Rome Judicial Circuit Public Defender Office

Serving Floyd County
Lee Henley, Circuit Public Defender

Nestled between the historic Clock Tower Hill and the Etowah River, the Rome Circuit Public Defender’s Office is located on the ground floor of the 100 year Old Floyd Courthouse Building. The office is led by Chief Circuit Defender Teddy Lee Henley. With the prowess and skills of its ten attorneys, the office has become known as a major force in the justice community in Rome.

The success of the office comes with great help from the excellent support staff. Under the leadership of Administrator Jane Key, the office and case file management is assisted by five administrative assistants and two investigators. An intern is also selected from one of the three local colleges for school credit. Each year, the support staff also trains a senior citizen to join the team part-time as a part of a Title V program funded through the federal government.

In 2006, the attorneys and the staff handled over 4300 adult cases and completed over 4300 adult cases as well. The cases are from superior, magistrate, probate, and municipal courts in Floyd County, including those in Rome and Cave Spring. The juvenile court case load, which is handled by one lone juvenile defender, exceeded 500 cases for juvenile delinquencies and child deprivation. Moreover, the office has collected over $42,100.00 in attorney application fees for superior court cases alone since the office opened in January 2005.

Despite the large caseload, trial/hearing demands, and small staff, the assistant public defenders and support staff enjoy the company of each other outside the four walls of the office and provides a positive and proactive presence in the community. Last year, the office participated in the Floyd County Relay for Life which raises funds for the American Cancer Society. The Relay in Rome, Georgia provides healthy fundraising competition between area businesses and groups, and the Rome Circuit Public Defender’s Office participated with fundraising booth called “Hope Floats.” This year, spearheaded by Administrative Assistant Barbara Harrison, our office has chosen a “South Pacific” theme. The office participants will be adorned in grass-skirts for the relay and a brightly colored booth that will sell corn, hot dogs, popcorn, and drinks on April 20-21, 2007 in Ridge Ferry Park in Rome, Georgia. Assistant Public Defender, Gerald Privin will provide musical entertainment by guitar throughout the all-night relay. All proceeds benefit Relay for Life.

Each year, the office gives collectively to charitable efforts. In 2005, Amy Noles, Administrative Assistant, was instrumental in the collection of toys for children with HIV/AIDS. In 2006, the office collected scarves and gloves for the homeless. Mrs. Santa Clause (Jane Key) with Santa’s Elf (Barbara Harrison) visit local daycare centers at Christmas which includes reading Christmas stories and poems. The office also provides a positive community example of environmental consciousness by collecting loads of recyclable cans and plastic bottles.

The office also engages in the community individually, and each person strives for work/life balance in jobs where weeks often demand way more than the required 40 hour governmental work week. Below highlights the varied backgrounds, accomplishments, and current projects of the office team, both attorneys and support staff. In the people lies the explanation of why Rome Circuit Public Defender’s Office is going strong.

Our Staff:

Mr. Lee Henley - Chief Public Defender

Lee served as Captain in the United States Army. He later taught Math and Social Studies in Arkansas. Lee has been a practicing attorney for twenty five (25) years and has carried a large volume of cases for all four (4) Superior Courts in Floyd County, as well as being a conflict attorney in surrounding counties. Lee has the ability to interact with people on any level which makes him highly respected by his colleagues, prosecuting attorneys and defense attorneys alike.

Mr. Ronald Shedd   - Chief Assistant Public Defender
Ron also served in the U.S. Army. His legal career began thirty three (32) years ago as the first law clerk to the Superior Court Judges in the Rome Circuit. He is a former President of the Rome Bar Association, Chairman of the Floyd County Personnel Board, Commander of Post 5 and Post 52 of the American Legion and is presently the Judge Advocate of the State of Georgia, American Legion.

Mr. William Newton, III - Juvenile Public Defender
In addition to working with the juveniles, Bill is an active member of the Rome Little Theater, Three Rivers Singers and a member of the First Presbyterian Church Choir.

Ms. Hope Demps - Assistant Public Defender
Selected as a part of the inaugural GPDSC Honors Program, Hope has worked for the Rome Circuit Public Defender’s Office since its inception. Previously working in a criminal and civil solo law practice, Hope has litigated varied areas of law. She is a member of the Florida and Georgia Bar. In her spare time, she sings with the gospel recording artist Destiny Praise, and often tours with the group on engagements nationally and internationally. This spring she will presenting a seminar on the legal consequences of underage sex at a youth abstinence conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Ms. Kathleen Simon - Assistant Public Defender
Kathy worked for Fulton County Department of Family and Children Services for Nine (9) years. She also recently returned from Rwanda, Africa where she preached the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Kathy is actively involved in her church, Destiny Metropolitan Worship Church, in Marietta, Georgia.

Mr. Mack Karesh - Assistant Public Defender
Mack retired as a Senior Attorney from the Office of Chief Counsel, Internal Revenue Service. He has been in our office since it opened in January 2005.

