Van Pearlberg Named 2009 Assistant District Attorney of the Year
Monday, August 10, 2009
Van Pearlberg, Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney for the Cobb Judicial Circuit, has been named the 2009 ADA of the Year. The award was presented on Monday, July 27, 2009 by the District Attorneys' Association of Georgia.
"I began my career in the district attorney's office in 1974 as an unpaid intern," said Pearlberg. "Over the years I have "walked with giants" and had the privilege and opportunity to work with a number of veteran prosecutors and lawyers who mentored me and taught me lessons that have helped me in court as well as in life."
"I have been practicing law since 1976," said Pearlberg. "I worked in private practice from 1976-1983 and 1985-1990. Over the other 20 plus years, I have been with the district attorney's office for the Cobb Judicial Circuit.
Pearlberg was nominated for ADA of the Year by Senior Assistant District Attorney Henry Thompson, also of the Cobb Judicial Circuit, for his role in seeking justice for two members of the Cobb County community who were violently murdered.
"Pearlberg prosecuted Lawrence Rice for the murders of Connie and Ethan Mincher," read Thompson's nomination letter, "He secured a death sentence after just five weeks of trial. Having assisted in the prosecution, I saw firsthand the tremendous amount of work he put into the trial."
The case was more than five years old at the time of the trial and the State faced numerous hurdles, including the death of a witness for the State before his deposition was concluded. Ultimately, this witness's videotaped testimony was admitted into evidence after Pearlberg effectively argued its admissibility before the Georgia Supreme Court.
"Pearlberg single-handedly prepared for trial even though there were numerous witnesses, reams of documents, and piles of boxes of evidence. Despite this vast amount of information, he knew everything there was to know about this case. He literally memorized it inside and out," Thompson explained.
The letter continued. "The intense preparation was coupled with Van's natural ability in the courtroom. Every defense was cut off, every loose end was sewn up, and by the time Van gave his closing argument, the verdict seemed a foregone conclusion. The jury was out fewer than eight hours before returning a guilty verdict, and then deliberated less than eight hours in the penalty phase to vote for the death penalty."
"Any prosecutor who had a chance to see this trial would feel a renewed sense of pride in choosing this career," read Thompson's nomination letter.
In addition to his career in the courtroom, Pearlberg has also served his country as a member of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. He was honorably discharged after seven years of service. Stateside, he has served as a POST-certified instructor at the North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy, and as an instructor on jury selection at the National Advocacy Center. Furthermore, Pearlberg has taught coursework on criminal law, criminal procedure, constitutional law, and corrections at Chattahoochee Technical College. Locally, he is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Marietta, Leadership Cobb, and the Honorary Commanders Association. In 2005, Pearlberg was selected to serve a four-year term on the Marietta City Council. He currently sits on the board of the Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority.
"Van Pearlberg has devoted his considerable talents in the courtroom to the pursuit of justice for victims. After knowing him and working with him for years, I cannot imagine anyone more deserving of the Assistant District Attorney of the Year Award than Van Pearlberg." remarked Thompson in closing the nomination letter.
"I would like to thank Senior Assistant District Attorney Henry Thompson for his assistance and ability in the death penalty case for which I was nominated for this honor," said Pearlberg. "I wish to thank District Attorney Pat Head for his confidence, trust and friendship. I also thank my wife Patti, for her understanding and encouragement to allow me to do what I do as a career public servant."
