Atlanta’s Legal Scene: Ex-Home Depot Counsel Joins K&S
The Atlanta legal landscape is set for a significant shift as Jocelyn Hunter, formerly the Chief Litigation Counsel for local retail giant Home Depot, is poised to join the esteemed global law firm King & Spalding in December 2025. This high-profile move brings an experienced in-house legal veteran into a leading private practice, marking a notable transition for a prominent figure within our city’s corporate and legal communities.
A Strategic Move for Atlanta’s Legal Pillars
Jocelyn Hunter’s decision to transition from one of Atlanta’s most recognizable corporations to a global legal powerhouse like King & Spalding highlights the dynamic flow of top legal talent within our city. Home Depot, headquartered in Cobb County, is an integral part of Atlanta’s economic fabric, and its legal team manages an immense scope of complex litigation. King & Spalding, with its deep roots in Atlanta and a global footprint, consistently ranks among the top law firms, known for its robust trial and global disputes practice.
This upcoming move signifies more than just a personnel change; it represents a convergence of deep corporate operational insight with top-tier legal advocacy. Hunter’s background provides a unique perspective on client needs and in-house legal strategy, which will undoubtedly bolster King & Spalding’s offerings to its diverse client base.
Jocelyn Hunter’s Impact and New Role
As Chief Litigation Counsel at Home Depot, Jocelyn Hunter managed a vast portfolio of litigation, navigating intricate legal challenges across various jurisdictions. Her role involved not only courtroom strategy but also advising senior leadership on risk management and compliance, skills honed within the demanding environment of a Fortune 20 company. This experience is invaluable as she steps into her new role as a partner in King & Spalding’s global disputes and trial practice group.
At King & Spalding, Hunter will leverage her extensive experience to represent a wide array of clients facing complex litigation. Her expertise in managing large-scale, high-stakes disputes, coupled with an insider’s understanding of corporate operations, positions her to be a formidable asset. This lateral move is a clear indicator of King & Spalding’s commitment to attracting top-tier talent and further strengthening its already formidable litigation capabilities.
Implications for Atlanta’s Business and Legal Community
The addition of a seasoned in-house counsel like Jocelyn Hunter to a firm like King & Spalding carries several implications for the Atlanta business and legal community. For King & Spalding, it means gaining a partner who understands client perspectives from the inside out, potentially enhancing their approach to client service and strategic counsel. Her move could also attract other high-caliber in-house attorneys looking to transition to private practice, further enriching the local legal talent pool.
For Home Depot, the departure of a key litigation leader means a vacancy to fill, but also potentially a new avenue for collaboration or an expanded network within the legal community. While the immediate impact is a personnel change, the long-term effect could foster greater fluidity between corporate legal departments and external counsel, benefiting the broader ecosystem of legal services in Atlanta.
What to Watch Next
As December 2025 approaches, the legal community will be watching to see how Hunter integrates her corporate insights into her new role at King & Spalding. Her transition could set a precedent for future moves of in-house legal executives seeking new challenges in private practice. Furthermore, it will be interesting to observe how King & Spalding utilizes her unique perspective to innovate its litigation strategies and expand its client relationships, particularly with large corporate entities headquartered in and around Atlanta.
Keep an eye on the types of cases and clients Hunter will be representing, as this will give further insight into the strategic direction of King & Spalding’s global disputes practice. This move underscores the competitive nature of the legal field, where firms are constantly seeking to enhance their expertise through strategic hires.
Jocelyn Hunter’s Career Transition at a Glance
| Aspect | Previous Role (Home Depot) | New Role (King & Spalding) |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Chief Litigation Counsel | Partner |
| Employer Type | Large Retail Corporation (In-House) | Global Law Firm (Private Practice) |
| Primary Focus | Managing internal litigation, risk management for a single entity | Representing multiple external clients in complex trials and global disputes |
| Joining Date | Prior to December 2025 | December 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is Jocelyn Hunter?
Jocelyn Hunter is an accomplished attorney who previously served as the Chief Litigation Counsel for Home Depot. She is set to join King & Spalding as a partner in December 2025. - What is King & Spalding?
King & Spalding is a leading global law firm with a strong presence in Atlanta and offices around the world. It is known for its litigation, transactional, and regulatory practices across diverse industries. - What does “Chief Litigation Counsel” entail?
This role typically involves overseeing all legal disputes and litigation matters for a large corporation, developing litigation strategy, managing outside counsel, and advising executive leadership on legal risks. - Why is this move significant for Atlanta?
This move is significant because it involves a high-profile legal talent transitioning between two major institutions deeply embedded in Atlanta’s economic and professional landscape: a corporate giant and a premier global law firm.
The ongoing movement of top legal talent like Jocelyn Hunter between Atlanta’s corporate powerhouses and leading law firms underscores the city’s vibrant and interconnected professional ecosystem, offering unique opportunities for growth and innovation across the legal sector.
Ex Home Depot Counsel Joins King Spalding Atlanta
