Sun S. Choy

Partner

Atlanta, GA
D 770.818.1412
schoy@fmglaw.com

Education

  • J.D., University of Louisville, Louis D. Brandeis School of Law
  • B.S., Emory University

Interdisciplinary Teams

Aging Services & Long-Term Care

Overview

Sun Choy practices in the Government and Tort and Catastrophic Loss National Practice Sections of the firm in the Atlanta office and has served as chair of both sections. He is also Chair of the firm's Southeast Government practice team. Mr. Choy focuses on the representation of local governments and law enforcement officers in Section 1983 litigation and virtually every type of related state-law claims. He also represents privately held businesses and publicly traded companies in cases involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death.

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Bar Admissions

Georgia

Supreme Court of the United States

U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia

U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia

U.S. District Court Southern District of Georgia

U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana

U.S. District Court Western District of Kentucky

Publications & Engagements
  • “Are We Witnessing the End of Qualified Immunity?,” DRI, For the Defense (June 2019)
  • New Protesters, Old Problems: A Look at the Monumental Challenge of Municipal Liability, CLM Magazine, September 2017
  • Qualified Immunity in Section 1983 Litigation, Practical Law, The Journal, June/July 2017
  • The Militarization of Police and the Status of Qualified Immunity,” DRI, For the Defense (June 2017)
  • “Suing the State: A Guide to State-Law Governmental Immunities for Counties, School Districts, and Municipalities,” Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, 2014 Law Journal
  • “Beyond the Political Rhetoric: The Basics of Voter Identification Laws,” Defense Research Institute, For The Defense (December 2012)
  • “Wake-Up Call: How to Avoid Liability for Inadequate Hotel Security,” hotelmanagement.net (April 2012)
  • Demanding Legal Standards: Assessing Federal Liability in a Racial Profiling Case,” Defense Research Institute, For The Defense (August 2005)
  • “Assessing Federal Liability in a Police Pursuit Case,” Defense Research Institute (Summer 2004)
Representative Cases & Clients
  • City of Conyers v. Sampson, 362 Ga. App. 301 (2022)
  • City of Albany v. Stanford, 347 Ga. App. 95, 815 S.E.2d 322 (2018)
  • Fair v. CV Underground, LLC, 340 Ga. App. 790, 798 S.E.2d 358 (2017)
  • Buckler v. Rader, 56 F. Supp.3d 1371 (N.D. Ga. 2014)
  • Liberty County v. Eller, 327 Ga. App. 770, 761 S.E.2d 164 (2014)
  • Gwinnett County v. Sargent, 321 Ga. App. 191, 738 S.E.2d 716 (2013) (for Amicus Appellate)
  • Carter v. Riggins, 323 Ga. App. 747, 748 S.E.2d 117 (2013)
  • Rehberg v. Paulk, 132 S.Ct. 1497 (2012)
  • Couch v. Red Roof Inns, Inc., 291 Ga. 359, 729 S.E.2d 378 (2012) (for Amicus Appellate)
  • Martin v. Herrington Mill, LP, 730 S.E.2d 164 (2012)
  • Wilcox v. Fenn, 289 Ga. 750, 716 S.E.2d 144 (2011)
  • McCobb v. Clayton County, 309 Ga.App. 217, 710 S.E.2d 207 (2011)
  • Johnson v. Green Growth 1, LLC, 305 Ga. App. 134, 699 S.E.2d 109 (2010)
  • Teasley v. Freeman, 305 Ga. App. 1, 699 S.E.2d 39 (2010)
  • Dowdell v. Wilhelm, 305 Ga. App. 102, 699 S.E.2d 30 (2010)
  • CDP Event Services, Inc. v. Atcheson, 289 Ga. App. 183, 656 S.E.2d 537 (2008)
  • Scott v. Harris, 550 U.S. 372 (2007)
  • Turner v. New Horizones Community Service Board, 287 Ga.App. 329, 651 S.E.2d 473 (2007)
  • Dolphin Realty v. Headley, 271 Ga. App. 479, 610 S.E.2d (2005)
  • Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. v. Merritt, 271 Ga. App. 16, 608 S.E.2d 714 (2004)
  • Deusner v. Firstar Corp. , 186 F.Supp.2d 766 (W.D. Ky. 2001)
  • Hoard v. Sizemore, 198 F.3d 205 (6th Cir. 1999)
  • Marcum v. Catron, 70 F.Supp.2d 728 (E.D. Ky. 1999)
  • Bailey v. Floyd County Bd. of Educ., 106 F.3d 135 (6th Cir. 1997)
  • Chappel v. Montgomery County Fire Protection Dist., 131 F.3d 564 (6th Cir. 1997)
  • Cope v. Heltsley, 128 F.3d 452 (6th Cir. 1997)
  • Blair v. Meade, 76 F.3d 97 (6th Cir. 1996)
Affiliations
  • State Bar of Georgia
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Georgia Defense Lawyers Association
  • Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association
  • Korean American Bar Association, Founding Member, President 2014 – 2016
Awards and Recognition

