Jackie Patterson

A Criminal Defense, Personal Injury & Police Brutality Firm.
Jackie Patterson Atty in Suite Cropped

When hiring a lawyer to defend you, it is important that you take into consideration the education and trial experience of the attorney.

If you find an attorney with more education and experience than Attorney Jackie Patterson of The Patterson Firm, we strongly encourage you to hire that attorney.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

  • Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice and Public Administration Brenau College, Gainesville Ga. (1986)
  • Master of Public Administration Brenau College, Gainesville Ga. (1988)
  • Doctor of Jurisprudence, J.D. Texas Southern University, Thurgood Marshall School of Law Houston Texas (1991)
  • Master of Laws, L.L.M. Atlanta Law School, Atlanta Ga. (1993)

LICENSE TO PRACTICE

  • State of Georgia (all 159 counties)
  • Georgia Supreme Court
  • Georgia Court of Appeals
  • United States Supreme Court
  • United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

CERTIFICATIONS

  • Graduate of National College of DUI Defense, Harvard University
  • Certified in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, Walk and Turn, HGN One Leg Stand
  • Certified Georgia Peace Officer since 1981

EXPERIENCE

  • Part-time Judge from 2000 - 2020 in the following jurisdictions:
    • Superior Court of Terrell County
    • State Court of Dekalb County
    • State Court of Rockdale County
    • Municipal Court of Greenville Georgia
    • Municipal Court of East Point Georgia
    • Municipal Court of Atlanta Georgia
  • U.S. Army Paratrooper Fort Bragg, N.C. (1978-1981)
  • Atlanta Police Officer Atlanta Ga. (1981-1987)
  • Police Chief Clark Atlanta University Atlanta Ga. (1995-1996) Recruited by the President of Clark Atlanta University to lead the department while preparing for the 1996 Olympics.
  • Internship with the Harris County Texas District Attorney’s Office while in law school. (1989-91)
  • More than 700 jury trials handled since becoming a lawyer in 1992.
  • More than 100 criminal appeals filed in the State of Georgia.
  • Wrote a book and conducted seminars on the process of criminal appeals in Georgia.
  • Taught newly appointed judges on criminal procedure at the University of Georgia.
  • Speaker, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
  • Speaker, Defense of Drunken Drivers Seminar
  • Speaker, State Bar of Georgia Seminar
  • Speaker, Institute of Judicial Continuing Education
  • Speaker, Institute for Lawyers Continuing Legal Education

AWARDS

  • Case of the Year Award (Coty) - Presented by the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys for having won in the Georgia Supreme Court the most significant case of the year in 2003. John Geng v. State, 276 Ga. 428 (2003)

Nora C. Clark

Legal Assistant
Nora Clark

Nora joined The Patterson Firm in November of 2014 as a Legal Assistant. Nora's duties involve supporting Attorney Jackie G. Patterson in Criminal Law and Personal Injury cases. This work includes assisting, as well as interacting with clients to help them work through the complex issues of their case. She prepares court filings, schedules office conferences, reviews the medical records for the firm's personal injury cases. She also prepares and organizes the trial folders for criminal cases with meticulous attention to details. She ensures the daily operations run smoothly. She maintains accounts payable, account receivable, and monthly billings.

Nora has worked in the legal field for over 10 years as a Legal Assistant, Paralegal, and Senior Administrative Assistant in the City of Atlanta Municipal Court. She received her Paralegal Associate Degree from Atlanta Technical College, an ABA approved Paralegal Program. After graduating, she worked as a paralegal for a year at the Pat Dixon Law Firm in Atlanta, Georgia. She is a member of the Gate City Bar Association for Paralegals since 2017.

When she is not working she loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. She enjoys dancing, cooking, and reading a good book.