Gov. Kemp Announces Appointment to Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court

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Nora Polk

Nora was born and raised in Texas. She earned her bachelor's degree in political science from Texas A&M University and her law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. Nora and her husband have two children and live in Decatur.

Nora most recently served as an associate Magistrate Judge and supervising Magistrate Judge for the Dekalb County Magistrate Court. Previously, she worked as an attorney at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society and was a founder and managing partner at the firm Ashby and Polk LLC.

Nora Polk currently serves as a Superior Court Judge of Dekalb County on the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit. She was appointed to this position in 2022 and is serving her first term.

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Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Judge Polk worked for Atlanta Legal Aid Society for over eight years... She handled an active caseload of domestic relations, family violence, housing, consumer, public benefits, and disability cases... She was the supervising attorney of the Gwinnett office..."

As an attorney for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, focused on cases involving domestic relations, family violence, housing, consumer, public benefits, and disability cases, and managed student interns, paralegals, and new lawyers as a supervising attorney.

Believes in diverse legal expertise, founding Ashby & Polk, LLC in 2007, focusing on estate law, family law, and serving in various legal roles including Guardian Ad Litem, Ombudsman, Hearing Officer, and mediator.

As a founder and managing partner, served as a lead attorney in cases involving wills, trusts, estate planning, powers of attorney, guardianship, probate, elder law, divorce, custody, legitimation, and child support, and as a court mediator who helped disagreeing parties communicate and find solutions.

- As an attorney for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, focused on cases involving domestic relations, family violence, housing, consumer, public benefits, and disability cases, and managed student interns, paralegals, and new lawyers as a supervising attorney.
- As a founder and managing partner, served as a lead attorney in cases involving wills, trusts, estate planning, powers of attorney, guardianship, probate, elder law, divorce, custody, legitimation, and child support, and as a court mediator who helped disagreeing parties communicate and find solutions.

Legal Experience

As of April 23, 2024, Nora Polk’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

The candidate's website says, "Judge Polk joined the DeKalb County Magistrate Court as an Associate Magistrate Judge in 2010... She handled a plethora of criminal matters, various civil calendars, domestic violence dockets, and administration concerns..."

As a Magistrate Judge, handled criminal cases, various civil calendars, domestic violence dockets, and administrative planning.

- As a Magistrate Judge, handled criminal cases, various civil calendars, domestic violence dockets, and administrative planning.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Supports community education, frequently addressing students at various levels on legal topics, participating in mock trials, and contributing as a lecturer and adjunct instructor at multiple educational institutions in Atlanta.

Often speaks to students at local elementary, middle, and high schools about legal issues and serves as a judge for high school mock trial competitions.

Serves as a Judicial Engagement Network Fellow and as an advisor to new Fellows.

Serves as a judicial trainer and curriculum committee co-chair with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

Has served on Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) at all school levels and worked with the DeKalb County School System Parental Engagement programs.

Member of the Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and an associate member of the Stone Mountain Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

- Often speaks to students at local elementary, middle, and high schools about legal issues and serves as a judge for high school mock trial competitions.
- Serves as a Judicial Engagement Network Fellow and as an advisor to new Fellows.
- Serves as a judicial trainer and curriculum committee co-chair with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
- Has served on Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) at all school levels and worked with the DeKalb County School System Parental Engagement programs.
- Member of the Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and an associate member of the Stone Mountain Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Community Involvement

Instagram

Nora was born and raised in Texas. She earned her bachelor of arts in Political Science from Texas A&M in 1994 and her law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1998. Polk and her husband, Phillip, have two children and live in Decatur.

Nora most recently served as an associate Magistrate Judge and Supervising Magistrate Judge for the Dekalb County Magistrate Court. Previously, Polk worked as an attorney at the Atlanta Legal Aid Society and was a founder and Managing Partner at the firm Ashby and Polk LLC.

Nora Polk currently serves as a Superior Court Judge of Dekalb County on the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit. She was appointed to this position in 2022 and is running for reelection.

The candidate's website says, "Judge Polk is a member of the State Bar of Georgia... In 2006, she was selected to be in the Founding Class of the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division’s Leadership Academy."

Believes in legal education's value, holding a B.A. from Texas A&M, a J.D. from Cincinnati Law, and studying comparative justice in South Africa; involved in leadership and diversity initiatives during her academic tenure.

The candidate's website says, "In July 2022, Governor Brian Kemp appointed Judge Polk as the Superior Court Judge of Division 8 in DeKalb County, Georgia, the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit. She presides over felony criminal, civil, and domestic relations matters."

Worked as an attorney for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society focusing on cases involving domestic relations, family violence, housing, consumer, public benefits, and disability cases. Managed student interns, paralegals, and new lawyers as a supervising attorney.

Founder and Managing Partner at Ashby & Polk, LLC, serving as a lead attorney in cases involving wills, trusts, estate planning, powers of attorney, guardianship, probate, elder law, divorce, custody, legitimation, and child support. Served as a court mediator who helped disagreeing parties communicate and find solutions.

- Worked as an attorney for the Atlanta Legal Aid Society focusing on cases involving domestic relations, family violence, housing, consumer, public benefits, and disability cases. Managed student interns, paralegals, and new lawyers as a supervising attorney.
- Founder and Managing Partner at Ashby & Polk, LLC, serving as a lead attorney in cases involving wills, trusts, estate planning, powers of attorney, guardianship, probate, elder law, divorce, custody, legitimation, and child support. Served as a court mediator who helped disagreeing parties communicate and find solutions.

Served as an Associate Magistrate Judge and Supervising Magistrate Judge on the DeKalb County Magistrate Court, handling criminal cases, various civil calendars, domestic violence dockets, and administrative planning.

- Served as an Associate Magistrate Judge and Supervising Magistrate Judge on the DeKalb County Magistrate Court, handling criminal cases, various civil calendars, domestic violence dockets, and administrative planning.

The candidate's website says, "Judge Polk is a member of Leadership DeKalb 2013 Class, Leadership Georgia 2016 Class, the Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and an associate member of the Stone Mountain Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. ... She has received awards and recognition from these organizations..."

Serves as a Judicial Engagement Network Fellow and serves as an advisor to new Fellows.

Has served served on Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) at all school levels and worked with the DeKalb County School System Parental Engagement programs.

- Often speaks to students at local elementary, middle, and high schools about legal issues and serves as a judge for high school mock trial competitions.
- Serves as a Judicial Engagement Network Fellow and serves as an advisor to new Fellows.
- Serves as a judicial trainer and curriculum committee co-chair with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
- Has served served on Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) at all school levels and worked with the DeKalb County School System Parental Engagement programs.
- Member of the Decatur Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and an associate member of the Stone Mountain Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Born and raised in Texas, Judge Nora Polk now resides in Georgia, where she has chosen to live and raise her children. Details about where she attended school, her church affiliation, and specific information about her family are not provided based on the available information.

Judge Nora Polk began her judicial career serving on the Magistrate Court bench in DeKalb County, Georgia in 2010. She currently holds the position of Superior Court Judge for Division 8 in DeKalb County.

Judge Nora Polk began her tenure as a public servant in DeKalb County, Georgia, in 2010 when she was appointed to the Magistrate Court bench. She currently holds the position of Superior Court Judge for Division 8 in DeKalb County. There is no available information on any committees she may serve on or any past political campaigns.

- Georgia Superior Court Judges hear a wide range of criminal cases from petty theft and public drunkenness to murder. Some cases in front of the Georgia Superior Court involve the death penalty. 
- On the civil side, Superior Court Judges hear cases on divorce, titles to land, contract disputes, and premises liability. 
- Superior Court Judges are elected by judicial circuit. Each county surrounding Atlanta has its own judicial circuit, while rural judicial districts typically consist of multiple counties.
- Superior Court Judges are elected to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. The Governor can appoint Superior Court Judges when vacancies arise. 