Mr. Gerald Privin - Assistant Public Defender
Gerald was in private practice for sixteen (16) years prior to joining the Rome Circuit on January 1, 2006. Gerald left the Atlanta Metropolitan Orbit, escaping from Henry County after visiting the great North West Georgia in 2005. Gerald plays the guitar and will “sing for his supper”.

Mr. Robert Rutledge - Assistant Public Defender
Before becoming a Public Defender, Robb practiced very briefly as an associate with a Workers’ Compensation practice. While in law school, Robb worked three semesters with the University of Georgia Legal Aid Clinic; Robb also worked as a Kayak Instructor for UGA. Before law school, Robb was a Latin teacher in Forsyth County, from 1998 through 2002. In May of 2006, Robb finished his thesis for a Master’s Degree in Latin at UGA. His thesis focuses on a highly-publicized criminal defense conducted by Cicero during the end of the Roman Republic. Robb primarily represents clients in Superior Court; he is also participating in the GPDSC Honors Program.

Mr. Bill Henderson - Assistant Public Defender
Bill has been in private practice since 1977, as well as Senior Litigation Associate with established Atlanta law firms. Prior to being admitted to the State Bar of Georgia, he was Vice President of a major Atlanta Banking Office, and maintained leadership over 17 employees. Bill has been an instructor in Atlanta Education courses, in Layman’s Law, Starting a New Business, and Estate Planning. For two years, he was an Adjunct Professor for Georgia Institute of Technology, DuPree School of Management, Business Law. Bill moved from being a Gwinnettian to a fellow New Roman to be closer to his daughter, who resides in Floyd County.

Mr. Randall Schonder - Assistant Public Defender
Randy will be joining us the first of February and was in private practice in Cartersville, GA. Randall and his family enjoy hiking and camping.

Mr. Larry Payne - Chief Investigator
Larry is a Certified Police Officer with an Associates degree in Criminal Justice and was Captain and Assistant Jail Administrator of the Floyd County Jail for ten (ten) years, with approximately sixty seven (67) employees. Larry is a Certified Georgia High School Basketball Official and an Official with Rome Speedway and Dixie Speedway.

Mr. Bobby Turpin - Investigator
For thirty two (32) years Bobby was Chief Probation Officer of Floyd County. Bobby is a post certified law enforcement officer. Bobby and his assistant, Jackie, maintain an office at the Floyd County jail and attend first appearance each day.

Ms. Jane Key - Office Manager/Paralegal
In addition to being a Certified Paralegal, Jane is a licensed real estate agent, is a Licensed Private Investigator with her license on inactive status, and a Black Belt in Aikido. She and her husband owned a company known as Accents by Key. Jane, having worked in the District Attorney’s office for years, has extensive knowledge and experience in the civil and criminal field.

Ms. LaVerne Beavers - Administrative Assistant
LaVerne came to our office from the Floyd County Court Administrator’s office. She worked in downtown Atlanta as the executive secretary to the General Counsel for Wachovia Bank, N.A., before coming to Floyd County, where she gleaned an extensive knowledge of Floyd County’s procedure for appointing attorneys. Working as our Indigent Coordinator, she has utilized that knowledge in the Public Defender’s Office. LaVerne and her husband moved from Powder Springs, GA to Piedmont, Alabama a/k/a “Green Acres” where they enjoy the quite life of a small Alabama town.

Ms. Barbara Harrison - Administrative Assistant
For seven (7) years Barbara was the Supervisor of records at the Floyd County Jail where she was employed for twenty one (21) years and has an extensive knowledge of the computer program ran by the jail and was essential in the training of employees for this program. Barb has certification in Accounting and Data Processing as well as Certified TAC and she is very active in her church.

Ms Amy Noles - Administrative Assistant
Amy was Supervisor at the Floyd County Jail when Barbara Harrison left to join our office. Thereafter when our office had an opening, Amy was “snatched up” to work in our office. Amy is certified as a TAC has two (2) college degrees, one (1) in Early Childhood Education and one (1) in Psychology. Amy was recognized by our local Recycle Center for her recycling effort. She is often referred to as the “Queen of Recycling”.

Ms Suzanne Stone - Administrative Assistant
Suzanne worked previously at the Floyd County Jail in the Records Division. Beginning as a Title 5 employee, Suzanne has worked herself into the position of a part-time Administrative Assistant, performing duties and responsibilities for our attorneys, and is an asset to our office. Suzanne enjoys gardening and spending time with her dog Boo.

Ms Marlene Mathis - Title 5
Marlene has been with us since 12-27-06 and was a Certified Customer Service Specialist and has worked numerous years in this field. Marlene enjoys reading, arts and Crafts and is an avid race car fan.

Ms Ashley Hamilton - College Intern from Berry College.
Ashley is due to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Journalism in May 2007. She has worked with local soup kitchens, been a tutor for T.A.P.S. Program, a UNICEF fundraising volunteer and foreign missions work in LaFortuna, Costa Rica in 2004.

Press: Rome News-Tribune article on the Rome Circuit Public Defender Office