Judge Brian K. Fortner: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Appointed By: Gov. John Nathan Deal

Biography

The Hon. Brian K. Fortner is a judge for the Douglas County State Court in Georgia. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Nathan Deal in 2018, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of the Hon. W. O’Neal Dettmering, Jr.

Fortner oversees the Moderate Risk Track of the Douglas County Misdemeanor DUI and Drug Accountability Court. He also sits on the Legislative Committee of the Counsel of Accountability Court Judges.

Prior to his appointment, Fortner was the District Attorney for Douglas County, a position to which he was elected in 2014.

Fortner earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from North Georgia College. He then completed a J.D. at Georgia State University College of Law. He was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia in 2000.

After graduating from law school, Fortner began his legal career as an assistant district attorney for the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. He served in that capacity until 2007, at which time he was appointed Solicitor General of Douglas County. Fortner returned to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office in 2012. He spent the next two years as its Chief Assistant District Attorney.

When not presiding over legal matters, Fortner has been involved with Fit For the Future, Beyond the Front Porch, Youth Against Violence, Youth Emporium, and the Boy Scouts. He also assists with Operation Christmas Douglas County.

Fortner resides in Winston, Georgia, with his wife and twin sons.

He is registered as a Republican.

Recent Cases by Hon. Brian K. Fortner

LOMAX V TOTAL TRANSPORTATION OF MISSISSIPPI LLC, ET AL

On October 23, 2026 an automobile tort case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 23, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

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Court Category

AUTOMOBILE TORT

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 23, 2026

RED TARGET, LLC DBA SCJ COMMERCIAL FINANCIAL SERVICES VS JAUQUAN FARMER

On October 22, 2026 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

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Court Category

CONTRACT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

HEIGHTS FINANCE CORPORATION V HAYES

On October 22, 2026 a condemnation: law enforce seizure case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 22, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

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Court Category

CONDEMNATION: LAW ENFORCE SEIZURE

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Eminent Domain

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 22, 2026

ONEMAIN FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC V SHERLITA BRINKLEY

On October 21, 2026 a contract account case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 21, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONTRACT ACCOUNT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

TRUIST BANK, SUCCESSOR BY MERGER TO SUNTRUST BANK VS DEIDRE MCHENRY

On October 20, 2026 a contract account case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONTRACT ACCOUNT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

ANDY'S WHOLESALE INC VS TOP FLIGHT DISPENSARY LLC

On October 20, 2026 a contract account case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 20, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONTRACT ACCOUNT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC. V ANTONIO BLACKMAN

On October 19, 2026 a contract account case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONTRACT ACCOUNT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

LVNV FUNDING LLC V DREYCEM JOHNSON

On October 19, 2026 a contract account case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONTRACT ACCOUNT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

PCA ACQUISITIONS V, LLC A/A/O SYNCHRONY BANK VS NORMAN FROST

On October 19, 2026 a contract account case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONTRACT ACCOUNT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 21, 2026

CREDIT CORP SOLUTIONS, INC. A/A/O SYNCHRONY BANK VS BRITTANY STEWART

On October 19, 2026 a contract case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 19, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONTRACT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

ONEMAIN FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC V BRETT

On October 16, 2026 a condemnation: law enforce seizure case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONDEMNATION: LAW ENFORCE SEIZURE

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Eminent Domain

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

FLEXENTIAL CORP. VS PRECISE POWER SERVICE CORP.

On October 16, 2026 a general tort case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

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Court Category

GENERAL TORT

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

General Torts

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 20, 2026

CAVALRY SPV I, LLC, AS ASSIGNEE OF CITIBANK ,N.A. V DEIMER

On October 16, 2026 a condemnation: law enforce seizure case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONDEMNATION: LAW ENFORCE SEIZURE

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Eminent Domain

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT, INC AS ASSIGNEE OF CITIBANK, N.A. VS LASHUNDRA HENRY

On October 16, 2026 a contract account case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 16, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONTRACT ACCOUNT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

