Butler Wooten Cheeley & Peak LLP is proud to announce the return of attorney Michael Thurmond to the law firm. Mr. Thurmond recently completed a successful term as the DeKalb County School Superintendent during a tumultuous time for the school System. In 2013, when he accepted the role, the district had a $14 million deficit, a troublesome graduation rate and a host of other problems. The district faced a potential loss of accreditation. Under his leadership, the DeKalb County Schools improved graduation rates by 5 percent and went from a budget deficit to a surplus of $80 million.

Mr. Thurmond’s success as superintendent adds to an already impressive record of public service. Michael was elected to the Georgia General Assembly in 1986, becoming the first African-American to be chosen in Clarke County since Reconstruction. He created the Workfirst program and authored important legislation providing tax relief to senior citizens and working families in Georgia. In 1998, he was elected Georgia Labor Commissioner. He served three terms as Labor Commissioner and helped countless citizens by transforming unemployment offices throughout the state and increasing opportunities for Georgia citizens. Michael is the author of “Freedom: Georgia‘s Antislavery Heritage, 1733-1865″, and he serves on the board of curators for the Georgia Historical Society.