Maria Batres works as an Assistant District Attorney, prosecuting felony cases in the Cobb Judicial Circuit. Prior to her tenure as an ADA, she prosecuted misdemeanor crimes as an Assistant Solicitor in Fulton County Georgia for four years. She also worked for two years an Immigration attorney with Socheat Chea, P.C. in Duluth, Georgia, handling cases in all areas of Immigration law, with a particular focus on removal/deportation defense, family based petitions, and visa options for victims of crimes.
Maria received her Juris Doctor degree from Georgia State University College of Law, graduating cum laude, in 2011. She has also earned a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Master’s degree in Teaching, both from Trinity University in Texas.
During law school, Maria worked as a legal intern at the Latin American Association and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia. She served as the president of the Hispanic Student Bar Association and was also actively involved in the Student Trial Lawyers Association. Maria has served as a GHBA officer since 2014, and is currently serving her second term as president of the organization.
Maria has recently been appointed by the Supreme Court of Georgia to serve a five year term as a member of the State's Commission on Interpreters. She is a member of the National Hispanic Bar Association, the Multi-Bar Leadership Council, and has served as a mentor for the Georgia Latino Law Foundation. She also serves on the GSU Law Alumni Council, the GSU LAC Student Relations Committee, and is a past member of AILA and the MBLC Pipeline Speaker Committee. She is a member of the State Bar of Georgia and is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Georgia and all other Georgia courts.
Maria is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, born to Guatemalan parents, and is fluent in both English and Spanish. Prior to becoming an attorney, Maria spent over a decade teaching middle and high school Social Studies in Atlanta, Georgia.
PROMOTE DIVERSITY: In legal organizations and the community
EDUCATION: Foster the exchange of ideas and information between Hispanic lawyers
COMMUNITY: Educate the Hispanic community on its legal rights and duties
EDUCATE: Facilitate the continuing legal education of our members
PROMOTE: The recruitment and retention of Georgia Hispanic students in law schools
Who Is It For?
MEMBERS
The GHBA welcomes all members of the legal profession, law students, and those who serve the legal or Hispanic community in the State of Georgia.
OPPORTUNITIES
The GHBA keeps its members abreast of opportunities to serve on the boards of various organizations, public service opportunities, and employment positions.
Why Join
NETWORKING
The GHBA network offers a diverse and culturally rich professional network, as well as mentoring and career opportunities.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
GHBA provides professional and leadership training and development, community involvement, regional conventions and local events, and participation in substantive legal sections and committees.