Judge Shondeana Morris was appointed to the DeKalb County Superior Court on June 17,2019. Prior to Judge Morris’ appointment, she served as a DeKalb County State Court Judge.

A graduate of Lakeside High School in DeKalb County, Judge Morris earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from The University of Georgia and a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Albany State University. She graduated from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in 1997 and was admitted to the Georgia Bar that same year.

After graduating from law school, Judge Morris served as an Assistant Solicitor in Atlanta,Georgia. In 1999, she joined the Fulton County Office of the District Attorney and was promoted to Deputy District Attorney. As Deputy District Attorney, Judge Morris provided leadership to the Public Integrity Unit, where she worked to ensure public trust in local government and law enforcement; the Crimes Against Women and Children Unit, where she worked to protect families and children; and the Community Prosecution Unit, where she worked with communities and criminal justice partners to provide safe neighborhoods. In recognition of her outstanding trial expertise, Judge Morris received the Association of Government Attorneys in Capital Litigation Trial Advocacy Award in 2009.

Judge Morris is involved with many professional, civic, and religious organizations. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the American Bar Association, the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys, the DeKalb Bar Association, the DeKalb Lawyers Association, the Gate City Bar Association, and the Lawyers Club of Georgia. She serves on several committees for theState Bar of Georgia. Judge Morris also served on the Georgia Judicial Nominating Commission, and she is the former chair of the Gate City Bar Association Judicial Section. Judge Morris serves as a proud member of the University of Georgia Alumni Board of Directors and Mercer University Law School Alumni BALSA Council.

An alumnus of Leadership DeKalb, Judge Morris served for nearly a decade as an Executive Board Member of the International Women’s House, a non-profit domestic violence shelter, a member of the Stone Mountain-Lithonia chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and a member of the Lions Club. Committed to the development of young people, she is a member of the Criminal Justice Advisory Board for Atlanta Technical College and frequently serves as a mentor and speaker on topics ranging from law and ethics to mental and physical wellness. Judge Morris is the State Bar of Georgia Suicide Awareness and Prevention committee chairperson and travels the country providing education and awareness to end deaths by suicide. Judge Morris also serves as the past chairperson of DeKalb County CASA.

Judge Morris was appointed to the Georgia Division of Family & Children Services (DFCS)Advisory Commission in 2019 because of her passion and advocacy for children in DFCS care.
Judge Morris received the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division Courage Award (2021), the International Trailblazer Award (2021), the Law and Justice, Judge of the Year award, and the Hidden Figures of DeKalb County Award (2018).

In 2016, the Georgia House of Representatives passed House Resolution 1271, recognizing Judge Morris “for her tireless contributions to the State of Georgia.” Judge Morris also was acknowledged by Women Looking Ahead News Magazine as one of “Georgia’s Most Powerful and Influential Attorneys” (2019, 2011) and by the Daily Report legal news publication as “On the Rise – A Dozen Rising Stars” (2009).

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated honored Judge Morris in 2016 with both the Pota E. Coston Trailblazer Award and the Pinnacle Leadership Award for her dedication to public service given to the community.

Judge Morris is married to attorney Joe Morris, III. They are the proud parents of two young children and are foster parents under the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services.

Educational:
▪ Juris Doctor: Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law
▪ MS: Albany State University (Major: Criminal Justice)
▪ BA: The University of Georgia (Major: Journalism)

Judicial Experience:
▪ July 30, 2015 – State Court of DeKalb County – Traffic Division
▪ August 1, 2017 – Presiding Judge, Traffic Division
▪ June 17, 2019 – Superior Court of DeKalb County