Alexandra Morris Lewis | Atlanta Criminal Defense Lawyer

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In the Spring of 2016, I was approached by a woman who was in a precarious situation involving a very serious child custody issue. She was the Mother of a nine year old child who had made some allegations of physical abuse when with her biological Father. The mother and grandmother pleaded with me to help them make sure this child was not exposed to any further abuse whether it be mental or physical. We had our hands full because the Father was a well known and well liked figure of his community. While he was wealthy and connected, this mother and grandmother duo were not. I knew after we met that I would fight for them to ensure this family was safe. After a full day of trial, the Judge agreed to suspend all of the Father's visitation. The relief and gratitude I received from this family was nothing in comparison to the joy I felt knowing this little girl could sleep without having nightmares. Cases like that one solidify my purpose and restore my faith in our legal system that can often times seem unfair.

I have built a successful practice based on three key principals. 1. Knowledge. I never stop researching case law, learning new laws, and maintaining an up to date level of knowledge in my practice areas. When an attorney stops learning new tools they can often be at a disadvantage. Staying current and never stopping a hunt for knowledge is essential in being successful. 2. Communication. Being accessible to your clients is key. I never have an assistant or paralegal discuss cases with my clients. Clients have access to my direct number and email and will always speak to me directly whether it involves a case update or to schedule a meeting or phone call. I strive to have that level of personal engagement with each and every client so that we can build a relationship of trust and familiarity. 3. Candor. Too often I see or hear attorneys speaking to their client in "legalise" which can be confusing and misleading. I make it a priority to explain every detail to my client in a manner that isn't "lawyer talk." It's easy for an attorney to use legal terms when speaking to a client, as they would with a colleague, but it's important to understand that your client is often times dealing with the legal system for the first time and won't necessarily be familiar with legal terms. I have also had the misfortune of hearing attorneys give clients an overly optimistic expectation of how their case is likely to be resolved. While attorneys can never guarantee a favorable outcome, they often have difficulty managing realistic expectations. I will always explain all sides of the coin to my clients so they may be properly prepared for any outcome whether it goes in our favor or if the Court throws us a curve ball. I pride myself on being candid with clients through each step of the process rather than simply telling a client exactly what they want to hear only to later be left devastated or feeling mislead when the outcome is not consistent with the promises made during a consultation.

Clients should look for an attorney with whom they feel comfortable. Fancy offices or bigger firms should not have a weight on choosing the right attorney for you. Bigger is not always better. While it's nice to have more resources of a larger firm, your case will also likely be one of many and you may not receive the one on one attention you would with a smaller firm. Make sure you aren't hiring an attorney because they have more advertisements to the public. This is a misleading tactic I have witnessed, whereas many attorneys who focus heavily on advertisement are no more skilled than attorneys who don't need to advertise to maintain a client base. At the end of the day, clients should chose an attorney who they feel a rapport with and feel is trustworthy.

Local knowledge is probably 50% of the battle. I have often turned down potential case work to recommend the client hire an attorney from that particular jurisdiction. Local attorneys have the benefit of being familiar with the way in which a specific Court is run, and is often on a first name basis with clerks and court staff which is beneficial when your "day in Court"comes around. Perhaps most importantly, attorneys who are often in front of the same Judges for a period of time can become familiar with those Judges and can better determine how to proceed with your case because the attorney can better estimate how that particular Judge will rule etc. Lastly, each separate Court system has their nuances that may not be obvious to attorneys from other areas. I always recommend going local.

During a phone consultation I can help clients better understand any legal documents they may be trying to decipher or have questions about and also give them a better understanding of their case based on their specific facts. There usually isn't a one size fits all answer, despite what many people think. I always have clients say "well, my friend did this same thing and here's what happened in Court" etc. and what people don't know is that one tiny fact may change the outcome of a case so it is not wise to compare their case to a friend. I can explain the process of the potential client's case and give them an idea of how to begin their process and in some cases can give a good estimate on an outcome. I also like to discuss my fee scheduled and time line for their case.

Simple- being able to help people who are new to the legal system and are feeling overwhelmed.

I am an avid indoor cyclist, animal lover (I have two fur children), and coffee enthusiast. I enjoy being outdoors and try to stay busy with concerts, hiking, running, and traveling as often as possible.

I am a member of the Cobb Bar Association and often participate in legal events, charities, and have volunteered on a judging panel for the local high schools Mock Trial competitions. I also foster for a local animal shelter.

• Cobb County Bar Association | Attorney Member | 2016 - Present
  Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Attorney Member | 2014 - Present
  

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