Judge Ann Harris on Law, Lawyers, and What Actually Matters in Court | Lawyers Without Billboards S2-Ep15

What actually matters in court?In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, we sit down with Judge Ann Harris, Chief Judge of the Cobb County Superior Court, for a candid conversation about how decisions are really made from the bench.Judge Harris shares her journey from a 19-year career in the District Attorney’s office to presiding over a courtroom that handles everything from criminal cases to complex domestic and civil matters. Along the way, she offers insight into what judges look for, what lawyers often miss, and how courtroom strategy can make or break a case.We cover: How judges evaluate arguments, evidence, and credibility  When and why judges reserve rulings  The realities behind attorney’s fees decisions  Common mistakes lawyers make in court  The importance of clarity, structure, and relevance  Mental health accountability courts and their real-world impact This episode pulls back the curtain on the courtroom and offers a rare perspective from someone who sees it all.⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro & why judges make great guests 01:00 – Meet Judge Ann Harris 03:30 – From prosecutor to judge: taking the leap 09:30 – Learning domestic law from scratch 13:00 – The biggest challenges on the bench 16:00 – When judges rule immediately vs. later 18:30 – Do lawyers or clients bring more emotion? 21:00 – Attorney’s fees: what judges actually look for 25:00 – What makes evidence persuasive (and what doesn’t) 27:30 – “This is not moving the needle” 30:00 – Do lawyers really understand evidence rules? 34:30 – Favorite movies & personal side of judging 38:00 – Life beyond the bench 41:00 – Mental health accountability courts explained 48:00 – International judicial work (Republic of Georgia) 50:30 – Final thoughts 🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis 🎧 Watch here: https://youtu.be/xiTL6TbrFTk or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.📩 Contact: [email protected]| (770) 939-1939🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA