Employment as an Assistant District Attorney

I. Commitment

The Office of the Fulton County District Attorney currently requires each Assistant District Attorney to sign a binding commitment to remain employed with the office for a period of three (3) years. This commitment is necessary to maintain the high level of competence and expertise required to handle felony level prosecutions.

II. Your Career as an Assistant District Attorney

As a newly hired Assistant District Attorney, you will undergo a three-week training program in which you will be introduced to the basics of screening, filing and handling felony cases in the Superior Courts of Fulton County. Upon completion of this training you will be assigned to the Complaint Room where you will put into practice the techniques learned and well as participate in the ongoing development of this exciting new concept in the intake of criminal cases in Fulton County.

During this time you will also be expected to participate in a more intensive training program conducted by the Deputy District Attorney for Administration and Training. This program is scheduled once per year and covers all aspects of criminal litigation. It also includes several "mock" trials that encompass areas such as voir dire, direct examination of witnesses and introduction of physical evidence, opening statements and closing statements. The training program is specifically designed to provide you with the tools needed to become a successful litigator.

Upon completion of your service in the Complaint Room, and having demonstrated that you are deserving of promotion, you will be assigned to the Juvenile Court Division, the Grand Jury or the Felony Trial Division. Juvenile Court attorneys handle all juvenile delinquency cases in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit; both felony and misdemeanor. Attorneys assigned to the Grand Jury prepare and present cases for Indictment. In this position you will gain experience putting on the testimony of police officers and civilian witnesses as well as the development and charging of some of Fulton County's most serious criminal cases. In the Felony Trial Division, you will be assigned to handle cases before one of the 15 Superior Court judges currently sitting in the Atlanta Judicial Circuit. Here you will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the handling of jury trials as well as general motions practice. The types of cases handled by our Assistant District Attorneys in the Trial Division cover the entire range of felony crimes committed in Fulton County such as theft, burglary, armed robbery, and other serious crimes.

Once you have demonstrated your abilities and expertise as a seasoned litigator, you will become eligible for selection for one of the many specialized prosecution units maintained by our office. Attorneys in these units develop expertise in specific areas of criminal law and are expected to handle the most serious cases within those areas. A detailed description of these units can be found in the "Office Overview" area of this web site.

III. The Selection Process and Salary

The Office of the Fulton County District Attorney handles only felony level cases. Therefore, it is expected that most applicants will have already achieved a sufficient level of trial and courtroom experience to enable them to handle cases at this level with a minimum amount of training. Some exceptions are made for candidates who exhibit substantial experience or expertise in related areas. Our office offers an extraordinary opportunity to obtain extensive trial experience while helping protect our community from crime. Given this fact it should certainly be no surprise that the office currently enjoys a fairly low level of attrition. Positions as Assistant District Attorneys are therefore greatly sought after resulting in a selection process that is highly competitive.

IV. Applying For A Position

The current (minimum) starting salary for an Assistant District Attorney is $50,999 per annum. Some adjustments may be made to this salary depending upon your experience. You must be licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia and be a member in good standing with the Georgia Bar. All Assistant District Attorneys are required to sign a binding commitment to remain employed with the office for a minimum of three (3) years.

Applications are accepted regardless of current open positions and are maintained for a period of six (6) months. Please include a current resume, a cover letter outlining your experience relating to this position and your salary requirements. Applications for employment as an Assistant District Attorney should be sent to:

Rhonda Brodsky
Deputy District Attorney
rhonda.brodsky@fultoncountyga.gov
(404)224-3197