CIVILITY RESOLUTION SERVICES - Key Persons

Mary E. Evans-Battle was born in Grenada, MS and raised in Ravenna, OH. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Kent State University in Kent, OH, and a Juris Doctor from Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. She became a member of the Maryland State Bar in 1990 and the State Bar of Georgia in 1995. She has been named as one of the 2018 Law and Justice Woman of the Year Honorees. As such she, along with other prominent women, will appear in Women Looking Ahead magazine, dedicated to Georgia's Most Powerful and Influential Attorneys in Law & Justice. She is also a registered Neutral and Arbitrator. Ms. Evans-Battle began her legal career as a general practice Associate Attorney with an upstart law firm in Baltimore, Maryland. Although she represented many clients in various genres of law, she became a specialist in the area of juvenile law representing both children and adults. As a sole practitioner in Georgia she represented clients in administrative law hearings, civil, juvenile and criminal matters. In 1998 she became an Assistant District Attorney in the Flint Circuit Office of the District Attorney. She began as a general litigator assigned to Probate and Juvenile Courts. When the county reorganized its judicial system she saw the perfect opportunity to develop a Juvenile Division for the office instead of just a prosecution assignment. She developed an operational system for the District Attorney's Office and this model was used by Governor Purdue's Juvenile Reform Act Committee regarding staffing and management needs of District Attorney offices across the state. This also included recognition of our Juvenile Victim Advocate and services provided through our advocate program and its case management. Our office has been called upon to advise and conduct training sessions in other counties relative to our model. Upon assessment of the law, policy and procedures relating to court's intervention and the agencies involved Ms. Evans-Battle was able to define, implement and integrate procedures for statutory compliance which has allowed for a multi-systemic manner of treatment of juveniles. She has been an additional asset with her grant writing abilities to fund staff and programs where needed; maintain partnerships with law enforcement agencies, probation departments and the school systems by developing a Juvenile Training Program that is conducted on a yearly basis. She continued to be recognized for her knowledge and skill of thinking outside the box as she managed a prosecutorial caseload for the Accountability Courts Program in Henry Superior Court. Through the Adult Felony Drug Court, Resource Court for those with mental health diagnosis and Veterans Treatment Court, her assistance has been vital in educating and acknowledging that justice in the community includes compassion. Over the years she has been an active member of her community in several legal and civic organizations. Some activity include participating and speaking to youth in school and in the community; participating in Pro Bono Law Days; Chosen Heirs, Inc. Board of Directors, Andy Calhoun Foundation Founding Board Member, Regeneration 7 Chair of Community Action Group (Drug & Alcohol program), Georgia Association of Women Lawyers Southside Chapter Member-at-Large, State Bar of Georgia Government Attorneys, Criminal Law Committee and Child Protection Advocacy Committee, Prosecuting Attorneys Council Juvenile Law Steering Committee, Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (Judicial and Political Office Academy 2015 graduate), McIntosh Trails MHDDAD Community Service Board of Directors(former Vice-Chair), Women of Wisdom Book Club, and Leadership Henry Board of Directors (held several offices including Chairperson), Henry County Chamber of Commerce (including Board Member), and Board of Directors for Department of Family and Children Services. Currently, she enjoys being a member of the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC), Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA), National Black Prosecutors Association (NBPA) Henry County Bar Association, Shiloh Baptist Church Toastmasters Club on Executive Committee for four years (current Vice President Membership), Area Director for District 14 Toastmasters, Henry County Schools Department of Student Conduct Community Collaborative Committee, Henry County Juvenile Mental Health Court Board of Directors (REACH Program), McIntosh Trail Regional Community Collaborative Resource Contact, and Rachel's Gift Advisory Board of Directors. Ms. Evans-Battle is married to Willie Battle. Together they have raised five children, LaSandra (deceased), Branden, Erica, Alexis and Raymond. She is a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, enjoys reading, gardening, fishing and hanging out with her grandchildren in her spare time.