bjbernstein@bernsteinfirm.com 404-522-1200

Brenda Joy (B.J.) Bernstein

Brenda Joy (B.J.) Bernstein has worked for 22 years as an attorney primarily in criminal trial litigation and appellate work. Her early legal career included six years as a prosecutor and as a special team Assistant District Attorney on child abuse cases. B.J. has been recognized by the legal community for her excellence and commitment to the practice of law. Atlanta Magazine has featured her from 2005-2009 as a Super Lawyer in the area of criminal defense and in 2008 and 2009 as one of the top 100 Lawyers in Georgia. Georgia Trend magazine named her to the Legal Elite list and profiled her as one of six of Georgia's "Power Women" in 2008.

B.J. has received many prestigious awards connected to her commitment to law.In 2009, BJ along with former President of Ireland Mary Robinson and NYU Law School's Brennan Center for Justice received the John Jay Justice Award. Also in 2009, B.J. received the Y.W.C.A. Salute to Women of Achievement Award. In 2008, the SCLC-Women (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) awarded her on the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's Death with the Drum Major for Justice Award in the area of Criminal Justice. Also in 2008 she received the Professional Award for Public Service from the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and received the Case of the Year Award from the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. She received the 2008 Advocate for Rights and Justice Award from the Phi Delta Phi chapter of the University of the District of Columbia, David Clarke School of Law. In 2007, the University of Georgia School of Law, her alma matter presented her with the law school's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Scroll Award presented for dedication and service to the legal profession and the law school. Emory University School of Business and the Rollins School of Public Health presented B.J. with a Martin Luther King Service Day Award. Also in 2007, she received a Justice Award from the National Black Law Student Association and special recognition from the Gate City Bar Association.

B.J. has tried well over one hundred jury trials and has made hundreds of court appearances. In 1984 she graduated from Emory University with a degree in History and then graduated in 1987 from the University of Georgia School of Law where she served as Chief Justice of the Law School Honor Court and Research Editor of the Georgia Journal of International and Comparative Law.

B.J. has handled a number of high profile cases and provides commentary for the media on legal issues. She has appeared on CNN, CNN International, Fox News, MSNBC, NBC's Today Show, ABC's Good Morning America, CBS Early Show and NPR. Her own cases have also been in the media including the Douglas County teenager Genarlow Wilson; a murder trial featured on CBS 48 Hours and COURT TV On-line; a shaken baby case in which her client was acquitted was televised on COURT TV (now TRU-TV); representation of a manager in the Federal Gold Club case; and Guardian to Child Victims in the publicized first Federal Child Prostitution Ring Prosecution.

B.J. is involved in many community and legal organizations. She completed in 2009 the Leadership Atlanta Program. She is former Vice-President of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and served as co-Chair of the Amicus Committee. She is a member of the Atlanta Bar Association, Georgia Association of Women Lawyers, Georgia Bar Association and the American Bar Association. She is a board member of the Atlanta chapter of the American Jewish Committee.She has held many leadership positions over the years including Chairman of the Atlanta Judicial Commission, Member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Georgia School of Law, former Chair of the UGA Younger Law Alumni Committee and former Secretary for the Atlanta Committee for CARE- the international relief organization.

B.J. speaks at a number of legal seminars on topics including Child Physical and Sexual Abuse, Juveniles and the Law, Pleas and Negotiation, Handling the Media in High Profile Case; Prosecutorial Misconduct and Ethical Issues with Law and Media. She is also a contributing author to the legal book Georgia Jurisprudence.