Nationally Recognized, Community Oriented
Ms. Edmondson-Cooper’s advocacy and commitment to access, equity, and justice have been acknowledged widely including recognition by the Daily Report (Georgia’s leading legal publication) as one of “40 Under 40” rising legal stars to watch, recognition by former Governor Nathan Deal and the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity, selection as an American Bar Foundation Fellow, and recognition by the National Bar Association and the American Bar Association as one of the nation’s top lawyers who exemplify a broad range of high achievement in innovation, vision, leadership and legal and community involvement. Additional details about some of her awards and honors are listed below.
November 2023 - Selected for inclusion in the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 2023 40 Under 40 Class. 2023 marked the 20th year of Atlanta Business Chronicle's 40 Under 40 awards program, which draws hundreds of nominations of young, rising leaders within the city's business community — the future CEOs of Fortune 100 companies, founders of the next unicorns, advocates for a greater and more equitable city. Each year, the 40 Under 40 Awards honor 40 rising stars in the local business world who have distinguished themselves in their companies, their communities and their industries all before their 40th birthday. These young professionals are executives, innovators and entrepreneurs who represent the region’s next generation of business leaders.
Excerpt from Special Print Edition, 11/3/2023:
Judge Brendan F. Murphy, Chief Magistrate of Cobb County, appointed Judge Jana Edmondson-Cooper to the magistrate in 2022 and nominated her to the Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 in 2023. “Her appointment, at only age 38, was yet another exceptional professional accomplishment by an exemplary career public servant and visionary leader who has shaped, and continues to shape, Georgia’s judicial landscape regarding access to justice,” he said of Edmondson-Cooper in the nomination. “She embodies integrity, character and commitment to service.” A former legal interpreter, legal aid attorney and federal prosecutor, Judge Edmondson-Cooper has worked to alleviate language barriers, including foreign languages and sign language, in court. She also served as a subject-matter expert for the 2017 revision of the Judicial Council of Georgia’s handbook for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and has educated judges on protocols related to language assistance services for people with limited English skills, or who are deaf or hard of hearing.
“Judge Edmondson-Cooper is a compassionate and fiercely effective advocate and access-to-justice leader who has carved out a niche and continues to be at the forefront of the access-to-justice battle through the strategic, well- informed creation of critical innovative approaches and policies at local, state and federal levels which ensure justice for all…” Judge Murphy said in the nomination. “She exhibits an unwavering commitment to increasing her service footprint year after year to not only the Atlanta area, but our entire state.”
December 2021 - FY2021 recipient of national award in recognition of exceptional performance and accomplishments in public service that exemplifies accountability, responsibility, and emerging leadership skills that display the promise of future leadership in the spirit of former Secretary of Labor Willard Wirtz.
September 2020 - In recognition of employees who have achieved an unusually significant work product resulting in measurable and substantial progress toward achieving the Department’s goals. Recognized for outstanding work in coordination of litigation in several Regional Solicitor’s offices and obtaining after trial a successful decision which established meaningful precedent for future enforcement of H-2B matters.
September 2020 - In recognition of outstanding volunteer community service of a sustained, direct, and consequential nature, which reflects favorably on the Department of Labor.
July 2020 - See, Voyage ATL Most Inspiring Stories
State Bar of Georgia Judicial Section - Jun 2018
Recognized by the Judicial Section during the 2018 State Bar of Georgia Annual Meeting for an "unwavering commitment to increasing language access in Georgia Courts” through service on Supreme Court of Georgia Commission on Interpreters and other entities. The Judicial Section fosters professionalism and excellence in the judiciary, encourages improvements in judicial process and court operations, solicits input from non-judicial bar members upon judicial procedures and court operations, and encourages interaction between bench and bar of the State Bar of Georgia.
The Wm. Reece Smith Jr. National Outstanding Young Lawyer Award recognizes one ABA young lawyer , nationwide, in good standing who exhibits: professional excellence; service to the profession and the bar; service to the community; and a reputation for or the advancement of legal ethics and professional responsibility. The award is named in honor of Smith, who chaired the ABA YLD in 1960-61 where he served with distinction before continuing his lifelong service to the American Bar Association and the legal profession. Smith passed away in 2013. Ms. Edmondson-Cooper was presented with the award during the ABA's MidYear Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia in February 2018. Full details available here.
