Paul Hamilton

Paul Hamilton Attorney at McCarthy Law PLC in Nashville GA

Paul Hamilton is of counsel in the McCarthy Law PLC Nashville, Georgia office.

Education University of North Georgia, B.S. in Political Science 1997 Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University J.D. 2004

Personal/Family Married to Dr. Betsy Coleman Hamilton. We have three children, Henry, Cole, and Bailey and reside in Berrien County, Georgia. Member of the Nashville United Methodist Church. Enjoy reading, snow skiing, and spending time with family and friends

Professional Background, Bar Activities, Civic Activities Professional Legal Activities: Law Office of Paul W. Hamilton, Attorney at Law Municipal Court Judge for Nashville, Georgia 2005-2008 State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Leadership Academy 2008 Past President, Alapaha Bar Association 2007-2008 Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2005-Present Admitted to practice in the following courts: United States Court of Federal Claims, U.S. District Court for Middle District of Georgia, Georgia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, and all state courts in Georgia

Military Service U.S. Army, Medical Service Corps Officer, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, NY 1998-2001 Georgia Army National Guard, Mechanized Infantry 1993-1998

Civic Activities President, The Berrien County Development Authority 2013-2014 Nashville-Berrien Rotary 2005-Present, Past President 2006-2007 Past President, Berrien County Chamber of Commerce 2013-2014 Carrie Dorsey Perry Memorial Library Board of Trustees 2013-Present Certified Literate Community Program Board 2012-Present Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 5978, Nashville, GA 2007-Present The Berrien County Collaborative Board 2005-Present Berrien County School Board Member 2009-2011 Assisted in formation of Berrien High Mock Trial Program 2007

Main issues facing the State Bar/position The public service opportunities sponsored by our state bar, including the State Bar Pro Bono Service Project and the Military Legal Assistance Program, are extremely important to those that need access to legal services but are unable to afford the cost of an attorney. As a member of the Board of Governors, I will continue to support and promote these worthy programs.

One of the issues our state bar could address is legal education. Currently, there is no requirement for any practical training for a lawyer before admission to the bar. Like the medical profession, aspiring lawyers should have to complete an internship, clerkship, or the like to learn real-world aspects of practicing law before being allowed to take the bar examination. While many law students avail themselves of these opportunities, it is not a requirement. Modifying our rules to require even a nominal amount of hands-on experience could enhance a new lawyer’s ability to navigate the day to day responsibilities of being an attorney once they become members of the bar. As a member of the Board of Governors, I will ask that we consider making this a requirement prior to being allowed to take the Georgia bar examination.