William A. Trotter III

Bill Trotter is an experienced attorney whose practice focuses primarily on commercial litigation, real property law, commercial transactions, and banking law. With decades of legal experience, he has provided strategic counsel to businesses, financial institutions, and individuals throughout Georgia, helping clients navigate complex legal and commercial matters.

Throughout his distinguished career, Bill has represented clients in a wide range of commercial disputes and financial matters. He has extensive experience advising financial institutions and has served as counsel and co-counsel in the defense of consumer class action litigation in both state and federal courts. His background in banking law and commercial transactions has made him a trusted advisor to businesses and lenders alike.

Bill has demonstrated a strong commitment to professional and community leadership. He is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the Augusta Bar Association, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia Bar, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Bar.

In addition to his legal practice, Bill has held numerous leadership positions within the banking, healthcare, and nonprofit sectors. He previously served as General Counsel and a member of the Board of Directors for First Columbia Bank and FCS Financial Corporation. He has also served on the Board of Directors of University Health Care Foundation, Inc., and was appointed by former Georgia Governor Zell Miller to serve as the consumer member of the Composite Board of Medical Examiners of the State of Georgia. Additionally, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the St. Joseph Hospital Foundation.

Bill earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Georgia in 1968 and received his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law in 1971. A lifelong resident of Augusta, Georgia, he remains deeply connected to the community he has served throughout his legal career. He and his wife, Susan, are proud parents of three children and grandparents to seven grandchildren.

Representative cases:

• Johnson v. Fleet Finance, Inc., 4 F.3d 946 (11th Cir. 1993)
• Johnson v. Fleet Finance, Inc., 785 F. Supp. 1003 (S.D. Ga. 1983)
• Sims Crane Service, Inc. v. Ideal Steel Products, Inc., 800 F.2d 1553 (11th Cir. 1986)
• In re Ferris, 764 F.2d 1475 (11th Cir. 1985)
• Ga. Railroad Bank & Trust Co. v. FDIC, 758 F.2d 1548 (11th Cir. 1985)
• FDIC v. Willis, 497 F. Supp. 272 (S.D. Ga. 1980)
• Fleet Finance v. Jones, 263 Ga. 228; 430 S.E.2d 352 (Ga. 1993)
• Pollman v. Swan, 305 Ga. App. 369 (2010).
  
  

  Areas of Practice

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Real Property Law
  • Commercial Transactions
  • Banking Law

  Litigation Percentage

  • 25% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

  Bar Admissions

  • Georgia, 1971
  • U.S. District Court Southern District of Georgia
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit

  Education

  • Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law, Macon, Georgia
  • J.D. cum laude – 1971
  • University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia
  • B.S. – 1968
  • Major: Business Administration