The Fellows of the American Bar Foundation - October 2016
The Fellows comprise a global honorary society of attorneys, judges, law faculty, and legal scholars whose public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the highest principles of the legal profession and to the welfare of their communities. Membership in the Fellows is limited to one percent of lawyers licensed to practice in each jurisdiction. Fellows are recommended by their peers and elected by the Board of the American Bar Foundation. Established in 1955, Fellows support the research of the American Bar Foundation through annual contributions and sponsor seminars and events of direct relevance to the legal profession.
Supreme Court of Georgia - Oct 2016
Appointed by Supreme Court of Georgia to the Judicial Council of Georgia's AFPTCC . Ms. Edmondson-Cooper serves as a liaison to the Supreme Court of Georgia's Commission on Interpreters. The mission of the AFPTCC is to improve the public's trust in the judicial branch by focusing on access and fairness through the elimination of systemic barriers related to gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, indigence, and language. In 2018, the AFPTCC was renamed the Judicial Council of Georgia's Access to Justice Committee.
American Bar Association - Jul 2016
The Annual On the Rise - Top 40 Young Lawyers award provides national recognition for American Bar Association (ABA) young lawyer members who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and legal and community service. In this inaugural year of the award, the ABA received thousands of nominations. For details on the 2016 Honorees click here.
The ABA is one of the world's largest voluntary professional organizations, with nearly 400,000 members and more than 3,500 entities.
President, State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division - Jun 2016
Recognized for outstanding service to the State Bar of Georgia as a Director of Membership Outreach on the 2015-16 YLD Board of Directors
Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity (GCEO) - Apr 2016
Selected to receive the GCEO’s 2016 Freedom Award for outstanding advocacy against discrimination in the housing sector. Award presented by then-Governor Nathan Deal (R-GA) during GCEO's Annual Proclamation and Freedom Awards Ceremony.
Specifically, the Commission cited Ms. Edmondson-Cooper's contributions to addressing language access as an access to justice issue stating:
“because of your persistence, perseverance and commitment to advocating on behalf of marginalized communities and educating members of the bench, bar, and community about language access being an access to justice issue throughout the state of Georgia and beyond, your exemplary service was unmatched. In your quest to make a difference for those individuals that have been aggrieved and who are frequently marginalized due to their socio-economic status, limited English proficiency, and/or deaf or hard of hearing, you not only challenged the governmental and justice systems when language access programs were underfunded or non-existent, you also shed light on how language access is interdisciplinary and affects many core areas of the law…”
The National Black Lawyers - Jan 2016
Selected for inclusion into The National Black Lawyers Top 100 , an honor given to only a select group of lawyers for their superior skills and qualifications in the field. Membership in this exclusive organization is by invitation only, and is limited to the top 100 attorneys in each state or region who have demonstrated excellence and have achieved outstanding results in their careers.
State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division - Jan 2016
The Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the State Bar of Georgia presented Jana J. Edmondson-Cooper with the 2016 Signature Service Award during the organization’s 10th annual Signature Fundraiser, which occured Saturday, Jan. 23, at The Biltmore in Atlanta. The Signature Service Award is presented annually to recognize an individual who has achieved a certain level of service, as measured by his or her commitment to the YLD and other service-related organizations.
"Jana Edmondson-Cooper was an obvious choice for the YLD Signature Service Award,” YLD President John R.B. “Jack” Long of Augusta said. “Through her job at GLSP, she shows her daily commitment to helping Georgia's indigent who are in need of legal services. Furthermore, her volunteer efforts for the YLD reflect her true passion to fulfill the primary mission of the State Bar of Georgia: service to the public. I am proud to have her serve on the YLD Board of Directors, and appreciate her steadfast dedication to the YLD."
Georgia Bar Journal - Professionalism Page - Aug 2015
"Eliminating Barriers to Justice: How and Why to Ensure Language Access for Limited English Proficient and Deaf/Hard of Hearing Litigants - Spotlight on Jana J. Edmondson-Cooper" (p. 77)
National Bar Association - Jul 2015
In June, the National Bar Association announced the 2015 recipients of its 40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates awards. The awards recognize the nation’s top lawyers under 40 who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, including in innovation, vision, leadership and legal and community involvement.
During the awards luncheon, which took place during the NBA's 90th Annual Convention in Los Angeles, California July 19-23, 2015, 5 of the 40 awardees were deemed to have distinguished themselves further by exemplifying Excellence in Activism, Innovation, Leadership, Service and The Best Advocate of the Year, respectively.
Ms. Edmondson-Cooper received the Excellence in Service Award for exemplifying service to low-income & underrepresented individuals, particularly those who are limited English proficient ( limited or no ability to communicate in English).
National Bar Association - Jul 2015
*Press Release - June 22, 2015*
NATIONAL BAR ASSOCIATION NAMES 40 UNDER 40 AWARD RECIPIENTS
Washington, DC - The National Bar Association has announced the 2015 recipients of its 40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates awards. The awards recognize the nation’s top lawyers under 40 who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, including in innovation, vision, leadership and legal and community involvement.
“We’re thrilled to recognize these active and highly motivated leaders in their excellence and commitment to their chosen fields. Ultimately, their continued success benefits greatly the communities in which they reside and the entire legal field,” said Pamela Meanes, President of the National Bar Association. We look forward to honoring these 40 awardees during the NBA’s convention this year, and to working alongside them as they continue to make a tangible difference in the lives of those they serve."
An independent panel combed through a large group of nominees to select the 40 individuals to receive the prestigious awards, which will be presented at the National Bar Association’s illustrious 40 Under 40 Awards luncheon on Thursday, July 23, 2015 during the NBA’s 90th Annual Convention in Los Angeles, CA. The final selections represent a cross-section of legal professionals, including big firm, solo and industry practitioners, government lawyers, judges, academicians, corporate counsels, young elected officials, and various other lawyers, all of whom are using their degree in innovative and community impacting ways. During the luncheon, recipients of the Nation's Best Advocate of the Year, Excellence in Leadership, Service, Activism, and Innovation awards will be recognized.
For more information on the Award Recipients, the Awards Luncheon, or Sponsorship Opportunities, please contact the Chair, Aubrey “Nick” Pittman at 40Under40@nationalbar.org.
President, State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division - Jun 2015
Recognized for outstanding service to the Bar as a Director of Membership Outreach on the 2014-2015 Young Lawyers Division Board of Directors.
ABA Government and Public Lawyers Sector Division
Selected by editorial staff of Pass It On, the official newsletter of the ABA Government and Public Lawyers Sector Division (GPLSD), to be featured in the Fall 2014 edition. With close to 400,000 members, the ABA is considered the largest voluntary bar association in the country. Pass It On is published quarterly and is distributed to thousands of ABA members across the country who are members of the GPLSD.
Daily Report - Aug 2014
Named to the Daily Report's 2014 "40 Under 40 On the Rise" class. Selection based on significant contributions to and demonstrated leadership in the areas of access to justice/language access. One of the leading sources for legal news in Georgia, the Daily Report's annual “On the Rise” issue, which began in 2002, recognizes 40 lawyers (under age 40) across the state of Georgia, who the Daily Report's editorial staff predicts the legal community will hear and read more about in the future.
Lawyers of Color - Jul 2014
Named to Lawyers of Color’s Second Annual Hot List, which recognizes early- to mid-career minority attorneys excelling in the legal profession working as in-house counsel, government attorneys, and law firm associates and partners. Honorees were profiled in Lawyers of Color’s Hot List 2014 Issue (September 2014). The Southern Region honorees were also be feted at a reception hosted by Greenberg Traurig on July 24, 2014.
SELECTION
The honorees were chosen through a two-pronged process. The selection committee spent months reviewing nominations and researching bar association publications and legal blogs in order to identify promising candidates. Nominations from mentors, peers, and colleagues were accepted. The selection committee also made editorial picks of attorneys who had noteworthy accomplishments, especially those active in legal pipeline initiatives.
ABOUT LAWYERS OF COLOR
Lawyers of Color was initially founded as On Being A Black Lawyer but now also produces publications for lawyers of South Asian American, Pacific Asian American, Hispanic, and Native American heritage. LOC has been recognized by the American Bar Association, National Black Law Students Association, and National Association of Black Journalists. Our company provides research, career development, and brand marketing opportunities to our clients. With a core readership of 35,000, nearly 200,000 unique blog visitors, and nearly 4,000 followers and fans, we have the largest social media presence of any minority legal organization
President, State Bar of Georgia - Jun 2014
This standing committee shall facilitate, analyze, and present for consideration initiatives and programs which increases participation, retention, and representation of diverse attorneys in the legal profession in Georgia that accurately reflects the makeup of our State. In this effort, the Committee will work towards inclusion of lawyers who have been historically underrepresented. It shall advise the Executive Committee and Board of Governors with regard to those interests. Appointed Chair in June 2018.
President, State Bar of Georgia - Jun 2014
This standing committee shall consider and make recommendations to the Executive Committee and Board of Governors necessary to advance professionalism in the practice of law. It shall concern itself with the various facets of professionalism including knowledge, technical skill, integrity in relations with both clients and courts, dedication to the law and public good, and ultimately the providing of competent legal services to the public.
