Derek H. Jones

Founding Partner

Derek has been a Georgia lawyer since June 10, 1976. During his years as an attorney, Derek has maintained an extensive trial and appellate practice in State and Federal Court, representing thousands of clients facing prosecutions in cases that ranged in nature from traffic charges to murder indictments – Derek has defended 13 people at the trial level on murder charges in which the State of Georgia sought the death penalty. In addition, he has handled many complex civil cases, litigated for local banks, and since 1987, he has been the Lodge Attorney for a Fraternal Order of Police Lodge.

Derek graduated cum laude from Syracuse University in 1973, and finished the University of Georgia School of Law in 1976. He began his legal career as an investigator with the Ware County Public Defender Office in Waycross, Georgia and went on to head that office serving as the Ware County Public Defender. He then entered private practice concentrating on criminal defense, but returned to public service in 1982 as an Assistant Fulton County Public Defender. Derek worked in that capacity for five years during which time he handled over 1300 felony cases. He conducted his own investigations and represented dozens of clients in jury trials. Derek then reentered private practice where he continued defending criminal cases in the State system, as well as appearing for numerous defendants in Federal Court. In addition to these matters, Derek handled complex civil matters, and for seven years litigated for First Southern Bank and then for Citizens Trust Bank after the two banks merged.

Derek has been married since 1984 to Yvonne Fuller-Jones. He met his wife while representing a defendant in a criminal case. She was working as a crime investigator assisting in the prosecution of Derek’s client. To this day, Derek and Yvonne dispute as to which side won that case.​

RESUME.

1973: Graduated cum laude from Syracuse University with a degree in history.

1976: Graduated from the University of Georgia School of Law.

1976: Sworn in as a member of the Georgia State Bar on June 10.

1976-78: Traveled and worked in the United States and the Caribbean: Worked as a deck hand, tanker man, golf caddy, apple picker, and tractorista.
1978-79: Investigator, Ware County Public Defender’s Office, Waycross, Georgia: As the sole office investigator, investigated hundreds of criminal cases, assisted in the defense of two death penalty cases, and tried misdemeanor jury trials.

1979-80: Ware County Public Defender: Ran the office, represented several hundred clients in matters ranging from drug possession to murder charges, conducted investigations, and defended numerous clients in felony and misdemeanor trials.

1980-82: Private Practice, Atlanta, Georgia: Handled criminal cases, investigated cases for other attorneys, and worked as an investigator and co counsel in three death penalty murder cases.

1982-87: Assistant Public Defender, Fulton County Public Defenders Office, Atlanta, Georgia: Represented over 1300 clients on felony charges and probation revocation hearings, conducted over 60 felony jury trials, and handled appeals to the Georgia Supreme Court and the Georgia Court of Appeals.

1986: Adjunct Professor, Saint Leo’s College, Atlanta, Georgia: Taught Criminal Procedure.

1987-Present: Attorney in Private Practice, Atlanta Metro Area: Defended hundreds of criminal cases in Federal and State Court, tried numerous felony jury trials in both systems, acted as lead or co counsel in seven murder cases in which the State of Georgia sought the death penalty, handled complex civil matters, and for seven years litigated for First Southern Bank and then for Citizens Trust Bank after the two banks merged.

1987-Present: Lodge Attorney for Fulton County Lodge # 64, Fraternal Order Police, Inc.: Advised Lodge Officers on numerous matters and represented individual Lodge members and other law enforcement officers in administrative hearings, licensing matters before the Georgia P.O.S.T. Counsel, in Section 1983 Civil Rights actions and other lawsuits, and in criminal investigations. Represented numerous law enforcement officers who have had to use deadly force in the performance of their duties

Email: derek@joneslawfirmllp.com

Telephone: 770-716-1306

EDUCATION:

  • B.A., cum laude, Syracuse University
  • J.D., University of Georgia, School of Law

ADMISSIONS TO COURTS AND BAR MEMBERSHIPS:

  • State Bar of Georgia
  • Georgia Court of Appeals
  • Georgia Supreme Court
  • United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • Cobb County Bar Association
  • Also is a member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers