FROM THE BENCH
THE C.R.E.W.S. APPROACH TO
JUDICIAL APPOINTMENT
MY JOURNEY TO THE BENCH
By Judge Shukura Ingram Millender
Magistrate Court of Fulton County
O
n May 15, 2015, I was sworn-in as a judge
f o r M a g i s t r a t e C o u r t o f F u l t o n C o u n t y.
After nearly 17 years, my dream came true.
The one thing I was always certain of when I graduated
from Georgia State University College of Law in 1998 was
that I wanted to be a trial attorney and try cases. The courtroom was where I belonged. I wanted to be where “the
magic actually happened.” There was something about
stepping into those hallowed halls of justice that was exciting for me as a new lawyer, despite the nervousness that
inevitably struck me as soon as I stepped to the podium.
My first job out of law school was as an Assistant Solicitor for
the City Court of Atlanta. It was there that I first gained jury trial
experience. However, in my first year I quickly realized that my
passion for the courtroom was more than an affinity for oral
advocacy and trial mastery. It was also about being part of the
legal process in a way that afforded all citizens a fair trial and enhancing the public’s impression of the Court and judicial system.
That was when I set my sights on one day becoming a judge.
My goal was to become a well-rounded lawyer, with a breadth
and depth of legal experiences, along with being an active
participant in my community with civic involvement that would
make me a stellar candidate when the time came and an
asset to the bench. After two years as an Assistant Solicitor,
I accepted a position as an Assistant District Attorney in the
Fulton County District Attorney’s Office. My six years as an
Assistant District Attorney provided me with invaluable training and work experience. I drafted indictments, presented
cases to the Grand Jury and, after a short stint in the trial
division, I was promoted to several special units: Major Narcotics, Crimes Against Women & Children, and Major Case
(prosecuting homicide and high-profile cases). My career as
a prosecutor culminated on a high note as I was assigned to
work on a joint task force with the F.B.I. on the investigation of
a murder, which led to the indictment of three police officers.
After eight years as a prosecutor, I transitioned to the civil
arena by accepting an associate position at Thomas Ken-
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February 2016
nedy Sampson & Tompkins LLP to expand the scope of
my experience. There I honed my skills in the areas of
wrongful death, personal injury, medical malpractice, insurance defense, premises liability and contractual relations.
I was later promoted to Senior Associate and supervised
and managed the work and caseload of junior associates.
Throughout my legal career I have been committed to the community in which I worked and lived. I served as President of
the Gate City Bar Association and founded its Community Law
Clinic, which, to date, has served over 500 citizens. I have been
an active member of the Atlanta Bar Association (past Board
Member for the Women in the Profession Section), the Georgia
Association for Women Lawyers (active member of the Judicial
Applicant and Review Committee), and the Georgia Association
of Black Women Attorneys. I have served on the boards of the
Arthur Blank Family Youth YMCA and the Enchanted Closet
(serving as Director of Strategic Planning). Prior to my appointment to the bench, I served the City of Atlanta on the Atlanta
Judicial Commission and was the Chair of the Board of Ethics.
After practicing for sixteen years (eight years as a prosecutor
and eight years as a civil trial lawyer) Chief Magistrate Judge
Cassandra Kirk appointed me to my current position. Of course
along the way I had enormous support from colleagues, mentors and friends who offered ass istance, advice and guidance.
My work on the Magistrate Court has been an ideal venue for the
blending of my criminal and civil training and experience. I am
honored to be serving the citizens of Fulton County. Thurgood
Marshall once said that “mere access to the courthouse doors
does not by itself assure a proper functioning of the adversary
process.” Magistrate Court is a special place. It is the people’s
court. It is the place where those in our society who have been
accused of crimes first appear and where citizens come to
resolve small claims, sometimes without legal representation.
I aim to ensure that my courtroom is a place where all people
are treated with respect and have the opportunity to be heard.
I apply the rule of law with sound judgment, patience, compassion and humility; and each day I strive to give citizens,
lawyers, my colleagues and the Court my best effort. ■
By Judge Shondeana Crews Morris
State Court of DeKalb County – Traffic Division
T
hursday, July 30, 2015, I stood before a crowd of 300
people with my right hand proudly raised and my left
hand on the Bible as Governor Nathan Deal administers the oath to me. With history in the making, I became the
first judge ever sworn to the newly-created State Court of
DeKalb County – Traffic Division under House Bill 300.
Since that day, people have often asked, “Why you?,” “How do
you make the shortlist with the Georgia Judicial Nominating Committee?,” and “How do you get the governor to appoint you?” After
careful thought and reflection, my response to those questions is:
It is the C.R.E.W.S. approach – not something that happens overnight, but an approach
all lawyers should practice.
C— Consistent & courteous
R— Respectful to all parties
E — Engaged with the community
W — W o r k i n g
h a r d
S — Staying focused and smart
ultimately ruled in favor of the defendant or the State, opposing counsel and community members noticed and thanked
me for my professionalism, commitment and consistency.
Later in my career, the same individuals I encountered as a
Deputy District Attorney were instrumental in my path to judicial
appointment through recommendations, word-of-mouth and
reputational confidence. I made certain the legal community
and local community could count on me to fair no matter the
circumstances or politics. Whether a judicial officer or attorney, we must at all times proceed with the respect and integrity such important endeavors require.
“There are only two things
most important to a lawyer:
reputation and preparation.
Always be fair and courteous, listen, maintain your
integrity, be prepared – and
you will never have to worry.”
These are simple words and concepts that have been part of my
legal career for nearly 20 years.
As a young attorney working
as a legal aide to a State Representative in the late 1990s, I was taught this ideal.
Twenty years later, that still holds true. As a felony prosecutor in
Fulton County for 15 years, I worked my way up from Juvenile
Court, Trial Division, Major Case, Crimes Against Women and
Children, the Public Integrity Unit and Community Prosecution.
I negotiated with defense attorneys on burglaries, homicides
and capital cases, and worked with civil attorneys on officerinvolved shootings, vehicular homicides and forfeiture actions.
I was always fair, took time to listen, and was open to changes
and nuances in the law. While advocating for the victims, I
tried to also be consistent and courteous. Whether the court
Public service cannot exist apart from
community engagement. Become a
member of the Bar and take leadership in Bar and service organizations.
Take the time to talk with strangers.
One day, a community member and I
struck up a casual conversation about
food. We left as friends, with me joining a Bar association I did not realize
I would have so much in common with
and look forward to working with each
month. As you work hard, your colleagues will see your passion, commitment and dependability.
Stay focused on your goal of becoming a judge, and
stay smart and current on the law. Identify the Court you
desire to serve and educate yourself about this Court. As
you stay focused on your goal, your character and commitment will prepare you well for a judicial appointment. ■
On February 4, 2016, Representative Sheila Jones of District
53 introduced to the House HR 1271, a Resolution Recognizing Judge Shondeana Crews Morris. It recognizes “Judge
Shondeana Crews Morris for her tireless contributions to the
State of Georgia and [wishes] her continued future success.”
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association THE ATLANTA LAWYER
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