Behind the Bench: Judge Alice Benton on Fair Trials and Family Law Fumbles | Lawyers Without Billboards Ep-34

What’s it really like to move from prosecutor to judge — and preside over Georgia’s toughest family law cases?In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, the Shewmaker & Lewis team sits down with Judge Alice Benton of the Fulton County Superior Court for a candid conversation about what really happens behind the bench. From evidentiary objections to unrealistic expectations, Judge Benton pulls no punches about what lawyers get wrong (and right) in her courtroom.She shares how her years as a prosecutor shaped her approach to fairness, why she’s passionate about courtroom preparation, and the one thing every family lawyer should do before trial. The team also dives into topics like affidavits of election, attorney’s fees, pre-trials, and the evolving role of judges in family court.Whether you’re an attorney looking for insight or just curious how judges see the process, this episode offers rare, real-world perspective from the other side of the bench.🎙️ Hosts: Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, Alexa Lewis 👩‍⚖️ Guest: Judge Alice Benton, Fulton County Superior Court 👨‍💼 Hosted by: Shewmaker & Lewis — Atlanta-based attorneys helping families navigate divorce, custody, and criminal defense with zero billboards and zero BS.📍 Chapters00:00 — Welcome and introduction 01:00 — Meet Judge Alice Benton 03:00 — From prosecutor to judge: lessons from both sides 06:00 — Adjusting to life on the bench and ensuring fair trials 08:00 — Evidence, objections, and trial strategy 11:00 — Why family law attorneys need an evidence refresher 13:00 — Preparation, balance sheets, and managing client expectations 16:00 — When judges award attorney’s fees 17:00 — How and when to request a pre-trial 19:00 — Affidavits of election and co-parenting challenges 22:00 — Modern realities of alimony in Georgia 25:00 — The courtroom mistakes judges see most often 28:00 — Trial prep tips and final advice from Judge Benton 👉 Have a question or topic idea? Visit shewmakerandlewis.com 🔗 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards 🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more. 📺 Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/musFiCIGIaM 📩 Contact: [email protected] 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by Rob Burgner at Bleeding Edge in Atlanta, GA