Atlanta, October 3, 2018 – Superior Court Judge W. Fletcher Sams of the Griffin Judicial Circuit has been designated to serve in place of Justice Michael P. Boggs in the appeal of Southern States Chemical Inc. et al. v. Tampa Tank, Inc. et al. (S18A1256). The Supreme Court of Georgia will hear arguments in the case on Oct. 9 during its 10:00 A.M. session. In this case, two companies are appealing a Fulton County court ruling that was in favor of the two companies they sued for breach of contract and other claims over the alleged faulty renovation of a tank. In addition to hearing arguments, Judge Sams will participate in the Court’s decision.

Judge Sams, 64, was appointed to the Superior Court of the Griffin Judicial Circuit by Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2010. The Griffin Judicial Circuit serves the counties of Fayette, Pike, Spalding, and Upson. He currently presides over the Griffin Judicial Circuit Drug Court in the counties of Fayette and Spalding. Prior to his appointment, Judge Sams served as a judge in the State Court of Fayette County. Before his judicial service, he served as the District Attorney for the Griffin Judicial Circuit. He also served as an Assistant and Chief Assistant District Attorney for the Waycross Judicial Circuit. Judge Sams was previously in private practice with the law firm of Murphy & Sams in Fayetteville, Georgia. While in private practice, he served as Judge Pro Tem for the City of Fayetteville Municipal Court and as the City Attorney for the town of Brooks.

Judge Sams obtained his undergraduate degree in biology from Rhodes College in 1976. He then attended Cumberland School of Law at Samford University, where he obtained his law degree in 1979.

Judge Sams is a member of the Fayette and Spalding Bar Associations and the Georgia Council of Superior Court Judges. He has been recognized for Leadership Excellence in Judicial Education by the Council of State Court Judges.

Judge Sams and his wife, Dana, have two children and four granddaughters. He is a member of the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church.

(Designated judges are appointed when a justice must recuse himself or herself from a particular case. The Supreme Court of Georgia maintains a list of select judges from around the state and when the need arises, the Court appoints the next judge on the list.)