CLAYTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER SHANA M. ROOKS ANNOUNCES SHE WILL SEEK ELECTION AS CLAYTON COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE IN 2016

JONESBORO, GEORGIA, December 4, 2015. After much reflection, prayer, and counsel, Clayton County Commissioner Shana M. Rooks will seek election as a Clayton County Superior Court Judge on May 24, 2016. Clayton County Commissioner Shana M. Rooks, who in 2012 garnered 65% of the vote in her victory over the then-incumbent, announces she will not seek re-election in 2016.

Commissioner Rooks is a 1997 graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia and a 2000 graduate of the Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in November 2000 and is admitted to practice in all Georgia state and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. Prior to her service as a county commissioner, Attorney Rooks’ public positions included a term as Clayton County Associate Magistrate Court Judge and as a Judge, pro temp, with the Clayton County Juvenile Court. Commissioner Rooks, a private attorney in Jonesboro, Georgia since 2001, will bring extensive experience in the fields of Family Law, Civil Litigation, and Criminal Defense as she seeks to serve the citizens of Clayton County as one of their elected judges.

During her tenure as a commissioner, Attorney Rooks’ commitment to her community and her district have been extensive. Some examples include: establishing regular community meetings and outreach in her district; creating a more transparent government through televised commission meetings; restoring public transportation to the county; supporting efforts to save Southern Regional Hospital and; supporting small businesses with the creation of the approved SPLOST-funded Small Business Incubator.

When asked about her decision to seek election as a superior court judge, Attorney Rooks commented: “It has been an honor and privilege to work as a Commissioner, seeking to effect positive and meaningful change in Clayton County government. I have proudly and purposefully worked to restore pride, integrity, trust and hope to our county. My dedication to public service is steadfast and will never waiver; for the past 13 months, however, my heart has been led to the idea of how I can even better serve the people of this county that I love. Through prayer and counsel, I firmly believe that God’s direction in my life is for me to continue my public service as a judge. I am led and excited to embark on this new journey to serve the people of Clayton County as one of their elected judiciary.” When asked who might succeed her as commissioner, Attorney Rooks stated,

“I am pleased that one of my constituents I previously appointed to a county board has advised me that she will seek the position of Commissioner for District 3. I will await her announcement.”

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