Watson Spence today formally announced the association to the firm of Brock H. Pinson as of November 1, 2020, and Summer E. Cotten as of January 1, 2021. Summer Cotten comes to Watson Spence after a year of serving as lender’s counsel for commercial real estate transactions at Jones Day in Atlanta, Georgia. Mrs. Cotten is originally from Hahira, Georgia, and is a 2019 graduate of the University of Florida Levin College of Law, where she was selected for the Order of the Coif. Brock Pinson is originally from Baconton, Georgia, and begins his legal career with Watson Spence as a 2020 graduate of Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law.
In a unanimous vote by the Watson Spence partners, Alfreda Sheppard was elected to serve a two-year term on the firm’s Management Committee. “Alfreda has a strong work ethic, and I have enjoyed watching her develop into an excellent all-around attorney who places a premium on service to our clients, our community, and our law firm. Alfreda’s election to the Management Committee is a clear recognition by her partners of her dedication to this firm as well as a recognition of her desire to ensure the firm’s continued growth and impact on the community,” said Louis Hatcher, who also currently serves on the firm’s management committee. Alfreda joined Watson Spence in 2009 and was named a partner in February 2016. Mrs. Sheppard received her J.D. in 2005 from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan, and has been practicing law since 2006.
Philip Henderson, who joined Watson Spence on February 1, 2020, upon the firm’s Atlanta office’s opening, was named Partner, effective January 1, 2021. Philip received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Georgia and his J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law. Henderson’s experience includes defending local businesses and national corporations in product liability and general liability actions. “We are excited about the growth our firm is experiencing in personnel even during these difficult times,” said Faison Middleton, Managing Partner of Watson Spence. “The promotion of Philip Henderson to partner, the addition of new associates, Brock Pinson and Summer Cotten, and the election of Partner Alfreda Sheppard to our Management Committee are positive outcomes and result from a team focused on serving our clients well.”