Hon. Deborah C. Benefield (Ret.) was a judge for the Clayton County Superior Court in Georgia. She was elected to the bench in 1993. Benefield retired in 2016.
She held the distinction of being the county’s first female trial judge of a court with general jurisdiction. During her tenure on the Superior Court in Clayton County, Benefield served as its Chief Judge, a position to which she was appointed in 2011.
Prior to joining the bench, she was an assistant district attorney with the Clayton County District Attorney’s Office, where she had worked since 1985. During her time there, Benefield was tasked with prosecuting the county’s child molestation and cruelty to children cases and was credited with designing its child abuse protocol. She also successfully promoted domestic violence legislation.
Benefield received a B.A. in history from Spring Hill College. She went on to complete a J.D. at the University of Georgia School of Law in 1983.
Shortly after graduating from law school, Benefield served as the first female solicitor with the Clayton County Solicitor General’s Office (1984 to 1985).
She coached the Jonesboro High School Mock Trial Team, winner of two national championships.
Benefield is a native of Atlanta, Georgia.