JOHNSON V ALTIDOR

On October 15, 2026 an automobile tort case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

AUTOMOBILE TORT

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 15, 2026

TRUIST BANK VS LESEAN LEE DAVIS

On October 15, 2026 a contract account case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONTRACT ACCOUNT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 16, 2026

MIDLAND CREDIT MANAGEMENT, INC AS ASSIGNEE OF COMENITY BANK & BARCLAYS BANK DELAWARE & CITIBANK, N.A V CLAY

On October 15, 2026 a condemnation: law enforce seizure case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 15, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONDEMNATION: LAW ENFORCE SEIZURE

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Eminent Domain

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 15, 2026

SOPHIA ROACH V GOLDEN ESTATES PARTNERS, LLC AGENT DEREON BOYETT

On October 14, 2026 an appeals/reviews case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

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Court Category

APPEALS/REVIEWS

Practice Area

Appeals

Matter Type

General Appeals

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 15, 2026

BROWN V HOLT

On October 14, 2026 an automobile tort case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

AUTOMOBILE TORT

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2026

RIVER HEIGHTS CAPITAL, LLC, C/O BETH E. ROGERS, ESQ. V WALKER; GENERAL MILLS LLC C/O CHRISTOPHER MILLS, RA OR MANAGER

On October 14, 2026 a garnishment case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 14, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

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Court Category

GARNISHMENT

Practice Area

Creditor

Matter Type

Collections

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2026

LAUTURE V ABC CORPORATION, ET AL

On October 13, 2026 an automobile tort case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 13, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

AUTOMOBILE TORT

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 13, 2026

CROWN ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC V LEROUX LOTHIAN

On October 13, 2026 a contract account case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 13, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONTRACT ACCOUNT

Practice Area

Commercial

Matter Type

Breach of Contract

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 14, 2026

HADLEY V GREENE, ET AL

On October 12, 2026 an automobile tort case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 12, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

AUTOMOBILE TORT

Practice Area

Torts

Matter Type

Automobile

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 12, 2026

ONEMAIN FINANCIAL GROUP, LLC V WIDMAN

On October 12, 2026 a condemnation: law enforce seizure case was filed in the jurisdiction of Douglas County. Judge Brian K. Fortner presiding.

Filed

Oct 12, 2026

Status

Judge

Hon. Brian K. Fortner 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Brian K. Fortner

Court

State

County

Douglas County, GA

Case #

(Subscribe to View)

Court Category

CONDEMNATION: LAW ENFORCE SEIZURE

Practice Area

Property

Matter Type

Eminent Domain

Case Last Refreshed

Oct 12, 2026

Discover if Hon. Fortner is the right judge for your case based on their ruling history.

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About

Brian K. Fortner
Current Appointment Douglas County State Court	Douglas County State Court
Education J.D., Georgia State University College of Law Bachelor's degree, North Georgia College	J.D., Georgia State University College of Law Bachelor's degree, North Georgia College

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	GA - Douglas County State Court
Clerk phone:	+1 (770) 489-5235
Civil Case Management Clerk:	+1 (770) 920-7404
Staff Attorney:	+1 (770) 489-5236

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Judge	Douglas County State Court	Douglas County, Georgia
District Attorney	Douglas County District Attorney's Office	Douglas County, Georgia
Chief Assistant District Attorney	Douglas County District Attorney's Office	Douglas County, Georgia
Solicitor General	Douglas County Solicitor General's Office	Douglas County, Georgia
Assistant District Attorney	Douglas County District Attorney's Office	Douglas County, Georgia

Articles About Brian K. Fortner:

Douglas County Georgia: State Court - Judge Brian K. Fortner

West Georgia Neighbor: Governor Names Douglas District Attorney to Fill State Court Judge Vacancy

Courtroom Rules

Douglas County State Court - Forms

Georgia Court Rules of Procedures

Georgia Uniform Rules

Law Firms

Judge Brian K. Fortner: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Biography

Recent Cases by Hon. Brian K. Fortner

About

Court Info

Career History

Articles About Brian K. Fortner:

Courtroom Rules