Staff Attorney-Judge Sharelll Lewis

The Staff Attorney position is responsible for providing legal support for judges, to include conducting legal research, reviewing legal documentation prior to signature by judges, reviewing case documentation and making recommendations to judges, attending trials/hearings to assist judges, coordinating communications with attorneys, and processing legal documentation.

• Performs legal research to identify current law and changes in law, to locate case authorities or other law, to identify precedents, or to locate other information; conducts research of law library, electronic data sources, Internet sites, hardcopy materials, or other sources as needed.
• Reviews documentation received from attorneys; verifies appropriateness of submitted documentation for signature by judges.
• Coordinates communications between judges and attorneys regarding cases; contacts attorneys to schedule telephone conferences; conducts pre-trial telephone conferences; drafts correspondence to attorneys.
• Prepares cases for civil jury trial calendar; reviews cases to determine whether to grant or deny motions.
• Reviews various documentation associated with cases, analyzes patient records as evidence in personal injury cases; analyzes depositions as evidence in civil cases; evaluates invoices to support award of attorney fees or used as evidence in contract cases; determines principal amounts due, interest owed, post-judgment interest, and attorney fees to be awarded in contract cases.
• Drafts orders or other legal documents for signature by judges.
• Drafts memos to judges detailing status of cases; recommends disposition of cases to judges.
• Schedules court hearings.
• Attends court hearings and trials to assist judges; records extensive notes during court hearings; edits/prepares jury charges for trial.
• Files legal documents with court clerk.
• Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, legal orders, legal documents, court orders, jury charges, or other documents.
• Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, court calendars, court orders, legal documents, depositions, briefs, laws, statutes, policies, procedures, directories, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
• Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, database, case management, legal research, e-mail, Internet, or other computer programs.
• Attends meetings and makes presentations as needed.
• Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of applicable laws/regulations; maintains an awareness of new trends and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in continuing education activities; attends bar meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions as appropriate.
• Monitors Law Enforcement Center for State Court inmates.
• Prepares proposed orders on civil and criminal motions.

• Knowledge of Georgia law and procedure.
• Knowledge of Judicial Code of Ethics necessary.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in interpreting complex data to find solutions to unusual and difficult legal problems and questions.
• Skill in legal research, use of Word, and use of Excel.