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My background and extensive experience give me a unique perspective into the criminal justice system.
While I was in law school, I clerked for Superior Court Judge Jim Bodiford, then left his office and went to the solicitor's office. There, I worked under the Third-Year Practice Act, which means I was basically allowed to prosecute for free for the state. After I passed the Bar, I was hired as an assistant solicitor in Cobb County. A year later, the elected district attorney, Tom Charron, offered me a job, which I accepted, and then began working as an assistant district attorney. I am honored to have been voted by my peers as Prosecutor of the Year in both of those positions.
I left the DA's office and entered into private practice in 2001. I specialize in criminal defense and most of my work is in Cobb County. I served as the environmental law judge in the City of Smyrna and am a past associate municipal court judge for Marietta and Woodstock. I am honored to have received the Ross Adams Younger Lawyer Award, given annually by the Cobb County Bar Association.
I believe in treating people honestly and with integrity - the way you expect to be treated - and being upfront and forward with my clients. I believe in treating my clients how I expect to be treated by professionals that I hire, whether my CPA or my doctor.
BECAUSE EXPERIENCE MATTERS
BECAUSE EXPERIENCE MATTERS
Meet The Team
Jennifer Payton
Office Manager/Paralegal
jennifer@joelpughlaw.com
(770) 316-7953 cell
Abbi Abshire
Assistant
abbi@joelpughlaw.com
C. Ross Durrence
Associate Attorney
ross@durrencelaw.com
Taylor Riley
Receptionist
taylor@joelpughlaw.com