Mr. Hicks serves as a senior associate based in the Marietta office of Johnson Fistel. Specializing in complex commercial litigation, his primary focus lies in handling securities class actions and shareholder derivative actions, showcasing a dedication to resolving intricate legal issues.
Beyond his litigation practice, Mr. Hicks is a trusted resource for outside counsel services. He offers valuable guidance on issues including corporate governance matters, dispute resolution, and administrative panel proceedings, contributing to the holistic support he provides to clients.
Before joining Johnson Fistel, Mr. Hicks held the role of an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia, where he consistently delivered the highest quality legal representation to state government agencies, officers, and employees.
Representative Matters
Mr. Hicks has been intricately involved in numerous high-stakes actions, securing favorable outcomes for clients across the nation.
Notably, he played a pivotal role in reaching a settlement exceeding $150 million on behalf of one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric utility companies. He also aided in crafting substantial corporate governance reforms to safeguard shareholder value for one of the country’s leading microcontroller manufacturers.
Furthermore, Mr. Hicks has a demonstrated ability to provide pragmatic solutions as outside counsel, while also being ready to litigate matters to conclusion. For example, Mr. Hicks led the defense of an executive officer who was facing a barrage of ethics complaints, culminating in the unanimous dismissal of all the complaints by an ethics panel.
Before joining Johnson Fistel, in his role as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia, Mr. Hicks served as lead counsel for numerous state government agencies, officers, and employees, effectively safeguarding millions of dollars in government funds. In every client engagement, Mr. Hicks leverages his comprehensive trial preparation and presentation skills. His expertise spans a broad spectrum, including the means to implement an effective factual investigation, the skillful drafting of pleadings and substantive motions, and both bench and jury trials.
Areas of Practice
Mr. Hicks centers his practice on complex commercial litigation, specializing in securities class actions and shareholder derivative actions. Beyond this, Mr. Hicks also offers outside counsel services, covering corporate governance matters, dispute resolution, and administrative panel proceedings.
Professional Qualifications
Mr. Hicks is a member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia and is admitted to practice in the following courts:
- The United States District Courts for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Georgia
- The Georgia Supreme Court
- The Georgia Court of Appeals
- All State and Superior Courts of Georgia
Education and Awards
Mr. Hicks earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law. During law school, Mr. Hicks was a competing member of the Mock Trial Bar where he achieved a first-place victory at the Carolinas Competition. Mr. Hicks also developed a passion for giving back by serving as a Student Board Member of the Pro Bono Program and providing his time to causes such as the My Wills program, the Ask-a-Lawyer program, and acting as the eFile Administrator for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
Additionally, Mr. Hicks is a graduate of the University of Georgia Terry College of Business where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Risk Management and Insurance. In recognition of his professional achievements, Ms. Hicks was named by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers as a 2023 Rising Star, a designation awarded to no more than 2.5% of attorneys in each state.
