Dr. Whitmire has both a law degree (J.D.) and Chemical Engineering degrees (B.S., M.S. Ph.D.). Does this matter? Sometimes it can make all the difference.

Kim T. Stephens ranks as one of the most accomplished trial lawyers and attorneys in the state of Georgia. With more than twenty-two years of experience in litigation, Kim has successfully resolved numerous high profile cases, defending professional and college athletes, doctors, police officers, and teachers charged with crimes ranging from misdemeanors to serious felony crimes. Kim has extensive experience in the areas of criminal law, personal injury, business and contract litigation, and probate law in the Athens area and around the State of Georgia. He practices in all courts including federal courts, superior and state courts, local municipal courts, probate courts, recorders courts, UGA student hearings, administrative hearings, and appellate courts. Kim represents individuals charged with misdemeanor crimes, including DUI; felony crimes, including drug charges, sexual offenses, family violence crimes, burglary, theft, and murder; and federal crimes throughout Georgia, providing an aggressive defense for his clients and consistently achieving optimal results for the people he represents. Kim is recognized both locally and nationally for his professionalism and skills as a litigator. He has earned the rank of 10.0, i.e. "superb," on avvo.com, achieving the highest possible score on the ten point scale that Avvo uses to grade attorneys. Avvo, the world’s largest online database committed to reviewing and ranking attorneys, awards the 10.0 ranking to less than 1% of attorneys nationally, placing Kim in the top percentage of attorneys in the United States. Martindale Hubbell, an attorney peer review database, has recognized Kim as “distinguished counsel,” which is a widely respected mark of achievement, differentiating a lawyer from his or her competition and reflecting a high level of respect in the legal community. More locally, the Athens Banner Herald named Kim as the people’s choice attorney for litigation in both 2013 and 2014. The Reader’s Choice Awards are based on votes from citizens in the Athens area and reflect Kim’s stellar reputation as a DUI and criminal defense attorney in the local community. Kim has provided expert legal commentary and/or given interviews to both regional and national news media, including: the Athens Banner Herald, the Red and Black, the Atlanta Journal Constitution, ABC news, Fox news, ESPN, CBS news, and many other local and national news organizations.

As a partner in one of the largest law firms in North Georgia, Rustin defended insurance companies and large businesses before co-founding Smith Hulsey. He has handled cases in both federal and state courts, appearing in U.S. District Courts and counties throughout Georgia. He has argued before the Supreme Court of Georgia, and litigated appeals in the Georgia Court of Appeals and U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Rustin graduated magna cum laude from the University of Georgia before attending Emory University School of Law, where he was selected for the Dean’s List, received the Dean’s Award, and was recommended for the Kesler-Eidson Trial Techniques Scholarship. Rustin has served on multiple Hall County nonprofit boards, was elected Gainesville Jaycee of the Year in 2011, and was a member of the 2015 State Bar Young Lawyer’s Leadership Academy. Since 2018, other Georgia attorneys have elected Rustin as a “Rising Star” as featured in Super Lawyers magazine.