bjbernstein@bernsteinfirm.com 404-522-1200

Brenda Joy (B.J.) Bernstein

has worked for over 20 years in criminal trial litigation and appellate work. Her early legal career included 6 years as a prosector. She served as an Assistant District Attorney which included special team prosecution of sexual abuse cases. B.J. has been selected as a 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005 Super Lawyer in Atlanta Magazine and as one of the Top 100 lawyers in Georgia. Georgia Trend magazine has recognized her on it's Legal Elite List and profiled her as one of six of Georgia's "Power Women" in 2008. In 2007, the Daily Report (the Atlanta Legal Newspaper) named B.J. as a "Newsmaker of the Year" and in 2003 a “Rising Star in Criminal Law.” The University of Georgia School of Law, her alma matter, presented her in 2007 with the law schools's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Scroll Award presented for dedication and service to the legal profession and the law school. In 2008, the SCLC- Women (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) awarded her on the 40th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's Death with the "Criminal Justice: Drum Major for Justice".She has been recognized by Emory University School of Business and Rollins Schools of Public Health with a Martin Luther King Service Day Award. In 2007 she received a Justice Award from the National Black Law Student Association and special recognition from the Gate City Bar Association of Atlanta.

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 in 1987 she graduated 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.

BJ. has handled a number of high profile cases and regularly provides commentary for the media on legal issues. She has appeared on CNN, CNN International, FOX News, MSNBC, CBS Early Show, NBC Nightly News, NPR (National Public Radio), COURT TV, ABC’s Good Morning America, NBC’s Today Show and Court TV Radio to provide commentary on cases of national interest. She has guided her clients when their case became the object of media glare. She has learned when media is helpful to highlight a true injustice or when the law enforcement via the media attempts to convict a client long before trial. She is vigilant that whatever the situation the client comes first and all necessary ethical means are employed to assure a fair trial. Some representative cases in the media include: Genarlow Wilson; a murder trial which was the subject of a CBS 48 Hours show and COURT TV Online; A shaken baby case aired on COURT TV which resulted in the client’s acquittal; representation of the rapper DaBrat; representation of a manager in the Federal “Gold Club” case, assistance in the Marcus Dixon case and as a court appointed guardian to child victims in the publicized federal Child Prostitution Ring prosecution

B.J. is active in many legal organizations and founded an important non-profit organization My5th.org which is devoted to educating youth about the law. Too many times BJ has heard "Ignorance of the Law is No excuse" and yet most young people have no ideas about the impact of law on their day to day life. 

She is a former Vice-President of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL) and also served as Co-Chair of the Amicus Committee. She is active in the Atlanta Bar Association, the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL); the International Bar Association (IBA); Georgia Association of Women Lawyers; American Bar Association and the Georgia Bar Association. She has held many leadership positions over the years including service as Chairman of the Atlanta Judicial Commission, Member of the Board of Visitors of the University of Georgia School of Law and former Chair of the UGA Younger Law Alumni Committee. She also is a past Board Member of the GAWL Foundation.

B.J. speaks at a number of legal seminars on topics including Child Physical and Sexual Abuse, Handling of Rape and Sexual Assault Cases, Pleas and Negotiation, Sexual Assault Training, Handling the Media in High Profile Cases, Prosecutorial Misconduct and Ethical Issues with Law and the Media. She is also a contributing author to the legal book Georgia Jurisprudence. See Speaking Engagements for a full listing.