Mecca Anderson
Director of Externship Programs and Associate Professor of Legal Practice
manderson@johnmarshall.eduEducation
B.A., New College of California
J.D., Valparaiso University School of Law
Courses Taught
Learning from Practice
Advanced Legal Externships
Career Highlights
For more than a decade, Professor Anderson has distinguished herself as a versatile attorney and dedicated advocate. Her practice has spanned catastrophic personal injury, criminal law, complex civil disputes, and appellate matters, showcasing her ability to approach each case with insight, integrity, and a focus on achieving meaningful outcomes.
Professor Anderson has practiced at every level of court in the state of Georgia, including municipal, state, superior, and appellate courts, as well as in federal court. Her tenure as Chief of Staff to Chief Justice Carol W. Hunstein of the Supreme Court of Georgia provided her with unique insights into the highest level of judicial decision-making in the state, where she contributed to judicial initiatives, legislative monitoring, and the development of court policies.
Her dedication to justice and professionalism has earned her recognition as a Georgia Super Lawyer (2022–2023) and Georgia Rising Star (2018–2021), as well as the State Bar of Georgia Commitment to Equality Award in 2021.
Media, Public & Professional Appearances
Professor Anderson has been featured on Courtroom View Network, in the State Bar of Georgia YLD Review (2017) and in the Fulton County Daily Report. She has participated in numerous panels, conferences, symposia and continuing legal education events organized by the legal community and bar associations, focusing on topics such as professionalism, career development, animal advocacy and domestic violence. Additionally, she has hosted programs and events that foster connections within the legal profession.
Outside the Classroom
Professor Anderson has served her community and the legal profession in numerous ways, including through professional affiliations and board service. Her contributions include leadership roles with the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA), the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association (GTLA), the DeKalb Bar Association, the DeKalb Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, and the State Bar of Georgia’s Committee on Professionalism and Attorney-Client Solicitation Committee. She is also a member of organizations such as the NAACP DeKalb Branch (Lifetime Silver Member), the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, Concerned Black Clergy, NCNW, the 40+ Double Dutch Club, and the East Atlanta Business and Community Associations.
In her personal life, Professor Anderson enjoys long walks on Atlanta’s Beltline with her beloved dog, MJ. She draws inspiration from long conversations with her daughter, Layla, whose leadership in organizational development keeps her connected to modern issues and fresh ideas. She also loves cooking and hosting, traveling, reading, and attending live music performances, infusing creativity and connection into every aspect of her life.