The LGBTQ+ Bar: An Interview with Judge Mike Jacobs - The Nation's First Openly Bisexual Judge

Candidate website

Serves as a state court judge since 2015.

The candidate's website says, "Before joining the bench, Mike was a solo practitioner for four years, focusing his practice on consumer bankruptcy and debtor-creditor litigation... Prior to starting his own law practice, Mike was an associate at Alston & Bird, Krevolin & Horst, and Hall, Booth, Smith & Slover."

Was a solo practitioner for four years, focusing  on consumer bankruptcy and debtor-creditor litigation.

The candidate's website says, "Mike served two years on the Georgia Code Revision Commission... He also served one year representing the State of Georgia on the Uniform Law Commission..."

Served two years on the Georgia Code Revision Commission, which oversees the publishing of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

The candidate's website says, "Mike received his law degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2003... While at UGA Law, he served as Executive Articles Editor of the Georgia Law Review..."

Has as a law degree from the University of Georgia. 

- Serves as a state court judge since 2015.
- Was a solo practitioner for four years, focusing  on consumer bankruptcy and debtor-creditor litigation.
- Served two years on the Georgia Code Revision Commission, which oversees the publishing of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.
- Has as a law degree from the University of Georgia. 

Legal Experience

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

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Believes in year-round community engagement, participating in Leadership DeKalb, chairing events, judging student mock trials, and spreading holiday joy to first responders through the Heart of South DeKalb initiative.

Presiding judge for DeKalb County's student mock trial program.

The candidate's website says, "Mike serves on the board of directors of Leadership DeKalb... and is a member of the Class of 2016... He also serves on the board of directors of the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia..."

Serves on the board of directors of Leadership DeKalb and of the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia.

The candidate's website says, "In 2019, Mike was recognized by the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia at its annual awards gala with the award for Outstanding Service to the Stonewall Community."

Recognized by the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia with the award for Outstanding Service to the Stonewall Community in 2019.

- Presiding judge for DeKalb County's student mock trial program.
- Serves on the board of directors of Leadership DeKalb and of the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia.
- Recognized by the Stonewall Bar Association of Georgia with the award for Outstanding Service to the Stonewall Community in 2019.

Community Involvement

Instagram

Facebook

Youtube

Mike Jacobs

- 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. 
