Judge Nora Polk, a native Texan, received her B.A. from Texas A&M University and her Juris Doctor from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Judge Polk initially worked for the Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office for several months after law school before accepting a fellowship at Atlanta Legal Aid Society (ALAS). She worked for ALAS for over eight years, as a fellow, staff attorney, and supervising attorney. Judge Polk opened Ashby & Polk, LLC law firm with her law partner in 2007

She practiced in various areas, including family violence, housing, consumer, public benefits, disability, wills, trusts, estate planning, powers of attorney, guardianship, probate, elder law, divorce, custody, legitimation, and child support. In addition to representing clients, she served as a Guardian Ad Litem in domestic relations cases, an Ombudsman in bankruptcy cases involving patient care, and as a Hearing Officer in public housing informal review hearings. She is also a trained mediator.

In 2010, Judge Polk was appointed as a part-time Associate Magistrate Judge in DeKalb County. She became a Supervising Judge for Magistrate Court in 2016. Six years later, Governor Brian Kemp appointed her to Superior Court in the Stone Mountain Judicial Circuit.

She has been a guest lecturer at Atlanta Technical College, Georgia Piedmont Technical College, Georgia State University, John Marshall Law School, University of Cincinnati School of Law, Seton Hall University, and an adjunct instructor in the Emory Law School Trial Techniques Program. Judge Polk has presented at a variety of ICLE trainings and is a trainer for the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

Judge Polk is an ardent supporter of youth in her community, visiting schools and inviting students into her courtroom. She volunteers with numerous organizations and has established several Access to Justice programs for the public throughout the years.