Ashley is a nationally recognized Judge and acclaimed Trial Attorney with 20 years of courtroom experience, exceptionally skilled in all aspects of litigation and negotiation. She most recently served under Governor Nathan Deal as the top Child Welfare Advocate for the State of Georgia. During her appointment she pioneered a new approach to child welfare law and advocacy. As one of Georgia’s first Certified Child Welfare Specialist’s she brings a unique perspective on how children and families are regarded by our legal system. After graduating from Tulane University with a BS in Psychology and English, Ashley attended Emory University School of Law. She then quickly established herself as a fervent advocate for children. Her legal career included serving as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Family and Children Services. Her courtroom acumen and superb trial skills resulted in now teaching trial skills for the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) nationwide. Her skills also caught the eye of Georgia’s Supreme Court Committee on Justice for Children where she leads the “Cold Case Project.” This program, in its’ 10th year, developed an innovative approach to advocacy for children lingering in foster care. By using predictive analytics and other matrices, the Cold Case Project targets children languishing in the system to find forever homes. Ashley has specialized expertise in the system of law enforcement, including the involvement of police, lawyers, courts, and corrections, used for all stages of criminal proceedings and punishment. This includes a practical working knowledge of litigation; federal and state laws; policies; legislation; constitutional rights; systemic needs including successes and failures; statistical analysis; juvenile justice; and the judicial system.She is a highly sought after guest lecturer and speaker, locally and nationally, for the American Bar Association, National Association of Counsel for Children, Georgia Supreme Court Committee on Justice for Children, Emory University Law School, Barton Child Law and Policy Center, and Georgia State University, among others. She also serves as a regularly featured Legal Analyst for high profile cases on top tier national media outlets including CNN, HLN, Nancy Grace, Michaela, Crime Online, and 11 Alive. She is a self proclaimed trial nerd and loves teaching trial skills and courtroom techniques.