615 Millennium - Seventeenth Edition LAW AND LAW ENFORCEMENT Sheryl Barnes has distinguished herself as a magistrate judge for the Fulton County Magistrate Court since 2020. In this role, she regularly conducts court hearings, appoints counsel for defendants as needed, assesses the merit of cases, and issues search and arrest warrants, among other duties. Previously, she worked as a senior assistant solicitor for the Office of the City of Atlanta Solicitor for nearly 15 years, during which time she prosecuted violations and conducted preliminary hearings for a multitude of misdemeanor and felony charges. Ms. Barnes is particularly proud to have delivered justice and provided a path to redemption for those who could turn their lives around by becoming valuable members of society. Prior to her current endeavors, Ms. Barnes studied accounting and economics at Florida A&M University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in 1981. She subsequently attained a JD from the Emory University School of Law in 1995 and then served as a clerk for Justice Robert Benham, who was the presiding justice of the Georgia Supreme Court at the time. To remain aware of developments in her field, Ms. Barnes is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, for which she chaired the GABWA TEAMWork Youth Summit. Well-regarded for her contributions to the field of legal service, Ms. Barnes was hailed by The National Drifters Inc. as their Now Black Woman honoree of 2019. She also earned a public service award from the National Conference of Women's Bar Associations in 2016, and she has been recognized as a Mentor of the Year by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America organization. In accounting for her success, she credits the influence of her parents, who instilled in her the importance of education. Looking to the future, Ms. Barnes hopes to continue assisting youth professionals in advancing their careers through exemplary mentorship. SHERYL BARNES MAGISTRATE JUDGE Fulton County Magistrate Court Atlanta, GA
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