There are few events in life more stressful than a divorce or more devastating than the passing of a loved one. For 30 years, I have been assisting families and individuals in resolving sensitive divorce issues and guiding them through the complex web of laws related to wills and probate. After practicing with law firms in New Hampshire and Georgia, I founded my own firm in 2012 to give you the personal attention that such sensitive legal matters demand. As an active member of the communities of Cherokee and Cobb counties, I’ve come to know a wide range of people on a personal basis, just as I have done for the past 30 years. Hearing their stories is a constant reminder of how vitally important sound legal advice can be in times of need. I am one of the few attorneys in the area who concentrates on both divorce and wills and probate. When you need a sympathetic ear and experienced legal advice, I am only a phone call away and ready to help you through a troubling time. And while I take your legal case very seriously, I try not to take myself too seriously — laughter is, after all, the best medicine, and I find that a good sense of humor goes a long way in helping you to relax — especially during stressful situations.

Bruce is a native of Brooklyn New York. After graduating Howard University school of Law in 2009, Bruce decided to continue his purpose to serve as a social engineer. Bruce fell in love with law because of the opportunity to serve, motivate and to improve the community. His love for people coupled with his desire to be great and gift of passionate advocacy allow Bruce to stand out amongst other distinguished attorneys. Since 2010 Bruce Hawkins, Jr. has maintained a reputation as an attorney you can trust. Bruce is the managing attorney of Hawkins Law, LLC, located in Gwinnett County, Georgia. This general practice law firm offers clients representation in the areas of DUI and criminal defense, personal injury, family law and estate planning. Through passionate advocacy and honest communication, Hawkins Law, LLC turns clients into family once case at a time.

Greg Okwuosah is the founder of this client-centered law firm. The firm was founded with the belief that quality legal services, provided by a professional and experienced attorney, can be affordable for all individuals and businesses.This firm is committed to carefully listening to, and considering, all of a client’s issues and/or concerns right from the start. Attorney Greg Okwuosah understands, through his years of experience dealing with diverse legal and tax matters, including years as a former law intern, numerous court appearances as a former Special Assistant United States Attorney with the United States Department of Justice, a former Senior Attorney for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), as well as through his years of experience as a CPA, and a former Tax Manager for a Big Four accounting firm, that legal and tax matters are usually complicated, demanding, and stressful. That is one of the reasons why we at the firm strive to focus the first meeting with a client on helping that client feel that the client’s legal needs are understood and will be addressed. That way, the client is put at ease right from the start. Also, throughout the attorney-client relationship with the client, the firm frequently informs the client about the progress of the client’s work or case. Even after the attorney-client relationship, as part of our commitment to the highest standard of quality service, the firm remains available to answer questions the client may have about that case within a reasonable period thereafter.We’ve tried to anticipate your questions about our services in our practice areas in providing the information on this website, with the hope to help you prepare for your initial consultation with us. However, should you still have any questions after reading through the information on this website, do not hesitate to contact us.Remember, your initial consultation is free.

James Clifton is the founding member of The Clifton Law Firm, LLC and oversees the firm's multi-state practice. During the course of his career, James has focused primarily on real property, bankruptcy, wills, trusts, and estates, car accidents and slip and fall cases. Additionally, he possesses vast experience in suits to quiet title, real property and commercial lending transactions, comprehensive contract formation, title insurance claims, will drafting, estate planning, and probate litigation. On the weekends, James enjoys donating his time to the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation's Saturday Lawyer Program where he represents indigent clients on a pro bono basis. In addition, he represented Fayette County in the Georgia Attorney General’s state wide food drive, The Legal Food Frenzy. In the past, he has served as an elected member of the Executive Council of the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division and is a graduate of the prestigious Young Lawyer Leadership Academy. James is also a past president of the Fayette County Bar Association. James is a member of the American Bar Association and its Real Property, Trust, and Estate Section. He is also an active member in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia and its Real Property Law Section, Bankruptcy Section, and Creditor's Rights Section; the Florida Bar and its Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section; the State Bar of California and its Real Property Law Section; the State Bar of Texas and its Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section; and the District of Columbia Bar and its Real Property Law Section. In addition to the state licensures, James is licensed to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, and the United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. On May 14, 2012, James was sworn into the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Josh Nelson is an Attorney and Alliance Architect for Nelson Elder Care Law. He focuses his practice on finance, banking, and insurance to compliment his focus in elder law. Josh is active in the community, building relationships with people and key businesses in the areas we serve. He has developed strong alliances in the community to better serve our clients and provide holistic solutions to secure their future and protect their loved ones. He has a passion for protecting the assets of the people he serves through effective tax and financial strategies. Always up for a challenge, Josh successfully completed his Juris Doctorate while simultaneously earning his Master of Accounting degree in Taxation.

