Developing compassionate lawyers for everyday people
Established in 2025, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) proudly partnered with Gideon’s Promise (GP) and The Barristers Society (TBS) to launch the Criminal and Civil Justice Institute (CCJI) at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. This initiative established an unprecedented collaboration between legal education and frontline advocacy to prepare the next generation of legal advocates – developing compassionate lawyers for everyday people.
The CCJI serves as a dynamic hub in Atlanta, dedicated to equipping law students and early-career attorneys with the practical skills, values, and mentorship needed to make an immediate impact on local communities. With a mission to advance justice for the underserved, the institute aims to raise the standard of representation in criminal and civil cases while providing invaluable hands-on training to AJMLS students and alumni. Through this partnership, the CCJI connects AJMLS students with accomplished legal professionals—referred to as Law Partners—to participate in externships, internships, and mentorship programs. These experiences will bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world practice, fostering a pipeline of legal talent committed to advocating for justice in Atlanta and beyond.
AJMLS, with its legacy of empowering both traditional and non-traditional law students, joins forces with GP, a trailblazer in transforming public defense to ensure equal justice for all, and TBS, an organization dedicated to educating and developing attorneys who are conscious of the various disparities facing their potential clients. Together, they form a partnership that not only addresses the urgent need for high-quality legal representation but also redefines the way future lawyers are trained.
The CCJI will also host workshops, seminars, and continuing legal education programs designed to benefit both students and practicing attorneys, particularly those working in solo or small-firm practices. Additionally, CCJI will provide mentorship and career counseling to AJMLS students and alumni, creating a sustainable support system for legal professionals.
The Criminal and Civil Justice Institute at Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School embodies a shared vision for a legal system that delivers just outcomes for all. This innovative partnership marks a transformative moment in legal education and advocacy, setting a new standard for collaboration and impact.
Throughout the summer, the CCJI leaders will be working on programming for the 2025-2026 academic year, with opportunities for training, mentorship, networking, and volunteers. If you are an AJMLS student, alumni, or bar member who wants to be notified of program developments and opportunities, click here.
“This program is truly one of a kind, setting a new standard in legal education. We are proud to lead the way in preparing the next generation of highly skilled and ethical professionals.”
– Dean Jace C. Gatewood
Sam Starks, Esq., Executive Director
Atlanta Attorney Sam Starks, the founder and President of TBS, serves as the Executive Director of the CCJI. He notes, “Equal justice is an aspiration that has never been fulfilled. Through the CCJI, we have a unique opportunity to bring together lawyers who fight for the promise of equal justice everyday with law students who want to join this effort.”
Sam Starks is an experienced litigation attorney with over 30 years of civil and criminal trial and appellate court experience in local, state and federal courts in the District of Columbia, Georgia and Ohio. Sam is the founder of The Starks Law Firm. He is also a former Senior Attorney with the Cochran Firm Atlanta, a former partner with the law firm of Martin & Jones, and former associate at Garland, Samuel & Loeb. Sam graduated from Duke University School of Law in 1992, where he was a Note Editor on the Duke Law Journal. After graduating from law school, Sam Clerked for Judge Damon J. Keith on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Following his clerkship, Sam began his legal career as a practicing attorney as a staff attorney at The Washington Post. While in Washington D.C., Sam also worked several years as a staff attorney at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia with relocating to Atlanta in 1999.
Contact: samlstarks@gmail.com, (404) 618-5112
Professor Jonathan Rapping, Faculty Director
Jonathan Rapping, the founder of Gideon’s Promise, as well as Professor of Law and Director of the Criminal Justice Certificate Program at AJMLS, serves as the Faculty Director of the CCJI and works in partnership with Sam Starks to operate the CCJI. He notes, “AJMLS has long enjoyed a reputation for preparing practice-ready lawyers to represent people who lack access to justice. Through the CCJI we can continue to develop future lawyers with exceptional legal skills, driven by justice-centered lawyering values, and connect them with a network of professionals to serve as mentors. Students will forge a professional identity aligned with their purpose for coming to law school.”
Professor Rapping, a nationally renowned criminal justice reformer, is the Director of the Criminal Justice Certificate Program, a Visiting Professor at Harvard Law School, and the founder of Gideon’s Promise. He is the author of Gideon’s Promise: A Public Defender Movement to Transform Criminal Justice. Among numerous recognitions, Rapping received the prestigious MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Grant for his cutting-edge approach to justice transformation. He was awarded the Alumni Professional Achievement Award from his alma mater, The University of Chicago and was elected for membership to the American Law Institute. He is a frequent contributor to the national conversation on criminal justice reform and has been featured by numerous media outlets. Rapping has also been a speaker at TEDx Atlanta. Rapping’s work was the inspiration for the award-winning HBO documentary “Gideon’s Army.
Contact: jrapping@johnmarshall.edu
Torris Butterfield, Esq., Managing Director
Torris Butterfield is a seasoned and experienced trial attorney with extensive experience in criminal law. From 1997-2004, Torris worked as trial attorney with the Office of the Public Defender, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, rising to the rank of Senior Trial Attorney responsible as lead counsel for major felonies complex cases involving multiple defendants. In 2004, he formed The Law Office of Torris J. Butterfield and Associates, where he maintains an active felony and misdemeanor criminal defense practice in state and federal courts throughout the state of Georgia. His practice also includes representing individuals in personal injury and family law matters. Since 1997, he has represented clients in a wide variety of criminal cases, including cases involving murder, rape, armed robbery, drug possession and distribution, child molestation and child pornography. Torris is a 1996 graduate of Mercer University School of Law.
Miguel Dominguez, Esq., Director, Trial-Advocacy
Mr. Dominguez is a Partner and Trial Attorney at the largest Plaintiff’s firms in the Country, Morgan & Morgan. However, he began his legal career as a criminal defense attorney, before leaving his practice to become a prosecutor. As a prosecutor, he acquired significant jury trial experience. Despite his tremendous success trying those terrorizing our community, he acquired a reputation for being a conscientious prosecutor, discerning in creating opportunities for those in need of a second chance. As a Puerto Rican, he became the first Latino prosecutor in the history of the Rockdale, Stone Mountain, and Clayton Judicial Circuits. He is now a Plaintiff’s attorney, specializing in personal injury, wrongful death, negligent security and civil rights cases. Miguel is most passionate about his work fighting on behalf of the victims of police brutality.
Erin Coleman, Esq., Staff Attorney, Student Outreach
Erin Coleman is the founder and managing partner of Coleman Law and Associates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Criminal and Civil Justice Institute different from the Criminal Justice Certificate Program (CJCP)?
Yes, the Institute and Certificate Program are separate but complementary programs. Information about the CJCP may be found here.
Is Gideon’s Promise (GP) separate from AJMLS?
Yes, Gideon’s Promise is a national non-profit organization revolutionizing public defense by building a movement of passionate and capable public defenders. GP empowers attorneys to provide zealous advocacy and drive systemic change within the criminal justice system.
What is the Barristers Society (TBS)?
The Barristers Society is committed to mentoring and training legal advocates who address the barriers to justice of their clients and various communities. Through innovative programming, TBS develops attorneys who champion justice and equality.
I am interested in future CCJI programming, what can I do now?
Click here to submit your information.
For current AJMLS students, what are the main objectives?
Training and development, career counseling and mentoring, internships, and externships.
For professional training programs, what areas of law will the CCJI focus on?
Criminal defense, civil rights, and plaintiff personal injury.