by Judge Allyson R. Pitts
As a young attorney, I had the pleasure of appearing before both Judge Barbara Harris and Judge Elaine Carlisle and later serving as a Pro Hac Judge on the same bench. I wanted to share how their distinguished careers impacted the Atlanta community and left a positive imprint on the legal profession.
Judge Barbara A. Harris was appointed to the position of Associate Judge in City of Atlanta Municipal Court in 1982 by former Mayor and Ambassador, Andrew Young, and thereafter re-elected for eight terms of service. She subsequently served as Senior Judge in the City of Atlanta Municipal Court after retiring in 2014. Judge Harris devoted over 35 years to the city she so dearly loves. Prior to the merger of the City Court of Atlanta (customarily known as Traffic Court) with the Atlanta Municipal Court, Judge Harris was the first female to be selected by a vote of her judicial colleagues as Chief Judge, serving five terms (1992-2002).
Judge Harris’ experience prior to ascending to the bench includes five years of service as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia in the Civil Division (the first African-American female in the Southeast) and a clerkship under the tutelage of the late Georgia Supreme Court Justice and former 5th District Congressional Representative Charles L. Weltner.
Judge Harris was an active member and officer of various bar associations. As co-founder of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA), Judge Harris contributed untold hours of service in recognition of its stated mission to utilize legal acumen to enhance the status of women and children in our society. Judge Harris also devoted countless hours of service to the State Bar of Georgia and the Georgia Supreme Court. Judge Harris’ legacy will live on through one of GABWA’s highest awards named for her, “The Barbara A. Harris Award for Service to the Community” which recognizes a GABWA member whose service to the community extends beyond the practice of law and who has had a significant impact on the social, political, and economic equality of minorities and women.
During her distinguished career as a jurist, Judge Harris received numerous citations and awards commending her professional contributions. Her lifelong passion was to continue to mentor aspiring female judges in a way similar to her relationship with the late Honorable Romae Turner Powell.
My earliest memory of Judge Barbara Harris was appearing in her courtroom late one afternoon and being there for hours. Lol. I’m sure I am not the only one! On Monday, February 24, 2020, the day Judge Barbara A. Harris passed away, she was surrounded by family, friends and loved ones, including me. We prayed and then began to share some of our memories of her. Attorney Sheryl Barnes asked the question: “How many of attorneys thought [Judge Harris] was difficult the first time we appeared in front of her?” I immediately raised my hand. I shared about the long hours I had spent in her courtroom and would later recognize that I was being educated on how to be a better attorney. I was all the more grateful as I started receiving calls to represent indigent clients in her courtroom and other courtrooms because it offered me the opportunity to see firsthand how to also become a better jurist. Despite long hours spent in that courtroom, she treated everyone with kindness and fairness and afforded everyone the opportunity to be heard. Over the years, I’ve had opportunities to talk with Judge Harris and seek advice on other cases or laws in general, that have helped me grow throughout my career. Years later, we would travel to Egypt together and boy, oh boy, did we have a great time! Attorney Rickey L. Richardson commented about Judge Harris, “I always thought she was a stern and fair jurist, but in Egypt I got to see a more personable, congenial and family oriented person.” She often travelled with her niece, Toni Driskell and her nephews. Her longtime partner, Alton Johnson, memorialized our trip with thousands of photos. But alas, what goes on in Egypt, stays in Egypt!
“Judge Harris set a precedent by establishing an insurmountable standard of excellence.” Kristy Lewis, Judge Harris’ Judicial Assistant often pondered whether Judge Harris “was born with an inherent capacity to lead or whether it was hard work and tenacity that made her such a great leader.” Ms. Lewis, and Judge Harris’ other long time staff members, Sheila Bragg, Tracey Sisson and Jim Wilborn, counted it an honor and a privilege to work for Judge Harris. “We became family with the same love and adoration for ‘The Queen.’ Judge Harris was and always will be a life force.”
Attorney Sheryl Barnes describes Judge Barbara Harris as follows: Judge. Mentor. Teacher. Friend. World Traveler. Advisor. Cheerleader. Historian. Confidant. Trailblazer. Jokester. Founder. Trendsetter. Fighter. Bid Whist Player. Family. I agree with Sheryl, she was one of the best cheerleaders you could have in your corner. She was honest and offered some of the sagest advice you would ever want to hear. Attorney Barnes, who is a Past President of the Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the National Drifters, Inc., an organization for which Judge Harris was this chapter’s co-founder, and one of her closest confidants, also noted that “after a week of rain, cold and dreariness, God showed up and showed out with a beautiful, sunny day for Judge Harris’ home going celebration.” And yes, there was not an empty seat at Ben Hill United Methodist Church where Judge Harris was a longtime member and a member of the Sanctuary Choir.
