Amanda Meadows, Esq.
Attorney, Owner of Meadows Law Group, LLC
Originally from the South, Amanda grew up with a love for good food, good stories, and SEC football. However, Amanda was also blessed with family who taught her the value of giving back and doing more for others than you do for yourself. Amanda obtained her Social Work (BSW) degree from the University of Alabama in 1999. Soon thereafter, Amanda began practicing in rural Alabama, connecting men, women, and children with social services, counseling, and medical aide.
In her practice, Amanda often found that her clients had a variety of legal issues; things above and beyond her abilities as a social worker. However, trying to get an attorney to assist her clients proved very difficult, if not impossible. Amanda often saw her clients treated unfairly in the legal system solely because of conditions beyond their control such as finances, mental health, and race.
These experiences led to Amanda attending law school at Florida Coastal School of Law, in Jacksonville, Florida. Since graduating in 2004, Amanda has worked in a variety of legal fields including criminal defense, appellate law (including capital post-conviction and habeas corpus litigation with Florida's death row inmates), housing and real estate litigation, as well as personal injury and Social Security disability claims.
In 2011, Amanda realized her dream of opening her own law firm where she can combine her legal skills with her social work and counseling background. The end result was Meadows Law Group, P.A., in the Tampa Bay Area of Florida. Although Florida is nice, it was never home. So, in 2014 Amanda moved back to Mississippi to be closer to family. After taking and passing the Mississippi bar in 2015, Amanda opened her practice in Columbus, Mississippi, and the surrounding areas. She has represented clients throughout the 16th Circuit in criminal and civil litigation, as well as numerous cases within the family courts of the 14th Chancery District.
In addition to her private practice, Amanda is proud to serve as the Public Defender for the City of Columbus, Mississippi, in the weekly Municipal Court hearings. She also held the role as a Public Defender for the 16th Judicial Circuit from 2019-2024, representing numerous clients charged with felony offenses. This included numerous jury trials, including the first complete defense verdict (Not Guilty on All Counts) obtained in the 16th Circuit in over eight years.
Amanda and her legal team were also featured on the A&E Network's hit series "Accused: Guilty or Innocent" in the Spring, 2024 season. According to the Network, the episode was one of the highest ranked shows of the season!
Areas of Practice:
Criminal Defense
Personal Injury Litigation (Plaintiffs)
Divorce and Custody
Social Security Disability
Small Business Advising
Real Estate Litigation
Bar Admissions:
Mississippi, 2015
US District Court, Northern District of Mississippi, 2015
Florida, 2005
US District Court, Southern District of Florida, 2005
US District Court, Middle District of Florida, 2006
US District Court, Northern District of Florida, 2011
Education:
University of Alabama, BSW 1999
Florida Coastal School of Law, JD 2004
Community Activities:
Lowndes County, MS Bar Association- President 2016-2017
Columbus-Lowndes Public Library Board of Trustees- 2017-2022
Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA), St. Petersburg, Florida- Board Member 2010 to 2014
Bay Area Legal Services Cup of Hope Committee, Tampa, Florida- 2010
Florida Association of Women Lawyers
Amanda's profile on AVVO.com
Sedrick Fenster
Private Investigator
A lifelong resident of Columbus, MS, Sedrick has worked in the law enforcement field for many years. This includes being an Officer with the Columbus, MS Police Department (1998-2004) and working as a bail bondsman and fugitive recovery officer with the State of Mississippi. Sedrick is a licensed Notary, and a process server for the State.
In addition to his background in law enforcement, Sedrick is an accomplished musician having been a founding member of the gospel group "Redemption".
Private Investigator
A lifelong resident of Columbus, MS, Sedrick has worked in the law enforcement field for many years. This includes being an Officer with the Columbus, MS Police Department (1998-2004) and working as a bail bondsman and fugitive recovery officer with the State of Mississippi. Sedrick is a licensed Notary, and a process server for the State.
In addition to his background in law enforcement, Sedrick is an accomplished musician having been a founding member of the gospel group "Redemption".
Haley Bridges
Paralegal
Haley Bridges is a native of Alabama, and a 2023 graduate of the Paralegal Studies Program at Mississippi University for Women, in Columbus, MS. Haley interned with Meadows Law Group, LLC before joining our staff full time in 2024. Haley is skilled in document review, legal research, and client relations. Haley is a licensed Notary Public with the State of Mississippi.
In her free time, Haley loves to spend time with her two beautiful dogs, going to the gym, and watching true crime drama. Haley loves Japanese art and collects katanas.
Paralegal
Haley Bridges is a native of Alabama, and a 2023 graduate of the Paralegal Studies Program at Mississippi University for Women, in Columbus, MS. Haley interned with Meadows Law Group, LLC before joining our staff full time in 2024. Haley is skilled in document review, legal research, and client relations. Haley is a licensed Notary Public with the State of Mississippi.
In her free time, Haley loves to spend time with her two beautiful dogs, going to the gym, and watching true crime drama. Haley loves Japanese art and collects katanas.
Bernie
Office Dog
Bernie is a feisty 19 year-old Chihuahua that sleeps under our desks most of the days, and is sometimes an office greeter. He likes a good meal, long walks around the block, and the occasional western film.
While horrible at typing, taking notes, answering the phone, and general work attitude, he keeps us laughing with his antics.
Office Dog
Bernie is a feisty 19 year-old Chihuahua that sleeps under our desks most of the days, and is sometimes an office greeter. He likes a good meal, long walks around the block, and the occasional western film.
While horrible at typing, taking notes, answering the phone, and general work attitude, he keeps us laughing with his antics.