Superior Court Judge Tangela M. Barrie receives Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Public Service Award from Stetson
The Hon. Tangela M. Barrie received the Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Public Service Award during the annual Inns of Court Banquet at Stetson University College of Law on Feb. 5, 2020.
The prestigious Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Public Service Award recognizes individuals who have provided outstanding contributions to public service, the justice system, and the community.
Judge Barrie, a 1997 Stetson Law alumna, is the youngest Superior Court judge ever elected to the circuit court in DeKalb County, Georgia. Elected in 2008 at the age of 35, Judge Barrie handles felony cases ranging from theft to murder and a civil case load that includes adoptions, divorces, and more. In 2015, she was selected as Chief Judge for DeKalb County Superior Court and continues to serve as the presiding judge of Division 10 of the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit.
With her strong family roots and commitment to community safety, Judge Barrie has dedicated herself to educating and empowering the community. She is an ardent advocate for young lawyers, offering an active Intern in Chamber Program.
“She has mentored me and other young lawyers active with the bar, teaching points of law and a commitment to professionalism in our field,” wrote Marisa Cioffi Dunn, a 2017 Stetson Law graduate who works as a staff attorney in Judge Barrie’s chambers and who nominated her for the award.
Prior to taking the bench, Judge Barrie was assigned to the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault Unit. There, she worked vigorously advocating for the safety of women and other victims and was selected the 2007 Prosecuting Attorney of the Year for the successful prosecution of her cases.
Judge Barrie has received many other accolades throughout her career, all marking her devotion to bettering her community. For example, she earned:
- The Boundless Commitment to the Community Award from the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office in 2006;
- The Bensonetta Tipton Lane Award in 2009 from the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys for her tireless dedication to family safety;
- The DST 2016 Public Policy Change Agent Award from Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; and several others.
She is an active member of numerous service organizations, such as Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the National Council of Negro Women. She is also on the board of various professional organizations, including the Wade Walker YMCA of Decatur and the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys.
“As a law clerk, I observe Judge Barrie’s courtroom almost daily,” Dunn wrote. “She is an excellent jurist with a deep knowledge and understanding of the law. My favorite attribute of Judge Barrie is that she always does what she believes is right, never compromising her integrity to take an avenue that may be easier. Judge Barrie has taught me what it means to be a public servant, as she has committed her life and career to public service.”
Judge Barrie’s tireless work in her community is truly in keeping with the spirit of and inspiration for the Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. Public Service Award. Smith was a legendary Florida lawyer who dedicated more than 60 years to the legal profession, working to increase the legal services available to people who could not afford them. He was a member of the Stetson University College of Law Hall of Fame, joined the Stetson University College of Law faculty in 1954, and was named a distinguished professorial lecturer in 1991.
Post date: Feb. 10, 2020
Media contact: Kate Bradshaw
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