are referring to you ?
In the beginning of my judicial career , it took me some time to become familiar with being addressed as “ Judge ”. However , with four years of holding the title , I sometimes mistakenly answer to “ Judge ” even when I am not being specifically addressed . As a mother , I have found it similar to the title “ mommy ” in the way I may respond even if not being called by my own children .
Newly Elected Officials
Clayton County
Superior Court Judge : Jewel C . Scott
Cobb County Superior Court Judges : Angela Z . Brown Kellie S . Hill Jason D . Marbutt
State Court Judge : Diana M . Simmons
DeKalb County Superior Court Judge : Yolanda Parker-Smith
Gwinnett County
Superior Court Judges : Deborah R . Fluker Tamela L . Adkins
District Attorney : Patsy Austin-Gatson
Fulton County Superior Court Judges : Melynee Leftridge-Harris Shermela J . Williams
Probate Judge : Kenya M . Johnson
District Attorney : Fani T . Willis
District Attorney : Flynn D . Broady
The questions in this Q & A were sent to all newly elected officials . Answers received were published . Thank you for your responses . www . atlantabar . org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 15