About Sam
Sam McRae built his legal career on a foundation in history and an early turn behind the defense table. He reads a case like a historian reads a document. He looks for the facts that change the story. He is licensed to practice in Georgia and operates from offices in Atlanta and Decatur.
His education traces a clear line from classroom to courtroom. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. He then completed a Master of Arts in History at the State University of West Georgia. He finished his formal legal training at Georgia State University College of Law where he received his Juris Doctor.
McRae's first courtroom work came while he was still on the path to becoming an attorney. In 2008 he served as a volunteer lawyer with the Dekalb County Public Defender’s office. That early experience put him in front of clients who needed advocacy and in courtrooms where preparation mattered. It also exposed him to a broad range of criminal matters and the logistics of trial practice.
In 2010 he began practicing as the principal of Sam McRae Law, LLC. He started that firm after gaining hands-on experience in public defense and criminal matters. Since then he has handled cases across Georgia, working in both state and local courts. His work has involved motion practice, client interviews, plea negotiations and trials.
He maintains professional ties through several bar and defense organizations. He holds membership in the State Bar of Georgia and the American Bar Association. He has been a member of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers since 2011. Those affiliations keep him connected to developments in criminal law and trial technique.
McRae balances courtroom work with office-based case preparation. He splits his time between an Atlanta office and a Decatur office, meeting clients and appearing in court where needed. He continues to handle criminal defense matters throughout Georgia.
