This summer, we are proud to welcome Yinia Hernandez-Tavarez back to the Barrow County Public Defender's Office. Yinia recently graduated from Berry College with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Legal Studies and will begin her legal studies at the University of Georgia School of Law this fall.

Yinia's path to public defense was shaped by experiences working with Spanish-speaking youth in the juvenile court system and a desire to better understand the legal process from the defense perspective. During her previous internship with Barrow County, she assisted attorneys, translated documents, and gained firsthand insight into the importance of client advocacy and second chances.

Among her most rewarding experiences were celebrating clients' achievements in drug court and helping new clients feel welcomed during intake. After earning her J.D., Yinia plans to pursue a career in criminal defense.

We are thankful for Yinia's dedication, compassion, and enthusiasm, and we're excited to have her back with us this summer. ... See MoreSee Less

A commitment to service and advocacy led Chase Wallace to GPDC this summer. Chase is a senior at Emory University studying Political Science and History and is interning with the Law Office of the DeKalb County Public Defender.

For Chase, public defense represents an opportunity to stand beside individuals during some of the most difficult moments of their lives while ensuring that justice remains accessible to everyone. His longstanding interest in the legal profession and dedication to serving others made GPDC a natural fit.

One of the most rewarding aspects of his internship has been learning how to better support clients in a legal setting while gaining valuable insight and mentorship from experienced attorneys. After graduation, Chase hopes to build a career in public defense and eventually transition into policymaking, where he can use those experiences to create meaningful change on a broader scale.

We are thankful for Chase's dedication, compassion, and commitment to public service and look forward to following his future accomplishments. ... See MoreSee Less

This summer, we are proud to spotlight Khepera Omijeolukore, a Psychology Pre-Law student at Spelman College, interning with the Atlanta Judicial Circuit in Fulton County.

Khepera's passion for public defense began at a young age after reading Just Mercy and learning about the barriers many individuals face in accessing quality legal representation. She was inspired to join GPDC to learn from experienced advocates who work every day to ensure justice and equitable defense for their clients.

One of the most rewarding aspects of her internship has been working alongside a mentor who advocates for juvenile clients. Seeing young people regain hope and successfully move forward after difficult circumstances has reinforced Khepera's commitment to advocacy and service.

Looking ahead, Khepera hopes to become a human rights attorney while also leading efforts in public health policy focused on maternal health and cancer equity. We are thankful for the passion, empathy, and dedication she brings to GPDC and look forward to following her future accomplishments. ... See MoreSee Less

This summer, we are proud to welcome Zach Ansley to our Atlanta office. Zach is a first-year law student at Georgia State University College of Law with a strong interest in criminal defense and public service.

Inspired by the belief that every criminal defendant deserves a vigorous and competent defense, Zach joined GPDC to gain practical experience and learn from attorneys dedicated to serving their clients. He is especially looking forward to developing his advocacy skills and working directly with clients throughout his internship.

Zach hopes to build a career in criminal defense and ultimately serve as a public defender. When he is not studying law, he enjoys cooking and experimenting with recipes from a variety of culinary traditions.

We are grateful to have Zach on our team this summer and look forward to seeing his growth throughout the internship. ... See MoreSee Less

This summer, our Law Office of the DeKalb County Public Defender is fortunate to have Toni Jafojo join the team as an intern. Toni is a sophomore at Columbia University studying Political Science with aspirations of pursuing a legal career.

After interning with a District Attorney’s Office, Toni became interested in gaining a broader understanding of the criminal legal system and the important role public defenders play in advocating for their clients. That desire to learn from multiple perspectives led her to GPDC.

While her internship is just beginning, Toni has already found the office to be welcoming and supportive, making her feel like part of the team from day one.

Outside of her academic work, Toni is also a published author whose writing has reached more than 400,000 readers.

We are excited to have Toni with us this summer and look forward to supporting her continued growth and interest in the legal profession. ... See MoreSee Less

This summer, we are proud to welcome Katherine “Katie” McDermott back to GPDC’s Appellate Division. Katie is a law student at Faulkner Law - Thomas Goode Jones School of Law with a strong commitment to public interest advocacy.

Inspired by her previous internship experience with GPDC, Katie returned to continue learning about appellate advocacy and its role in promoting fairness and consistency throughout Georgia’s criminal legal system.

One of the most meaningful aspects of her work has been contributing to appellate cases and helping ensure that individuals' voices and legal arguments are fully heard by the courts.

Katie plans to pursue a career focused on appellate work, criminal law, and civil rights litigation. Outside of her studies, she has also contributed research and writing to a published legal textbook chapter examining the use of artificial intelligence in legal practice and education.

We appreciate Katie’s dedication to public service and are grateful for the perspective and commitment she brings to our team. ... See MoreSee Less