Jennifer Snyder Adams | Cobb Circuit, Post 6

Candidate Statement

As a member of the State Bar for the past 25 years, I am the most qualified candidate for the Board of Governors (BOG) Cobb Circuit, Post 6 seat. For example, my reputation for professionalism and integrity is necessary to successfully serve the Bar and its members. I am trusted by judges, opposing counsels and clients alike that my word is a promise, and my transparency reinforces the genuineness of my character. Additionally, my strong work ethic and commitment to serving the community will help me succeed in representing Cobb County. As a career trial attorney, I learned early on that dedication to hard work, preparing every case like it was proceeding to trial, is the best way to guarantee successful representation. After serving as a trial attorney in the Law Office of the DeKalb County Public Defender for 15 years, I built my firm completely on my own. I began private practice on multiple court appointment lists and expanded my practice over the past 10 years to include family law and appeals in addition to criminal and indigent defense. My drive to grow and succeed will greatly benefit my service to the Bar. Moreover, my versatile practice offers me a unique perspective that will be useful in serving on the BOG. Handling multiple types of domestic and criminal cases provides me with comprehensive legal knowledge and experience and allows me to relate to diverse practice groups and lawyers. The above referenced qualities combined will aid me in cultivating strong relationships with other BOG members and encourage me to accomplish common goals. Lastly, my work-life balance keeps me grounded and refreshed so that I continue to enjoy the thrill of my career and the professional community around me. I promise to work hard, represent the Bar well and make you proud. Vote for me!

Education

• Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Degree in Criminal Justice (Major) and Sociology (Minor). Magna cum laude, graduated 1995.
• Law School: The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law, First Amendment Moot Court Team, graduated 1999.

Personal/Family

• I reside in East Cobb with my husband, Monty, a captain for the DeKalb County Fire Rescue Dept. Combined, we have four daughters, Kaitlyn, a graduate of Samford University and masters in speech therapy from GSU; Nadia, graduating in May 2025 from UGA-Terry College of Business and headed to work for Citibank NYC as a junior finance analyst; Ava, a sophomore statistics major at KSU and active in the Phi Mu Sorority; and Abigail, a fifth grader at Mt. Bethel E.S.
• I am a dedicated OSU Buckeye college football fan and lifelong Milwaukee Brewers baseball fan. I am learning Hebrew and have finally mastered the alphabet! I am a trained volunteer for Good Mews Animal Foundation, although currently “pawsed” my volunteering.

Professional Background, Bar Activities, Civic Activities

• I own The Snyder Adams Law Firm, LLC. I created the firm in 2015 and currently employ a paralegal, social media manager and lawyer (who is sitting for the February 2025 Georgia Bar Exam). We practice criminal defense, family law and appeals.
• I began my career with the Law Office of the DeKalb County Public Defender in 1999. As a public defender for 15 years, I handled large caseloads and first chaired countless trials for clients charged with major felonies. I was also highly active in the public defender internship program as I enjoyed helping law students learn practical trial skills.
• I have been a member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL) since 2000; a member of the Cobb Bar Association since 2015, including the Family Law and Criminal Defense sections; president of the Cobb Bar Solo/Small Firm section in 2016; named a Super Lawyer from 2019-2023; attended the two-week National Criminal Defense College in Macon, Georgia, in 2007; was a member of the National College for DUI Defense around 2017 and served on the Chattahoochee Tech Paralegal Studies Program Advisory Committee from 2023-2024.
• I am the volunteer coordinator for the Princeton Lakes Piranhas Swim Team; an active adult member of the Girl Scouts of America, a candidate for the 2025-26 Dickerson Middle School Foundation Board, a member of the Princeton Lakes Homeowners Association and a member of the Mt. Bethel E.S. PTA.

Main Issues Facing the State Bar/Position

• I believe that State Bar members would greatly benefit from more enhanced resources and training for lawyers opening solo/small law firms or growing to medium-sized firms. Running a business is not easy for many lawyers. Offering a more comprehensive approach to managing a law firm would expand on the currently available tips, directories and library resources to include a large, diverse group of qualified providers, vendors and experts to train lawyers how to run a business. Topics/trainings would include types of business entities, benefits and disadvantages of partnering, legal issues affecting partnering, all types of insurance coverage, banking and general accounting, cash flow and credit, rental space and leasing, buying buildings, being a landlord, hiring employees, managing employees, contract workers, marketing, office equipment, software, etc. The trainings would also offer roundtable forums, a mentor program and CLE seminars led by fellow lawyers about experiences with running a business.
• I believe that State Bar members would greatly benefit from a more uniform training program regarding professional responsibility and ethics. The Transition Into Law Practice Program (TILLP) is a wonderful foundation for training new attorneys. However, a more robust, uniform yearly statewide training program specifically tailored to professionalism and ethics at all stages of practice would streamline the content across all practice areas. Qualified individuals selected by the Bar would train lawyers in conflict management, communications, ethical debate and adversary, financial and fiduciary obligations and provide individual assistance to lawyers identified as struggling with ethical obligations.