Ahsanti has a bachelor’s degree from North Carolina State University and a Juris Doctor from Emory University. She lives with her husband and daughter in Augusta.

Ashanti is an attorney. She operates her own firm, the Law Office of Ashanti A. Lilley, where she has been for five years. She previously worked at the Solicitor General’s Office in Augusta Richmond County, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Defender’s Office in the Augusta District.

Ashanti Lilley Pounds’ campaign for Judge of the State Court of Richmond County is her first entry into politics.

Augusta Attorney

Ashanti operates her own law firm, the Law Office of Ashanti A. Lilley. Her two main practice areas are criminal defense and family law. As a family law attorney, Ashanti assists clients with divorce, child custody, child support, temporary protective orders, grandparents rights, and more. As a criminal defense attorney, Ashanti defends clients in court against drug charges, DUI, theft, family/domestic violence, traffic offenses and more.

Previously, Ashanti worked as a prosecutor in the Solicitor General’s Office. As an Assistant Solicitor General, Ashanti represented Richmond County and prosecuted some misdemeanors. She also served as the Lead Accountability Court prosecutor in the Richmond County Solicitor General’s Office. An accountability court treats nonviolent offenders who suffer from mental illness, addiction, or other health issues using a therapeutic model combined with traditional judicial practices to address the underlying cause of illegal behavior.

Previously, Ashanti worked as an Assistant Public Defender. As a public defender, Ashanti defended low income clients against criminal charges.

- Ashanti operates her own law firm, the Law Office of Ashanti A. Lilley. Her two main practice areas are criminal defense and family law. As a family law attorney, Ashanti assists clients with divorce, child custody, child support, temporary protective orders, grandparents rights, and more. As a criminal defense attorney, Ashanti defends clients in court against drug charges, DUI, theft, family/domestic violence, traffic offenses and more. 
- Previously, Ashanti worked as a prosecutor in the Solicitor General’s Office. As an Assistant Solicitor General, Ashanti represented Richmond County and prosecuted some misdemeanors. She also served as the Lead Accountability Court prosecutor in the Richmond County Solicitor General’s Office. An accountability court treats nonviolent offenders who suffer from mental illness, addiction, or other health issues using a therapeutic model combined with traditional judicial practices to address the underlying cause of illegal behavior.
- Previously, Ashanti worked as an Assistant Public Defender. As a public defender, Ashanti defended low income clients against criminal charges.

Legal Experience

GA Bar

Ashanti is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing. She has no public disciplinary actions on record.

- Ashanti is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing. She has no public disciplinary actions on record.

Ethics & Conduct

Ashanti plans to partner with local agencies and community members to support treatment courts like Veterans Court and DUI Court.

She will “stand for Justice, Fairness, and Compassion for All.”

Her website states, “I will be impartial and demonstrate integrity while serving as a Public Servant for the citizens of Richmond County.”

- Ashanti plans to partner with local agencies and community members to support treatment courts like Veterans Court and DUI Court. 
- She will “stand for Justice, Fairness, and Compassion for All.”
- Her website states, “I will be impartial and demonstrate integrity while serving as a Public Servant for the citizens of Richmond County.”

Judicial Philosophy

As of April 21, 2022, Ashanti Lilley Pounds’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Ashanti is an Augusta Downtown Development Board Member.

- Ashanti is an Augusta Downtown Development Board Member.

Community Involvement

Ashanti Lilley Pounds

- 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. 
