ATHENS, GA — July 21, 2025 — The Georgia Public Defender Council (GPDC) honored retired Chief Justice Norman S. Fletcher during a special reception recognizing his transformative leadership and lifelong dedication to justice in Georgia.
Justice Fletcher, now 91, attended the event. His career includes 16 years on the Georgia Supreme Court, including four as Chief Justice, during which he authored over 800 legal opinions and helped decide more than 26,000 cases. But it was his unwavering advocacy for indigent defense reform that forever changed Georgia’s legal system.
In 2003, Fletcher famously told the General Assembly, “We must not tolerate a system where justice depends on the size of one’s wallet.” That call to action sparked the Georgia Indigent Defense Act and led to the creation of the Georgia Public Defender Council.
To honor his legacy, GPDC announced the creation of the Justice Norman S. Fletcher Excellence in Public Defense Award, to be presented annually to a public defender who shows principled leadership, zealous advocacy, and compassion for clients.
The first recipient of this prestigious award is Sherry D. Widner, a public defender in the southwest Georgia’s Pataula Judicial Circuit. Widner was recognized for her exemplary service to clients, tireless commitment to justice, and extraordinary dedication to the public defense mission.
During the ceremony, colleagues shared stories of Widner’s impact, including an incident where she saved a client’s life during a courtroom overdose and helped that client complete drug court rehabilitation. Pataula Circuit Chief Judge T. Craig Ernest sent a letter that praised Widner’s “deep care, unmatched work ethic, and belief in her clients.”
The event also recognized GPDC attorneys with 20 years of service and longtime advocates for justice for their contributions to indigent defense.
“This evening wasn’t just a celebration,” said GPDC Executive Director Omotayo Alli. “It was a recommitment to the values that Justice Fletcher instilled in us—compassion, fairness, and the courage to fight for every client, every day.”
About GPDC
Georgia’s public defenders are the frontline champions of justice. GPDC’s attorneys passionately defend the rights of low-income and underserved community members to ensure they receive high-quality representation. Approximately 85% of criminal defendants in the state are defended by the GPDC. Learn more at www.gapubdef.org.
