Catherine has lived in Fayette County for most of her life, including elementary and middle school. She has been practicing law for 22 years. She has three children: a son, Austin, that recently graduated from Georgia Tech; Sarah, a 9th grader at Whitewater High School; and Andrea, an 8th grader at Whitewater Middle. Catherine is a military brat, and attended high school on three continents, graduating in South Korea. Catherine returned to live in Georgia in 1992, and has lived here ever since.
Catherine graduated cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1998, and holds a BA from The College of William & Mary, where she double-majored in Economics and Government.
Catherine has extensive experience handling family and criminal cases in Fayette, Spalding, Pike and Upson County courts. She has owned her own business for 16 years. Catherine has litigated hundreds of cases, including complex custody cases, divorce, child support, and numerous domestic violence cases. She has criminal law experience in state and superior courts, dealing with felonies and misdemeanors. She has handled criminal and civil jury trials. She served as foreman of the Fayette County Grand Jury in 2010. She has successfully won several groundbreaking appeals, including In re: JM, 276 Ga. 88 (2003), and Gallo v. Kofler, 289 Ga. 355 (2011)
Catherine’s experience serves her well in applying a commonsense approach to justice. She is level-headed and practical, and resolution oriented. Catherine prevails in litigation because she has a clear, fair presentation, backed by facts and evidence. Catherine is not prone to bias or prejudice. She has a strong sense of justice, and a conservative approach to the role of the bench.
Catherine is thoroughly engaged in the community. She served on the board of Promise Place, the local domestic violence service provider, and has done significant volunteer work with AVPride and Fayette Factor. Catherine is dedicated to reducing alcohol and drug use among our teens. She played a key role in the drafting and passage of a social hosting ordinance in Fayette County, and is currently active with the Drug Free Fayette Coalition. She has served as board chair of the YMCA, on the Fayette County Bar board, on the DART board, and on the Southern Conservation Trust board. She coached the Starrs Mill Mock Trial team for 5 years. Catherine coached soccer with FCYSL. Catherine is a member of the Peachtree City Rotary Club.
