THE STORY: I was born in Augusta, Georgia, but shortly thereafter, moved to north Florida where I was raised, the middle of five children. At age 14, my mother died of cancer and my father became my primary advisor and mentor. A World War II Marine, orthopedic surgeon, poet, and writer, my father was my hero. As far as finding my calling, he always told me to “find a need and fill it.”
After receiving my college degree from the University of Florida, I returned to my Georgia roots for law school at Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in Macon. I graduated in 1989 in the top quarter of my class, having achieved success in Moot Court and having served as Honor Court prosecutor my senior year. I went to law school to help people, not really knowing at the time what that would be. After six years of civil law, including a two-year clerkship with the late Honorable Robert E. Flournoy, Jr. in Cobb Superior Court, I prosecuted misdemeanors and traffic offenses in Cobb County State Court for 11 years. I began my defense practice over 13 years ago, the last five years as a solo practitioner in Marietta. Having observed judges from the prosecution and defense side of the Cobb State Court bench for the past 24 years has given me insight as to what makes a great judge.
Cobb County has been my home for over half my life. Along with my husband of 29 years, I have raised my children in Cobb and have developed truly great friendships here. A member of Mt. Bethel UMC, I have had the privilege of teaching Sunday School and Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for over 20 years. For over a decade, I have served as a cabin mom with Cobb County’s nonprofit organization, Kidz2Leaders, Inc, which hosts “Camp Hope” annually. Camp Hope is a summer camp for children of incarcerated parents that has achieved great success in ending generational incarceration within families.
WHY I CHOSE TO LIVE IN COBB: I have always felt that Cobb was “home” from the beginning. It has been a great place to raise my family, practice law, and serve my community of faith.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? As a prosecutor, I achieved my goal of helping those who were victims of misdemeanor crimes. To an even greater extent, as defense counsel, I have helped not only my clients charged with offenses, but oftentimes their families who struggle alongside them as well. So often alcohol and drugs contribute to my clients’ legal situations. Helping the whole family is behind my desire as judge to incorporate Drug, Mental Health, and Family Accountability Courts in Cobb County State Court.
LEISURE TIME: My husband and I have always enjoyed mountain biking in the north Georgia mountains, gardening, and water skiing.
BEST ADVICE: Vote! My experience and varied perspective in civil law, prosecution, and defense make me the best choice.
WHAT’S NEXT? Being your next Cobb County State Court Judge!
Candidate for Cobb County State Court Judge
247 Washington Ave., Marietta, GA 30060 • info@vote4trina.com 770.885.2515
