Chattanooga attorney Jerry H. Summers received the University of the South Distinguished Alumnus Award during Homecoming ceremonies at the university, familiarly known as Sewanee. Mr. Summers is a member of the university’s class of 1963. The Distinguished Alumnus Award honors individuals who have distinguished themselves in their vocation and have demonstrated concern for and service to their community.
Mr, Summers is a lifelong resident of Hamilton County. After graduating from Sewanee with a degree in economics, he received his law degree at the University of Tennessee College of Law, then worked as a prosecutor in the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office before entering private practice in 1969.
He was the founding member of what is now Summers, Rufolo, and Rodgers, P.C., a firm with a diverse practice that includes workers’ compensation, criminal defense, personal injury, labor law, and other practice areas.
Mr. Summers has served as president of the Tennessee Association for Justice and the Tennessee Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, and as a board member for the American Association for Justice and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is one of three attorneys in Tennessee invited to join the American Board of Criminal Lawyers. On two occasions, Mr. Summers has taken cases to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Mr. Summers’ belief in giving back to the community is demonstrated by his service on the boards of Area IV Special Olympics, Orange Grove Center (for the mentally and physically impaired), CADAS (treatment of alcohol/drug abuse), and other organizations. Mr. Summers was one of the original founders whose gifts created the Center for Advocacy and Dispute Resolution at the UT law school, and he also created the Summers-Wyatt Trial Advocacy Endowment, funding student scholarships.
Mr, Summers’ recent book, “The Turtle and The Lawyer,” has been described as a public “thank you” to the people and organizations that made a significant impact on his life. All proceeds from the sale of the book go to charities.