Meet Lydia Sartain! Lydia is a wife, mother of three, friend and lawyer. She was the first female solicitor and district attorney in Gainesville. When she’s not in the courtroom, she spends her time cooking for her family, running and shopping.
She is far from camera shy and has made appearances on the Today Show and Good Morning America.
lydia-sartain“It’s fun to have a mom who is so active in our lives and also in our community…she’s the perfect role model, particularly for young women and we’re lucky she’s ours! Not to mention she has a killer sense of style,” says Susanna Sartain.
We are grateful for the time she spent with us for this project.
Question: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
Answer: “When I was in college I worked for the Speaker of the House of Representatives and that prompted my desire to go to law school mainly so I could work in government. Then, I had the opportunity to join this law firm as a partner 14 years ago and it’s been a wonderful experience.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “Luna’s, and I love the cheeseburger and the chocolate divine.”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “32 years.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met in Hall County?
A: “Stewart Higginbotham, because he is smart, funny, and spiritual—all at the same time.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “Bali, I hear it’s beautiful, fabulous, and it’s where John Hardy makes his jewelry.”
Q: What is your favorite movie OR what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “Steel Magnolias.”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “Live in the moment.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “To go down the Leap of Faith slide at Atlantis Resort.”
Q: What is your favorite music/three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “The Allman Brothers, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Rolling Stones.”
Q: What former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “The Cake Box and Verne Sayer, the owner.”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch?  Why this person?  Where in Hall County would you take them to lunch?
A: “Stephen Colbert.  Because he has a killer sense of humor.  We would go to 2 Dog”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “The people, a very giving spirit differentiates the people in Gainesville from those in other places.”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “Working the chairlift at a ski resort”
Q: What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I change into my pajamas when I get home from work.”
Interview by:  Meredith Pannek
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.