Meet Cobb State Court Clerk Elect Tahnicia Phillips: A Mission to Serve and Lead

Tahnicia Phillips, a longtime Marietta resident, has dedicated her life to making a positive impact on the lives of others. After years of service as the court administrator for Cobb Magistrate Court, Phillips, 44,  won election last month, during the General Election, to become Cobb County’s new State Court Clerk. Phillips secured 52% of the vote and unseated the Republican incumbent. Her win turned the remaining county-wide position in Cobb County blue.

Phillips touts her deep connection to Marietta, where she grew up, and is committed to using her new position to bring positive changes to the county. “I’m excited to be someone that my hometown and my community could vote for,” she said. “What goes into these positions is your heart to serve people.” As State Court Clerk, Phillips will manage all records related to traffic citations, misdemeanors, and civil cases over $15,000. She is also responsible for managing fees, fines, and ensuring all court participants are notified for their hearings.

Phillips has an impressive track record of service in Cobb County. She started her career at Cobb Magistrate Court in 2001 as a part-time clerk, eventually working her way up over 20 years. In 2019, Chief Magistrate Judge Brendan Murphy appointed her as court administrator, the highest non-elected position in the court. There, she oversaw 90 staff members and worked closely with Judge Murphy. Her extensive experience made her the ideal candidate for the State Court Clerk position, which Phillips views as the “heartbeat of the justice system.” “When there is a breakdown in the clerk’s office, you can’t run court,” she said. With over 23 years of experience, she is ready to handle the responsibility and bring about positive change. “My focus is really on making sure that I’m making positive changes with my experience and to bring some more initiatives to the court,” Phillips explained.

Her goals as State Court Clerk include implementing advanced technologies to streamline operations. One of her key initiatives is a new case management system that will offer more flexibility for residents to pay fines and allow them to easily access court documents online.

Phillips is also committed to continuing her community service outside of her official role. She is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and co-chairs the Works of Heart Benefit for the Georgia Center for Child Advocacy. In 2019, Phillips and her family started the Leonard Phillips Foundation in memory of her father, who tragically died in a hit-and-run accident. The foundation assists motorcyclists and their families and organizes community events such as back-to-school drives and toy drives.As she prepares to take office in January 2025, Phillips is focused on building an efficient, accessible court system for Cobb County. “My focus is on positive change and moving this court forward,” she said. “I want to make sure Cobb is excellent and that the State Court Clerk’s office is moving in excellence.”

With her dedication to service, innovation, and her community, Phillips is poised to make a lasting impact on Cobb County’s justice system.