A Georgia attorney has died after an outing with his son turned tragic in September, 2022.
Page Pate, a well-known Georgia attorney, was out swimming with his son off the coast of St. Simons Island. But the two got caught in a rip current and were pulled far away from shore.
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Pate, who was known for being a founding member of Pate, Johnson & Church, was pronounced dead at the hospital after rescue teams pulled him from the water.
First responders arrived on the scene after responding to a call that “two swimmers in distress” at Gould’s Inlet. The 55-year-old was pulled out of the water and into a boat, but did not survive. His son managed to reach the shore on his own.
Pate leaves behind a wife and two sons. A statement from his firm revealed that he was a family man in every way. “Some of Page’s happiest moments were on trips with his sons, whether long hikes on the West Coast or taking in Nascar races,” it said.
While he clearly loved his boys, he was also a massively talented lawyer. He was well-known and respected. According to his firm, he'd made the Super Lawyers list for the past 12 years, as well as making the US News list of The Best Lawyers in America for the last seven years.
“Though he was a formidable, sometimes intimidating, attorney in the courtroom, Page had an easy smile, an earnest laugh, and a great sense of humor,” the firm shared. Many other friends and colleagues have been sharing kind messages about Pate on social media.
The lawyer also helped found the nonprofit Georgia Innocence Project. The organization shared a statement about his incredible passion and spirit on Twitter. “Above all else, we will remember Page’s kindness and generosity, always willing to give anything he could to help, whether it be a personal matter or professional, and never asking for anything in return,” the organization wrote.
Pate graduated with honors from the University of Georgia Law School in 1994. He was also a respected voice in the media, often appearing on CNN to give insight into legal news stories.
The Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers also offered its condolences for the attorney's death. "The GACDL community sends thoughts of peace and comfort to his family and friends. Page was a larger-than-life person and attorney," the association shared in a statement.
