As a fourth-generation attorney with a grandfather who is a retired judge, Kate Edwards could have landed a cushy spot at a silk-stocking law firm.

She got several job offers out of law school, but working as a public defender is the job that fits her best, Ms. Edwards said.

I feel I can do more at the level Im at than anywhere else. I want to be just plain public defender, with no title, she said.

Ms. Edwards born Kate Neville in Bulloch County is a fourth-generation graduate of the Mercer University law school. Her great-great-great-grandfather, Gustavious Alonzo Nunnally , was president of the law school from 1889 to 1893.

Her paternal grandfather, William J. Neville, is a senior judge in the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, where Ms. Edwards worked as a prosecutor after law school.

It wasnt her first job. As a student at Georgia Southern University she worked as a substance abuse counselor. In law school she worked for a state and federal public defenders office and as an investigator for attorney Lovett Bennett Jr., her cousin.

Ms. Edwards fell in love with the law as a child watching her grandfather preside over trials.

I grew up in courtrooms, she said.

Mr. Bennett instilled in her the passion to ensure that all people are treated equally and fairly in court. As a mentor, he showed her how he made sure none of his clients the paying or charity cases ever fell through the cracks, Ms. Edwards said.

Kate has always shown a high degree of professionalism in all her dealings with me. The public defenders office is very fortunate to have her as an attorney, said veteran Augusta attorney Michael C. Garrett, who is distantly related to Ms. Edwards.

Ms. Edwards worked for the district attorneys office in Augusta until moving over to the public defenders office when it opened for business this year.

Ms. Edwards and her husband, Thomas, moved to Augusta to be close to her mother, whose health has deteriorated.

Although it was nice being a big fish in a small pond in Bulloch County, where everyone knew her and her family, shes enjoying the anonymity of a larger city, Ms. Edwards said.

The move also has been good for Mr. Edwards, who was able to get a full-time job as a firefighter, a profession he loves.

The newlyweds live with three large dogs and three cats, including a 35-pound feline who rules the home, Ms. Edwards said.

With one member of the family already in public service, Mr. Edwards said his wife should join one of those silk-stocking law firms one day to make the big money.

Hes not holding his breath. Ms. Edwards is committed to ensuring people who are too poor to hire an attorney dont fall through the cracks in the justice system.

Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or sandy.hodson@augustachronicle.com.