Interview by Abernathy Cochran intern and Gainesville High School senior Marie Matthews

Meet Hammond Law! Hammond is a lawyer, judge, husband, father to five and has four grandchildren. He is a lifelong Gainesville resident and Georgia football fanatic. Recently, he had the chance to attend the National Championship in Indianapolis and he said it was a game and trip of a lifetime.

We want to thank Hammond for spending time with us recently and telling us more about his life and love of Hall County. 

Question: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
Answer: “I am married. I have five children of different ages. Four grandchildren. And all my grandkids live in Hall County. I’ve lived here my whole life. I’ve moved three times in my, life not counting school, and never moved more than a quarter of a mile away. So, I’ve always been able to drive three minutes to work.”

Q: Please tell us about your current career. What do you love most about what you do?
A: “I am a full time lawyer and I am a part time traffic court judge and it works out well. I’ve been a court judge in Gainesville since 1990. I’ve been practicing law since 1982 and being a part time judge helps me to empathize and see things through other eyes.” 

Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
A: “I am a notorious non-cook, so before I got married I’ve eaten at about every place so there are too many to be named…But the usual suspects are Luna’s, Poor Richards, The Collegiate, Longstreet.”

Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
A: “A friend of mine that I didn’t meet until 15 years ago Kate Zoercher. She’s a retired teacher and full time volunteer. She has a zest for life that most people don’t have. She volunteers mostly through First Baptist Church. If there’s a need she’s the first person to volunteer.”

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
A: “Most people who know me know the answer would be 40 miles away to Stanford Stadium. I was determined if Georgia won another national championship I would be there because I was at the last one in 1980. And I was still in school in 1980 and it was in the middle of the Herschel years and I thought great the rest of my life I’m going to be going to National Championship games. It didn’t work out that way, I was determined if they won one I would be there (in Indianapolis). It was a long drive but it was worth it.” 

 Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
A: “My favorite all time movie is ‘Falling Down’ with Michael Douglas which most people I mention that to have no clue about that movie or that they know who Michael Douglas is…and ‘The Apostle,’ Robert Duvall is in both of them.” 

Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
A: “The Collegiate. I remember most everyone at Gainesville High would leave for lunch against the rules. I remember when my brother walked in the door and Mrs. Brown barked at him and asked if he wanted the usual and he nodded.” 

Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
A: “Liz Cheney because I am intrigued by her…personality. She stands up for what she believes is right. We would probably eat at Waffle House.” 

Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community? And secondly, what is something you hope our community has or does in the future?
A: “The mixture of different people including hard working normal people, people from different parts of the country and the world, Gainesville is part rural, part suburb and part international melting pot; which is a very good thing. I hope for it to grow in a positive way without losing the large small town feel.” 

Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “Go to a third National Championship game.”

Q: What is your favorite holiday/day of the year?
A: “A holiday with my wife and all of my kids and grandkids together.”