ATLANTA, GA — Brown Dutton & Crider (BD&C), a leading family law firm known for its client‑centered approach, is proud to announce the addition of the Honorable John Sumner (ret.) as Senior Litigation Attorney and Mediator, effective March 1, 2026. Sumner’s arrival marks a significant expansion of the firm’s services into Cherokee County, further strengthening Brown Dutton & Crider’s commitment to serving families throughout Georgia.
Judge Sumner brings more than 20 years of judicial experience, including his long‑standing service as a Superior Court Judge and Juvenile Court Judge in Cherokee County. Over the course of his judicial career, he presided over more than 15,000 cases, primarily in family law, and developed deep expertise in domestic relations, child welfare, and complex family matters. Before his time on the bench, Sumner spent 14 years in private practice working across family law, child representation, personal injury, appeals, criminal defense, and Guardian Ad Litem work – experience that fueled his passion for family law and advocacy.
“We are thrilled to welcome John Sumner to Brown Dutton & Crider,” said Jenni Brown, Managing Partner. “The invaluable benefit of having a retired judge as a practicing attorney, and even simply present in the office with our current team when discussing and strategizing cases, cannot be overstated. His decades of experience, the sheer volume of scenarios he has encountered, and the insight he brings will be a tremendous asset to our clients and our team.”
Sumner’s new role immediately expands Brown Dutton & Crider’s ability to accept new client cases in litigation, arbitration, and late‑case evaluation. As an arbitrator, Sumner provides a private alternative to traditional court, offering faster scheduling and a confidential setting for dispute resolution. His late‑case evaluation services, drawing on his decades on the bench, offer clients a realistic perspective on likely outcomes to help guide resolution.
What drew Sumner to Brown Dutton & Crider was the firm’s authentic dedication to client care. “I love that Brown Dutton & Crider truly loves their clients and cares about the work they do. It’s not just about volume or money,” Sumner shared. “My time on the bench gave me an even deeper level
of connection with divorce and family law clients, which fits perfectly with this firm’s empathetic and service‑oriented approach.”
Sumner is a respected figure in Georgia’s legal community, with bar memberships including the State of Georgia, State of Florida (inactive), the United States Supreme Court, and the Northern District Federal Court of Georgia. He has earned numerous prestigious awards and held leadership roles on state committees focused on juvenile justice reform, child welfare, and judicial education. His extensive list of lectures and presentations includes contributions at national conferences, law schools, The Carter Center, and state judicial and child advocacy events.
Born and raised in South Georgia, Sumner earned his Bachelor of Science from Georgia State University and his Juris Doctorate, graduating Cum Laude and third in his full‑time class, from Georgia State University College of Law.
Brown Dutton & Crider expects strong demand for Sumner’s expertise and is preparing additional support staff hires to provide premier family law services in Cobb, Cherokee, and surrounding counties in Georgia.
About Brown Dutton & Crider
Brown Dutton & Crider is a premier family law firm committed to elevating client care through expert advocacy, thoughtful strategy, and compassionate service. The firm serves clients throughout Georgia with a focus on divorce, custody, support, litigation, mediation, and now expanded arbitration and late‑case evaluation services.