Atlanta's Mayor Andre Dickens has announced Patrise M. Perkins-Hooker as the interim City Attorney, following Nina Hickson's retirement, scheduled for May 8, 2024. In a statement obtained by the City of Atlanta's official news site, Dickens expressed his confidence in Perkins-Hooker, appreciating her as "a highly reputable officer of the court and public servant." Her experience spans over 39 years in law, including a recent tenure as Fulton County Attorney and a groundbreaking role as the first Black president of the State Bar of Georgia in 2014.
Perkins-Hooker is not just accomplished in the legal realm; she's also got roots deeply embedded in Atlanta's social fabric. She graduated from the Atlanta Public Schools system, was a stand-out student government president at Frederick Douglass High School, and proceeded to earn both her JD and MBA with honors from Emory University's prestigious duo: the School of Law and Goizueta Business School. "I am honored to have been asked by the Mayor to serve in this role and to provide support to his administration," Perkins-Hooker acknowledged in a statement relayed by the City of Atlanta's news release.
The Mayor didn't miss the chance to tip his hat to outgoing City Attorney Nina Hickson, praising her years of duty which were marked by integrity and dedication. Hickson's departure appears to be on the best of terms, with commendations highlighting her exemplary service during her tenure.
With such an impressive track record that includes stints as Vice President and General Counsel for Atlanta BeltLine Inc. and accolades like the Amicus Curiae award from the Supreme Court of Georgia, Perkins-Hooker brings a weighty portfolio to the table. She counts among her mentors the respected figures like former Fulton County Superior Court Judge Marvin Arrington, Sr., indicating a lineage of local legal excellence. Perkin-Hooker's effective date in her new role begins May 9, 2024, as noted in the news release from the city.