Stephen Suarino is an Immigration, Real Estate, Accident & Injury, Estate, and General Practice lawyer in Norcross, Georgia.

Attorney James H. Webb, Jr., is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. He has devoted his career to the representation of injured persons in serious personal injury cases and concentrates in the area of medical malpractice. Mr. Webb is the founding partner of the firm Webb Law LLC. He is a Cum Laude graduate of the University of Georgia Law School and a member of both the Georgia and Florida Bar Associations. Attorney Webb is a decorated veteran who served in Vietnam as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in field artillery. Mr. Webb insists that the lawyers and the other employees of the firm maintain a high level of professional and personal excellence. One of the few lawyers in the State of Georgia recognized as Board Certified in both Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and in Pretrial Practice by the National Board of Civil Pretrial Advocacy, he has given many lectures and seminars to other lawyers in the areas of medical malpractice and trial advocacy. Attorney Webb is a former Chairman of the General Practice and Trial Section of the Georgia State Bar, which has approximately 3000 lawyer members. For many years, he was the organizer and moderator for a Georgia Bar sponsored medical malpractice winter seminar. He genuinely enjoys handling medical malpractice cases and commonly refers to them as the “last great Sherlock Holmes cases.”

Attorney Carl Chapman is a trial lawyer who specializes in criminal defense and thrives in the courtroom. He served as second-chair in the Atlanta Public Schools (“APS”) cheating scandal which was a racketeering (“RICO”) prosecution that resulted in the longest, most expensive trial in Georgia history. Within two weeks of obtaining his license, he won his first trial as lead counsel and never looked back. He has handled hundreds of cases and always shows up ready for trial. Carl provides the highest quality representation to every client, and his knowledge of case law and passion for criminal defense is unmatched. He truly believes every case is winnable. Therefore, he prepares every case for trial. He believes in honest and open communication because trust is the foundation of a positive attorney-client relationship. Carl is originally from Warren County and attended Briarwood Academy where he graduated as Valedictorian and Star Student in 2008. He graduated with honors from Georgia Southern University in 2012 with a degree in Political Science and a minor in Fraud and Forensic Accounting. He continued his education at Georgia State University College of Law and obtained his Juris Doctorate in 2015. During law school, Carl focused his studies on advanced litigation techniques and complex evidentiary issues. He coupled those studies with real-world applications and gained invaluable courtroom experience with some of the most well-respected attorneys in Georgia. He interned with Peters, Rubin, & Sheffield, P.C., in Decatur, Georgia where he had the opportunity to work on the APS case which, as previously mentioned, was the longest, most expensive trial in Georgia history. He also interned with the Federal Defender Program in Atlanta, Georgia which represents indigent defendants in the Northern District of Georgia. During that time, he assisted with the research and drafting of appellate briefs for the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Prior to opening the Law Office of Carl Chapman, he worked for the Law Offices of W. Scott Smith in Atlanta, Georgia which is recognized as one of the top criminal defense firms in the state. In his three years with the firm, he gained invaluable experience from being in the courtroom daily and handling a wide variety of criminal offenses. If you hire attorney Carl Chapman, you can rest assured that you will get the individual attention you deserve and will deal directly with him from the very beginning. He will work to shoulder the burden of your charges. Remember, your charges do not define you, and Carl will work with you to ensure that you receive the best result possible. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. I can feel my impact the most at the end of long jury trial when the jury returns a verdict in favor of my client. That feeling is unmatched, but I also feel like getting a client their desired outcome during pre-trial negotiations is an even greater accomplishment. A good outcome is relative to the facts of the case and really dependent on what the individual client wants. I like to have each client rank his or her priorities at the outset of the case so I can get them the best offer possible tailored to their specific needs. If that final offer is unsatisfactory, then we ask for a jury trial. How did you build a successful practice? I have built a successful practice through preparation and client communication. Those two concepts go hand in hand to the extent that you never want to learn a new fact in court. I always know the case better than my opposing counsel, and I am always accessible to clients so they can tell me things about their case or ask questions about the legal process. What should clients look for in a lawyer? I always tell clients that they have to go with the attorney that makes them feel the most comfortable. I don’t mean to say that they should choose the attorney who promises them the moon. No, they have to see through that salesman and know that no attorney can make promises about a specific outcome. However, it is possible to get a sense of what the attorney will do to ensure the client gets a good outcome. You should ask questions and the attorney should ask questions of you. How important is local knowledge to the success of your cases? I usually tell clients not to hire me just because I know the judge or opposing counsel. I know many attorneys that have good relationships with opposing counsel because they always settle or plea out their cases with less than optimal terms for their clients. I don’t take a scorched-earth approach, but if I have to choose, I would always rather be respected than liked. The law and the facts of your case dictate the appropriate outcome. You need an attorney that understands both. If they happen to be local, then that’s just an added benefit. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? I answer the potential client's questions and explain the legal process. I also indicate what I would do in a case like theirs. What information do you need in a free phone consultation? I need to know the facts of the case (why do you or your loved one need me), the jurisdiction (what county or city), where the case is procedurally (just happened or about to start a jury trial). If the caller knows some but not all of this information, then I can still evaluate the case. However, the more information I have, the better I can assist the caller. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? There are many attorneys who can handle your case. Some will do a good job. Some will provide great customer service. Few will do both. Some will do neither. I will never speak poorly about other attorneys. However, I know that I can get you the best possible outcome. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? The most rewarding aspect of my job is catching an opposing witness in a lie. However, not all cases get to that point where I can have a Perry Mason moment in the courtroom. Resolving a case favorably without the theatrics of hearing can be almost as satisfying. I like to know that if I’m ever needed in the future, the client won’t hesitate to call me. What are your other interests in addition to law? I enjoy spending time with my family and staying active. Physical fitness, mental stamina, and emotional well-being go hand in hand. The practice of law is a marathon not a sprint, and I aim to be around for the fifty years. Are you involved in your community? I have recently moved to a new home in a new area, but I will become more involved in the coming years. Specifically, I plan to start coaching a mock trial team at the local high school.

Attorney Putnam C. Smith represents Main Street business owners and executives, professionals of all types and local, regional and national real estate investors, developers and operators, concentrating on business and commercial real estate transactions and tax and estate planning. Common transactions include start-ups, acquisitions and sales of closely held business, tax-free mergers and reorganizations, asset purchases, leveraged buyouts and joint ventures and partnerships in a wide range of industries. He has practiced corporate law in Atlanta and the surrounding metropolitan area since 1988, initially with Nall & Miller, LLP and later with Robert W. Fisher, P.C., a tax boutique that was instrumental in the creation of Nextel and a number of international ventures in the telecommunications industry before disbanding in 1994. Before attending law school, he incorporated Jimmy Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign and worked as a legal assistant with other leading Atlanta law firms, including King & Spalding, LLP and Kilpatrick Stockton, LLP, gaining invaluable experience with public corporations and investment banks. During his tenure with Lipscomb, Johnson, Sleister, Dailey & Smith, LLP, Mr. Smith has handled private equity investments in shopping centers and industrial and commercial property in several southeastern states, land assemblages requiring services ranging from quiet title actions to road closures and a $116 million buyout to resolve a shareholder’s dispute involving a closely held technology business.