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Judge Robert Walker on Family Law, Fairness and Life on the Bench | Lawyers Without Billboards S2 Ep35
Description
What does a judge really want to see when attorneys and litigants walk into the courtroom?
In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, Steve Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis and Alexa Lewis sit down with Judge Robert Walker of Gwinnett County for a candid conversation about family law, courtroom professionalism and nearly two decades on the bench.
Judge Walker shares his path from the University of Florida College of Law to eight years as an Air Force JAG officer, where he worked both prosecution and defense, followed by time in the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office and private practice before becoming a Gwinnett County magistrate judge in 2008.
The conversation turns to the realities of domestic cases, why resolving issues before trial matters, when mediation makes sense and what Judge Walker wants attorneys to remember when emotions run high in family court.
Plus, Jimmy recalls one of his earliest hearings in front of Judge Walker, the group talks about what makes the Gwinnett County courts unique, and Judge Walker weighs in on A Few Good Men, My Cousin Vinny, Animal House, Star Trek vs. Star Wars and life outside the courtroom.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Lawyers Without Billboards
00:49 Meet Judge Robert Walker
03:31 The role of Gwinnett County magistrate judges
04:43 Why family law matters
05:30 From law school to Air Force JAG
08:53 Leaving the Air Force and coming to Atlanta
11:16 Prosecuting in Fulton County
12:00 Private practice and becoming a judge
13:24 Judge Walker’s current caseload
14:43 Family, law school and the next generation
17:53 Would Judge Walker move to Superior Court?
18:33 What lawyers can do to make a judge’s job easier
20:39 When should parties mediate?
21:46 Jimmy’s first hearing with Judge Walker
23:47 What Judge Walker wants people to know about Gwinnett courts
25:54 The Gwinnett courthouse experience
27:16 Steve’s unusual Berlin Wall story
28:46 Judge Walker’s favorite movies
30:43 Life outside the courtroom
33:04 Final thoughts with Judge Walker
🔔 Subscribe for candid conversations about family law, relationships, and the legal system - without the billboards.
🎙️ Hosts: Steve & Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy & Alexa Lewis
🎧 Watch here:https://youtu.be/urYUOzeIlv4 or listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more.
📩 Contact: pshewmaker@shewmakerandlewis.com
(770) 939-1939
🌐 Website: https://www.shewmakerandlewis.com
🎧 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards
🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez – Dragonsong Productions
🎥 Produced by: Bleeding Edge, Inc.
🎬 Audio & Video Production: Rob Burgner
📍 Recorded at: Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta, GA