What does it mean to serve justice with compassion? In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, the Shewmaker & Lewis team sits down with Judge Angela Duncan of Gwinnett County. From her early military service and family law background to her commitment to accountability courts, Judge Duncan shares how discipline, empathy, and perspective shape her work on the bench.

You’ll hear candid stories about emotional custody battles, courtroom pet peeves, and why alternative courts like drug court and parent accountability court can change lives. With insight, humor, and heart, Judge Duncan reveals why balancing justice and humanity is at the core of her judicial philosophy.

🎙️ Hosts: Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, Alexa Lewis
👩‍⚖️ Guest: Judge Angela Duncan
👨‍⚖️ Hosted by Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta-based attorneys helping families

Chapters (Timestamps)
00:52 – Introducing Judge Angela Duncan
02:23 – Military service and path to law school
08:44 – Learning from mentors and her father’s practice
12:00 – Deciding to become a judge
14:53 – Perspectives on domestic vs. criminal cases
16:19 – Emotional custody case with international implications
18:05 – Drug testing surprises in court
22:48 – Courtroom pet peeves and professionalism
27:14 – Dress code and respect in court
30:27 – Lessons from her father on practicing law
32:30 – Passion for accountability courts
34:46 – Stories of transformation in drug and parent accountability courts
39:02 – Addiction as a disease and the fight for recovery
41:06 – Remembering a participant’s journey and legacy
42:26 – Favorite films and pop culture confessions

👉 Have a question or topic idea? Visit shewmakerandlewis.com
🔗 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more. Search Lawyers Without Billboards.
📺 Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HkaEwuYAcH8

📩 Contact: [email protected]
🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by Rob Burgner at Bleeding Edge in Atlanta, GA