Mississippi College School of Law - Apr 2014
Selected by Mississippi College School of Law to receive 2014 Young Lawyer of the Year Award which recognizes an alum who has graduated within the previous 10 years and has made outstanding contributions to the legal community.
THE CLARION-LEDGER - View Here
MISSISSIPPI BUSINESS JOURNAL - View Here
GEORGIA LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM PRESS RELEASE - View Here
Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA) - May 2014 ( Appointed to Chair the Academy in 2018)
1 of 12 candidates statewide selected to participate in intensive 5 week, nationally recognized, professional development program. Full details about the Academy may be found here.
Georgia Commission on Interpreters/Supreme Court of Georgia - Jul 2013
The Commission was created by the Supreme Court of Georgia in 2003 to secure the rights of non-English speaking persons (including the Deaf/Hard of Hearing) utilizing the state court system by establishing a statewide plan for the use of interpreters in Georgia courts during the presentation of civil or criminal matters. The Commission, which sets the rules, policies and procedures for regulating the quality of court interpreters in the state, is comprised of legislators, judges, lawyers and court interpreters. Each year members rotate off the Commission and recommendations are received for new appointments which must be approved by the Supreme Court.
National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) - Apr 2013
NLADA' s Civil Policy Group members include management, staff and clients from legal aid programs nationwide.The Leadership and Diversity Committee makes recommendations to the Civil Policy Group on leadership and diversity issues, such as supporting and developing minority leadership in legal services programs, developing new leadership in legal services programs, involving non-directors in legal services community leadership roles and assuring that diverse staff are recruited and retained throughout the legal services community. The Leadership and Diversity Committee works on developing leadership strategies, which focus on developing leadership skills within the legal services community, with a particular emphasis on diversity issues. Projects include developing a series of training events that help leaders address issues currently facing legal services programs, including issues of diversity, both within program staff and the client community and issues that arise as programs undergo internal changes. Members appointed to a three year term.
The Latino American Who's Who
Press Release - View Here
The Latino American Who’s Who is a New York based biographical publication that selects and distinguishes leading Latino professionals as well as non-Latino professionals throughout the world who have attained a recognizable degree of success in their field of endeavor and thereby contribute to the growth of their industry and the Latino culture. The Latino Who’s Who promotes an awareness of achievements of Latino and non-Latino professionals and executives by creating a networking platform to provide recognition of individual accomplishments.
Appointed by President, State Bar of Georgia - Jun 2012
This standing committee considers and makes recommendations to the State Bar of Georgia Board of Governors on: (1) promoting the growth of pro bono service to the poor by members of the State Bar; (2) operation of the Bar's efforts to facilitate the participation of Georgia's lawyers in the delivery of pro bono services through the Pro Bono Project; and (3) how best to give appropriate recognition to Georgia lawyers whose pro bono efforts inspire the members of the legal profession. It promotes the establishment and efficient maintenance of legal aid organizations equipped to provide free legal services to those unable to pay for such service. It also studies the administration of justice as it affects persons in low income groups, and studies and report on methods of making legal service more readily available to persons of moderate means, and encourages and assists local Bar associations in accomplishing this purpose.
State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division - Jun 2012
1 of 40 lawyers selected statewide to participate in intensive 6-month leadership program. The Leadership Academy is an annual program for young lawyers who are interested in developing their leadership skills as well as learning more about their profession, their communities and their state.
The purpose of the Leadership Academy is to educate young lawyers regarding salient issues facing the state and nation, to help them develop and refine their leadership skills, and to foster a mentoring relationship between the participants and the selected leaders.
NLADA-Litigation and Advocacy Directors Conference - Jun 2012
1 of 6 attorneys recognized, nationally, as an emerging leader and awarded scholarship to attend NLADA's Litigation & Advocacy Directors Conference (LADC). LADC is a national gathering of experienced & emerging advocacy leaders designed to foster peer interaction & learning on the most important litigation & strategic advocacy issues affecting legal aid programs & the communities they serve.
Georgia Legal Services Program, Inc. - Oct 2011
Youngest of 10 attorneys recognized as innovative, committed legal advocates whose advocacy has made a substantial impact on their practice area(s).
Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO) - Jun 2011
Ms. Edmondson-Cooper was one of 1 of approximately 40 candidates statewide selected and who successfully completed 5 week leadership program designed to hone community development and personal leadership skills.