[2] When she was first appointed as justice in 1992 by Governor Zell Miller, she became the first woman and youngest person to sit on Georgia's Supreme Court.

[9] On May 13, 2009, Sears announced that she would join the Atlanta offices of the law firm Schiff Hardin, with emphasis on appellate work and white-collar crime.

[10] On September 16, 2016, Justice Sears announced her move from Schiff Hardin to Smith, Gambrell & Russell, with a focus on appellate litigation and commercial disputes.

[12][13] The chairman and managing partner of Smith, Gambrell, Stephen Forte, said: "We are thrilled to have Justice Sears join our firm.

Not only is Justice Sears a preeminent attorney and jurist, she also possesses the leadership qualities that enhance the culture and profile or our law firm.

"[13] In October 2016, she joined the law firm of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP in Atlanta, Georgia and has served as a partner since then.

Topics range from discrimination to work life balance, what it takes to become a partner in today's firms, and what we need to change for women to break the glass ceiling and really have a seat at the table where society wide decisions are made.

[16] Sears is friends with Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas, due to their home towns in southeastern Georgia.

[24] The Sears–Brantley election contest was the first in the state to be conducted under rules that allow opposing candidates to discuss legal issues and each other's records.