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BJ Bernstein was featured in March 2008 issue of Georgia Trend Magazine as one of “Georgia’s Power Women.”

The excerpt by Jerry Grillo follows:

The Lawyer
B.J. Bernstein may be the ultimate power broker. But it wasn’t the attorney’s overwhelming influence that earned her an improbable victory in the case of Genarlow Wilson – she says she doesn’t have overwhelming influence.

It was her power of persuasion, righteous power, her public relations skills and the way she won over the press, won over the hearts and minds of the public and of the Georgia Supreme Court. It was her power of argument and her power to prevail when almost every circumstance seemed to indicate that her young client was powerless.

“Joyfully insane,” is how Bernstein, 44, founder of the Bernstein Firm, describes public reaction to the Court’s release of Wilson, who had served more than two years for having consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17. “The crush of phone calls and emails from well wishers and people who wanted to talk to him, it was absolutely insane.”

Bernstein spent about two years on the pro bono case and became an international celebrity. Disappointment followed setback, and vice versa. She set out to change the law that had Wilson serving a mandatory 10-year sentence, but her best lobbying efforts could not sway the legislature. Ultimately, the Georgia Supreme Court judged Wilson’s predicament as “cruel and unusual punishment” last October, several months after Bernstein made her case.

The experience inspired describes public reaction to the Court’s release of Wilson, who had served more than two years for having consensual oral sex with a 15-year-old girl when he was 17. “The crush of phone calls and emails from well wishers and people who wanted to talk to him, it was absolutely insane.”

"If we are going to impose adult sanctions on young people, we really should start educating them. We’re not offering opinions about what’s right or wrong with a law, but we are telling them what the laws are, and how they apply,” says Bernstein, who toyed with the idea of becoming a judge and was twice a finalist for a Fulton County Superior Court judgeship.

“In hindsight, it’s a good thing that I didn’t become a judge. Obviously I had some more arguing to do.”

Atlanta Magazine 2008 Super Lawyer Listing recognizes BJ Bernstein

as one of the top 100 lawyers in Georgia, one of the top 50 women lawyers in Georgia and a Super Lawyer in the area of criminal law.

SCLC-Women (Southern Christian Leadership Conference) awarded BJ Bernstein on April 4, 2008

on the anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's Death, the "Drum Major for Justice Award" in the area of Criminal Justice. BJ was presented her award by Mrs. Joseph Lowery. In addition to BJ, other awardees included actor Forrest Whitaker, Judge Thomas Wilson, Senator Vincent Forte, and two of the Memphis sanitation workers who went on strike back in 1968 who carried the historic signs "I am a Man". The very special evening was hosted by WSB-TV's Monica Pearson.

B.J. Bernstein and Sherry Boston named to Legal Elite List

BJ Bernstein and Sherry Boston were named  in December to the 2007 Legal Elite List of Georgia Trend Magazine in the area of Criminal Law.  Georgia Trend did a special feature on Sherry Boston and her excellent reputation in the area of DUI and alcohol related offenses.

B.J. Bernstein Presented the Distinguished Service Scroll Award

The University of Georgia School of Law's alumni association recently presented its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Scroll Award, to B.J. Bernstein. The award is given annually to individuals whose dedication and service to the legal profession and the law school deserves special recognition. The awards were presented during the Law School Association's annual breakfast held in conjunction with the State Bar of Georgia's Annual Meeting on June 16.

Bernstein's award was presented to her by Georgia Law Associate Dean Paul M. Kurtz, who also used to be one of Bernstein's law professors. "I'm proud to say that while I began her education in criminal law, a long time ago, she has spent 20 years since her graduation teaching me and others how to practice criminal law," Kurtz said.

Bernstein Firm launches My 5th.org

This March, BJ Bernstein introduced My5th.org, a new non-profit which combines a website, videos and music to educate people under 21 as to the laws that apply to them.

BJ Bernstein Named to Top 100 Georgia Super Lawyer List

In Atlanta Magazine, BJ Bernstein is recognized again as a Georgia Super Lawyer. For the first time, BJ Bernstein has made the list of the top 100 Lawyers in Georgia. She also returns to the Top 50 Female Lawyer list.

Recent News about Genarlow Wilson:

Tom Joyner and Mark Cuban spoke out out on behalf of her client Genarlow Wilson on Tom Joyner’s National Radio program in October, 2006. 

The Atlanta Journal Constitution Editorial Board published an editorial supporting Genarlow Wilson and urging the Georgia Supreme Court to hear his case.

Atlanta Magazine in it’s January 2006 issue features an indepth article about client Genarlow Wilson.

Bernstein named to the 2005 Georgia Trend Magazine Legal Elite List.

In December 2005, B.J. Bernstein was named to Georgia Trend magazines list of Legal Elite for the State of Georgia. She is recognized for her practice of Criminal Law.

Sherry Boston Named Rising Star Super Lawyer

In the October issue of Atlanta Magazine, Sherry Boston was names a 2005 Rising Star Super Lawyer in the area of criminal defense. The list is compiled by Law and Politics’ blue ribbon panel along with a survey of recognized lawyers in Georgia. The list highlights lawyers under the age of 40 who are making their mark on the legal community with their tenacity and skills.