Judge Elaine L. Carlisle was appointed to the position of Associate Judge in the Atlanta Municipal Court in 1989 also by former Mayor and Ambassador, Andrew Young, and thereafter re-elected for six terms of service. After retiring in 2016, Judge Carlisle continued to serve as a Senior Judge in the City of Atlanta Municipal Court.
Prior to her judicial appointment, Judge Carlisle worked as a law clerk in the Office of the City Solicitor and later as an Assistant City Solicitor. Judge Catherine Malicki recalls fond memories of Judge Carlisle: “[She] was my friend for 40 years, beginning when I hired her as an Assistant Solicitor while I served as the head of that office. She was a poised, confident and diligent judge. She was pleasant to everyone and an example to all in the profession. She came to work early and left late, volunteering to do wedding ceremonies, May Day speeches, and anything else requested of her by the legal community she loved.” Judge Carlisle was an active member and officer of various bar associations and other organizations.
Like Judge Harris, during her distinguished career, Judge Carlisle received numerous citations and awards commending her professional contributions. Judge Carlisle was known for her community service and also for her philanthropic nature, contributing time and financial resources to several charities and foundations. She was always generous with family and friends. Judge Carlisle has a genuine joy and zest for life. She displayed exceptional talents in creating beautiful jewelry and the most unique scrapbooks. In her spare time, she enjoyed dancing, attending concerts, sporting events and loved all types of music, though old school music was her absolute favorite.
I recall officers and colleagues in the Atlanta Municipal Court commenting on what an early bird she was. Rising for her early morning workouts and then coming onto the bench ready to get started. She was a stickler for starting court on time; often being on the bench prior to the actual start of the calendar. Having appeared in front of her on a few occasions, I can say she was a consummate professional who treated everyone equally.
During the month just prior to her passing, Judge Carlisle and I had been talking and texting as I solicited her assistance to secure the presence of former Mayor and Ambassador, Andrew Young, and his wife, her best friend and our soror, Carolyn Young, as guests at a dinner hosted by the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA). Our last telephone conversation occurred on Tuesday, February 18 and our last text communication occurred on Wednesday, February 19, in which she confirmed that she would be driving the Youngs to the dinner. So, needless to say when I received a telephone call two (2) days later informing me that she had passed away, it was beyond belief to the point that I suggested cancelling the dinner. However, GABWA’s President, Kimberly Burroughs Debrow, was contacted by the Andrew J. Young Foundation and was informed that he would still be in attendance.
At the dinner, I welcomed Ambassador Andrew Young. He apologized that his wife, Carolyn Young, was unable to attend, but he thought it was important for him to be present and believed his presence would have been what Judge Carlisle wanted. Prior to the dinner, he shared stories about his friendship with Judge Carlisle as well as the relationship between Judge Carlisle and her best friend, Carolyn Young. At the service, he spoke and shared more poignant moments. One in particular that brought smiles and laughter to those in attendance, was his accidental meeting of her twin. Ambassador Young gave a big hug to Patricia Carlisle, obviously believing she was Judge Carlisle, only to be politely corrected to his surprise!
Judge Carlisle was a member of the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and a founding member of the Camellia Rose Chapter of the Links. While Judge Carlisle and I were members of the same sorority, although different chapters, what I always found interesting was how, except for the occasional meeting in the parking garage in municipal court, we often ran into each other out of town at our cluster meetings, regional conferences, national conventions or Founders Day celebrations. Judge Elaine L. Carlisle passed away on Friday, February 21, 2020. Judge Carlisle transitioned into the Omega Omega Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and was honored at the Links Memorial Ceremony on Sunday, March 1, 2020. Judge L’Erin Wiggins, also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., shared her memory of both Judge Barbara Harris and Judge Elaine Carlisle: “I worked as a staff attorney for the Atlanta Municipal Court during the time both Judge Harris and Judge Carlisle were full-time judges. The wealth of legal knowledge and professionalism they exhibited on and off the bench was exemplary. They both ensured my work was challenging and appreciated. On a personal note, Judge Harris, the mother of the court, always remembered to ask about my children and Judge Carlisle, my sorority sister, shared fond stories of her time at our alma mater, Howard University. Now as a municipal court judge, I am blessed to have had the opportunity to know these two awesome jurists.”
We all were blessed to have had Judge Barbara A. Harris and Judge Elaine L. Carlisle in our lives. Rest well our fellow jurists, friends and mentors – until we meet again.
