Charles Norton Jr. to Join GCSU as General Counsel

Thirty-five-year member of the Georgia Bar, Charles Norton Jr. has accepted the position of associate vice president and general counsel at Georgia College & State University. He will assume his role on Sept. 1, 2025.

In his current position as general counsel and corporate secretary for The Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Association, which he has held since 2000, Norton has provided broad-based legal support, including contract negotiations, risk management, litigation oversight and corporate advising.  During the most active period in the association’s property and casualty insurance program, he was accountable for hundreds of claims across all lines of coverage, representing some $25.7 million in total incurred value, with over 100 claims in litigation that collectively represented over $14.3 million in total incurred value.  

Prior to his tenure working with Coca-Cola Bottlers, Norton served as assistant general counsel for ING North America Insurance Operations. His roots in the legal profession began in private practice, working with law firms in Atlanta. 

“Charles’ wealth of experience across industries and his understanding of risk management, contract law and a broad segment of legal and litigation matters provides him with a background that will easily transfer to higher education,” said Georgia College President Cathy Cox. “His knowledge base and service orientation will make him a valuable asset to the university as we work to elevate our programs and services in the coming year to best serve students.”

“Charles also comes in with a good base of knowledge about Georgia College, since his daughter Gracie graduated from here just a few years ago,” Cox added. “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to our campus leadership team.”

Having earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University, Norton advanced to Emory University School of Law, where he earned his Juris Doctorate. He has served on several professional organizations and executive boards over the past 15 years, including the Broadspire Client Advisory Council, the Association of Corporate Counsel, as chair of the US Law Network Client Leadership Council and others.

“I am honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve GCSU and President Cox,” Norton said. “Georgia College & State University is unquestionably on an upward trajectory, and I’m so happy to have the chance to contribute to and be a part of that. I very much look forward to embarking on this new course, working closely with the entire team to help continue the tremendous growth and development that is happening at the school, and to becoming a part of the Bobcat family!”