ATL Standard

Mayor Andre Dickens has announced that Patrise M. Perkins-Hooker will be the interim City Attorney of Atlanta following the retirement of City Attorney Nina Hickson. Perkins-Hooker, an Atlanta native with over 39 years of legal experience, currently serves as the Administrative Partner for Johnson & Freeman, LLC.

In a statement, Mayor Dickens expressed his confidence in Perkins-Hooker, stating, “Patrise Perkins-Hooker is recognized as a highly reputable officer of the court and public servant. She has background experience in a wealth of service fields—including municipal law—that will serve the City and people of Atlanta well. I thank her for agreeing to serve in this capacity, leading the Department of Law and serving our community.”

Perkins-Hooker expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, saying, “I am honored to have been asked by the Mayor to serve in this role and to provide support to his administration. I am looking forward to this opportunity.”

Mayor Dickens also took the time to acknowledge the contributions of outgoing City Attorney Nina Hickson, stating, “Again, a sincere thanks to City Attorney Nina Hickson for her years of exemplary service. She has served the people of Atlanta with the utmost integrity, dedication and character.”

Perkins-Hooker's impressive career includes serving as Fulton County Attorney from 2016 to 2021 and making history as the first Black president of the State Bar of Georgia in 2014. She has received various honors, including the Amicus Curiae award from the Supreme Court of Georgia for Outstanding volunteer service and professionalism in the practice of law.

Perkins-Hooker's effective date in her new role is May 9, 2024.