GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Mark Alexander, a seasoned civil trial lawyer and former prosecutor with more than three decades of courtroom and community leadership experience, has been appointed Circuit Public Defender for the Northeastern Judicial Circuit.
Georgia Public Defender Council Executive Director Omotayo B. Alli praised Alexander, citing both his trial experience and his community leadership.
“Mark Alexander brings to this role not only decades of courtroom skill, but also a deep commitment to integrity, fairness, and service,” Alli said. “I look forward to what his leadership will deliver for the citizens of Northeast Georgia as he continues to carry our mission forward.”
Alexander said he is honored to follow in the footsteps of Brad Morris, his predecessor as circuit public defender.
“This office has a proud tradition of dedicated service, and I recognize that I am standing on the shoulders of a giant who has come before me,” Alexander said. “Brad Morris’ commitment to justice and devotion to this office has set a high standard, and I am grateful for the opportunity to build upon his legacy.”
Morris who served more than 20 years as the Georgia Public Defender Council’s Chief Public Defender for Georgia’s Northeastern Judicial Circuit, retires on Nov. 17,2025. Morris’ office has handled more than 67,000 cases, and he has mentored countless young attorneys and ensuring vigorous defense for indigent clients. His career reflects a steadfast belief that safeguarding the accused safeguards democracy itself.
Alexander also emphasized his dedication to public defense.
“As a former prosecutor, I am returning to my roots in the criminal justice system,” he said. “I am committed to representing our GPDC clients with passion and dignity, because justice demands nothing less. I look forward to working with my colleagues, the judiciary, and all stakeholders to ensure that justice is served fairly and compassionately.”
Alexander began his legal career in Gainesville in 1990 as an assistant district attorney, trying cases from his very first week on the job. Over two years, he built a foundation as a trial lawyer by handling a heavy caseload of misdemeanors and felonies. In 1992, he joined Stewart, Melvin & Frost LLP, where he established a distinguished career as a civil litigator, securing multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements and pioneering innovative trial strategies.
Beyond the courtroom, Alexander has served on the State Bar of Georgia Board of Governors since 2012, contributing to the advisory committee on legislation and attorney wellness initiatives. He is a past president of the Gainesville–Northeastern Bar Association and the E. Wycliffe Orr Inn of Court, and a graduate of Leadership Georgia.
His civic contributions include helping launch the Gainesville Jaycees’ Gut Check program, serving on the Vision 2030 Public Art Committee, and maintaining long-standing involvement at Gainesville First United Methodist Church. His service has been recognized with honors including Hall County Young Man of the Year and Gainesville Jaycee of the Year.
A native of Gainesville, Alexander, earned his undergraduate degree from Clemson University and his law degree from Mercer University School of Law. He and his wife, Michelle, are the parents of two sons: Boone, an assistant district attorney in Massachusetts, and Pete, a law student at Mercer.
About the Georgia Public Defender Council
The Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) is the state agency responsible for ensuring that indigent defendants in Georgia are provided with effective legal representation. GPDC supports a statewide network of trial lawyers, investigators, and administrative professionals dedicated to protecting constitutional rights and upholding the highest standards of justice. Approximately 85% of criminal defendants in Georgia are represented by public defenders.
