News @ Georgia Law August 2014 Alumni Profile
Name: Sherwin K. Figueroa
Title: Assistant District Attorney
Employer Name: Cobb County District Attorney's Office
Location: Marietta, Ga.
Number of years there: 2
Georgia Law graduation year: 2011
Other degree(s)/institution(s)/year(s): B.A. in Pre-Law Political Science/Georgia State University/2007
1. Why did you choose to attend Georgia Law?
I knew since high school I wanted to be a prosecutor; therefore, I was very interested in attending Georgia Law since it is the only law school in the state to have a Prosecutorial Clinic.
2. Who was your favorite Georgia Law professor? Why?
Professor Alan Cook was my favorite professor because his experience of being a former district attorney for 10 years, coupled with his passion to help his students excel, made his classes both interesting and very useful.
3. What is your most memorable experience from your time at Georgia Law?
I remember one of the best feelings I had during my first year was finishing and turning in the final legal research and writing paper!
4. Where was your favorite place to study during law school?
The law library annex: the silent and coldest part of the law library made for excellent studying hours!
5. What was your favorite thing about living in Athens?
Walking around North Campus and taking in its beauty, history and culture.
6. What advice would you give to current Georgia Law students?
Make sure to take a skills-based clinic, we are very fortunate to have so many at our school!
7. Please give a brief description of your responsibilities as a practicing attorney.
I am felony trial prosecutor. I am assigned to a courtroom and handle a variety of cases from theft, drugs and domestic violence to armed robbery and assaults. Also, I am a specialized animal abuse prosecutor. I prosecute cases from their inception at the warrant stage to the end when there is a trial. As a litigator, I make charging decisions, argue motions, write briefs and, finally, the best part of my job ... is trying cases.
8. What do you enjoy most about your job? What is the most rewarding aspect?
I love my job because everyday I am able to "do the right thing" and better my community. It is rewarding to be in a position to help a victim of crime find closure and peace knowing that justice is served. I get to know people after they have experienced some of the worst things of their lives, and I enjoy being able to be their voice when they are hurt, scared or uncertain if anyone will fight for them.
9. What made you decide to pursue a career in law?
While I have always enjoyed helping people in need, and I interned in various public sector careers, I soon realized I was more driven to go after or stop the people who were hurting others in the first place. Therefore, when I was in high school, after helping CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) who work with foster children, I became very interested in becoming a prosecutor and holding the abusive parents of the foster children accountable for their actions.
10. What is one of the greatest challenges facing your field right now?
Not just in my field, but for all Georgia litigators, adopting the new evidence code has been challenging since many refuse to realize how extremely different it is from the old law.
11. What do you do to handle the stress of your work? How do you relax after a stressful day?
My rescue dog, Margo, has a way of melting away all of my stress. Playing with my dog or having a dinner at an exciting or new restaurant with my friends after work is how I relax after a stressful day.
12. What advice would you give to someone wanting to work in your field?
Learn your rules of evidence, procedure and trial skills. Watch as much as court as possible, I have learned the most from watching trials from start to finish.
13. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? What are your hobbies?
I enjoy trying different restaurants and going to CrossFit.
14. If you could share an afternoon with anyone, with whom would you choose to spend it?
One of my favorite authors: Paulo Coelho.
15. What would you consider your greatest accomplishment in life?
Being part of the group at the Cobb County District Attorney's Office to implement the Animal Abuse Unit and Task Force.
16. How do you stay up to date on legal issues and trends?
I read the advance sheets and follow legal blogs.
17. What book/resource do you find yourself referencing the most?
Carlson on Evidence
18. When you look out your office window, what do you see?
A lovely view of a distant mountain, then a post office, and several historic homes behind the courthouse that are used as private attorney offices.