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Kierston obtained both her bachelor’s degree in accounting and her Master’s in Public Administration degree from the University of West Georgia. She then earned a law degree from John Marshall Law School. She attends Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton with her family. 

Kierston began working in the court in high school and was appointed as an Assistant Magistrate in 2016. She is a partner at McMahan, Perry, and Phillips in Carrollton, where the majority of her work is in litigation. 

Kierston M. Phillips' campaign for chief magistrate is her first entry into politics.

As a partner at McMahan, Perry, and Phillips, works in litigation, and is a licensed mediator in general civil mediation, family/domestic, juvenile delinquency and domestic violence.

Was admitted to practice law in Georgia in 2013.

- As a partner at McMahan, Perry, and Phillips, works in litigation, and is a licensed mediator in general civil mediation, family/domestic, juvenile delinquency and domestic violence.
- Was admitted to practice law in Georgia in 2013.

Legal Experience

As of March 19, 2024, Kierston M Phillips’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Apply the law fairly for everyone"

Plans to apply the law fairly for everyone.

Supports upholding Carroll County values and public safety, maintaining law and order, while ensuring fairness and leniency for minor, first-time offenders in judicial administration.

- Plans to apply the law fairly for everyone.
- Supports upholding Carroll County values and public safety, maintaining law and order, while ensuring fairness and leniency for minor, first-time offenders in judicial administration.

Judicial Administration

Said, "With deep roots in Carroll County, I am committed to keeping our community a great and safe place to live for our children."

Supports maintaining Carroll County as a safe, desirable place for children through dedicated community service, emphasizing the significance of an impactful yet often overlooked judicial role requiring a candidate with a solid track record, integrity, and extensive experience.

Said, "Work with law enforcement to keep us safe"

Wants to work with law enforcement to keep the community safe.

- Said, "With deep roots in Carroll County, I am committed to keeping our community a great and safe place to live for our children."
- Supports maintaining Carroll County as a safe, desirable place for children through dedicated community service, emphasizing the significance of an impactful yet often overlooked judicial role requiring a candidate with a solid track record, integrity, and extensive experience.
- Wants to work with law enforcement to keep the community safe.

Community Involvement

Facebook

Kierston M Phillips

Kierston obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting in 2008 and her Master’s in Public Administration in 2010, both from the University of West Georgia. She then went to law school at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School and graduated in December 2012 with her Juris Doctor. Kierston was admitted to practice law in Georgia in 2013. She attends Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton with her family. 

Kierston began working in the Court in high school and was appointed as an Assistant Magistrate in 2016. She is a Partner at McMahan, Perry, and Phillips in Carrollton, where the majority of her work is in litigation. 

As of May 11, 2024, Kierston M Phillips’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Kierston is a Partner at McMahan, Perry, and Phillips in Carrollton, working in litigation. She is a licensed mediator in general civil mediation, family/domestic, juvenile delinquency and domestic violence.

- Kierston is a Partner at McMahan, Perry, and Phillips in Carrollton, working in litigation. She is a licensed mediator in general civil mediation, family/domestic, juvenile delinquency and domestic violence.

The candidate's website says, "Remain accessible & always do the right thing"

- The candidate's website says, "Remain accessible & always do the right thing"

The candidate's website says, "Running for this position is about continuing her service to Carroll County through the Magistrate Court... From labeling case files as an intern to adjudicating cases, Magistrate Court has been a large part of her life. On the bench, she has earned a reputation for fairness, efficiency, following the law, and striving to do the right thing... She will continue that proven record as Chief Magistrate."

- The candidate's website says, "Apply the law fairly for everyone"
- Supports upholding Carroll County values and public safety, maintaining law and order, while ensuring fairness and leniency for minor, first-time offenders in judicial administration.

- Said, "With deep roots in Carroll County, I am committed to keeping our community a great and safe place to live for our children."
- Supports maintaining Carroll County as a safe, desirable place for children through dedicated community service, emphasizing the significance of an impactful yet often overlooked judicial role requiring a candidate with a solid track record, integrity, and extensive experience.
- Said, "Work with law enforcement to keep us safe"

Kierston began working in the Court in high school and was appointed as an Assistant Magistrate in 2016. She is a Partner at McMahan, Perry, and Phillips in Carrollton, where the majority of her work is in litigation. She is a licensed mediator in general civil mediation, family/domestic, juvenile delinquency and domestic violence.

As of May 3, 2024, Kierston M Phillips’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Magistrate Courts hear civil cases only in amounts less than $15,000. There are no jury trials in Magistrate Court. 
- Magistrate Courts hear landlord tenant dispossessory cases (i.e. a case where a landlord is seeking an eviction of their tenant) and can order evictions. 
- The Chief Magistrate can determine procedures for managing the cases in front of the Magistrate. For example, in Fulton County the Chief Magistrate informs parties in landlord tenant dispossessory cases on the benefits of mediation and provides on-site mediators to resolve landlord tenant disputes before the parties appear in front of the judge. 
- Magistrate Courts only have jurisdiction over their respective counties. Each county has its own magistrate court. Magistrate Court Judge term lengths vary per county, however most serve four year terms. Local Superior Court Judges set parameters for Magistrate Courts. 