For Immediate Release
Contact: Public Relations 404-969-4001

Monday, August 06, 2007
Newkirk Named 2007 Assistant Solicitor-General
of the Year

Jimmy L. Newkirk, Assistant Solicitor-General for the Cobb Judicial Circuit, has been selected as the 2007 Assistant Solicitor-General of the Year by the Georgia Association of Solicitor-Generals. “I am very appreciative and humbled in receiving this award,” said Newkirk.

The announcement was made on Sunday, July 22, 2007 at the 47 th Annual Summer Conference held at the Jekyll Island Convention Center on Jekyll Island, Georgia, and sponsored by the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council.

During the opening session of the conference, four outstanding members of the prosecutorial community were recognized as Solicitor-General, District Attorney, Assistant Solicitor-General and Assistant District Attorney of the year. This year, the Georgia Association of Solicitors-General recognized Otis Scarbary of Bibb County as Solicitor-General of the Year. Newkirk was honored as the Assistant Solicitor-General of the Year. The District Attorneys’ Association of Georgia recognized Peter. J. Skandalakis, District Attorney for the Coweta Judicial Circuit, as 2007 District Attorney of the Year. John B. Johnson, III, Chief Assistant District Attorney for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, was named the 2007 Assistant District Attorney of the Year.

“His modesty, humility, character, and humanitarianism make him an easy choice for Assistant Solicitor-General of the Year,” said one of the six letters submitted to the nominating committee on behalf of Assistant Solicitor-General Jimmy Newkirk.

Another nomination letter read, “Mr. Newkirk is simply extraordinary. He is extremely proficient with respect to both the substantive and procedural law. He is always on top of the most recent developments in the law and consistently works at keeping up to date. He gets to work early and stays late. He will not hesitate to stand his ground and take on the most difficult of cases under the most difficult of circumstances. Yet, he remains flexible and will modify his position if the law, evidence or circumstances warrant.” The letter went on to say, “He is a great listener and is patient with even the most difficult of participants in the criminal justice system. He will not let a difficult person or difficult circumstances impair his basic judgment about a case. Mr. Newkirk seems to remember the details of every case and of every conversation he has ever had concerning his work. He comes to court prepared and makes sure that all the lose ends are tied up before we conclude. He is also a very conscientious mentor to the newer solicitors who come through court.”

“I have been an assistant solicitor for seven years,” said Newkirk. “To be honest, I went to law school for knowledge and to get a better understanding of my own rights,” said Newkirk. Prior to working as a solicitor in Cobb County , he worked as an assistant district attorney in the Piedmont Judicial Circuit, primarily in the juvenile court arena.

Newkirk received his undergraduate degree from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University . The school is located in Greensboro , North Carolina . Upon receiving that degree, he was commissioned as an Officer in the Air Force. He spent 20 years in the Air Force doing a variety of jobs.

“Jimmy’s many years of experience as an officer in the United States Air Force have contributed to his calm, deliberate manner when faced with the hectic and pressure-filled atmosphere of the courtroom,” said another nominating letter. “He exhibits a work ethic that is as rare as it is impressive. I have never known Jimmy to complain about any job assignment he was given by superiors. And he was always the first to answer the call for volunteers to cover a courtroom assignment for a fellow prosecutor in need. His interactions with the public and defense council are always in keeping with the high professional standards expected of prosecutors. His excellent work ethic carried over to thorough preparation for both trials and motion practice.”

Newkirk went on to receive a master’s degree from Detroit , Michigan ’s Wayne State University . He then received a Juris Doctor from Georgia State University .

Said another nomination letter, “Jimmy’s immeasurable generosity with his time and knowledge has made a lasting impression on me… He is a brilliant lawyer, a humble servant, and a gifted teacher. He has the ability to light up a room and turn even the most stressful situation into a positive learning experience. I admire Jimmy tremendously and will always strive to meet the standard that he maintains for himself.”

“In prosecution, one must have a clear understanding and appreciation for the boss, the elected official,” said Newkirk. “That person has been charged by the community, because of his values, his judgment, to uphold and advocate the laws that govern the community. One must have a good understanding of the law and be fair and consistent in how one prosecutes those that offend our laws. One must be reasonable, willing to listen to another’s viewpoint, sometimes alter your stance in a particular case, yet also be able to stand firm if the case requires. Lastly, one must fully prepare all cases, no matter how insignificant they may seem. Be prepared for anything.”

“Over the years, I have seen Jimmy encounter countless people, whether inside or outside the courtroom, and one thing is always constant; Jimmy’s attitude and demeanor never change, no matter what the situation,” said another letter. “He treats everyone with the utmost respect and dignity. He is everything you would expect someone in this honored field of prosecution to be. I can truly say that I can think of no one who deserves this honor more than Jimmy Newkirk. The world would be a much better place if it were full of people like him.”

What has Newkirk learned from others around him? “Patience, understanding of the law, and, hopefully, the willingness to borrow and use ideas, tactics and solutions that others have tried, tested and been successful with,” said Newkirk. When asked why he’s so willing to give back to others, Newkirk replied, “Throughout my life others have given me a nudge along the way. I have a duty, an obligation, to ensure that I do the same.”

“We often learn by example and his example is that all people have worth and value and thus all are treated with courtesy and respect,” said anther nomination letter. “He is simply there, all the time, always willing to help or lend a hand to any of us. He seeks no recognition nor does he expect any. It is my privilege and honor to know him and work with him.”

“I would like to thank my own elected solicitor-general and boss, Mr. Barry Morgan and his wife, Sarah, for their support,” said Newkirk. Secondly, I’d like to thank my mother, Carrie S. Newkirk of Ivanhoe , North Carolina , and my son, Eric M. Newkirk, for supporting me in everything that I’ve done. I would be remiss if I did not mention my secretary, Dee Dee Garrett—she has ensured that I am ready for anything during my tenure here at the Cobb Solicitor’s Office. I would also like to thank the many other wonderful people with whom I currently work here in Cobb County , as well as those I’ve worked with in the past. And finally, I would like to thank Professor Bross and Professor Radford of the Georgia State University Law School ,” said Newkirk.