It is with a great deal of sadness that the firm announces the passing of one of its founding partners, Steven E. Lister.  Steve passed peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, June 12, 2023 after a full and remarkable life. We are grateful for his tremendous contributions to the legal community and beyond. He will always be remembered with great fondness for his bright legal mind and distinctive achievements (many of which are listed below). His legacy and countless contributions to the firm, and our clients, continues to endure today. We miss him dearly and will continue to be inspired by his remarkable leadership, talent and vision.

Biography

Steven Lister moved to Forest Park in 1968 and resided in Clayton County for the remainder of his life. He worked as a uniformed police officer and later as a detective with the City of Forest Park from 1970 until 1973 when he was recruited by then District Attorney William H. Ison as an investigator in the Clayton County District Attorney's Office. While serving Clayton County in this capacity, Lister was responsible for and participated in a number of investigations involving public corruption and numerous other major investigations which led to indictments and successful prosecutions in high profile cases. 

Lister attended law school while working in the DA's office and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1981. He then prosecuted cases before going into private practice in November of 1982 with David Harris and former judges John Carbo and Harold Benefield. During his tenure in the DA's office as a prosecutor, Lister was the primary prosecutor of cocaine Trafficking cases made at Hartsfield International Airport. He also successfully prosecuted many other crimes ranging from burglary and theft to rape, homicide and child molestation.

Upon leaving the District Attorney's office Lister was engaged in the exclusive practice of criminal defense for the past 35 years. He represented a wide spectrum of persons ranging from doctors, lawyers, police officers, and political figures to indigent individuals. 

Lister served as the Municipal Court Judge for the City of Jonesboro from 1990-1991; again from 2008-2010; and for the City of Forest Park from 2006-2010. He has also sat on a pro hac basis in the cities of Riverdale, Lake City and Morrow as well as the State Court of Clayton County.

Lister was a member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers since 1982, serving a year as vice president. He maintained membership in the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and also served as the Vice President and President of the Clayton County Bar Association in 1981.  He was a member of both the Clayton and Henry County Bar associations as well as an approved mentor through the Georgia Supreme Court in the mentor program of the State Bar of Georgia. He was admitted to practice in the Georgia Court of Appeals and Georgia Supreme Court; the United States 5th and 11th Circuit Courts of Appeal; and was also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court.