In 1952, the Atlanta Constitution published stories regarding a Floyd County court's handling of some traffic tickets.

[7] After the Constitution refused to publish information the Judge wanted added, he found Ralph McGill and William Fields in contempt of court and sentenced each to 20 days in jail plus a two hundred dollar fine.

[1][6] In 1982 he became one of a group of fourteen prominent people who helped establish and founded the Georgia State University College of Law offering an American Bar Association accredited evening curriculum.

He was known for his support of the death penalty, but his most lasting legacy was the elevation of the Georgia judiciary to a higher level of professionalism and respect.

Upon becoming Chief Justice, he insisted on the judiciary receiving the same respect as the executive and legislative branches of government.

His development of a unified appeal process in death penalty cases helped to eliminate delays in executing sentences.