On Friday August 14th, Holley Strawn-Gilliland presented over 1,000 voter signatures to the Probate Court Office. These signatures are required by law to qualify Independent candidates for the November Election.

According to Mrs. Strawn-Gilliland, “I am very thankful to the many people who helped in this difficult process of gathering signatures so that I can run as an Independent candidate. I knew when I decided to run as an Independent, that I was choosing the most difficult way to run, but I was raised to believe that you do what is right, even when it is hard.”

Other judicial posts, such as all Georgia State and Superior Courts, Appellate Courts and Supreme Court, and many probate courts around the state, are nonpartisan.

“I strongly believe, as our founding fathers did, that our legal system is based on the principle that an independent, fair, and competent judge must interpret and apply the laws that govern us. I will be a dedicated and impartial public servant, and I will strive to preserve confidence in our legal system,” she added.

Holley is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Emory University School of Law. Prior to her private law practice with the Summerville law firm of Cook and Connelly, she clerked for the Georgia Supreme Court under the tutelage of the Honorable Carol Hunstein, Chief Justice. Later she gained a broad range of experience as the clerk working with our four Superior Court Judges of the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit. Holley was legislative assistant to Representative Barbara Massey Reece working in constituent services and researching bills before the Georgia Legislature.

During her 12 years in private practice, Holley has represented clients in cases related to family law, criminal law, estate matters, juvenile cases and personal injury. She served as the attorney for the Town of Lyerly. Holley provided legal services to the Korean War Veterans Sgt. Billy Freeman Chapter and clients of the Sexual Assault Center of Northwest Georgia. Probate Judge Jon Payne appointed Holley as attorney and guardian ad litem on many occasions in his court. Judge Payne entrusted Holley to protect and represent our most precious population, our young people, and our most vulnerable citizens, incapacitated adults.

Holley was chosen by the National Trial Lawyers Association as “Top 40 under 40” for 2014 and 2015. She was also honored by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys for “Exceptional and Outstanding Client Service,” and recognized in the State Bar Journal for her pro bono work. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the American Bar Association, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, and the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers. Holley and her husband Kevin attend church at New Hope South Baptist Church in Holland, where generations of her family have attended.

“Again, I would like to thank my friends and family for all the support and hard work they’ve already put in. It would not have been possible without you. I look forward to visiting in every area of the county and sharing my vision for the probate court with each of you. I humbly ask for your support and your vote in November.”