The Atlanta Lawyer June/July 2014 | Page 9

From The Bench
cases have been handled fairly and efficiently, they appreciate
the service – even when their participation wasn’t voluntary.

the solicitor’s office recently instituted a diversion program
to address situations involving youthful offenders to avoid
creating a criminal record. Brookhaven also has a large
Hispanic population, and Spanish interpretive services are
provided at all court sessions. Of course, the metro Atlanta
area has many other foreign language speakers, which
sometimes requires additional interpretive services. One
memorable occasion involved a citizen from Greece working
in Atlanta on a temporary visa for an international firm. This
young lady’s English was flawless, but when she handed up
her identity papers, she also gave me the once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to state from the bench, “Well, it’s all Greek to
me,” which it was.

On April 19, 2014, the Municipal Court for the City of
Brookhaven marked its one year anniversary. I have had
the honor and pleasure to serve as the first Chief Judge for
Brookhaven, which has been incorporated for less than two
years. Looking back at the changes and progress made by our
new Court during its inaugural year, I am particularly grateful
for the hard work and dedication of the City’s personnel
and the City’s Judge Pro Tem, Jonathan Granade, and look
forward to many more years of service to the citizens of
Brookhaven.

The most gratifying part of the job of Judge and running the
Court has been receiving compliments from people who have
been required to appear in Court on tickets, which is not, to
borrow the closing line from the movie Casablanca, the typical
“beginning of beautiful friendship.” But when people feel their

Find people worthy of the name on the door. That was my mentor’s advice.
But the landscape has changed over the last few years. Profits are harder
earned and have to be more wisely spent.
So I’m getting help to ensure we’re always healthy enough to attract and
retain top talent. After all, it might as well be my name on the door.

WE SHINE WHEN WE HOLD OURSELVES TO A HIGHER STANDARD.

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The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association

June/July 2014

THE ATLANTA LAWYER

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