Shewmaker & Shewmaker Team

Background

Patty, a native of Nebraska, attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York where she earned a Bachelor of Science in political science and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Military Intelligence. Patty served seven (7) years on active duty in the United States Army and three (3) years in the Georgia Army National Guard. Patty deployed in 2003 to 2004 as a Company Commander of a Counterintelligence Company in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM and OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Patty received the Bronze Star Medal for her service in a combat theater of operations.

Patty earned her law degree from the Georgia State University College of Law where she graduated with honors. After graduating from law school, she joined her husband and law partner, Steve Shewmaker, in establishing their law firm, practicing in the areas of military law and criminal defense. Patty and Steve have gained national recognition, educating judges and attorneys throughout the United States on unique military law issues.

Patty, as a member of the State Bar’s Family Law section and Military and Veterans’ Law section advocated before the Georgia state legislature for the passage of the Georgia Military Parents Equal Rights Act in 2011. She volunteers on a regular basis at the legal clinic at Ft. McPherson where she provides free legal consults for veterans with legal needs. Patty and her husband Steve have also worked with the State Bar of Georgia and Georgia State University College of Law to establish a veterans’ legal clinic at the Georgia State University College of Law. This legal clinic provides legal assistance to veterans enrolled at Georgia State University and also pairs practicing attorneys with Georgia State law students to mentor law students and help them gain valuable client experience while still in law school.

In 2015, Patty received the State Bar of Georgia’s Marshall-Tuttle Award for her outstanding support to the State Bar of Georgia’s Military Legal Assistance program. The program makes available legal services to active duty military personnel, National Guard members, Reservists, and veterans on a pro bono or reduced fee basis. The award was named after Army Corporal Evan Andrew Marshall, a soldier from Athens, Georgia, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2008, and in honor and memory of U.S. Circuit Court Judge Elbert Parr Tuttle.

In 2016, Patty received the 2016 Most Influential and Powerful Attorney in Georgia from Women Works Media for her accomplishments in family and military law.

Patty is a member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia. Patty is also a member of the Family Law Section of the State Bar of Georgia, and she is a member of the executive committee of the Military and Veterans Law Section and the Military Legal Assistance Program of the State Bar of Georgia. Patty is also licensed to practice in all military courts.