Hon. Norman S. Fletcher (Ret.) served as a Justice on the Georgia Supreme Court from 1990-2005, including a term as Presiding Justice from 1995-2001 and Chief Justice from 2001-2005. He retired from the Court on June 30, 2005. After retiring from the Georgia Supreme Court, Judge Fletcher joined Brinson, Askew, Berry, Seigler, Richardson & Davis as Of Counsel, bringing with him his 47 years of experience as a trial lawyer, counselor, city attorney, county attorney, and general practitioner.

ADR Experience and Qualifications

• His practice areas since leaving the Court include arbitration, mediation, appellate practice, expert witness, and civil trial practice.
• While serving on the Court, he participated in over 26,000 decisions resulting in 5,000 published opinions. He authored over 800 published opinions. The subject matter of his published opinions includes: arbitration, class actions, contracts, corporate law, domestic relations/family law, employment contracts, environmental law, estates, insurance law, land use restrictions, libel, local government, maritime claims/admiralty, products liability, professional malpractice, title to land, torts, trusts, UCC, water rights, wills, and workers’ compensation.
• In private practice, Judge Fletcher accumulated extensive trial experience in the fields of contracts, construction, eminent domain, local government law, products liability, professional malpractice, public utilities, title to land, torts, and wills.

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

• Recognized by Best Lawyers as one of the Best Lawyers in America for ADR, 2015-2024
• Distinguished Service Award, State Bar of Georgia “for conspicuous service to the cause of jurisprudence and to the advancement of the legal profession in the state of Georgia,” 2009
• Thomas O. Marshall Professionalism Award, State Bar of Georgia, 2009
• Georgia Excellence in Public Service Award - State/Regional Official, 2005
• The Logan E. Bleckley Award, Atlanta Bar Association Litigation Section “for providing extraordinary leadership and service to the Bar,” 2005
• Equal Justice Foundation Award for Outstanding Public Interest Attorney, University of Georgia School of Law, 2005
• Charles L. Weltner Freedom of Information Award, Georgia First Amendment Foundation “for preserving the public’s right to know,” 2005
• Blue Key Award, University of Georgia “in appreciation for exemplary public service and support of UGA Blue Key,” 2005
• The Tradition of Excellence Award, The State Bar of Georgia General Practice and Trial Section, 2004

Judge
Fletcher has a distinguished record of service to the legal profession and the community.

• Recipient of the 2015 Gideon’s Promise Award by The Southern Center for Human Rights
• Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and the Georgia Bar Foundation
• Master in the Joseph Henry Lumpkin Inn of Court
• Chairman of the Board, University of Georgia Arch Foundation, 2007-2009
• Board of Visitors, University of Georgia, College of Public and International Affairs, 2004-2010
• Georgia State Bar
  • Co-chair, Commission on Lawyer Disciplinary Reform, 1989
  • Member, State Disciplinary Board, 1984-1987
  • Chair, Investigative Panel, 1986-1987
  • Chair, Local Government Section, 1977-1978
• University of Georgia School of Law
  • Member of the Board of Visitors, 1992-1995, Chair, 1994-1995
  • President, Law School Association, 1977
• President, City Attorney Section, Georgia Municipal Association, 1978-1979
• Board member, Attorney's Title Guaranty Fund, 1971-1975
• President, Lookout Mountain Bar Association, 1973-1974
• While residing in LaFayette, he served three terms on the board of the LaFayette Chamber of Commerce and is the former president of the LaFayette Rotary Club

Background and Education

• Of Counsel, Brinson, Askew, Berry, Seigler, Richardson & Davis, 2005-present
• Justice, Supreme Court of Georgia, 1990-2005 (Presiding Justice, 1995-2001 and Chief Justice, 2001-2005)
• Chair, Judicial Council of Georgia, 2001-2005
• Board of Directors, Conference of Chief Justices, 2003-2005
• Special Assistant Attorney General, State of Georgia, 1979-1989
• City Attorney, City of LaFayette, 1965-1989
• Walker County Attorney, 1973-1988
• Partner, Fletcher & Womack Law Firm, LaFayette, GA, 1979-1989
• Partner, General Practice Firm, LaFayette, GA, 1963-1979
• Associate, Matthews, Maddox, Walton and Smith, Rome, GA, 1958-1963
• LL.M., University of Virginia, 1995
• LL.B., University of Georgia, 1958
• B.A., University of Georgia, 1956