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Judge Patsy Y. Porter: Professional background and Legal Expertise

Admitted to practice law in Georgia in 1984.

As an attorney, she practiced in the legal fields of labor, construction, and media.

As a State Court Judge, she presides over civil and criminal cases. Her civil cases include medical malpractice, wrongful death, product liability, and automobile accidents, while her criminal cases cover offenses such as driving under the influence, simple battery, domestic violence, theft, and possession of marijuana.

Has received many awards in the legal field including Jurist of the Year Award from Mount Moriah Grand Masonic Lodge, Judge With A Heart Award from the Minority Judges of Georgia, Leadership Award from the Atlanta Job Corps Center, the Spirit of GABWA Award presented by the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, and the Millennium Award of Excellence In Law from the Women For Morris Brown College.

- Admitted to practice law in Georgia in 1984.
- As an attorney, she practiced in the legal fields of labor, construction, and media.
- As a State Court Judge, she presides over civil and criminal cases. Her civil cases include medical malpractice, wrongful death, product liability, and automobile accidents, while her criminal cases cover offenses such as driving under the influence, simple battery, domestic violence, theft, and possession of marijuana.
- Has received many awards in the legal field including Jurist of the Year Award from Mount Moriah Grand Masonic Lodge, Judge With A Heart Award from the Minority Judges of Georgia, Leadership Award from the Atlanta Job Corps Center, the Spirit of GABWA Award presented by the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, and the Millennium Award of Excellence In Law from the Women For Morris Brown College.

Legal Experience

As of May 9, 2025, Patsy Y Porter’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

These Halls Can Talk

Serves on the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Committee and is the past president of both the Advisory Board of Atlanta Legal Aid Society and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys.

Member of the Gate City Bar Association and Board of Directors of the Andrew & Walter Young YMCA. She is the past chairperson of both the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Bar Foundation and the Board to Determine Fitness of Bar Applicants.

Has received community awards including, the Pinnacle Leadership Award from The Fortitude Educational and Cultural Development Center, Inc., Young Family YMCA Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Leah Ward Sears Award for Distinction in the Profession.

- Serves on the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Committee and is the past president of both the Advisory Board of Atlanta Legal Aid Society and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys.
- Member of the Gate City Bar Association and Board of Directors of the Andrew & Walter Young YMCA. She is the past chairperson of both the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Bar Foundation and the Board to Determine Fitness of Bar Applicants.
- Has received community awards including, the Pinnacle Leadership Award from The Fortitude Educational and Cultural Development Center, Inc., Young Family YMCA Volunteer of the Year Award, and the Leah Ward Sears Award for Distinction in the Profession.
- She is a Leadership Atlanta Alumnus.

Community Involvement

Patsy Y Porter

- Despite their name, State Courts in Georgia have limited jurisdiction within their county. State Court Judges also have limited jurisdiction over the types of cases they hear, as opposed to Superior Court. 
- State Court Judges hear misdemeanors, like traffic tickets. They also issue arrest and search warrants and hold preliminary hearings in some criminal cases. 
- State Court Judges hear most civil matters that aren't related to land titles, divorce, or cases involving non-monetary damages (those matters are handled by the Superior Court).
- State Court Judges are elected in non-partisan county wide elections and serve four year terms. The Governor can appoint State Court Judges when vacancies arise. 
