Judge Christopher W. Willis was born in Atlanta and grew up in the Northlake area of DeKalb County. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Harding University and subsequently attended St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas. Judge Willis graduated in the top 25% of his law school class, made the Dean’s List, served as an Associate Editor of the St. Mary’s Law Journal, and was a member of the Phi Delta Phi honor fraternity. He also received the American Jurisprudence Award during his time at St. Mary’s.
After earning his law degree, Judge Willis returned to Georgia and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 1995. Over the next 23 years, he built a distinguished career as a trial attorney, specializing in both civil and criminal cases. While practicing law in Cumming, Georgia, he was an active member of the Forsyth County Bar Association and held officer positions in the Forsyth County Criminal Defense Bar Association and the Forsyth County Juvenile Bar Association. Judge Willis also participated in the Forsyth County Mock Trial program, frequently serving as a judge and juror.
In January 2015, Judge Willis was appointed as a part-time magistrate for the Magistrate Court of Forsyth County, a role he held until August 2018, when he was appointed as the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court of Forsyth County. Judge Willis actively contributes to the judiciary, serving as an officer, chair, and member of several local and statewide judicial committees. In addition to his responsibilities in Juvenile Court, he presides over Forsyth County Superior Court’s mental health accountability court (CARE Court) and Parental Accountability Court.
Judge Willis has been a resident of Forsyth County since 1997. He is married, has three adult children, and serves on the advisory board for Fill Ministries/Meals by Grace.