Law Department
Office of the County Attorney
The Office of the DeKalb County Attorney serves the citizens of DeKalb County by providing high-quality legal advice to the county and its officials. We support the CEO, Board of Commissioners, department directors, and other county officers, boards, authorities, and employees. Our experienced team of professionals includes both attorneys and the non-attorney support staff that provides administrative support. The attorneys are organized in teams lead by Supervising Attorneys. They all work collaboratively to provide comprehensive legal services across various specialties to serve the DeKalb County government.
Our Services
- Legal Advisory Services: Comprehensive legal counsel to county officials and departments
- Legislation & Resolutions: Assistance in drafting and reviewing legal documents
- Contract Management: Negotiation and review of county contracts
- Civil Litigation: Representation in various legal matters including civil rights, constitutional cases, and land use disputes
Leadership
Director Terry Phillips
Terry Phillips has practiced law in Georgia since 1995 and representing DeKalb County since 1998, including serving as Judge Pro Hac Vice.
He is a proud graduate of DeKalb County’s Southwest DeKalb High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Howard University. He studied Constitutional Interpretation under United States Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun at the Universite D’Aix-Marseille, Faculte de Droit, in Aix-en-Provence, France and earned the degree of Juris Doctor from Louisiana State University, where he was appointed to Wex S. Malone American Inn of Court for his outstanding performance in trial advocacy. He has earned certification as a Certified Public Purchasing Officer by the National Institute of Government Procurement and a Certified Contract Compliance Officer from the American Contract Compliance Association. His associations include serving as President of both the DeKalb Bar Association and DeKalb Lawyers Association, a State Bar of Georgia Unlicensed Practice of Law District 4 Committee Member, and Leadership DeKalb. He has also served as a consultant and/or volunteer to a number of organizations, including the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta’s Volunteer Involvement Program, DeKalb County Chiefs’ Association, Inc. and DeKalb County PAL Plus, Inc. He is most proud of and thankful for his lovely wife and their two children.
Mission
The Law Department manages the legal affairs of the County government under the direction of the County Attorney by providing legal representation, advice, and counsel on matters of County business to the chief executive officer, Board of Commissioners, other elected officials, as well as various officers, boards, authorities and employees.
Goals
To successfully represent the County government and its officials in civil matters; to provide both preventive advice and counsel to assist in effective and efficient operations and delivery of service; and to successfully represent the County, its officials and employees in civil litigation.
Disclaimer
The Law Department does not represent the County’s officials and employees in criminal or ethical matters, nor can we provide legal advice to the public, vendors, or other outside parties.
Contact
Hours of Operations
Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5 PM
Office of the DeKalb County Attorney
1300 Commerce Drive, 5th Floor
Decatur, Georgia 30030
(404) 371-3011