Angie Coggins- GACDL President

Proud to Be a Public Defender:  The year was 1978. The place was Northside Junior High School. That is where it all began.

I was in eighth grade and took a class entitled, “Youth In Law.” It was all about the juvenile justice system. On the first day of class, our teacher announced that as part of the course, we would have a mock trial towards the end of the quarter (if “junior high” didn’t date me, then the fact that we were on a quarter system certainly does!). I couldn’t wait. When the time came, I was fortunate enough to get to play the defense attorney. Of course, I was appointed, not retained—and thus began my career as a public defender. My mock client probably didn’t think she was so lucky to have me as her lawyer, since the mock jury found her mock guilty. However, in my defense, I was not as effective as I could have been, because I was not yet a member of GACDL!

I am now a proud member of GACDL and have been for more than 27 years. I am honored and humbled to be the new President of this most amazing and valuable organization. I cannot imagine my legal life without the support, guidance, and wisdom of the wonderful, learned, and always helpful members of this great association. I cannot imagine my personal life without the precious friendships that were formed thanks to GACDL.