  •  2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®
Classes/Seminars Taught
  • “Examining Stanford v. City of Albany: Georgia Court of Appeals Rejects ‘Nuisance’ Theory to Skirt Sovereign Immunity,” 84th Annual International Municipal Lawyers Association Conference/Georgia Institute for City and County Attorneys (September 2019), Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Balance on the Playground?  While Public Opinion Of Law Enforcement Has Been Sliding Downward, Qualified Immunity May Be On The Upswing,” CLM Southeast Conference (November 2018), Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Section 1983 Litigation:  Understanding Qualified Immunity and Monell Liability,” Practical Law (May 2018)
  • “The Crossroad of Coverage Liability and Sovereign Immunity,” CLM Annual Conference (March 2018),  Houston, Texas
  • “There’s Gold in Them Thar E-Hills: The Mining and Utilization of Social Media,” Defense Research Institute, Civil Rights and Governmental Tort Liability (January 2018), New Orleans, Louisiana
  • “Section 1983:  Understanding Qualified Immunity and Monell Liability”, NextJuris (May 2017)
  • “Caught on Video – Employers, Municipalities and Trial by Media”, CLM Annual Conference (March 2017) Nashville, Tennessee 
  • “Metro City and County Attorneys’ Seminar,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education of Georgia (March 2015) Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Litigation Under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia,” (November 2014) Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Handling the Police Liability Claim,” National Business Institute (October 2014) Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Know Your Rights When Stopped by Police,” Asian American Legal Advocacy Center (November 2013) Norcross, Georgia
  • “Police Liability,” Lorman Education Services, February 2013, Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Strategic Decision Making in Discovery,” Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (January 2013) Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Law Enforcement Issues,” 59th Annual Institute for City and County Attorneys (September 2012) Athens, Georgia
  • “Police Liability,” Lorman Education Services (February 2012) Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Strategic Decisions in Preparing Responses and Taking Depositions,” Cobb County Bar Association (February 2010) Marietta, Georgia
  • “Qualified Immunity from Suit in Section 1983 Litigation,” Institute of Continuing Education in Georgia, (December 2009) Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Defense of a Personal Injury Claim: Effective Use of Motions to Execute Defense Strategy,” Institute of Continuing Education in Georgia (October 2009) Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Fundamentals of Litigation Management,” Council on Litigation Management (June 2009) Alpharetta, Georgia
  • “Nuts and Bolts of Qualified Immunity – The Basics,” Defense Research Institute, Civil Rights and Governmental Tort Liability Seminar (January 2009) New Orleans, Louisiana
  • “High Speed Pursuit to the U.S. Supreme Court,” Third Annual NAPABA Southeast Regional Conference (April 2008) Atlanta, Georgia
  • Scott v. Harris:  United States Supreme Court Decides the Constitutional Parameters of High Speed Police Pursuits,” 54th Annual Institute for City and County Attorneys (September 2007) Athens, Georgia
  • Scott v. Harris:  The Supreme Court’s Decision on High-Speed Pursuits,” Georgia Sheriff’s Association,2007 Summer Training Conference (July 2007) Lake Lanier Islands, Georgia
  • “Municipal Liability – City of Canton Today,” Defense Research Institute, Civil Rights and Governmental Tort Liability Seminar, (February 2007) Orlando, Florida
  • “Liability of Local Governments: Final Policymaker Claims Under 42 U.S.C. § 1983,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia (November 2006) Atlanta, Georgia
  • “Practical Aspects of Assessing Liability in a Police Pursuit Case,” International Municipal Lawyers Association, 2006 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon
  • “A Practical Guide for the Use of Experts in § 1983 Litigation,” Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia (December 2002) Atlanta, Georgia