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Judge Porter was born and raised in Atlanta. She received her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University and her law degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law. She is married and has two grandchildren.

Judge Porter has experience as an attorney.

Judge Porter is a Fulton County State Court Judge. She was elected in 2020 and has served one term in this position. She has served as the Chief Judge of the Fulton County State Court.

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 March 19, 2024, 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

Judge Patsy Porter is actively involved in numerous professional and civic associations. She is a member of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, Chairperson of the Board of Community Concerns Inc., member of the Advisory Board of Atlanta Legal Aid Society and past president, member and past president of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA), member of the Gate City Bar Association, member of the Board of Directors of the Andrew & Walter Young YMCA, past chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Bar Foundation, and past chairperson of the Board to Determine Fitness of Bar Applicants. She is a Leadership Atlanta Alumnus. She received her law degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law and her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University. Judge Porter is married and has two grandchildren

As of May 12, 2024, Patsy Y Porter’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judge Porter was re-elected to the Court in 2020,  serves as a Fulton County State Court Judge, where she presides over civil and criminal cases. Her civil cases include medical malpractice, wrongful death, products 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.

The candidate's website says, "She received her law degree from Woodrow Wilson College of Law and her undergraduate degree from Georgia State University."

Presides over civil and criminal cases. Her civil cases include medical malpractice, wrongful death, products 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

- Presides over civil and criminal cases. Her civil cases include medical malpractice, wrongful death, products 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

Candidate website

Supports community engagement, serving on boards and committees of legal, civic, and professional groups in Atlanta, including judicial, legal aid, women attorneys, and local organizations, demonstrating a commitment beyond her legal career.

Supports community involvement, evidenced by awards for leadership, volunteerism, and professional distinction from educational, legal, and local organizations, including the YMCA, Minority Judges of Georgia, and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys.

Received various awards from educational, legal, and local organizations, including the YMCA, Minority Judges of Georgia, and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys.

- Received various awards from educational, legal, and local organizations, including the YMCA, Minority Judges of Georgia, and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys.

As of May 3, 2024, Patsy Y Porter’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Patsy Y. Porter serves as a Fulton County State Court Judge, where she presides over civil and criminal cases. Her civil cases include medical malpractice, wrongful death, products 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.

- 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. 
